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Dual Credit - Connect to College

What is Dual Credit?

Dual credit may be viewed as a form of concurrent enrollment. It provides the opportunity for high school students to take college courses that count toward the high school graduation requirements. These courses may be taken at the high school or on a college campus during regular school hours. Classes are taught by a high school teacher with appropriate credentials or by a college faculty member. Successful completion of the college level course can earn a student high school credit as well as college credit.

Students participating in dual credit courses realize several benefits that include:

  • Building a college transcript while still in high school
  • Experiencing college curriculum
  • Saving money by not having to pay for college classes
  • Optimizing resources provided by the community college or four-year institution

Course offerings may vary from campus to campus within the school district.

Eligibility Guidelines

To qualify for Dual Credit enrollment you must:
  • Have the approval of the high school principal or other designee of the school district.
  • Must meet the entrance requirements of the institution of higher learning.
  • Must be in the 11th or 12th grade.
  • Must demonstrate college readiness.

Dual Credit Admission Process

  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Submit an official high school transcript with TAKS, ACT, SAT scores if applicable.
  3. Include THEA score if available.
  4. Complete and sign the community college enrollment form with your high school counselor and parent/guardian. This form is required each semester.
  5. Complete a Student Information Profile Sheet
  6. Have the parent/guardian complete the DCCCD Minor Student Form.
Students cannot be tested, advised, and registered until the admission process is completed.

Acceptance of high school students for college enrollment is based upon test scores.

All dual credit students must be registered before the first day of class.
LATE registration is NOT allowed for dual credit students. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Textbooks are provided by the Garland Independent School District.

Exemption from Test Requirements


A Student is exempt from one or more test requirements under the following conditions:
  • A student with an SAT I score of at least 1070 and a math score of at least 500 is exempt from the math requirement.
  • A student with a Sat I score of at least 1070 and a critical reading score of at least 500 is exempt from the reading and writing requirements.
  • A student with an ACT composite score of at least 23 and a math score of at least 19+ is exempt from the math requirement.
  • A student with an ACT composite score of at least 23 and an English score of at least 19+ is exempt from the reading and writing requirement.
  • A student with an 11th grade TAKS math score of at least 2200 is exempt from the math requirement. DCCCD requires an additional math placement score for college-level math courses.
  • A student with an 11th grade TAKS English/language arts score of at least 2200 and an essay score of at least 3 is exempt from the reading and writing requirements

Non-Exempt Students

Students who are non-exempt may take the Accuplacer and THEA assessment tests.

Accuplacer

Eligible students will have three opportunities to take the Accuplacer.
  • April - District-wide Test Administration
  • May - Community College
  • June - Community College
  • The first time you take the test it is free. Subsequent test administrations are $10.00 per test.

THEA/Quick THEA

Students may choose to take the THEA test (Texas Higher Education Assessment)

For more information call:

Eastfield College Test Center (972) 860-7011
Richland College Test Center (972) 238-6160

GISD College Partner

Dallas County Community College District

For additional information contact your high school counselor.

High School Lead Counselors