Dual Credits

Dual credits, also known as dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment, is a program that allows high school students to take college-level courses while still completing their high school education. Through these courses, students earn both high school credit and college credit at the same time. Select classes at Phoenix Christian that students take on campus are also eligible for students to earn college credits through our partnership with Northwest Nazarene University. College credits earned through NNU, in most cases, can be transferred to most colleges and universities and generally applied to general education requirements.  

Dual credits or enrollment offers several advantages:

1. Saves Money on College Tuition
Dual credit courses are usually offered at a greatly reduced cost compared to regular college tuition. Families can save thousands of dollars on a future degree.

2. Reduces Time to Finish a College Degree
Because students earn college credits early, they may:

• Graduate college earlier
• Take lighter course loads in college
• Have more room for minors, internships, or study abroad

3. Helps Students Prepare for College-Level Work
Students get early exposure to:

• College expectations
• Higher academic rigor
• Time management skills
• Online learning systems used in college

This can make the transition to college smoother and less stressful.

4. Strengthens College Applications
Colleges often view dual credit courses as evidence that a student can handle challenging coursework.

5. Builds Confidence
Completing college-level classes while still in high school helps students gain confidence in their academic abilities.

1. Credits Often Transfer—but Not Always
It is the student’s and/or family’s responsibility to verify how dual enrollment credits earned will transfer to the student’s college of choice upon graduation.

Most colleges accept dual credit coursework, especially when:

• The course was taken through an accredited college
  • NNU is accredited through Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities
• The grade earned meets their transfer minimum (often a C or better)
• The course matches a similar one at the receiving college

However, some universities may:

• Accept credits only as electives
• Require a higher grade for transfer
• Have limits on how many dual credits they accept

Students should check the transfer policies of the colleges they are considering.

2. Students May Start with Advanced Standing
Depending on the credits accepted, students may begin college as:

• Freshmen with advanced credits
• Sophomores (if they earned many dual credits)
• Or somewhere in between

This can give priority in class registration or allow earlier graduation.

3. More Flexibility in College
Entering college with credits can let students:

• Take fewer courses each semester
• Explore additional majors or minors
• Pursue honors programs, internships, or study abroad

4. Helps Students Transition Smoothly
Students who have already experienced college-level coursework typically feel more prepared for:

• Fast-paced classes
• Independent study expectations
• College writing and reading loads

It is the student’s and/or family’s responsibility to verify how dual enrollment credits earned will transfer to the student’s college of choice upon graduation.

Students want to enroll in a dual enrollment course must have earned an A or B in the same subject area, achieved at least 61% on the Achievement score in MAPS assessment testing in that subject area, and have a recommendation from their current subject matter teacher. We highly recommend that students have at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) prior to enrolling in a dual enrollment course. PCPS dual enrollment courses are college level courses based on a college curriculum, with a college pace, expectations, and workload. Students must possess the aptitude, habits, and disposition toward learning necessary to be successful in these high-level classes.

There is no formal limit, but students are encouraged to work with their high school counselor to evaluate how many college-level classes they should take each semester. Given that dual enrollment courses are college level courses, their guidance counselor can help students determine how to balance their overall course load and commitments outside of the school day (e.g., athletics, clubs, jobs).

As of the revision date of this handbook, NNU charges $75 per college credit per class, which works out to be $225 per course because most NNU classes are 3 college credits (3 college credits x $75 = $225). There are some Math, English, and Science classes where students can earn 4 credits, which would then make the cost $300 for that class. A breakdown of classes offered, the amount of college credits each PC class is worth, and the cost of those classes will be sent to students and families at the beginning of each year by the Guidance Counseling Office. For any questions about costs, please reach out to your guidance counselor.  These costs are subject to change at the university’s discretion.

The university handles the dual enrollment registration process, and it is completed online. Students must complete all required online forms and paperwork by the university’s deadline to be enrolled in their dual enrollment classes. Deadlines are communicated by the Guidance Counseling Department and shared by PCPS teachers in dual enrollment classes.

Registration for dual credits courses in general must be completed at the beginning
of each semester, while registration for the year-long courses is completed once at the
beginning of the school year.

What dual credits courses are available at PCPS?

• College Algebra
• AP Precalculus
• AP Calculus AB/BC
• AP Statistics
• AP Literature
• AP Language & Composition
• Public Speaking
• Debate
• Psychology
• AP World History
• AP Government
• AP U.S. History