What is Dual Credit?

Dual Credit is a form of enrollment that allows a high school student to take certain courses at Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) and earn both college and high school credit. Dual Credit courses (and the grades that students earn in those courses) become a permanent part of the student's college and high school transcripts.

 

What is Concurrent Enrollment?

Concurrent enrollment allows a high school student to take certain courses at Wharton County Junior College and earn college credit but not high school credit. The concurrent courses (and the grades that students earn in those courses) become a permanent part of the student's college transcript. 

Who is Eligible? 

Public, private, or home-schooled students who have met Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements for reading/writing and/or math by passing a state-recognized test as listed in the chart below may take Wharton County Junior College dual credit and concurrent classes. Students are not limited to a specific number of credit hours that they can enroll in for dual credit or concurrent course work, however, the student's high school may have limits on the number of credits that can be applied to the student's high school graduation plan. 

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements: 

Test	Reading	Writing	Math
TSIA (prior to Jan. 11, 2021)	351+	4 Essay and 340+ Multiple Choice; or 5+ Essay	350+
TSIA 2	English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR) 945-990 with an essay of   5-8;  OR 910-944 with a diagnostic 5-6 and essay of 5-8		950 - 990 OR   910-949 with diagnostic 6
STAAR/EOC	4000+ English II EOC		4000+ Algebra I EOC and 70+ final grade in Algebra II
PSAT/NMSQT	460+ Reading & Writing (EBRW)		510+ Math
SAT	480+ Reading & Writing (EBRW)		530+ Math
ACT	Before Feb. 15, 2023: 23+ Composite and 19+ English  After Feb. 15, 2023: Combined score 40+ English and Writing (no composite score)		Before Feb. 15, 2023: 23+ Composite and 19+ Math After Feb. 15, 2023: 22+ Math (no composite score)

 

What courses can be offered as dual credit?

Courses offered for dual credit must be in the WCJC core curriculum, or a course required for a technical program offered by WCJC, or a foreign language course.  WCJC may not offer remedial or developmental courses for dual credit.

What documents are required to take dual credit classes?

Students who are currently attending a public high school:

1. Complete your online ApplyTexas application.

2.. Submit TSI scores or proof of exemption (may be submitted by the high school).

3. If attending class on a WCJC campus, submit a Bacterial Meningitis Immunization record.

 

Students who are currently attending home school or a private high school:

1. Complete your online ApplyTexas application.

2. Submit TSI scores or proof of exemption.

3. If attending class on a WCJC campus, submit a Bacterial Meningitis Immunization record.

How are dual credit students registered for courses?

WCJC registers students according to rosters provided by the school district.  WCJC will mail schedule/bill statements to the student's home address.

Home-schooled students should consult a WCJC academic advisor to ensure they enroll in appropriate coursework.

Registration opens:

• Summer 2023 – April 5, 2023
• Fall 2023– April 5, 2023
• Spring 2024– November 1, 2023

How do dual credit students pay for courses?

Students must pay for dual credit classes each semester.  Students can pay in full or set up payment plans once they are registered: https://wcjc.edu/Connect/documents/Howto-Students/HOW-TO-SET-UP-AN-INSTALLMENT-PLAN-ON-THE-WEB.pdf.

Beginning Fall 2022, Wharton County Junior College will waive Tuition and the Technology Fee for students who reside in the Wharton County Junior College's taxing district (in-district students).  For students who reside outside the taxing district, the college will waive Tuition and the Out-of-District Student Fee. 

Current tuition and fees: https://wcjc.edu/Admissions/admissions-and-registration/tuition-and-fees.aspx.

Dual credit students are not eligible for financial aid.  Students should check with their school district to find out if scholarships or other financial assistance may be available. 

 

For more information, contact the WCJC Dual Credit Coordinator, Natalie Stavinoha, at 979-532-6964 or natalies@wcjc.edu.