Dual Credit
Rankin County School District
Dual Credit
Parental Newsletter
Dual Credit
- The Rankin County School District offers Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit courses for eligible students from all eight high schools.
- Mississippi Code of 1972: 37-15-38 established dual enrollment and dual credit programs for high school and postsecondary credit. The purpose of the Dual Enrollment and Credit Program is to offer structured opportunities for qualified high school students to simultaneously enroll in college courses at Mississippi (public) Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) or Mississippi Community or Junior Colleges (CJCs) that provide pathways leading to academic or career technical postsecondary credit.
- Currently, the Rankin County School District has an MOU dual credit agreement with Hinds Community College.
Purpose
- The primary purposes of a dual credit program are to increase the educational options and opportunities for high school students and increase the overall quality of instruction and learning available through secondary schools.
- Fundamentally, dual credit programs allow students to earn credit at the secondary and postsecondary levels simultaneously and they provide students an early glimpse of college life.
- The programs may also encourage more students to consider higher education, especially students from underrepresented groups.
Benefits
- Builds college-level academic skills.
- Sets students apart in college admission and on scholarship applications.
- Students can earn high school credits while earning college credits.
- Increases college readiness
- Assists with college cost savings.
- Dual credit classes can earn students college credit that can be applied to high school and college graduation, and transferred to other colleges (out of state colleges vary on transfer acceptability).
Dual Enrollment Versus Dual Credit
- A dual enrolled student is a student who is enrolled in a community college or junior college or state institution of higher learning while enrolled in high school. The student receives postsecondary credit for coursework.
- A dual credit student is a student who is enrolled in a community or junior college or state institution of higher learning while enrolled in high school. The student receives both high school and postsecondary credit for coursework regardless of the course location (high school campus, postsecondary campus, or online). One three-hour postsecondary course is equal to one high school Carnegie unit.
Academic and CTE Eligibility Requirements
Academic Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment, a high school student must meet the following criteria:
- Be classified as a Junior or Senior as listed as defined in Appendix B of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards;
- Have a minimum overall high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and
- Obtain an unconditional written recommendation from his/her high school counselor, principal, or principal’s designee.
OR
- Have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- Earned a minimum composite ACT score of 30 or the equivalent SAT score; and
- Obtain an unconditional written recommendation from his/her high school counselor or principal.
Career and Technical Education Eligibility
To be eligible for enrollment, a high school student must meet the following criteria:
- Have a minimum overall high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
- Will be classified as a sophomore, junior or senior; and
- Obtain an unconditional recommendation from school administrator/ counselor or CTE instructor.
Fees
|
Delivery Method |
Description |
Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
Face-to-Face & Online |
Tuition |
$50/credit hour |
|
Face-to-Face & Online |
Textbook Fee |
$25/credit hour |
Students must pay a non-refundable tuition fee of $50 per credit hour. Fees are due by a specified deadline each semester, or a payment plan must be set up by this time. Students are responsible for the purchase of textbooks and/or online fees. Pending the availability of Federal funds, the District may match or pay fees for students who meet certain assistance eligibility requirements. Check with your counselor to find out what financial support may be available for you.
Placement
Eligibility is defined as meeting the minimum requirements for admission (e.g., College Preparatory Curriculum, specific grade point average (GPA), specific composite ACT or SAT score) to Mississippi’s community colleges and public universities. Once admitted to one of Mississippi’s community colleges or public universities, students are placed into mathematics, English, and reading courses based on assessment of academic skill level.
Common assessments used for placement include ACT subtest scores by subject area and ACCUPLACER tests. Scan the QR code for college-specific score requirements by course.
How to apply?
See your school counselor!
Rankin County School District is currently partnered with Hinds Community College to provide dual credit options to students throughout the district. Students should check with their counseling office to see what courses are offered at his/her home school.
You may contact the counselor at your home school with any questions related to Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit programs or the counselor at your home school.
Student Enrollment Documentation
Students must have all documentation listed below before he/she can be registered for courses with Hinds Community College
1. Student Application - completed online through Hinds Community College website (www.hindscc.edu)
2. Student Letter of Recommendation
Students should have completed 10 core units of school work and demonstrate both academic and social readiness for college level coursework. This document is completed at the home school by the student's counselor.
3. Student ACT Placement Requirements - click the link below for the requirements for placement in dual credit courses
4. Student Transcript
5. Student Forms
These forms are to be signed by a parent/guardian of the student enrolling in dual credit courses. The student-parent agreement provides the outline for all policies students must understand and follow throughout their enrollment in DC courses. The FERPA waiver authorizes Hinds Community College to release student educational records to the people listed on the form.
Student Withdrawal Information
Students deciding to withdraw from a dual credit course will need to complete the RCSD withdrawal form in their counselor's office, as well as take care of their withdrawal on the Hinds website (through their My.Hinds account) or in person on a Hinds campus.
Please be aware that withdrawal from a course may affect student ability to receive financial aid in the future and/or college transcripts.