Schaumburg Christian School enhances our high school course offerings by partnering together with Maranatha Baptist University, Liberty University, and Grand Canyon University.  Through our partnerships with these universities, SCS is able to offer a significant number of online dual credit courses for SCS high school students.

What are “dual credit” courses?

Dual credit courses are college courses taken in high school where credit is earned simultaneously for both high school and college.

What are the primary advantages of completing dual credit courses?

Completion of dual credit courses provides several important advantages.

• Earn college credit and high school credit through the same courses
• Get a head start on college while fulfilling high school graduation requirements
• Gain confidence in dealing with college level work
• Learn the rigors of college work before having to deal with the total college experience
• Demonstrate college level ability when applying for admission to college
• Transfer the credits to the college/university of your choice
• Reduce time in college
• Significantly reduce college tuition costs

 Who is eligible?

Highly motivated and self-disciplined SCS students in grades 11 and 12 are eligible. Students must have a cumulative weighted GPA of at least 3.5 and be capable of earning at least a B in an Honors or AP course in a similar subject.

How much do the courses cost?

The price of each course is determined by each participating University. Currently high school juniors and seniors pay significantly less than what is charged for full time college students.  ( more than a 50% discount off the normal tuition). Once you receive course approval from SCS, you should enroll and make your payment directly to the university. Most courses also require the purchase of a textbook, and some courses require additional materials. Be sure you are aware of all expenses before enrolling.

Do the courses meet graduation requirements at SCS?

Yes. Courses approved by SCS will be awarded high school credit toward the fulfillment of graduation requirements. For example, a student successfully completing the college course English Composition 1 (HUEN 121--3 credit hours) would be awarded high school credit for completing one semester of high school English at SCS.

What if I don’t plan to attend college at the university where I'm taking dual credit courses?

That is not a problem. When you complete dual credit courses, you are earning high school credit at SCS, and you are compiling a university transcript.  Your university transcript can be sent to any college/university that you choose to attend.

Will the credits earned be accepted by other colleges and universities?

We work only with Universities that are fully accredited, and because of their regional accreditation, the courses are generally accepted by other universities (both public and private).  High school credit will be accepted at SCS; college credit transference are arranged between you and the other universities. Acceptance of credits is always at the discretion of the receiving institution, so SCS cannot guarantee that credits will transfer. If you know which university you plan to attend, we recommend that you verify their policy on accepting dual credit courses.

How long do the dual credit courses take to complete?

Courses are generally offered in 8, 12, and 16 week formats. Because the same level of content is included in each course, the 8 week courses are the most intense, and the longer courses spread the same work over a longer time period. Each course is scheduled to be completed within the time frame of one SCS semester.

How difficult are dual credit courses?

Dual credit courses are actual college courses offered online and are quite rigorous and demanding (at least as challenging as AP courses). Above average high school students should plan to spend 1-2 hours per day outside of class completing course assignments.

How much high school credit is awarded for each course?

High school credit is awarded on a semester basis. Most online dual credit courses are awarded one semester of high school credit at SCS.

How much college credit is awarded for each course?

College credit is determined by the number of “credit hours” assigned to a course. You should check the course list to see how many college credit hours each course is worth.

What courses can I take?

Dual credit course subjects should be ones that meet graduation requirements at SCS (either required courses or electives) and should be courses that will count toward your chosen major in college. Generally, English, history, math, science, speech, and technology courses are safe choices, as these meet high school graduation requirements and most college majors require these types of general education courses. If you know which college/university you plan to attend and which major you plan to choose, we recommend that you check the course requirements at that university to insure that the course will count toward your intended college degree.

How will dual credit courses impact my high school GPA?

Most dual credit courses are weighted with one extra point on your high school transcript (similar to Honors courses and AP courses).

How will dual credit courses impact my college GPA?

Dual credit courses are a part of your permanent college record and will be calculated into your college GPA. (Note: college GPA’s do not receive the additional “weighted” point as high school GPA’s do.)

Which is better, dual credit or Advanced Placement?

Both options are good. See the comparison below.

Advanced Placement	Dual Credit Online
University level courses taught by SCS teachers.	University courses taught by the university’s teachers
Taught in a traditional classroom setting	Taught  online
Must earn a qualifying score on the AP test to receive university credit	Passing the course automatically awards university credit
Your AP test score determines possible college credit (based on the accepting university’s policies)	No AP test necessary to earn college credit
Daily accountability in a classroom with a classroom teacher	Less accountability--requires a higher level of self-motivation
Requires a significant amount of homework	Requires a significant amount of homework
Weighted GPA (earns 1 extra point)	Weighted GPA (earns 1 extra point)
“AP” course designation on your high school transcript	“College Level” or “Dual Credit” designation on your high school transcript
A year-long course that typically offers one semester of possible university credit	A semester-long course that results in one semester of university credit.
Course credit (if earned) is applied to your transcript by the college you attend	Course credit is compiled in an actual college transcript, which can be transferred to the college you attend

How many dual credit courses may I take?

SCS juniors and seniors will be allowed to take one course per semester until the successful completion of the first course. After the completion of the first course, students may enroll in up to two courses per semester. Students who earn below a B- will not be allowed to enroll in additional dual credit courses.

Will SCS continue to offer AP courses?

Dual credit courses have significant advantages over AP courses, but we plan to continue to offer Advanced Placement courses as long as there is interest.

What is the format of online dual credit courses?

Online university courses are becoming more and more popular. Rather than a traditional classroom lecture/discussion format, online courses employ methods such as assigned reading from the textbook, assigned reading from various articles, research of topics, watching online teaching sessions and PowerPoint presentations, note taking, homework assignments, participation in discussion forum postings and responses, projects, written papers, synchronous online sessions, student presentations via webcam, tests and final exams. (Each class will vary.)

What if I enroll in a dual credit course and decide to drop the course?

You should be fully committed before enrolling. If you drop a dual credit course and wish to enroll in a regular course at SCS, you may not begin a course at SCS after the first two weeks of a semester have passed. You may still be required to earn the high school credit through another means in order to meet SCS graduation requirements.

May I enroll in an online dual credit course over the summer?

Yes, dual credit summer sessions are offered but still require approval from SCS.

Is daily attendance at SCS required?

Yes. Online dual credit courses taken during the school year at SCS are assigned to specific class periods and classrooms. Since each dual enrollment course lasts approximately one semester and earns one semester of credit at SCS, a student will be required to complete the second semester of the course at SCS (either regular, honors, or AP level) in order to receive a full year’s credit in the subject. For example, a student enrolling in dual credit Concepts in Chemistry (ASSC 104--3 credits) will be required to be present in the assigned dual credit room each day during the semester. The student is also required to complete Chemistry at SCS the other semester in order to receive a full year of high school credit in Chemistry. If there is no corresponding course at SCS, students may enroll in a different dual credit course during the same class period second semester, choose another SCS course, or choose a study hall. Students are allowed only one study hall during the school day, so they must be enrolled in an academic class every class period except for one, which can be a study hall.

Do I need my own device (laptop, tablet, etc.)?

Yes. Students taking online dual credit courses will be expected to bring their own device to school as well as any other materials necessary to complete the course.

Do I need approval from SCS before enrolling in an online dual credit course ?

Yes. You must receive approval from your guidance counselor and the administration before enrolling. You must complete an “SCS Dual Credit Approval Form” before enrolling in a course.