Welcome to the Harper ISD Dual Credit page.
If you are interested in taking dual credit courses, check out the information below. Please be sure to meet with your high school counselor to discuss which courses are right for you, as well as get any questions answered.
HHS holds an annual dual credit informational session each spring in partnership with ASU. Be sure to watch notifications about the date and time; it is the perfect opportunity to get a better understanding and get questions answered by both the HHS and ASU staff.
Missed the meeting? Click here to see the local slideshow.
For a step-by-step checklist to help you get started, click here.
Download the HISD Dual Credit Program Policies and Procedures
The HISD Board of Trustees currently has a scholarship/reimbursement in place for students that successfully complete their dual credit course. Each student is eligible for a reimbursement of up to $150 per course, up to 4 times a calendar year.
Click here to learn more about the scholarship and how to apply.
Application Steps:
Students interested in taking dual credit courses will meet with the school counselor in order to discuss course options, gather necessary registration paperwork, and get general information.
Complete the HISD Dual Credit Application & Contract and submit for review.
If all local criteria is met, student will complete the online application to be submitted to Angelo State University, being sure to comply with the university’s deadlines.
Complete TSIA2 if necessary. (Click here for more information on the TSIA2)
Meet with the school counselor each semester to select/register for courses.
**be sure to attend the informational session in the spring to get additional information
An MOU (memorandum of understanding) is an agreement between the School District and our community college and university partners. Harper ISD's main partner for dual credit courses is Angelo State University, although we have agreements in place with Central Texas College and Tarleton State University as well.
You can view our MOUs by partner institution by clicking on the links below.
(College Algebra - see the school counselor for more information)
It is the responsibility of each student to know the of transferability of courses to their desired future college.
Students can check these college credit transfer policies by speaking with the college they plan to attend directly.
You can also compare credits between universities by visiting the Texas Common Course Numbering System website. Click "Compare School" and use Angelo State University as one of your comparison schools.
Dual Credit courses offer a unique opportunity for high school students to earn both college credit and high school graduation credit simultaneously. By successfully completing an approved Dual Credit course, you can get a head start on your college education while still in high school.
Dual Credit courses aren't just about getting ahead. They also give you a taste of college-level coursework and help you build the skills and confidence you'll need to succeed in college. Recent data shows that students who complete Dual Credit courses are more likely to persist in their second year of college, both at two and four-year institutions in Texas, compared to their peers who did not participate.
Furthermore, over the last 8 years in Texas, Dual Credit participants had a higher four-year college graduation rate than their non-participating peers at almost every public institution in the state. This means that not only can Dual Credit courses help you get a head start on college, but they can also set you up for long-term success and better outcomes after graduation.
To learn more about Dual Credit opportunities at Harper ISD, talk to your high school counselor.
College credit: Dual credit courses allow high school students to earn college credits while still in high school, which can help them save time and money in college.
High school graduation credit: Students who successfully complete dual credit courses earn both high school and college credit, which helps them fulfill high school graduation requirements.
College readiness: Dual credit courses provide students with an opportunity to experience college-level coursework and expectations, helping them prepare for the challenges of college and potentially increasing their likelihood of success.
Rigor: Dual credit courses are typically more rigorous than regular high school courses, which can challenge students to push themselves academically and develop critical thinking skills.
Increased chances of college admission: Dual credit courses on a high school transcript can signal to college admissions officers that a student has taken rigorous coursework and is prepared for college-level work.
Early exposure to college environment: Dual credit courses allow high school students to experience college academics and expectations, giving them a chance to adjust and acclimate to college expectations before fully enrolling & being on their own.
Improved chances of college graduation: Studies have shown that students who participate in dual credit or dual enrollment programs are more likely to graduate from college within four years compared to their peers who did not participate.
When can I begin taking Dual Credit Courses?
The appropriate time to start dual credit courses, just like what classes to take, depends on the individual. It is as much about your goals, as it is your scheduling availability and extra-curricular/outside commitments. Harper ISD does not allow students to enroll in dual credit courses until the spring semester of their freshmen year, and it is recommended they start with only one course.
While ASU does offer summer courses, only incoming juniors and seniors are eligible for summer courses.
What Dual Credit Courses should I take if I am just starting out with Dual Credit for the first time?
At HISD, we offer a wide variety of course options. The appropriate dual credit course depends as much on your goals and academic success as it does on your grade level. It is highly recommended (by HISD and ASU) that students begin their dual credit journey with Art Appreciation. This course is designed as an intro level course, and allows first time students to get a solid experience and build confidence in the online platform and over all abilities and success in the college academic environment.
How many Dual Credit courses should I take per semester? Per Year?
This is again an individually based question and answer. A general practice and suggestion is that the first time student begin with only one course. As you gain experience and demonstrate success with dual credit, you can build from there. HISD recommends that students limit themselves to no more than 9 college credit hours per semester.
Will all of my Dual Credit grades be applied to my high school transcript?
Yes. All Dual Credit grades - regardless of pass or fail - will be entered onto your high school transcript.
Will all of the Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment courses I take transfer to the college I plan to attend?
For the most part, yes. In the state of Texas, if a course is taken as a component of the Texas Core Curriculum, then public colleges and universities in Texas will be obligated to take the course. This doesn't guarantee that the credit will transfer into your degree plan so it is important that you make dual-credit decisions carefully. Talk to the colleges you are interested in attending to help ensure you make the best decisions. For out-of-state and private institutions it will be up to the ‘receiving’ institution as to what credit and how much that college/university will take as transfer credit.
A good rule of thumb would be to check your potential colleges and their transfer policy to see if they accept credit from Angelo State University, Tarleton State University or Central Texas College.
What courses are available for dual credit and how do they apply to my high school transcript?
This is a complicated question because there are a lot of what ifs involved. Students who are interested in dual credit should meet with their high school counselor to help ensure that the courses they wish to take will satisfy their high school graduation requirements.
High school courses are applied as weighted courses to the high school transcript.