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The Jackson Public School District offers Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit courses for eligible students from all seven high schools.

Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit

Mississippi Code of 1972: 37-15-38 established dual enrollment and dual credit programs for high school and postsecondary credit. The purpose of the Dual Enrollment and Credit Program is to offer structured opportunities for qualified high school students to simultaneously enroll in college courses at Mississippi (public) Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs) or Mississippi Community or Junior Colleges (CJCs) that provide pathways leading to academic or career technical postsecondary credit.  Currently, the Jackson Public School District has agreements with Hinds Community College, Tougaloo College, and Jackson State University. 

What is a dual enrolled student?

A dual enrolled student is a student who is enrolled in a community college or junior college or state institution of higher learning while enrolled in high school. The student receives postsecondary credit for coursework.  Dual enrollment does not affect scholarship or athletic eligibility.

What is a dual credit student?

A dual credit student is a student who is enrolled in a community or junior college or state institution of higher learning while enrolled in high school. The student receives both high school and postsecondary credit for coursework regardless of the course location (high school campus, postsecondary campus, or online). One three-hour postsecondary course is equal to one high school Carnegie unit. Dual credit does not affect scholarship or athletic eligibility.

Dual Credit Pathways

College and Career Pathways (CCP)

1. A CCP allows a high school student to take courses aligned to a chosen program of study.
2. Students must work with their high school counselor to complete their Individual Success Plan (ISP), formerly known as the Individual Career and Academic Plan (iCAP), and choose a program of study that leads to:
3. an industry-recognized certificate
4. an AA/AS/AAS degree
5. a bachelor’s degree
6. High school counselors are encouraged to utilize the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool (MATT) to ensure students select dual enrollment/credit courses applicable to their program of study. http://matttransfertool.com/about/ default.aspx
7. Students may change their program of study with the approval of the high school principal or his/her designee.

Early College High School (ECHS)

An ECHS is a small, independent high school located on a partnering college campus or a location other than a traditional high school campus. Students enter as high school freshmen, with a goal of earning both a high school diploma and an associate degree.

Early College High Schools include a variety of dual credit and dual enrollment course offerings. Nationally, these early college programs have been emerging since the early 2000s, and graduation rates are typically in the 90-percent range .

There are currently four Early College High Schools located in Mississippi:

• Mayhew at East Mississippi Community College
• Vicksburg at Hinds Community College
• Clarksdale at Coahoma Community College
• Natchez at Copiah-Lincoln Community College 

Jackson Public School District’s Early College High School is located on the campus of Tougaloo College. 

Visit the Early College High School webpage to learn more about the program and the application timeline.

Student Eligibility and Placement for Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit

Eligibility is defined as meeting the minimum requirements for admission (e.g., College Preparatory Curriculum, specific grade point average (GPA), specific class rank, specific composite ACT or SAT score) to Mississippi’s community colleges and public universities. Once admitted to one of Mississippi’s community colleges or public universities, students are placed into mathematics, English, and Reading courses based on assessment of academic skill level.

Common assessments used for placement include ACT subtest scores by subject area and ACCUPLACER tests. Eligibility requirements were reviewed and affirmed by the Chief Academic Officers of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, the Mississippi Community and Junior Colleges, and Career and Technical Deans and Directors.

Academic Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment, a high school student must meet the following criteria:

1. Have earned 14 Core Carnegie Units as listed as defined in Appendix B of the Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards;
2. Have a minimum overall high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and
3. Obtain an unconditional written recommendation from his/her high school counselor, principal, or principal’s designee.

OR

1. Have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
2. Earned a minimum composite ACT score of 30 or the equivalent SAT score; and
3. Obtain an unconditional written recommendation from his/her high school counselor or principal.

Career and Technical Education Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment, a high school student must meet the following criteria:

1. Have a minimum overall high school GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
2. Will be classified as a junior or senior; and
3. Obtain an unconditional recommendation from school administrator/ counselor or CTE instructor.

Placement

The following course placement scores are used by Mississippi postsecondary institutions.  IHL Board Policy § 608 establishes 17 as the minimum ACT subtest scores for mathematics, English, and reading; however, it gives each IHL university the authority to require high ACT subtest scores.  In lieu of ACT scores, students may submit equivalent SAT scores. 

According to Miss. Code Ann. § 37-15-38, (4) Admission criteria for dual enrollment in community and junior college or university programs. The Missis­sippi Community College Board and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning may recommend to the State Board of Education admission criteria for dual enrollment programs under which high school students may enroll at a community or junior college or university while they are still attending high school and enrolled in high school courses. Students may be admitted to enroll in community or junior college courses under the dual enrollment programs if they meet that individual institution’s stated dual enrollment admission requirements.

Fees

Students must pay a non-refundable registration fee of $100 each semester. This fee applies to an unlimited number of Dual Credit courses.  Fees are due by a specified deadline each semester, or a payment plan must be set up by this time.  Students are responsible for the purchase of textbooks and / or online fees.  Pending the availability of funds, the District may match or pay fees for students.

Credits

Students earn three semester credit hours at the college level and one Carnegie unit credit at the high school level for each approved dual credit course.  Students' final grades and credits are recorded on their high school and college transcripts. The college transcript is a permanent college record. 

Learn more about the District’s partnerships for Dual Enrollment and Dual Credit Programs:

For more information, please contact your child’s school counselor or the District’s Director of Counseling, Dr. LeSian Davis (601) 960-8353.