Dual Degree

Dual Degree

SMSD is proud to offer a Dual Degree Program, which allows students to work toward an Associate Degree from JCCC while they earn their high school diploma. This program is a strategic pathway that can give a considerable head start in higher education and career goals. Please see the JCCC Dual Degree website for more information.

What you need to know:

• Dual Enrollment: You'll be enrolled in both high school and college-level courses simultaneously. Students will spend most or all of their day at JCCC taking classes. 

• This program typically starts during Junior year.

• Associate Offerings:

  • Associate of Arts is designed for students who plan to transfer to another college or university to earn any bachelor's degree (most popular degree).

  • Associate of Fine Arts is designed for students who plan to transfer to another college or university to earn a bachelor's degree in fine arts. 

  • Associate of Science is designed for students who plan to transfer to another college or university to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing, health care or science-related field.

  • Associate of Applied Science is designed for tech ed students who wish to be a manager (HVAC, Auto, Welding, etc.)

  • Associate of General Studies is designed for students who wish to receive a degree for completion of a more general program of study (not 4-year bound)

• Cost-Effective: This program can reduce the overall cost of college education, as many of the college credits earned at JCCC are a fraction of what you’ll pay at a university. Students will need to be able to pay for the cost of their program.

• Transferability: Full associates degrees sometimes transfer to universities easier than individual dual credit classes. 

  • Verify with the university first, though! Start here: JCCC Credits Transferability and find your college/university you would like to transfer the credits to.

  • Credits will also transfer back to SMSD to meet diploma requirements: SMSD Dual Degree Crosswalk

• Time-Saving: By the time you graduate from high school, you could have an Associate Degree in hand, effectively cutting down the time and cost it takes to earn a bachelor's degree.

• Academic Challenge: The college-level courses are rigorous and can be an excellent opportunity for you to challenge yourself academically.

• Career Advancement: An Associate Degree can make you more competitive in the job market and provide opportunities for work experience in your field of interest sooner.

• SMSD counselors will be on JCCC campus during the year to meet with students on progress.

Eligibility:

• You must be a high school junior or senior in good academic standing. It is recommended to have at least a 3.5 GPA. Seniors will not be able to complete the entire associate degree, but they will have the opportunity to make significant progress toward it.

• The cost of the program is entirely on the student. 

• Transportation is not provided.

• There may be prerequisites or assessments required for enrollment in certain college courses.

• Students that will be successful in the Dual Degree Program are self-starters. This program is not ideal for every student. Students will spend less time in classes and more time working on their own. They will also need to be able to advocate for themselves when needing help.

• There is an application that will be required through Ms Johnson in counseling.

• Sports Eligibility--Students must have five classes total (at SMS or JCCC or both) to meet KSHSAA requirements.

Interested?

• Contact your Ms. Johnson to discuss is this is the right program for you. Student initiation is best.