Dual Credit Courses

Dual credit courses allow qualified high school students to earn college credit while completing their secondary education. Accumulating college credits early will potentially reduce the time and cost required to earn a degree. Because transfer and application of credit vary by institution, students should consult their intended college or university regarding how these credits will be accepted and applied toward degree requirements.

What is the Illinois Dual Credit Quality Act?

The Dual Credit Quality Act was enacted to accomplish the following to:

• Reduce college costs.
• Speed time to degree completion.
• Improve the curriculum for high school students and the alignment of the curriculum with college and workplace expectations.
• Facilitate the transition between high school and college.
• Enhance communication between high school and colleges.
• Offer opportunities for improving degree attainment for under-served student populations. (Source: P.A. 96-194, eff. 1-1-10.)

Read more about The Dual Credit Quality Act

For more information from ICCB on Dual Enrollment and credit, please visit the Dual Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions (ICCB)

How do dual credit courses in high school work with the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)?

Whether dual credit courses will transfer and apply toward your degree depends on several factors, including the institution offering the credit, the course itself, and the policies of the institution you attend after high school.

If a dual credit course is offered through an IAI-participating institution and is approved through the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), the credit is generally transferable to other participating institutions. However, students who enroll directly at a four-year institution after high school are considered native students of that institution. As a result, the way dual credit is applied toward degree requirements, including general education requirements, may vary.

Students should discuss their dual credit coursework with admissions counselors, academic advisors, and transfer specialists at their intended institution as early as possible. It is important to understand how earned credits will apply to degree requirements and the institution's general education program.

To ensure credit can be evaluated, students should arrange for official transcripts to be sent from the institution that awarded the dual credit. Keeping a personal copy of all transcripts is also recommended for future reference.