MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

March 1, 2014

Dual credit courses give high school students a jump start on college degrees

 

Mayville State University’s college course offerings for dual credit mean exciting opportunities for area high school students. Through Mayville State’s program, qualified high school students are able to enroll in specifically approved classes taught in their local high schools, through interactive video, or online. By enrolling in these courses, students can earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously. In doing so, students are developing advanced communication and critical thinking skills and making the transition to college easier.

Mayville State offers college courses for dual credit to students enrolled in high schools that are members of The Heart of the Valley ITV Consortium, as well as North Border Pembina. Students from Hillsboro, May-Port CG, Hatton, Thompson, Larimore, Minto, Lisbon, Central Cass, Central Valley, Barnes County North, Finley-Sharon, Hope-Page, Midway, Northwood, and Maple Valley are currently enrolled in dual credit courses through Mayville State University.

Courses in college composition, fundamentals of public speaking, college algebra, introduction to sociology, U.S. History, and introduction to psychology are being offered through Mayville State for dual college and high school credit. Additionally, students may enroll in other general education classes online or on the MSU campus with permission.

Any high school student in grade ten, eleven, or twelve, who has received permission from his or her school administrator and has a 3.0 grade point average, is eligible for enrollment in a Mayville State college course. Dual credit students must follow North Dakota University System (NDUS) placement requirements for Math 103 (college algebra) and English 110 (college composition I). Placement guidelines can be found on the NDUS website, www.ndus.edu. High school counselors and teachers may advise students regarding their academic readiness to participate in dual credit courses. Only those students who are academically ready should enroll in dual credit courses.

For the 2014-2015 academic year, the cost (tuition and fees) to enroll in a Mayville State dual credit course is $135 per credit or $405 per three-credit course. Textbooks and course materials are available through the Mayville State Bookstore. The cost of textbooks is not included in tuition and fees.

Student Loans of North Dakota offers financial assistance to dual credit students in the form of Dakota Education Alternative Loans (DEAL). Find out more at www.banknd.com or 1-800-472-2166. The North Dakota College Access Network (NDCAN), administered by the Bank of North Dakota also offers financial assistance. Funding is limited. To be eligible, a student must be a current junior or senior attending a North Dakota high school, receive approval from school district superintendent or designee to take a dual credit course, and qualify for the free or reduced price lunch. Information and applications are available at local high schools, Mayville State, or by calling 1-800-554-2717.

Credits earned for completing dual credit courses will appear on a student’s transcript as regular college credit. All dual credit courses can be equally transferred to any college or university within the NDUS. Dual credit courses will generally transfer to other institutions as well. However, it is up to the receiving institution to determine how the credits will be accepted.

Mayville State offers scholarship opportunities for students who have been enrolled in dual credit courses through MSU during high school. If a student earns at least a 2.5 grade point average in his or her dual credit courses and enrolls in Mayville State University as a full time student the fall after graduating from high school, the tuition paid for dual credit taken while in high school will be awarded to the student in the form of a Mayville State scholarship. The value of the scholarship is up to $1,000 for two years, equivalent to the amount paid out in dual credit tuition as a high school student. The amount of the dual credit scholarship will vary, depending on the number of credits a student earned as a dual credit student and the amount of dual credit tuition paid.

Mayville State University is the most affordable four-year college in the area. This scholarship opportunity makes attending Mayville State even more attractive. The dual credit scholarships are being offered in addition to any academic scholarships for which students may be eligible to receive. We encourage students to turn their dual credit opportunities into down payments on their futures at Mayville State!

To learn more about enrolling in college courses at Mayville State for dual credit, contact Freshman Admissions Specialist Mindy O’Connor at 1-800-437-4104, ext. 34635.  To learn more about dual credit and other scholarship opportunities, contact Director of Enrollment Services James Morowski at 1-800-437-4104, ext. 34619 or james.morowski@mayvillestate.edu.