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What is Dual Credit?
What is Dual Credit?
Dual credit courses allow eligible high school students to enroll in college course(s) and receives credit for the course(s) from both the college and high school. Dual credit courses may be taught on the high school campus by an approved instructor or on the college campus. Katy ISD dual credit courses are taught by Houston Community College faculty who are often also Katy ISD teachers.
Dual Credit courses, which are optional courses offered as part of our dual credit program, involve college-level content that may explore topics beyond the scope of typical high school courses. It is important for students and parents/guardians to be aware that some of the material covered in these courses may not align with the policies and guidelines set by the school district.
Katy ISD partners with Houston Community College for dual credit programming. Dual Credit students are both Katy ISD students and HCC college students.
Houston Community College (HCC) provides high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit and high school credit through enrollment with HCC while in high school.
Any high school student who is currently enrolled in 10th grade or higher may be eligible for dual credit. Students demonstrating college readiness through a State of Texas approved college placement test (i.e. SAT, ACT, PSAT, STAAR, TSI) can earn dual credit by taking an approved college class offered at a high school, HCC campus, or online.
Students can begin their college careers while still in high school at a heavily discounted rate.
FAQs
FAQs
Q: How much do dual credit classes cost?
A: In Katy ISD, a dual credit course costs $65 plus the cost of the class textbook, which will vary from course to course. By comparison, the same course taken at HCC as a college student would cost $547.50 plus the textbook and over $1,500 plus the textbook at the University of Houston. *You can research college tuition and fees on any college website to compare costs.
Q: Can I take dual credit classes for free or at a cheaper rate if I receive free or reduced lunch?
A: There is no additional fee waiver since dual credit classes are already so heavily discounted; however, students who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch do qualify for the FAST Funding grant offered by the state of Texas. This grant covers the cost of dual credit classes as well as the required textbooks. If you qualify for this, there is no cheaper option to earn college credit! Parents are required to complete an Annual Student Update to determine eligibility each year.
Q: Is AP or Dual Credit better?
A: Neither AP nor Dual Credit is better than the other. Rather, students need to compare and contrast these options to determine which is a better fit for him/her. Things to consider:
To earn college credit in an AP course, students must take the AP exam, earn the score required by the college he/she attends, and send the passing score to the college from College Board. If you are a strong test-taker, this may be a good fit for you.
To earn college credit in a Dual Credit course, students need to pass the class and send their transcript from HCC to the college they later attend. If you are a strong student but don't necessarily do well on standardized tests, this may be a good fit for you.
Both AP and Dual Credit courses are more rigorous than traditional high school courses. As such, both will help you prepare for college-level courses and make you a more competitive college applicant.
In Katy ISD, AP courses receive a weighted grade point 5.0 for determining high school GPA while Dual Credit courses receive a weight grade point of 4.5 for determining high school GPA. While both course levels are more advanced than academic level courses, AP courses tend to be a bit more rigorous than Dual Credit courses.
Both AP exams and Dual Credit courses are widely accepted at colleges nation-wide. By state law, HCC college-level academic credit is transferable to all public colleges in Texas as either core or elective credit. Dual Credit courses may not be accepted at private or out-of-state colleges, so do your research when deciding which option is better for your future college plans. Students needs to research AP and Dual Credit acceptance at the college(s) they are considering.
Even if a college does not accept AP or Dual Credit as credit, students are still strongly advised to take AP and/or Dual Credit courses for the many benefits (listed below).
Q: Will the dual credit courses I take transfer to the college I attend?
A: If you attend a Texas public college or university, credit bearing courses will transfer. Core courses will meet core requirements at other Texas public colleges/universities. Katy ISD offers a variety of courses, including both Academic courses and Workforce courses. Academic courses are transferrable to universities while workforce courses are not as they are applied to workforce certificates. More information about dual credit workforce certificate programs offered in Katy ISD can be found at https://www.katyisd.org/Page/4408 as well as on our Canvas page.
Q: How will I benefit from taking dual credit courses?
A: Lots of ways!
Students will receive college credit and high school credit simultaneously.
Students will prove to colleges their readiness to handle the rigor of college courses.
Students are graded on a higher GPA scale (4.0 for Academic, 4.5 for Dual Credit, 5.0 for AP).
Students will be more competitive for college admissions.
Students can graduate from high school with transferable college credits.
Students can fast-track their undergraduate or workforce degrees.
Student may save on tuition and fees by reducing the time to complete a degree.
Students will have access to a full range of college student support services while in high school to aid them in a smooth transition to college after graduation.
Q: Are dual credit classes hard?
A: Dual credit classes are more challenging than most high school classes because they are college courses. However, if you have developed strong student success skills, like good study habits, time management, etc., and plan to attend college after high school, you should be capable of success. If you find yourself struggling, however, act early to seek help by communicating with your professor and attending tutorials offered for free by HCC.
Q: Am I eligible to take dual credit courses?
A: In 2025, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board removed college-ready score requirements to qualify for dual credit courses as long as students are non-degree seeking. To be considered non-degree seeking, students must 1) have <14 hours of college-level credit hours and 2) apply to HCC as an undecided major. If a student applies to HCC with a major selected or has completed 14 college-level credit hours, they then have to prove college-readiness. College-readiness can be proven by passing a course in the related field (i.e. 3 hours of English or 3 hours of Math) or by earning college-readiness scores on either the SAT, ACT, or TSI. Please see score requirements here.
Q: If I receive accommodations at Morton Ranch, will I also receive those at HCC?
A: Students with a documented disability MUST meet with the HCC ADA counselor PRIOR to enrollment. Academic accommodations will be provided ONLY AFTER students have properly registered for services with the appropriate consultation and documentation through a designated services counselor in HCC Counseling and Disabilities Services. This process takes a few months to complete, so if you are seeking accommodations, begin in the spring prior to fall courses.
Q: Are there dual credit classes for students who are interested in earning a workforce certificate rather than going to a four-year college?
A: Yes! Katy ISD now offers dual credit courses for workforce certificates and is offering more each year. Check out the district CTE website for information about a few new programs. All academic and workforce courses are also listed in SchooLinks course selection and on our Canvas site.
Q: Where can I hear more about AP and Dual Credit options?
A: Attend our AP/Dual Credit Night each year! Pay attention to every Friday's MRHS eNews email as well as Canvas announcements. Course Selection Night/Dual Credit Night is typically held in January. You can also find more information at the Katy ISD Dual Credit page.
Q: How do I sign up for dual credit classes?
A: Scroll down to read the registration process. Additionally, the most up-to-date information is always available on our Canvas site!
Which Classes are Offered as Dual Credit at MRHS?
Which Classes are Offered as Dual Credit at MRHS?
All course offerings are listed in SchooLinks and Canvas.
If you don't have access to our Canvas course, you can also see course options in this course crosswalk.
Cost Savings Comparison
Cost Savings Comparison
Dual Credit courses through Houston Community College are $65 per 3-credit hour course (plus the cost of textbooks, if applicable). For example,
US History fall semester = HIST 1301 three-hour college course = $65
US History spring semester = HIST 1302 three-hour college course = $65
Do I Qualify for Dual Credit Classes?
Do I Qualify for Dual Credit Classes?
NEW January 2025! Test Scores Not Required for MOST!
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) no longer requires high school students planning to prove college-readiness to take dual credit courses as long as they:
are non-degree seeking (apply as an Undecided major when completing HCC application in Apply Texas)
have earned less than or equal to 14 college credit hours
THECB has updated qualifications for dual credit students. Students may qualify for dual credit courses by:
TSI Exemption - earn college-ready scores on ACT, SAT or related AP exam (see below)
TSI Testing - pass the TSIA2 in relevant subject area (see below)
TSI Waiver - enroll in Level 1 certification program
Non-Degree Seeking Classification - students may be classified as non-degree seeking under the following conditions:
They enroll in ≤ 14 hours college-level credit hours
To continue beyond the 14-hour limit, students must meet TSI requirements through testing or course completion (3 hours in Math or 3 hours in English)
They must satisfy the course prerequisites, excluding college-readiness
MRHS can determine & assess whether students meet the necessary college-readiness standards.
College Placement Tests & Score Requirements
Once required (see above), students must show college readiness in reading, writing, and/or math as applicable to the course(s) the student plans to take. College-readiness can be proven by previously passing a dual credit course or AP exam in the relevant subject (i.e. ENGL for Reading and Writing, MATH for Math) or via test scores in the SAT, ACT, or TSIA2.
TSIA2 and Approved Exam Scores
TSIA2 Exam
TSIA2 Exam
If a high school student is not TSIA2 exempt or waived from taking the TSIA2, then the student will be required to take the TSIA2. High school students awarded partial TSIA2 exemption or placement based upon sections of the SAT or ACT may be required to take sections of the TSIA2 relevant to course selections.
The TSIA2 Exam is divided into two component areas for English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) + Writing and Mathematics. Based upon course selections for Dual Credit and after completing the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA), the student may be asked to take the TSIA2 Assessment in each component area. Where necessary, the student may be given an additional diagnostic test in a particular subject area. The TSIA2 Assessment is designed to provide more detailed information regarding your academic strengths and weaknesses.
A high school student is eligible to enroll in Dual Credit with the following TSIA2 Scores:
ELAR: score of 945+ or <945 and 5 (Diagnostic)
Essay: score of 5
Math: score of 950+ or 6 (ABE-M)
TSIA2 Exemptions and other approved scores for Dual Credit
TSIA2 Exemptions and other approved scores for Dual Credit
The Texas Success Initiative (TSIA2) is a state program designed to help colleges and universities determine students' preparedness for college-level coursework in the general areas of reading, writing and mathematics. The TSI program is designed to promote the success of students in college by assessing students' academic skills through a state approved examination called the TSIA2.
All students in Texas public colleges are required to take the TSIA2 unless the student qualifies for a TSIA2 exemption. A high school student may be exempt from taking the TSIA2 by meeting one of the following requirements.
Approval for Dual Credit Registration
A high school student is eligible to register in dual credit course selected on the Exceptional Admissions form if the student meets the course prerequisites outlined in the Description of Courses in the college course catalog. A Dual Credit Advisor will use the results of college placement scores to determine if the high school student meets prerequisite requirements for enrollment in the Dual Credit program.
Most Dual Credit courses require students to demonstrate college readiness in Reading and Writing to register for college-level academic and workforce education courses not included in a Level-One Certificate.
Math placement scores are used for enrollment in freshman college-level Math courses, such as Math 1314, 1324, 1332, and 1342. Additional Math placement scores may be required for students requesting Math courses higher than the college-level freshman Math courses providing he/she has met the college readiness standard in Math as defined by the Texas Success Initiative. Furthermore, math placement scores may be used for enrollment in courses in other disciplines as in the Sciences.
If you have questions regarding placement scores and how the scores are used to register for college-level courses, contact Mrs. Boyle for more information. Finally, we encourage high school students to complete the application process and assessment testing early to allow time for retesting if necessary prior to the MRHS registration deadline.
How Do I Sign Up for Dual Credit?
How Do I Sign Up for Dual Credit?
In addition to choosing the dual credit course(s) you want to take during course selection, you are required to:
CHOOSE Dual Credit courses in course selection. See communication from MRHS counselors about course selection in SchooLinks.
APPLY to Houston City College as an Undecided major at www.applytexas.org. (This is only for new dual credit students).
Use this guide as you complete your Apply Texas application. It is essential that you answer each question correctly to avoid unnecessary testing.
SUBMIT required paperwork to the Counselor's Office. Paperwork is available in the Dual Credit Canvas course and Counselor's Office during application season.
Complete online New Student Orientation (after receiving acceptance email)
Valid Meningitis vaccination records (if taking courses in person at an HCC campus)
QUALIFY by taking the TSI (if you required (see above) and you have not already met the required scores)
You can take the TSI at HCC or at MRHS. Please refer to the Testing page on this website, the TSI module in Canvas or see Mrs. Boyle in the Counseling Office for more information about TSI testing.
SET UP your Houston Community College My Eagle account. See instructions in your HCC acceptance email (Do NOT delete that email!!!) and in MRHS Dual Credit Canvas course.
Complete challenge questions the first time you log into your MyEagle account to avoid getting locked out.
Complete online New Student Orientation.
Submit Meningitis vaccination records (if taking courses in person at an HCC campus).
ENROLL in HCC dual credit courses (if taking online or at HCC).
Help will be offered for those taking Dual Credit courses online or at HCC (typically, summer students). For those taking courses at MRHS, your counselor will register you into the course(s) as long as you've done the above and met the deadlines! Pay attention to announcements and email messages.
PAY for your HCC dual credit course at myeagle.hccs.edu.
Failure to pay course fees on time will result in transcript holds.
Here's a guide for how to pay for your courses.
DEADLINES
All deadlines are final. No extensions will be offered.
SUMMER 2026 Dual Credit Application - Complete & submit ALL requirements by February 23, 2026
FALL 2026/SPRING 2027 Dual Credit Packet Forms - Complete & submit ALL requirements by March 27, 2026
REQUIRED: Join Dual Credit Canvas Course
If you're enrolled in dual credit, make sure you've been added to the MRHS Dual Credit Canvas Course so you don't miss anything important!
Join by clicking emailing Mrs. Boyle.
Information for Current Dual Credit Students
Information for Current Dual Credit Students
Current dual credit students can find resources in the Dual Credit module of our College & Career Canvas course. A few resources are also listed below.
How to Sign In to HCC Account for the First Time
How to Request HCC Transcript - Students need to send the HCC transcript to the college they attend after high school for college credits to be transferred to the college
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