Dual Credit

Truman State University is engaged in a limited number of partnerships with individual school systems to offer dual credit opportunities to high school students.  Pilot programs in mathematics and English composition will launch in Fall 2012.  Truman is looking to expand these relationships on a school-by-school basis as school needs warrant.  If your school is interested in starting a dual credit program, please contact the Dr. Kevin Minch, Director of the Truman Institute, for more information.

If you or your school are interested in participating in Truman's Competency-Based Mathematics Program (College Algebra and Plane Trigonometry) click here.

Current Dual Credit Partnerships

• Calculus I & II (College Level) with Kirksville R-III Schools (Kirksville)

• Writing as Critical Thinking (High School Composition I & II) with Gasconade Country R-I (Hermann)

Applying for Dual Credit Programs

Your school will receive instructions from the Truman Institute regarding how to apply for your specific dual credit program.  In most cases you will either be presented with a paper application or you will be directed to an online application.  In either case you will be asked to sign a statement acknowledging that you understand the dual credit policies as they apply to your school and parents will be required to sign as well.

Dual Credit Paper Application Form:

• Kirksville R-III Partnership Registration Packet and Forms

• Gasconade R-I Partnership Registration Packet and Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:    What is dual credit?

A:    The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education defines Dual Credit as:  "postsecondary courses that are taught on the high school campus.  These courses are taught by qualified instructors as defined by The Coordinating Board for Higher Education and are of the same quality and rigor as all other college courses available to regular college students."

Q:    How is dual credit different than dual enrollment?

A:    The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education defines Dual Enrollment as: "high school students taking postsecondary classes and who are physically present on the postsecondary education campus for those classes."  Typically, for students working with Truman, a dual enrollment class would be a course taken in the evening, on the weekend, or during the summer as a non-degree seeking student.  Typically Truman does not offer dual enrollment coursework to high school students during the regular school day.

Q:    What is competency-based credit?

A:    In the Truman State University context, a competency-based course is a course in which students are given credit for demonstrating they have met the learning objectives of the course (fulfilled specific, measurable competencies) by completing one or more tests that demonstrate completion.  Truman's Competency-Based Mathematics Program is offered in partnership with a dozen high schools to deliver this sort of experience in College Algebra and Plane Trigonometry.  From the perspective of DESE, "School districts may award high school credit to students upon demonstration of mastery of the competencies for a particular course.  School districts wishing to award credit based on demonstration of a mastery of the course competencies must notify DESE.  School districts must assure that the expected level of performance would demonstrate that a student has mastered the course competencies and may receive credit for the class."

Q:    Who is eligible for dual credit?

A:    According to the Missouri Department of Higher Education:  "The eligibility of high school students to participate in dual credit courses may vary in accordance with the admission standards of the college or university offering the courses in the high school. For all institutions, however, students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or the equivalent and be recommended by the high school principal or his or her official designee.  High school students must also meet the same requirements for admission to individual courses (e.g., English or mathematics) as those required of on-campus students (e.g., ACT, ASSET, or other placement test scores). Specific placement tests may not be required for admission to some college courses; however, if the high school administers a competency assessment in an area related to the dual credit course, high school juniors and seniors must score at proficient or above on the MAP or achieve an equivalent score on a comparable assessment. Performance on the MAP or a related assessment test should be verified in the high school principal's or official designee's recommendation that the student participate in a dual credit course.  High school juniors and seniors who meet the above requirements will be eligible for dual credit courses. Under special circumstances, freshmen and sophomores with superior academic talents may take dual credit courses. Freshmen and sophomores must demonstrate their competency by scoring at the 90th percentile or above on the ACT or SAT. Moreover, the recommending high school counselor and the college academic department official must concur that a younger student can benefit from dual credit in the specific course and learn at the collegiate level.

Q:    How much does it cost to take a dual credit course?

A:    Truman dual credit courses are $85 per credit hour.  Truman competency-based courses (MATH 156 and MATH 157, through the Competency-Based Mathematics Program for High Schools) are typically $120 per credit hour.  Dual enrollment courses are charged at the prevailing undergraduate hourly tuition rate at the time of enrollment.

Q:    What if my child wants to take the high school course, but not the college course?

A:    Under the policies of the State of Missouri, a student enrolled in a dual credit section at their high school must be afforded the same educational experience regardless of whether they elect to take the course for Truman credit or not.

Q:    Is the dual credit transferrable to colleges other than Truman?

A:    Yes.  Because the credit is Truman credit it should be accepted anywhere in the state that transfers the "42-hour block" of general education requirements.

Q:    If my child takes a dual credit course from Truman, do they have to attend class only when Truman is in session?

A:    They are required to attend class when their high school is in session.  When their high school is on break, the course will not convene.  When Truman is on break, however, high school classes will still meet.  While every effort is made to match the scheduling of content and assessments at the local school to those of the University, typically there are more hours of direct contact between the local teacher and students than there would be in a college course.

Q:    Do Truman faculty/staff tuition discounts apply to dual credit?
A:    No.  Faculty and staff discounts only apply to regular Truman tuition.

Q:    What if my child starts the class and doesn't like it?  Can they get a refund?  Can they quit without a penalty?

A:    Normal Truman refund and withdrawal dates apply.  These vary from semester to semester and you should consult your school's registration packet for these dates.  Normally any withdrawal after the first week of class at Truman will result in some accrual of penalties. 

Q:    If my child is doing well in the dual credit section, but has not enrolled, can they later enroll for credit?

A:    No.  This is prohibited by state policies.  Students must enroll like any other student in order to receive credit.

Q:    Is a dual credit course more challenging?

A:    Dual credit courses are college-level learning experiences.  Consequently, students should be prepared for these experiences and the work that these experiences entails.  Typically, college students should spend two hours working outside of class for every one hour they spend in the classroom.  Thus, for a three-credit class, students will probably spend about six additional hours working outside of class on homework each week.  In more challenging subjects, the number of hours required will vary.  Students engaged in dual credit courses should be students who are committed learners, performing at the top of their class, who are seriously interested in pursuing a college career.