College Credit in High School
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: No. Dual credit classes are already heavily discount, so there is no additional discount.
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.
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 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: To be eligible to take dual credit courses, you have to prove college-readiness by earning the required scores on either the PSAT, SAT, ACT, STAAR, TSI, etc. 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.
Q: How do I sign up for a dual credit class?
A: To sign up for a dual credit class:
Apply to HCC (if you have not already done so in the past) at www.applytexas.org.
Submit required paperwork to the Counselor's Office. Packet will be available in Canvas and the Counseling Office during application season.
Dual Credit Packet
Attend New Student Orientation (after accepted)
Valid Meningitis vaccination records (if taking courses at HCC)
Take the TSI (if 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 Ms. Boyle in the Counseling Office for more information about TSI testing.
TSI will be offered for free at MRHS throughout the year. Pay attention to announcements and school email for registration information. *Be sure you check your email regularly so you don't miss out!
Enroll in HCC dual credit courses (if taking online or at HCC). Help will be offered around for those taking Dual Credit courses online or at HCC. 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.
Q: Where can I hear more about AP and Dual Credit options?
A: Check out this video recording from our AP/Dual Credit Night! We will have a meeting each year to discuss options and updates, so be sure to attend!
Which Classes are Offered as Dual Credit at PHS?
FALL/SPRING COURSES - 2023-2024
PHS English 3 (juniors) = HCC: ENGL 1301 & 1302
PHS English 4 (seniors) = HCC: ENGL 1301 & 1302
PHS English 4 (seniors who took DC English as juniors) = HCC: ENGL 2322 & 2323
PHS US History (juniors) = HCC: HIST 1301 & 1302
PHS Government (seniors) = HCC: GOVT 2305
PHS Economics (seniors) = HCC: ECON 2301
PHS College Algebra (juniors/seniors who have completed Algebra 2) = HCC: MATH 1314
PHS Elements of Calculus (juniors/seniors who have completed Algebra 2) = HCC: MATH 1325
*Not all courses will be offered at PHS. Offerings depend on student enrollment.
SUMMER COURSES (only offered at HCC campus) - 2023
US History may NOT be taken during the summer because of STAAR Testing.
Rising Seniors (Current Juniors)
Economics 2301 - hybrid at Raines - June 5-July 11
Government 2305 - hybrid at Raines - June 5-July 11
Math 1314(College Algebra) - must have passed Algebra II - hybrid at Raines - June 5-July 11
Courses listed above as approved by your counselor - online only through HCC
Rising Juniors (Current Sophomores)
Math 1314 (College Algebra) - must have passed Algebra II - hybrid at Raines - June 5-July 11
Courses listed above as approved by your counselor - online only through HCC
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?
College Placement Tests & Score Requirements
To enroll in dual credit courses, students must show college readiness in reading, writing, and/or math as applicable to the course(s) the student plans to take.
All students in Texas public colleges are required to demonstrate college readiness through the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2), which is a state program designed to promote student success by assessing students' academic skills through the TSI Assessment (TSIA2).
Students may either take the TSIA2 or show scores from other accepted assessments approved for placement. Approved assessments are the TSIA2, ACT, SAT, and STAAR.
TSIA2 and Approved Exam Scores
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 STAAR EOC, SAT, ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, or PLAN 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
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. In addition, high school students can be waived from taking the TSIA2 by submitting approved placement scores, typically taken in the 10th grade, for 11th grade Dual Credit eligibility. A high school student may be exempt or waived from taking the TSIA2 by meeting one of the requirements on the chart below.
If you do NOT qualify based on STAAR, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores, see the TSI module to sign up to take the TSIA2 Assessment.
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 Ms. 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.
REQUIRED: Join 2023-2024 Dual Credit Remind Group
Information coming soon! We are waiting on official information from the district and expect to have detail by mid-February.