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What are Dual Credits?
Dual credit courses are often referred to as dual enrollment. Dual credits are courses that allow high school students to earn college credit while still in high school. These courses are offered by colleges and universities and are taught either at the high school or on the college campus.
Dual credit courses are only open to high school juniors and seniors, and students typically must meet the same admissions requirements as their college-level peers.
How does dual enrollment work?
Dual credit programs are offered through partnerships between high schools and colleges. Students can take dual credit courses on their high school campus, at a local college, or online. In some cases, students may be able to take dual credit courses during the regular school day, while others may need to take them outside of school hours.
Eligibility requirements for dual credit programs vary by state and school district. However, most programs require students to be at least 16 years old and to have a minimum GPA. Some programs may also have other requirements, such as passing a placement exam or completing a certain number of high school credits.
What is the difference between Dual credit and AP?
The main difference between dual credits and AP courses is that dual credits allow students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously, while AP courses only offer the opportunity to earn college credit based on exam performance.
Students earn dual credit i.e. both high school and college credit simultaneously. While in AP you earn high school credit when you pass the AP exam and you may earn college credit in select colleges based on your performance.
Dual Credit | AP | |
What is it? | Dual credit is a program that allows high school students to take college-level courses at a college or university while still enrolled in high school. | AP courses are college-level courses that are taught in high school. Students who take AP courses can earn college credit if they pass the AP exam at the end of the year. |
Who offers it | Partnership between college and high school | College Board |
How credit is awarded | Passing the course | Scoring a 3 or higher on the AP exam |
Course length | One semester to one academic year | One school year |
Cost | $100-$300 per course | $96 per exam |
Summary
Dual credit and AP are great options for high school students who want to earn college credit while still in high school. However, students should carefully consider their individual needs and goals when choosing between the two programs.
Written by
Apoorvaa AgarwalReviewed by
Priyanshi Agrawal