What is Dual Enrollment? Dual Enrollment offers students the opportunity to take challenging college courses not offered at their high school, while earning college credit!
How much does Dual Enrollment cost? Tuition and registration fees are fully covered for accepted students. Special course fees (ex. art course materials fee) are to be covered by the student. Textbook support varies annually by Dual Enrollment program.
What are the advantages of Dual Enrollment? Dual Enrollment offers students the opportunity to maintain their high school status while enrolling part-time at participating local universities. Additional benefits may include:
- Helps students build confidence in completing college-level coursework
- Enables student to start college with a well-established GPA
- Enhances high level thinking skills, which help students throughout college
- Lowers the overall costs of college
Who can participate in Dual Enrollment? DCPS students in grades 10-12 can participate in Dual Enrollment. Click here to view college/university specific grade-level and GPS requirements for each Dual Enrollment program.
Can I apply to more than 1 program? Yes! You can apply to Dual Enrollment programs (if eligible) during the open application period. Upon acceptance, students are encouraged to meet with their school counselor to discuss what option best fits the student's schedule and academic desires. Students who are interested in taking a dual enrollment (DE) course in person must obtain approval from their counselor to ensure that the course does not conflict with any DCPS scheduling requirements. If a DE course does not align with a student’s schedule, Central Office reserves the right to drop the student from the course.
Who selects Dual Enrollment participants? Each university sets their own requirements for admissions and makes all admissions decisions. DCPS acts as the intermediary and helps to facilitate the application process.
What classes can I take? Visit the DCPS Dual Enrollment homepage and click on the program of your choosing (DCPS Private Universities or OSSE Consortium). Once you click on the specific program, course options will be outlined for each college/university on that webpage. Please note that course catalog offerings are subject to change each academic term.
How many classes can I take? The number of courses a Dual Enrollment student can take per semester varies on the Dual Enrollment program and college/university they are attending. In general, most schools allow students to take one 3-credit course per semester, with some allowing students to take up to two courses.
When and where do Dual Enrollment classes take place? Course offerings vary for each college/university. Between the OSSE Consortium & DCPS Private Universities program, there are a variety of virtual and in-person on-campus meeting options that offer courses during the school day and after school. To learn more about the course offering schedule by college/university, visit the DCPS Dual Enrollment homepage. Please click on the program of your choosing (DCPS Private Universities or OSSE Consortium). Once you click on the specific program, course options will be outlined for each college/university on that webpage.
Where does my grade show? A Dual Enrollment course not taken for Dual Credit does not affect the student’s high school GPA, and students will only earn college credit upon successful course completion. Students interested in earning both high school and college credits for their Dual Enrollment course are able to request Dual Credit. To request dual credit, a student must receive approval from their parent/legal guardian, school counselor or principal, and DCPS Central Services Dual Enrollment Coordinator via the dual credit form.
Can I earn high school credit? Dual Enrollment through the OSSE Consortium and DCPS Private program by default is only for college credits. To earn both college AND high school credits for a course OSSE or DCPS Private, students must request Dual Credit via the Dual Credit Request Form by the deadline (deadlines listed here). ATC, NEON, and Early College Academies are dual credit by default and high school credit will be awarded automatically.
If the Dual Credit Request Form is not completed within the timeframes specified above, students will only receive college credits for successful course completion and will not be approved to receive high school credit.
Will Dual Enrollment credits transfer to other colleges/universities? Each college/university sets policies on credit transferability. While we encourage Dual Enrollment partner institutions to enroll students in highly transferrable courses, we cannot ensure credit transferability. We advise that you consult the school(s) you are planning to attend to be sure.
If my child has an IEP, will they receive the same accommodations and supports as they receive in high school? The DCPS Dual Enrollment Coordinator will assist students who self-identify with a disability and are receiving services through either an IEP or 504 plan with connection to Academic Support Service offices at each participating university. If you would like additional information on DCPS supports for students with disabilities, please email [email protected].
When and how will I know if I am accepted to my college of choice? Students receive notifications directly from central office. Enrollment steps will come directly from the University.
How much will the program cost? There is no cost to students or parents if selected for the DC Dual Enrollment Program. OSSE will fund the cost of tuition and books for up to one (3-credit) courses per semester.