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Dual Credit Resources for Parents/Guardians

Dual Credit Resources for Parents/Guardians

Dual credit is an opportunity for your high school junior or senior to earn college credit now while still in high school. Eligible students can take college courses to meet both college and high school requirements at a reduced rate.

Below is some information to help as you and your student discuss dual credit opportunities through South Dakota State University.

Considerations

  • Dual credit is a great fit for most students who show interest, maturity and academic readiness, but it may not be a perfect fit for every student. Consider your student’s organizational, time management and study skills as well as his/her academic readiness.
  • Your student will be required to participate in college-level courses requiring a greater degree of self-direction and motivation; the academic work required will be more demanding and professors will expect your student to perform at the level of any other college student.
  • Many dual credit courses are available and completed online which requires students to have good organization and time management skills, self-discipline and motivation, reading and writing skills and strong computer/technology experience. Have your student review “Are You Ready to be an Online Learner?” and complete the self-assessment and discuss the results.
  • Dual credit courses become part of your student’s college transcript. Grades earned become part of the permanent postsecondary GPA.
  • Poor performance in dual credit courses can impact the continued participation in the dual credit program as well as the student’s postsecondary career. This may include college admissions, scholarship opportunities, academic standing and financial aid eligibility.
  • If your student is struggling, encourage them to communicate with the course instructor, seek out academic support services available through SDSU, and visit with the Continuing and Distance Education office. Early action on your student’s part can help them get on track and be successful.
  • Students taking on-campus or online courses may be exposed to discussions, readings and visual material of a mature nature and will be expected to adhere to the same performance standards as any other college student as set forth in course outlines and syllabi.
  • Students should be prepared to do most of their learning on their own.
  • Self-motivation and discipline are important.
  • The general rule is, for every hour spent in class, college students should spend two hours out of class reading, studying and completing assignments. Students enrolling in online courses should plan for 10-15 hours per week for each course.
  • Dual Credit students are treated no differently than any other SDSU student.
  • There are no parent/teacher conferences.
  • Communication regarding SDSU students is restricted due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
  • College is the time for parents/guardians to make the transition from being the primary advocate to becoming a supporter.
  • Help your student learn by instilling the message that their academic success depends on their taking responsibility for their own education and behavior.

Roles

  • Students should establish their SDSU Accounts as soon as possible after they receive their acceptance email These accounts should be established by the student and the student only. They should not share their login credentials with anyone as unauthorized use of another individual’s identification or account may lead to censure and/or expulsion. (SDSU Student code, pg. 9-10)
  • Because it is used for many administrative and financial notices, students should check their University email regularly or forward to an email address they do check regularly.
  • Students who have taken previous High School Dual Credit courses will utilize their current login and email accounts. Students who have applied to another university will utilize their Home University’s login and email accounts.
  • Students should participate in the SDSU Orientation and Resources for Online Learners to better acquaint themselves with D2L, the course access system.
  • High school students enrolled is SDSU courses need to be familiar with the SDSU academic calendar as this may differ from their high school calendar/schedule.
  • Students should make payment by the designated due date of the semester.

Students should login to D2L regularly, be familiar with course requirements and deadlines, complete coursework on time, contact the course instructor with questions and adhere to the SDSU Student Conduct Code.

  • Parent/guardian support is your student’s most important resource. By encouraging them and assuring them that college is important and that they can succeed, you can help them far more than anyone else. Make an intentional effort to check in, talk about what they are learning and ask if they are seeking out support as needed.
  • Parents should not contact instructors regarding course related information or issues; per FERPA, instructors are not allowed to share information with parents. Instead, encourage your student to communicate with their course instructor when questions or concerns come up.
  • The high school counselor is the primary support for dual-enrolled students. It is the responsibility of the student to work with his/her school counselor each term to determine, first and foremost, that all requirements for high school graduation are met and which college courses are most appropriate.
  • Counselors should not contact instructors regarding course related information or issues; however, encourage your student to communicate with their course instructor when questions or concerns come up. If the instructor is nonresponsive or you feel their response is inadequate, or contact Continuing and Distance Education for assistance.

Eligibility and Application Process

  • High school juniors and seniors within South Dakota are eligible to participate in the dual credit program if they meet one of the eligibility requirements.
  • Qualified students must first meet with their school counselor to ensure eligibility and to select approved courses.
  • Students can then complete the online application.
  • Once the application is finalized, students will be able to print their paperwork for signatures or go through the Docusign process which allows everyone to sign electronically. Paperwork must be signed by the student, parent/guardian and high school representative. Application will not be processed until SDSU receives the paperwork and high school transcript.
  • Continuing dual credit students may use the Docusign Continuing Registration form if they do not sit out a Fall or Spring semester.
  • For more information, review our Guide to Dual Credit Success.
  • SDSU offers two different scholarships for Dual Credit students:
    • Jackrabbit ACE First Bank and Trust Scholarship
    • Jackrabbit Journey Scholarship
  • Visit our scholarship page for more information

After Enrollment

  • Once a student is accepted and enrolled, they will receive a “Take Your Next Step with SDSU” email from our Admissions office which contains their student ID number, MyState username and Jacks email address. Note: if a student applies to a different institution, they will not receive this email and should use the information provided by that institution.
  • Students will also receive an enrollment confirmation from me which contains all the information they need to get ready for their class. This information can also be found in our Enrolled or Current Dual Credit Student Guide
  • Regular class attendance is important for success in college classes. Students who miss class for numerous high school activities may benefit from taking regular high school classes rather than college classes due to the higher level of academic rigor and expectations for college courses.
  • The attendance policy for students is set by the instructor and should be included on the course syllabus that is handed out on the first day of class.
  • Students should discuss any absence with their instructor in advance of the absence as this may affect their grade. Instructors do not have to excuse high school activities.
  • South Dakota State University (SDSU) reaffirms that it is committed to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of physical or mental disability/impairment in the offering of all benefits, services, educational and employment opportunities. The Coordinator for Disability Services has been designated the SDSU “Responsible Employee” to coordinate institutional compliance with the non-discrimination requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. In that capacity, the Coordinator is committed to ensuring that SDSU provides an inclusive learning environment.
  • The Coordinator will also be responsible for the effective integration of ADA procedures, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Coordinator serves as the personal contact for students seeking information concerning the provisions of the ADA and their respective duties and rights provided therein. Contact the Office of Disability Services at 605-688- 4504 or via email.
  • SDSU strives to create an academic community conducive to the proper functioning of the educational process and the development of each student. Students who are suspected of cheating or plagiarizing are subject to the disciplinary actions outlined in the SDSU Student Conduct Code which can include suspension or expulsion.
  • The last day to drop with a refund is usually 10 days after the course starts. Important dates can be found on the Academic Calendar. These dates vary for summer term courses depending on the course start and end date but are typically 3-6 days from the start date.
  • High School students have registration holds on their accounts that prevent them from changing their schedules. They must complete the add/drop form to add or drop a class. This Docusign form needs to be signed by the student, parent/guardian and school official. High School students can only add courses up to the 3rd day of class for the given semester.
  • If a student withdraws from the University, they will receive a refund for a prorated portion of their tuition.
  • Colleges cannot release a students' academic information to anyone, even parents, without the students' written consent. FERPA calls for protection of student records once they turn 18 or attend a school beyond the high school level and Dual Credit students fall under this classification.
  • Visit the FERPA website for more information.