March 1, 2025 - Application window opens for SUMMER enrollment (current juniors only)
March 31, 2025 - DUAL CREDIT INFO SESSION - 6:30 PM
April 1, 2025 - DUAL CREDIT INFO SESSION - 2:00 PM
April 1, 2025 - Application window opens for FALL enrollment
May 30, 2025 - Application deadline
*Information about Spring 2026 Dual Credit will be released at a later date
Dual Credit Video Guides:
DUAL CREDIT & ELIGIBILITY: WATCH HERE
WHAT DUAL CREDIT CLASS SHOULD I TAKE: WATCH HERE
HOW TO FILL OUT THE ONLINE APPLICATION: WATCH HERE
ADVISORY TRACKS:
Dual credit is an opportunity for high school students who meet admissions standards to enroll in public postsecondary institutions in South Dakota and simultaneously earn credits for both their high school diploma and postsecondary degree or certificate.
Through a program approved by the South Dakota Legislature, dual credit coursework is available to high school students in grades 11-12 at the rate of $78.48 per credit. Students are responsible for all costs, which may include textbooks or related course materials.
Students can choose from several on-campus and online classes, including general education and career and technical education courses.
Spearfish High School also offers the following dual credit courses at SHS:
*These courses are offered at a rate of $40 per credit*
RS Literature (English 101 & English 210; 6 BHSU Credits)
RS Physics (4 BHSU Credits)
College Algebra (3 BHSU Credits)
These requirements are only used for 4-YEAR universities - NOT Technical Institutes!
*High school SENIORS:
Earn an ACT composite score of 21; orRank in the upper one-half of their graduating class; orEarn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale*High school JUNIORS:
Earn an ACT composite score of 24; orRank in upper one-third of their graduating class; orEarn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale*If you don't meet the above requirements: take the Accuplacer and meet required score:
Accuplacer (Sentence Skills – Score 86 or higher AND Elementary Algebra – Score 76 or higherTo enroll in a college English or Math course, placement scores are required. English and Math placement can be met with ACT/SAT, Smarter Balanced, Accuplacer scores, or Pre-ACT. Test scores must be included on your high school transcript, or official score report. If you currently do not have test scores, or do not meet placement, you are eligible to take the Accuplacer Placement exam at the university to meet required placement.
Accuplacer Placement Testing:
Testing Services are available at Black Hills State University. To schedule an appointment contact: Spearfish Testing Center 605-642-6099Email: BHSPTestingCenter@bhsu.eduReview the current course offerings available through dual credit.
Visit with Mrs. Murphy to see if dual credit courses are a good fit for your educational plan and see how the dual credit classes will fit in the schedule. If the courses are online, it should work out fine, but if the courses are in-person, on-campus at BHSU their course schedules run differently then our schedule.
Watch the video guides to see a step-by-step process of how to apply for dual credit courses.
It takes some time and requires identification information. There will also be a section where you will need your parents/guardians to submit some information and Mrs. Murphy will also need to submit information. It is best to apply early.
Students will receive a verification email from selected college with course requirements, payment information and due dates.
Finalize your schedule and course selection with Mrs. Murphy.
SD School of Mines & Technology
Genene Sigler: (605) 394-5209genene.sidler@sdsmt.eduScot Mitchell: (605) 688-4154scott.mitchell@sdstate.eduAnna Fischer: (605) 376-7624anna.fischer@southeasttech.eduClaire Rizzio: (605) 658-6200dualcredit@usd.eduWestern Dakota Technical Institute
Diana Newman: (605) 718-2565dualenrollment@wdt.ecuQ. How many dual credit classes can I take each semester?
A. Students may take three dual credit classes per semester. Additional courses will require written permission from the university.
Q. Where can I take dual credit classes?
A. Classes are offered at all state universities and state technical institutes.
Q. How many high school credits do I receive for each college class?
A. Each college course equals 0.5 high school credit. (For example: College Algebra = .5 credit on high school transcript)
Q. Does College Algebra satisfy the 4th year of math required for the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship?
A. Yes... as long as the student receives a C or higher. HOWEVER, COLLEGE ALGEBRA TRANSLATES TO .5 HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT.
Q. Do dual credit courses have a higher weighted value?
A. No. Letter grades will be computed into the student's grade point average using a 4.0 scale.
Q. Can seniors take their English requirement as a dual credit class?
A. Seniors have the option to take RS Literature as dual credit. RS Literature is taught at Spearfish High School. Upon successful completion, students receive college credit in Composition and Literature. Students may not take any other college class to satisfy their senior English requirements.
Q. How do I drop a class?
Please visit Mrs. Murphy as soon as possible if you'd like to drop a class. There are precise deadlines that may affect future dual credit eligibility.
Once a determination has been made to drop, return the signed DUAL CREDIT ADD/DROP form to Mrs. Murphy.
*NEW* Continuing Enrollment Requirements As of Fall 2020
During the 2020 Legislative Session, changes were made to SDCL § 13-28-37.1 about continuing eligibility in the High School Dual Credit program. Starting with grades earned during the Fall 2020 Semester, any student who fails or withdraws from an HSDC course will no longer be eligible for the program in future semesters, absent a showing of good cause. Students who earn an F or W grade and who wish to continue in the program must meet one of the three options below:
Show good cause by having a BOR GPA of 2.5 or higher, and showing a prior record of success in the HSDC program (for BOR institutions only).
Show good cause by documenting extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control that contributed to the F or W grade(s). Good cause may include, but is not limited to: illness, injury, an illness or death in the family, or unusual academic circumstances.
Regain eligibility in the program by 1.) successfully repeating the course(s) in which the F or W grade(s) were earned, and 2.) paying the full HSDC tuition rate of $145 for the repeated course(s). This includes the portion of tuition typically paid by the state.
Students showing good cause through GPA will be automatically granted an exemption to continue in the program moving forward. Students who experienced extenuating circumstances, or who wish to repeat the course(s) in which the F or W grade was earned at the full HSDC tuition rate to regain program eligibility must fill out an Eligibility Exemption form and submit it to the campus indicated on the form for the student's circumstances. A list of campus contacts for BOR institutions can be found here, & BOTE institution contacts are available at DAKOTA DREAMS.
Q. Is dual enrollment right for everyone?
A. The dual enrollment program is an opportunity to take challenging courses and accelerate educational opportunities. Students who complete dual enrollment courses will save time and money toward their college degree. Students should understand, however, that dual enrollment courses are college courses and the amount of work necessary to succeed in dual enrollment courses may be much greater than in high school courses. In addition, dual enrollment courses become part of a student’s permanent college transcript and are calculated into the student’s permanent postsecondary GPA. Poor performance as a dual enrollment student can ultimately impact one’s postsecondary career, including acceptance to a state university, academic standing, and financial aid eligibility. It is important to do well in these courses to realize all the benefits of dual enrollment.
Q. What dual credit class should I take?
A. Please see the South Dakota Board of Regents Advisory Tracks.
Additional Information and Resources: