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Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ


What’s the difference between dual credit and dual enrollment?

Where can I take dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

What are the advantages of taking dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

How much do dual credit/dual enrollment courses cost?

What courses can I take?

Can I enroll in dual credit and dual enrollment courses at the same time?

What are the admission requirements for the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Program?

Do I have to maintain a certain GPA to remain eligible for the program?

Are there any prerequisites for dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

How do I apply for the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Program?

How will I know if I’ve been accepted and enrolled in the program?

How do I get my textbooks?

When do my courses begin and end?

What if I need to drop a class?

What is MSSU’s refund policy for dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

What is the grading policy?

What other types of policies am I bound by as an MSSU Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Student?

What is FERPA and how does it affect me?

Will my courses transfer to other institutions?

How can I get a copy of my official transcript?

How do I pay for my dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

Am I eligible for financial aid?

What are other ways in which I can earn college credit while still in high school?

Will I receive any student privileges?

Who do I call if I have more questions?

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What’s the difference between dual credit and dual enrollment?

MSSU defines Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment as such:

Dual Credit – Dual credit enables qualified high school students to take college-level courses taught by qualified high school instructors.  Students simultaneously receive academic credit for the course from both the high school and MSSU.  

Dual Enrollment – Dual enrollment enables qualified high school students to take college-level courses that are taught by an MSSU Faculty member while simultaneously enrolled in the high school and MSSU.  Credit is typically only awarded at the university level; however, students may be eligible to earn high school credit for such courses with approval from the high school district.  Dual enrollment opportunities at MSSU will likely be delivered to the student through a distance learning delivery mode (online).

For more definitions related to the program, check the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Handbook.

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Where can I take dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

Mode of Delivery Dual Credit Dual Enrollment
  • High school faculty teaches at the high school campus (traditional format)
X
  • High school student enrolls in online class taught by University faculty member
X
  • High school student enrolls in on-campus class taught by University faculty member
X
  • University faculty member teaches at the high  school campus
X
  • University faculty member teaches through
    interactive television (ITV)
X

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What are the advantages of taking dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

  • Affordable ACCESS to QUALITY University level undergraduate education
  • Earn college credit to JUMP START a baccalaureate degree
  • A GEOGRAPHICALLY FEASIBLE opportunity to enrich the high school educational experience
  • Access to UNIVERSITY RESOURCES to aid in your academic success
  • See our flyer for more details (PDF)

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 How much do dual credit/dual enrollment courses cost? 

The tuition rate for dual credit and dual enrollment courses is $60/credit hour.  Dual credit/dual enrollment students do not incur any special course costs or incidental costs. However, students are required to pay for textbooks for each course in which they are enrolled.   

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What courses can I take?

Courses offered through the program are mainly geared towards the General Education Requirements, which is the equivalent of “college core courses” required for all four-year degrees.  Check out specific course information on the Courses and Descriptions page.

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Can I enroll in dual credit and dual enrollment courses at the same time?

Yes!  Students may take both types of courses simultaneously.

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What are the admission requirements for the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Program?

Missouri Policy on Dual Credit Delivery

  • Juniors & Seniors
    • Students in the 11th and 12th grades with an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) are automatically eligible for dual credit courses.
    • Students in the 11th and 12th grades with an overall grade point average between 2.5 – 2.99 (on a 4.0 scale) must provide a signed letter of recommendation from their principal or guidance counselor and provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
  • Freshmen & Sophomores
    • Students in the 10th grade must have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and must provide a signed letter of recommendation from their principal and guidance counselor and provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
    • Students in the 9th grade must have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), score at the 90th percentile or above on the ACT or SAT, and provide a signed letter of recommendation from their principal and guidance counselor and provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
  • Meet the same requirements for placement into individual courses (e.g. prerequisites, test scores) as those required of an on-campus student

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Do I have to maintain a certain GPA to remain eligible for the program?

Yes.  In order to remain eligible for continued participation in the dual credit/dual enrollment program, students must meet the established MSSU academic standards that are published in the University catalog.  Failure to maintain these standards will result in a loss of privileges to participate further in the program.

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Are there any prerequisites for dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

There could be depending upon the course in which you wish to enroll.  The Missouri Department of Higher Education requires dual credit students to meet the same course placement requirements in effect for the institution’s regularly attending student body.  For a listing of prerequisites in the most commonly taken dual credit courses, select Prerequisites under the Students & Parents Menu.

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How do I apply for the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Program?

Application instructions and deadlines for High School and Home School students can be found by clicking Apply Here under the General Information Menu.

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How will I know if I’ve been accepted and enrolled in the program?

An automated e-mail or text message confirmation will be sent to the e-mail address and/or cell phone number provided on the application and the mssu.dualenroll.com account once acceptance and course enrollment is complete.  Check in with the High School Dual Credit Instructor and/or Coordinator to check on your status if you have not received anything by the second week of classes.

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How do I get my textbooks?

Textbook arrangements may vary by school.  If your course is being taught at the high school by a high school instructor, check with your high school instructor or coordinator for further details.  If your course is being taught by MSSU, you will pick up your books in the same manner as all other MSSU students at the MSSU Bookstore.  Make sure to identify yourself as a dual credit student at the bookstore if you have yet not been issued a Lion Card.  Additional textbook information can be found by clicking Textbooks under the Students & Parents Menu.

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When do my courses begin and end?

The timing of when your course(s) will begin and end depends upon the mode of delivery.  If your course is being taught at the high school by a high school instructor, check with your high school instructor or coordinator for exact dates.  If your course is being taught by MSSU, the MSSU academic calendar will be followed.

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What if I need to drop a class?

We understand sometimes a class may need to be dropped.  Please refer to the Course Drop/Withdrawal & Refunds Calendar for important dates related to dropping a class and the refund of costs.  A drop cannot be processed without completing the Course Withdrawal Request Form.  Once the form is complete, you can send it to the Office of Academic Outreach for processing. 

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What is MSSU’s refund policy for dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

Please refer to the program calendars for important dates related to dropping a class and the refund of costs.  Policies and procedures related to refunds can be found in Student Tuition & Costs section of the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Handbook.

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What is the grading policy?

Dual credit/dual enrollment grading policies will fall within the University guidelines for all MSSU students.  The MSSU grading policy can be found in the Academic Affairs section of the University Catalog.  Additional information about grades can be found in the Grades section of the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Handbook.

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What other types of policies am I bound by as an MSSU Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Student?

As a dual credit/dual enrollment student, you are considered an MSSU student and are bound to policies that affect all students.  Policies can be found in the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Handbook, the University Catalog, as well as the Student Handbook.

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What is FERPA and how does it affect me?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended (also referred to as the Buckley Amendment), is a federal law regarding the privacy of student educational records and the access provided to these records. Any educational institution that receives funds under any program administered by the U.S. Secretary of Education is bound by FERPA requirements.  Click Rights & Responsibilities on the Students & Parents Menu to find out more detailed information about how this affects you as a dual credit/dual enrollment student.  If you’d like to allow either your High School or your parents access to your MSSU educational records, you can fill out this release form and turn it in to the Office of Academic Outreach.

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 Will my courses transfer to other institutions? 

Yes, subject to the other institution’s guidelines for transfer credit.  We recommend you check with the institution to which you wish to transfer credit, prior to completing the course.  Some information is available from our Registrar’s Office about transferability of courses – click here for the online Transfer Guide. 

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How can I get a copy of my official transcript?

Upon the request of the student, MSSU will send transcripts of work completed in the dual credit/dual enrollment program to other colleges and universities for purposes of transfer.  As in all other transfer situations, final determination of the credit awarded will be at the discretion of the receiving institution.  Transcript requests may be completed online.  Transcripts will not be furnished for any student with an outstanding balance.  The cost for an official transcript is $10.  Unofficial transcripts may be accessed by the student at any time through LioNet.

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How do I pay for my dual credit/dual enrollment courses?

Tuition Payments

Please visit our Bursar's page for all of your payment options .  

Textbook Costs

Once you've picked up your textbooks, log in to your student payment portal at any time to pay for them.  If you visit our bookstore to pickup your textbooks, you may pay at the counter at the time of rental and/or purchase.  Visit our Bursar's page for other payment options for textbooks.

Payment Calendar

For more detailed information about due dates and payments, refer to the Dual Credit Calendars page.

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Am I eligible for financial aid?

No.  At this time dual credit/dual enrollment students are classified as special students and do not qualify for financial aid.

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What are other ways in which I can earn college credit while still in high school?

The Advanced Placement (AP) program and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) both allow students to gain college credit in various subject areas by successfully completing comprehensive examinations in those subjects.  If you are interested in these programs, you may call the MSSU Advising Counseling and Testing center; (ACTS) at 417-625-9324.

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Will I receive any student privileges?

Yes!  Click the Benefits/Resources link under the Students & Parents Menu to start taking full advantage your student benefits and resources!

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 Who do I call if I have more questions?

If the course is being taught at your high school, you can contact your instructor or your coordinator at the high school.  For all other inquiries please use the Contact Us link under the General Information Menu to reach the Office of Academic Outreach.

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