Dual Credit

If you are interested in enrolling in dual credit courses, please start by meeting with your high school counselor to determine which courses align with your graduation plan. After your meeting, fill out the Dual Credit Interest Form. Please note that submitting this form does not enroll you in dual credit classes. Once we receive your completed form, you will be added to a Canvas Course designed to guide you through the TCC enrollment process step by step.

Remember, the most expensive college course is the course you took but didn't need.

Tell Me More About Dual Credit

What Dual Credit Courses Can I Take?

The NISD Dual Credit Crosswalk is a valuable tool for identifying available dual credit courses and understanding how these courses will be recorded on students' high school transcripts. According to Texas State law, high school credit cannot be granted for courses that are not listed on this crosswalk. Please be aware that some courses are specific to Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs of Study or particular universities.

Review the Crosswalk Here

Dual Credit Core Curriculum Course Guide

TSIA-2 Reading, Writing, and Mathematics or PSAT, SAT, ACT exemption scores are required for TCC. TSIA-2 is not required for OnRamps.

	Semester 1	Semester 2	Checkbox
English (6 Hours) Choose Two Courses	ENGL 1301 OnRamps Intro to Rhetoric	ENGL 1302 OnRamps Rhetoric and the American Identity	___3 Hrs ___3 Hrs
Speech (3 Hours) Choose One Course	SPCH 1311 SPCH 1321		___3 Hrs
Mathematics (3 Hours) Choose One Course	MATH 1314 MATH 1342 MATH 1332 MATH 2312 OnRamps College Algebra (full year) OnRamps Discovery PreCalculus (full year) OnRamps Statistics (full year)		___3 Hrs
Science (8 Hours) Choose Two Courses	BIOL 2401 CHEM 1411 PHYS 1401 PHYS 1403 OnRamps Physics I (full year)	BIOL 2402 CHEM 1412 PHYS 1402 PHYS 1404	___4 Hrs ___4 Hrs
Creative Arts (3 Hours) Choose One Course	ARTS 1301		___3 Hrs
Language, Culture & Philosophy (3 Hours) Choose One Course	ENGL 2322 ENGL 2328		___3 Hrs
American History (6 Hours) Choose Two Courses	OnRamps US History	OnRamps US History	___3 Hrs ___3 Hrs
Government (6 Hours) Choose Two Courses	GOVT 2305 (Both Government courses required depending on transfer requirements. Check with College Advisory or High School Representative)	GOVT 2306 (Both Government courses required depending on transfer requirements. Check with College Advisory or High School Representative)	___3 Hrs ___3 Hrs
Behavior (3 Hours) Choose One Course	PSYCH 2301 SOCI 1301 ECON 2301		___3 Hrs

Other college courses may or may not count for High School credit.

Students who wish to graduate with their college core complete will need one additional KINE course that will not count for high school credit.

Students who wish to graduate with an associate’s degree will need an additional 19 hours. Course requirements may vary by major and may not be eligible for high school credit.

How to Read TCC Course Numbers: Example ENGL 1301

All have four-letter department abbreviations
Each course has a four-digit number
The first digit indicates the level at which the course is taught, as follows:
- 1 = Freshman or introductory level
- 2 = Sophomore or Intermediate or advanced
The second digit indicates the semester credit hour value of the course.
The third and fourth digits establish the type of institution and course sequence.

Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Partners

Northwest ISD maintains traditional dual-credit and dual enrollment partnerships with Tarrant County College, and UT OnRamps.

Tarrant County College (Dual Credit)	Tarrant County College NOTICE: All students interested in taking dual credit courses must meet college-ready scores on the TSIA ELAR and Mathematics, or be exempt through qualifying SAT or ACT scores, before enrolling. Please note that the PSAT is no longer valid for temporary waivers. TCC offers both face-to-face and online dual credit courses for all NISD high schools. It's crucial for students to begin working through their Canvas course to complete their TCC application, enrollment, and registration promptly. Online classes tend to fill up quickly, and we cannot guarantee that additional sections will be created to accommodate late enrollments. For our Aviation and Aeronautics Academy at V.R. Eaton High School, TCC provides dual credit courses at their Perot Airport campus, both in-person and online. At Byron Nelson High School, TCC supports face-to-face instruction through NISD staff for our Culinary Academy. For our Early College High School, TCC offers both face-to-face and online instruction with NISD and TCC staff. Additionally, tuition, fees, and textbook costs are waived for students enrolled at Steele Early College High School.
The University of Texas at Austin (Dual Enrollment)	UT OnRamps OnRamps Provides face-to-face, dual enrollment credit courses at Northwest High School, V.R. Eaton High School, and Byron Nelson High School OnRamps English and Mathematics students are required to take and pass the TSIA by the end of their first year in OnRamps unless they are exempt using their SAT or ACT scores. Students will not be permitted to take additional OnRamps or dual credit courses if they have not met the TSIA college-ready scores or the SAT/ACT exemption scores.
McMurry University (Dual Credit)	McMurry Dual Credit Academy Students have the option to take certain courses through McMurry University for $200 per course. There are no additional textbook fees. Current course offerings include: SPCH 1311, ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302, MATH 1314, MATH 1332, GOVT 2305, and PSYCH 2301. To enroll in a dual credit course through McMurry University, students must meet college readiness standards in both English and math. If you're interested in taking a course with McMurry, please reach out to your campus College and Career Facilitator for more information and to get started.
Tarleton State University (Dual Enrollment)	Tarleton State University Tarleton State University currently supports our juniors and seniors in the Teaching and Training program of study by offering "OnRamps style" courses. The cost for these courses is covered by Northwest ISD's Career and Technical Education.

Tarrant County College

(Dual Credit)

Tarrant County College

NOTICE: All students interested in taking dual credit courses must meet college-ready scores on the TSIA ELAR and Mathematics, or be exempt through qualifying SAT or ACT scores, before enrolling. Please note that the PSAT is no longer valid for temporary waivers.

TCC offers both face-to-face and online dual credit courses for all NISD high schools. It's crucial for students to begin working through their Canvas course to complete their TCC application, enrollment, and registration promptly. Online classes tend to fill up quickly, and we cannot guarantee that additional sections will be created to accommodate late enrollments.

For our Aviation and Aeronautics Academy at V.R. Eaton High School, TCC provides dual credit courses at their Perot Airport campus, both in-person and online.

At Byron Nelson High School, TCC supports face-to-face instruction through NISD staff for our Culinary Academy.

For our Early College High School, TCC offers both face-to-face and online instruction with NISD and TCC staff. Additionally, tuition, fees, and textbook costs are waived for students enrolled at Steele Early College High School.

The University of Texas at Austin

(Dual Enrollment)

UT OnRamps

OnRamps Provides face-to-face, dual enrollment credit courses at Northwest High School, V.R. Eaton High School, and Byron Nelson High School

OnRamps English and Mathematics students are required to take and pass the TSIA by the end of their first year in OnRamps unless they are exempt using their SAT or ACT scores. Students will not be permitted to take additional OnRamps or dual credit courses if they have not met the TSIA college-ready scores or the SAT/ACT exemption scores.

McMurry University

(Dual Credit)

McMurry Dual Credit Academy

Students have the option to take certain courses through McMurry University for $200 per course. There are no additional textbook fees. Current course offerings include: SPCH 1311, ENGL 1301, ENGL 1302, MATH 1314, MATH 1332, GOVT 2305, and PSYCH 2301.

To enroll in a dual credit course through McMurry University, students must meet college readiness standards in both English and math. If you're interested in taking a course with McMurry, please reach out to your campus College and Career Facilitator for more information and to get started.

Tarleton State University

(Dual Enrollment)

Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University currently supports our juniors and seniors in the Teaching and Training program of study by offering "OnRamps style" courses. The cost for these courses is covered by Northwest ISD's Career and Technical Education.

Memorandums of Understanding

DC, OnRamps, and AP Courses and the Texas Core Curriculum

The table below shows how many semester credit hours (SCH) a student needs in each component area of the College Core. Often, taking dual credit courses to fulfill high school graduation requirements will result in the accumulation of more SCHs than are required by the college. If a student has more semester credit hours than are required for a particular Foundational Component Area, the receiving institution is NOT required to apply those credits. If a student has fewer Semester Credit Hours than required for a particular Foundational Component Area, the receiving institution may impose additional requirements for the fulfillment of the remaining needed Semester Credit Hours.

Foundational Component Areas	NCTC - Dual Credit Courses	TCCD - Dual Credit Courses	UT – OnRamps Courses	Advanced Placement Courses*
Written Comm. (6 SCH)	ENGL 1301 – Composition I (English III or IV) ENGL 1302 – Composition II (English III or IV)	ENGL 1301 – Composition I (English III or IV) ENGL 1302 – Composition 2 (English III or IV) SPCH 1321 – Business and Professional Communication SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking	RHE 306/ENGL 1301 – OnRamps (English III or IV) RHE 309/ENGL 1302 – OnRamps (English III or IV)	AP English Language (English III) AP English Literature (English IV)
Mathematics (3 SCH)	MATH 1314 – College Algebra MATH 1342 – Elementary Statistics MATH 2412 – Pre-calculus	MATH 1314 – College Algebra MATH 1332 - Contemporary Mathematics MATH 1342 – Elementary Statistics MATH 2412 – Pre-calculus	MATH 2312 – OnRamps Pre-calculus MATH 1342 – OnRamps Statistics MATH 1314 - OnRamps College Algebra	AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Statistics
Natural Sciences (8 SCH)	BIOL 2401 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL 2402 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II BIOL 2406 - Environmental Biology PHYS 1401 – College Physics I PHYS 1402 – College Physics II CHEM 1411 – General Chemistry I CHEM 1412 – General Chemistry II	BIOL 2401 – Human Anatomy & Physiology I BIOL 2402 – Human Anatomy & Physiology II BIOL 2406 - Environmental Biology PHYS 1401 – College Physics I PHYS 1402 – College Physics II CHEM 1411 – General Chemistry I CHEM 1412 – General Chemistry II	PHY 302/PHYS 1301 - OnRamps Physics	AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics 1 AP Physics C: Mechanics AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
Language, Philosophy, and Culture (3 SCH)	ENGL 2322 – British Literature I ENGL 2323 – British Literature II (Steele AHS Only)	ENGL 2322 – British Literature I ENGL 232 – American Lit II	None Available At This Time	AP Spanish Language AP Spanish Literature AP French Language AP German Language
Creative Arts (3 SCH)	ARTS 1301 – Art Appreciation	ARTS 1301 – Art Appreciation	None Available At This Time	AP Music Theory AP Studio Art: 2-D Design AP Studio Art: 3-D Design AP Studio Art: Drawing
History (6 SCH)	None Available At This Time	None Available At This Time	HIS 315K/HIST 1301 – OnRamps US History HIS 315L/HIST 1302 – OnRamps US History	AP US History
Political Science (6 SCH)	GOVT 2305 – Federal Government GOVT 2306 – Texas Government	GOVT 2305 – Federal Government GOVT 2306 – Texas Government	None Available At This Time	AP US Government & Politics AP Comparative Government & Politics
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 SCH)	PSYC 2301 – General Psychology SOCI 1301 – Introduction to Sociology ECON 2301 - Macroeconomics	PSYC 2301 – General Psychology SOCI 1301 – Introduction to Sociology ECON 2301 - Macroeconomics	ECO 304K/ECON 2302 - Microeconomics	AP Psychology
Speech and Comm. Skills (3 SCH)	SPCH 1315 – Public Speaking SPCH 1321 – Business and Professional Communication	SPCH 1321 - Business and Professional Communication	None Available At This Time	None Available At This Time

*AP Exam Scores and individual college/university policies will determine how AP scores may apply to the TCC.

For a complete list of Texas Core Curriculum courses by college/university and/or Foundational Component Area go to: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/apps/tcc/

TCC's Dual Credit Manual

Dual Credit Transfer Policies

Learn How You Can Graduate From High School With An Associate's Degree

More about Dual Credit

Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment courses offer a unique opportunity for high school students to earn both college credit and high school graduation credit for the same course. By successfully completing an approved Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment course, you can get a head start on your college education while still in high school.

But Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment courses aren't just about getting ahead. They also give you a taste of college-level coursework and help you build the skills and confidence you'll need to succeed in college. Recent data shows that students who complete Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment courses are more likely to persist in their second year of college, both at two and four-year institutions in Texas, compared to their peers who did not participate.

Furthermore, over the last 8 years in Texas, Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment participants had a higher four-year college graduation rate than their non-participating peers at almost every public institution in the state. This means that not only can Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment courses help you get a head start on college, but they can also set you up for long-term success and better outcomes after graduation.

To learn more about Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment opportunities in your area, talk to your high school counselor or contact the admissions office at local colleges and universities.

Advantages of taking Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment

College credit: Dual credit courses allow high school students to earn college credits while still in high school, which can help them save time and money in college.
High school graduation credit: Students who successfully complete dual credit courses earn both high school and college credit, which helps them fulfill high school graduation requirements.
College readiness: Dual credit courses provide students with an opportunity to experience college-level coursework and expectations, helping them prepare for the challenges of college and potentially increasing their likelihood of success.
Rigor: Dual credit courses are typically more rigorous than regular high school courses, which can challenge students to push themselves academically and develop critical thinking skills.
Increased chances of college admission: Dual credit courses on a high school transcript can signal to college admissions officers that a student has taken rigorous coursework and is prepared for college-level work.
Early exposure to college environment: Dual credit courses allow high school students to experience college life and expectations, giving them a chance to adjust and acclimate to college expectations before fully enrolling.
Improved chances of college graduation: Studies have shown that students who participate in dual credit or dual enrollment programs are more likely to graduate from college within four years compared to their peers who did not participate.

Difference between Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment

FAQs about Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Courses

What Dual Credit Courses should I take if I am just starting out with Dual Credit for the first time?

In NISD we offer a wide variety of course options as well as providers. The appropriate dual credit course depends as much on your goals and academic success as it does on your grade level. High school freshmen and sophomores typically have more limited college options for dual credit, but they may find that Art Appreciation and Speech are available. In some cases, a sophomore who is advanced in mathematics might also consider a dual credit math course.

A great starting point we recommend for students to attempt is ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302- which is English Composition I and English Composition II. You can take these 2 courses over the summer through Tarrant County College for HS English III or HS English IV credit or you can take the OnRamps version of these classes in your junior or senior year. Another great starting point is OnRamps College Algebra. It counts as high school Algebra 2.

How many Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment courses should I take per semester? Per Year?

If you are starting out in dual credit or dual enrollment, we recommended that you participate in no more than two courses per semester. As you gain experience with dual credit you can take more hours. We recommend that students limit themselves to no more than 15 college credit hours per semester.

Will all of the Dual Credit or Dual Enrollment courses I take transfer to the college I plan to attend?

For the most part, yes. In the state of Texas, if a course is taken as a component of the Texas Core Curriculum, then public colleges and universities in Texas will be obligated to take the course. This doesn't guarantee that the credit will transfer into your degree plan so it is important that you make dual-credit decisions carefully. Talk to your counselor, NISD College, and Career Readiness representative, and the colleges you are interested in attending to help ensure you make the best decisions. For out-of-state and private institutions it will be up to the ‘receiving’ institution as to what credit and how much that college/university will take as transfer credit.

A good rule of thumb would be to check your potential colleges (Colleges that you pinned in MajorClarity) and their transfer policy to see if they accept credit from the University of Texas at Austin (for OnRamps courses), Tarrant County College, or North Central Texas College. For example, if you took OnRamps PreCal, look at your potential college/university’s transfer policy for UT Austin courses and Precalculus Math. For ENGL Courses look at your potential college/university’s transfer policy for UT Austin and TCC courses and find ENGL 1301

What courses are available for dual credit and how do they apply to my high school transcript?

This is a complicated question because there are a lot of what ifs involved. Students who are interested in dual credit should meet with their high school counselor to help ensure that the courses they wish to take will satisfy their high school graduation requirements.

Would you like to Zoom with someone from CCMR?

Use the scheduler below to select a CCMR staff member and schedule a virtual meeting.

Schedule Meeting

This page was created in collaboration with ChatGPT, an AI writing assitant, under the guidance of the NISD Director of College & Career Readiness. Content was crafted with the support of AI to ensure clarity, accuracy, and engagement. Students are encouraged to use AI tools responsibly and cite them as a resource when appropriate.

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