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DUAL CREDIT INFORMATION

SPEARFISH HIGH SCHOOL

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Goals of Dual Credit Presentations

  • Eligibility Requirements

  • Which course/courses to take

  • How to apply

  • Once accepted….. The next step

  • This and that…..

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The Big Picture

  • Allows eligible high school juniors and seniors to take Gen Ed courses at a reduced tuition rate

  • Students fulfill their high school requirements while earning college credit

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Benefits of Dual Credit

  • A jump start to students’ postsecondary careers

  • Significant cost of savings for students and parents through reduced tuition cost.
      • $75 per credit hour = $225 per class. (Books not included)

  • Easier transition and increased confidence for college success

  • May be eligible for additional scholarships

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Dual Credit Opportunities

4 year public Universities

  • Black Hills State University
  • University of South Dakota
  • SDSMT
  • South Dakota State University
  • Northern State University
  • Dakota State University

Technical Colleges

  • Mitchell Technical – Mitchell
  • Lake Area Tech- Watertown
  • Western Dakota Tech – Rapid City
  • Southeast Technical – Sioux Falls

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MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY4 YEAR UNIVERSITIES

JUNIORS

(Must meet one)

  • Earn an ACT composite score of 24; OR

  • Rank in the upper one-third of their graduating class; OR

  • 3.5 or higher GPA

SENIORS

(Must meet one)

  • Earn an ACT composite score of 21; OR

  • Rank in the upper one-half of their graduating class; OR

  • 3.25 or higher GPA

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ALTERNATE ELIGIBILITY4 YEAR UNIVERSITIES

If student does not meet the minimum requirements:

  • ACCUPLACER Classic
    • (Sentence Skills – Score 86 or higher AND Elementary Algebra – Score 76 or higher)

  • ACCUPLACER Next Generation3
    • (QAS – Score 255 or higher AND Writing Score 263 or higher)

  • STATE ASSESSMENT
    • Score Level 3 or higher on English & Math

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TECHNICAL COLLEGE ELIGIBILITY

  • Must meet specific program enrollment requirements of the course your are taking.

  • English/Math – must meet placement scores by ACT, Accuplacer or State Assessment (junior year)

Determine which general education courses are required for your program

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QUESTIONS�OR�COMMENTS?

ELIGIBILITY

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WHAT COURSES SHOULD I TAKE?

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WHAT COURSES SHOULD I TAKE?

  • Take classes that interest you
  • Take classes that count towards graduation requirements
  • Classes that fulfill SD Regents Scholar Diploma/SD Opportunity Scholarship
  • Check general education requirements you will need for the college you are interested in attending.
      • Explore classes that align with intended major/program.
  • Not sure which class to take? Visit the OUR DAKOTA DREAMS and view desired “Advisory Tools” or SHS Counseling Website
      • https://ourdakotadreams.com/high-school/dual-credit/

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Common Classes taken by SHS students:�

  • Psychology (will satisfy high school social science requirement)
  • Introduction to Sociology (will satisfy high school social science requirement
  • US History I & II (will satisfy high school American History requirement)
  • Government (will satisfy high school Government requirement)
  • Speech
  • College Algebra (Additional requirements must be met)
  • Art Appreciation/Music Appreciation/Intro to Theatre
  • RS Literature (Senior Year)

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How do I find the list of eligible courses?

  • Go to the university/tech school webpage

  • OUR DAKOTA DREAMS/DOE DASHBOARD

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English Options

AP Language – 11th grade

  • AP Test may be taken for university Composition 101 credit. Must receive a 3,4 or 5 to receive credit.
  • Check with college of choice to make sure they accept AP credit

    • Must have 3.0 average in all previous courses to take AP Language

RS Literature – 12th grade

  • Composition 101 (3 credits from BHSU)
  • Literature 210 (3 credits from BHSU)
    • Must meet BHSU Admission requirements
    • Must have 18 ACT subscore in English
    • Taught at Spearfish High School
    • Application process is different

Seniors must take

English Literature & English Research

OR

RS Literature

Juniors must take AP Language

OR

English III Literature (American)

& English III Composition

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DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES AT SHS

RS LITERATURE (English IV)

ENGL 101: Composition

(3 college credits -BHSU)

ENGL 210: Intro to Literature

(3 college credits)

  • Meet BHSU Dual Credit Admission Requirements

  • 18 ACT English sub-score (or pass the English Accuplacer exam taken at BHSU)

RS PHYSICS

PHYS 111

(4 college credits – BHSU)

  • Meet BHSU Dual Credit Admission Requirements

  • Successful completion of Algebra II

  • Will complete dual credit paperwork by the end of THIS year.

PLEASE NOTE:

YOU CAN TAKE PHYSICS WITHOUT TAKING IT AS DUAL CREDIT

RS College Algebra

MATH 114

(3 college credits –BHSU)

.5 high school credit

  • Meet BHSU Dual Credit Admission Requirements

  • Successful completion of Algebra II

  • One of the following:
    • Math Index Score: 1150
    • Challenge Index: 1150
    • State Assessment Math Score: 2628
    • Accuplacer Math: 255

Dual Credit

costs apply

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How to apply?

  • Spearfish High School Guidance Website
        • ‘DUAL CREDIT’

  • Board of Regents – Dual credit

  • OUR DAKOTA DREAMS

  • College Dual credit website

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What’s next?

  • Student will get an email when they get enrolled in the course
      • READ CAREFULLY!

  • All payments and remaining steps will take place on college’s online platform
      • STUDENTS NEED TO CHECK THEIR COLLEGE EMAIL REGULARLY!!!

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Expectations for Dual Credit

  • Online learning or on campus.
  • Daily assignments & due dates
  • Class attendance/participation required even when SHS does not have school.
  • Communication by professor is typically done via email so it is important for students to check their COLLEGE email frequently after registering for a class.
  • Coursework is typically guided by a syllabus.
  • Students must find a proctor for exams. (Spartan Time Teacher; subject teacher or on BHSU campus)
  • Questions should be asked by the student to the professor by e-mail/phone.
  • Mrs. Murphy is available to help direct students, but cannot make contact on their behalf.
  • An “OPEN” period is allotted for each dual credit class. (Use time wisely!)

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MAROON DAY

WHITE DAY

Online class

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MAROON DAY

WHITE DAY

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This and That….

  • Seniors: Can NOT take required course 2nd semester (only exception is RS Literature)

  • 3 credit dual credit class = .5 high school credit
      • 4 credits = 1 high school credit

  • Dual credit classes are not weighted

  • Dual credit classes must listed on high school transcript

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This and That, continued…�

  • Current juniors eligible to apply for summer dual credit (application window is open)
        • Be sure to check start dates.

  • Students who withdraw or fail a course will no longer be eligible for the reduced tuition program
    • Exceptions
        • Maintain 2.5 HSDC GPA
        • Extenuating circumstances – must complete exemption form

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Transferability of Credits

  • Students must understand that there is a possibility that their future college or technical institute may not accept their dual credit course(s).

  • It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about the transfer of credits.

  • Technical school

  • DC courses taken at any SD public university will transfer to any SD BOR university

Want to go out of state or private college? See if your dual credit course will transfer at: https://www.transferology.com

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IMPORTANT DATES FOR FALL SEMESTER…..

  • April 1, 2025 – Fall dual credit application window opens

  • May 30, 2025 – SHS Deadline for fall dual credit

  • August 25, 2025 – Dual Credit classes begin

  • August 27, 2025 – Spearfish HS classes begin

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More this and that… not dual credit

  • Current juniors: Next ACT June 14th
      • Deadline to register May 9th

  • Technical Colleges: Juniors can apply now

  • 11th grade – State Testing

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