Letter from the Director of Educational Services
A comprehensive resource for students and parents navigating dual credit opportunities and planning for college success
Dear Galveston College Dual Credit Students and Families,
Welcome to an exciting journey into higher education! As the Director of Educational Services at Galveston College, I am thrilled to offer my support as you take this significant step toward your academic, or technical workforce career goals. By enrolling in dual credit courses, you are gaining:
1. Valuable experiences
2. Earning college credits
3 Building a solid foundation for your future
4. Helping your family save on college costs
5. Earning a certificate to enter workforce ready
This guide is designed to guide you and your family through every stage of the process, from enrollment to financial aid and beyond.
We are here to support you every step of the way. Please take time to review the information in this packet and reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. This is your moment to explore new opportunities and set the stage for your success, and we are honored to be part of your journey. Welcome to Galveston College - your partner in education!
With best wishes,
Elvia Ortiz Segura Director of Educational Services
esegura@gc.edu 409-944-1226
Go Whitecaps!
Galveston College
Galveston College Vision, Mission and Values
Vision Statement:
Galveston College: A beacon of light guiding life-long learning.
Mission Statement:
Galveston College, an innovative public post-secondary institution dedicated to student success, teaching, and learning, creates accessible learning opportunities to fulfill individual and community needs by providing highquality educational programs and services.
College Values:
• ACCESS Provide an open door to learning while extending accessible education opportunities to qualified students who can benefit from instruction.
• STUDENT SUCCESS Provide high-quality, learning-centered programs and services that focus on achieving student success.
• INTEGRITY Foster a culture of trust, honesty, openness, and fairness, while upholding high ethical standards
• RESPECT Foster an environment that seeks to understand and values the importance and contributions of each individual.
• DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION — Foster a culture that affirms and empowers all members of the College community, recognizes that not everyone starts from the same place, where we value, celebrate, and learn from our differences, and all people are treated with respect and dignity.
• CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE Promote a culture that pursues excellence and supports new ideas and creative endeavors that advance the mission and purposes of the College.
• STEWARDSHIP Ensure responsible and ethical accountability for the resources entrusted to the College so as to provide the necessary support to foster teaching and learning for today and tomorrow.
STUDENT SERVICES
Academic Calendar
It is important to always refer to the academic calendar. This calendar provides all the important dates that you need to keep track of throughout the semester. The calendar can be found at this link Galveston College Catalog.
Accreditation
Galveston College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor and associate degrees. Galveston College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels Questions about the accreditation of Galveston College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Policies and Rules
The policies and rules adopted by Galveston College relating to the Dual Credit Programs eligibility and enrollment requirements are governed by the Texas Administrative Code, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Dual Enrollment Policy, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).
Refer to the following website for a copy of the Texas Administrative Code: Texas Administrative Code
Refer to the following website for a copy of the SACSCOC Dual Enrollment Policy: Dual-Enrollment.pdf
Refer to the following website for a copy of the NACEP standards: Microsoft Word - NACEP Standards 2017.docx
College Disclosure
At Galveston College, we believe that everyone deserves an education. As a learningcentered institution, we strive to boost the intellectual and economic prosperity of the diverse communities we serve.
This policy extends to employment, admission, and all programs and activities supported by Galveston College. Inquiries concerning equal opportunity may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator (Director of Human Resources and Risk Management).
Galveston College will not be held responsible for injuries sustained while participating in any credit or non-credit physical education course, or for injuries sustained while using the College's facilities including the physical education facility.
Dual Credit as a Pathway to College
What is Dual Credit?
Courses offered through the Galveston College Dual Credit program provide the opportunity for students to earn both high school and college credit while still enrolled in grades 10-12. Dual Credit courses are approved college-level classes that are taught by qualified faculty who either teach full-time for Galveston College or embedded instructors on a high school campus that meet the same rigorous requirements for instructing full-time on Galveston College’s campus. Courses are offered in face-to-face formats, a blend of online and faceto-face as well as completely online.
Benefits
Credits earned across most academic Dual Credit courses can be transferred to colleges and universities across Texas as well as some out-of-state intuitions.
Earn college credit while still in high school, which can cut degree completion time by up to two academic years.
Access to college level courses at a drastically reduced tuition rate.
Smaller class sizes and accessible instructors that are tailored to fit the specific needs of a student enrolled in both high school and college courses.
Get valuable college preparation experience by learning in a collegiate environment. One-on-one time with a college advisor to help prepare students for the high school to college transition. This also includes monitored academic support.
Earn academic and/or technical credit.
Access to community college resources:
Testing Center
Counseling
Career placement
Student Success Center
And more!
First Steps to Get into College
Application Process: Get Approval from High School Counselor before taking any dual credit courses, students must first consult with their high school counselor and campus dual credit advisor to ensure eligibility requirements are met.
Your high school counselor can approve your enrollment into dual credit courses. As a part of eligibility requirements, students will need parent approval via signature on the Dual Credit Contract
Apply
Each student that participates in the dual credit program must apply to Galveston College through our Whitecaps Portal. Once we have an application on file then we can enroll you into your dual credit courses. You will also need to submit an official high school transcript to the Admissions Office. Contact the dual credit advisor or admissions if you need assistance applying.
Placement Testing Requirements
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is a placement exam that helps assess college readiness. There are two components of the test: Mathematics and English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR). To be considered eligible to take academic college-level courses, you will need to have the following scores on each component of the TSI:
ELAR
College Ready (CR) Score of 945-990 with an Essay of 5-8 or, CR score of 910-944 with a diagnostic level of 5-6 and an essay of 5-8 Math
CR score of 950-990 or, CR score of 910-949 with a diagnostic level of 6
The TSIA 2.0 exam can be taken at the following locations, but you must speak with your respective Counselors to make sure you should take the exam and when it is available:
Ball High School (BHS students)
Odyssey Academy (Odyssey students)
O’Connell students must arrange a time to test at Galveston College
Upward Hope students must arrange a time to test at Galveston College
The Testing Center at Galveston College
NOTE: A student can retake any portion of the TSI that did not meet qualifying scores.
TSI Exemptions
ACT® – A total score of 23 with a minimum of 19 in the corresponding sections of the English and/or mathematics.
SAT® – A score of 480 in evidenced-based reading and writing and a math score of 530 (combined scores are not required).
Remind App
If you are currently using the app, Remind, make sure to add the Dual Credit Advisor, Alisha McCracken. Class Name: Dual Credit Advising: Galveston College
Text: @hs2gc to 81010
Academic and Behavioral Standards
Students enrolled in any Dual Credit course offered by Galveston College agree to hold themselves to the highest academic and behavioral standards possible. Some of these standards are listed below. All standards can be found in the Galveston College Student Handbook.
Academic Standards Grading: Students in a Dual Credit course receive both a letter grade and a numerical grade. The letter grade is placed on the college transcript while the numerical grade is placed on the high school transcript. Galveston College grade point average (GPA) system is on a 4-point scale. Please see the letter/GPA equivalent below:
Academic Probation: Students are expected to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA while enrolled at the college. After the first time a student’s GPA drops below 2.0, they will be placed on probation and will be limited to the number of courses they can take. Students will remain on probation until their cumulative GPA returns to a 2.0. If the student’s next semester is unsuccessful, the next step will be academic suspension.
Academic Suspension: During a student’s first academic suspension, the student must sit out for one long term. For a second or third suspension, the student must sit out for a full academic year. After a third suspension, the student will not be readmitted to Galveston College.
Failure of Course: Failing a course is evidenced by a grade of “F.” Dual Credit students who receive a grade of “D” or “F” in one of their courses must consult with their Dual Credit Advisor before attempting to retake that failed course or any other Dual Credit course offered by the College.
Grade Appeal: Students who believe that they were assigned an improper or incorrect grade can request a grade correction within 30 calendar days of the end of the semester in which the grade was issued. To start the process of having a grade corrected, students should first contact the instructor to make them aware of the situation. If this does not resolve the issue, then the student will need to contact the appropriate program coordinator or director to handle the dispute.
Withdrawal from a Course: Students can withdraw from a course after meeting with the Dual Credit Advisor and high school counselor. Please note that students who withdraw after the census date will receive a grade of “W.” The census date can be found on the academic calendar located on the College website. Note: When consulting the academic calendar, please note that there is a cut-off date for withdrawing with a “W.”
Extra-Curricular Eligibility: Dual Credit course grades do count towards athletic, academic, and other extra-curricular activities. Please consult your Dual Credit Advisor or high school counselor to discuss any issues that might arise due to extracurricular activities that could conflict with Dual Credit course deadlines, procedures, and/or policies.
Academic Honesty: Students are expected to produce their own original work to the best of their abilities in any course of study. By submitting original work, students comply with the standards of academic honesty. Those who are guilty of academic dishonesty will be subject to major disciplinary action that could include being dropped from the course, in school suspension, and other related, appropriate punitive measures. Academic dishonesty can be one of the following actions: cheating, which includes copying student’s work/ or using someone else’s work without permission. Also, plagiarism, which consists of using another person’s work and submitting it as your own or purchasing any kind of service to compose the assignments for you.
Students are also subject to academic dishonesty definitions put forth by their secondary institution. Please consult your local school district or your institution for their guidelines on what constitutes academic dishonesty.
Behavioral Standards
When students enroll in a Dual Credit course, they must understand that they are now considered college students and are held to the same standard as any student on a college campus. Students on a college campus are expected to conduct themselves in the following manner:
Respect is shown towards other students, faculty, staff, and any other persons the student interacts with.
Promote a collaborative and positive learning environment in and out of the classroom that encourages meaningful and relevant learning experiences.
Conform to rules, regulations and procedures set forth by the instructor, school officials and any other related staff.
Treat all property of both the College and local secondary institution with dignity and care.
Students who violate these standards will be disciplined according to both College guidelines and local secondary institution disciplinary procedures.
Grading Appeals
Any student at Galveston College has the right to appeal academic decisions or actions which he or she considers manifestly unjust or improper. The primary responsibility for assigning grades in a course belongs to the individual course instructor, and in the absence of compelling evidence of discrimination, differential treatment, or procedural irregularities, the judgment of the instructor responsible for the course must remain determinant.
Level One (Informal Step)
A student who believes that an improper or incorrect grade was assigned should first take informal steps to resolve the situation. The request for a grade correction must occur within thirty (30) calendar days of the end of the semester in which the grade was issued. The student should first discuss the matter with the instructor of record. If the matter is not resolved at this point, the student should discuss the matter with the appropriate program coordinator, who will attempt to resolve the grade dispute
Level Two
If an informal attempt to resolve the grade issue is unsuccessful, the following procedures will be observed at level two: 1. The student will submit to the appropriate Dean, in writing, a request for review using a Grade Appeal Form, which is available in the Office of the Dean or the Division Coordinator. 2. The Dean or Division Coordinator, on receiving the request, will inform the instructor, the program coordinator, and the faculty chair of the appeal, provide the instructor with a copy of the appeal, and request a written response from the instructor. 3. The Dean or Division Coordinator shall review all material and information and seek an appropriate solution.
Level Three
If an appropriate solution is not forthcoming at the Dean’s level, the Dean shall forward the appeal to the Student Affairs Committee. The Committee's responsibility shall be:
1. To review the complainant's request and evidence;
2. To consider the instructor's response;
3. To consider the Division Director decision; and,
4. To call any witnesses, if deemed appropriate by the committee, to corroborate documentary evidence; (A witness requested to testify by either the complainant or the instructor, or both, may decline.)
5. The Student Affairs Committee shall render a decision which shall be communicated to the Dean or the Division Coordinator who in turn shall communicate the decision in writing to the student and to the instructor within ten (10) working days following the report of the committee
Level Four
If the matter is still not resolved to the student's satisfaction, he or she may present a written request for review by the Vice President of Instruction. The Vice President of Instruction will review the appeal with the appropriate Dean or Division Coordinator and render a decision.
Level Five
If the outcome of the appeal to the Vice President of Instruction is not to the student's satisfaction, the student may, within ten (10) working days of receiving notice of the decision, submit a written appeal to the College President. The written appeal at minimum must include a written reason for the appeal or a statement of the problem and/or complaint, and the expected resolution. The President may, at his/her sole discretion, choose to allow oral arguments on the petition The President may act to affirm, modify, remand, or reverse the decision If no action is taken within sixty (60) days, the Vice President's decision will thereby be affirmed. The grade appeal process ends with the decision of the President.
How to Log into Whitecaps Portal
The Whitecaps Portal is listed under the “Whitecaps Toolbox” on the Galveston College homepage. The Whitecaps Portal is divided into three sections: Campus Events, Campus Announcements and myGC.
Multi-Factor Authentication: This process is an extra measure that Galveston College takes to ensure that your personal records are safe. Everyone is required to setup MultiFactor before they can log into Whitecaps Portal or Canvas.
How to Log into Canvas
Canvas is the College’s online learning platform. Most Dual Credit courses use Canvas, but in different capacities. Check with your instructor to see what their expectations are regarding Canvas utilization in their course. Please note that accessing Canvas for GC courses is a separate process from accessing Canvas for local high school courses.
You will use the same information used to log into the Whitecaps Portal - This is called a "single sign- on" - Same username/password. Log into CANVAS
Note: If you need assistance logging into Whitecaps Portal or Canvas, the IT help desk can assist with resetting your password. They can be reached at 409-944-1352 or helpdesk@gc edu
Whitecaps Email
Access your Whitecaps email through the “Whitecaps Toolbox” by using Outlook Mail. Make it a habit to check your email regularly, this is where useful information will go regarding important dates, reminders, events, and more.
myGC
Using your myGC, you can access financial statements, make payments, plan out semesters, view grades, search for classes, and apply for graduation. You can also find a user-friendly guide that provides tips and helps navigate you through the poral.
Paying for Classes
Before making any payment towards your classes, check to see if you qualify for any of these funds:
Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST). Through the FAST program, students who meet the eligibility criteria and are enrolled in participating colleges, public school districts, or charter schools are not required to pay tuition for dual credit courses. Additionally, the high school is responsible for supplying all essential books, materials, and supplies for the course at no expense to the students
Apply for Universal Access. Students who are eligible, the scholarship will be applied to required tuition and fees for the enrolled semester that a student is taking dual credit courses. The scholarship does not pay for books or supplies.
Are you funded by Galveston Career Connect (GCC)? If so, you should not have to make a payment at the time of tuition being due. Your tuition and fees should be covered by GCC.
NOTE: If you are unsure if you qualify for any of these funds, contact the dual credit advisor, Alisha McCracken (AMccracken@gc.edu).
If you do not qualify for any of the above options, these are your payment options:
Make a full payment online under the MyGC Portal link – Click on Student Finance and then click on Make a Payment.
Call and make full payment directly through our Business Office at 409-944-1362.
Set up a payment plan via the MyGC Portal link - Click on Student Finance and then click on right side bar under Helpful Links “Payment Plans” and follow the steps.
NOTE: Always refer to the Catalog for payment deadlines.
Course Registration and Withdrawals
Course Selection
Students will work with their high school counselor and dual credit advisor to choose courses that best fit their academic needs. Students typically plan out their high school schedule for the next academic year sometime between January through late February. This is the best time to discuss with your high school counselor that you are interested in taking dual credit courses. They will work with you to get the dual credit courses added to your schedule.
Enrollment
Dual credit students are not permitted to enroll themselves in courses. If the student has chosen dual credit courses for their schedule, Galveston College Admissions will get those students enrolled based on the chosen courses.
Credit Hour Limitations and Exceptions
Students are permitted to enroll in up to 18 hours per semester (fall/spring), upon approval from their high school counselor. If a student wants to enroll in more than 18 hours, they will need to fill out and submit the Special Enrollment Permission Request form. This can be submitted to your dual credit advisor. If approved by the Vice President of Instruction, Admissions will register the student for the course. The enrollment limit for the summer is six hours per session.
Withdrawals
Students can withdraw from a course after meeting with the Dual Credit Advisor and High School Counselor. A Withdrawal Form must be signed and submitted to your dual credit advisor. Please note that students who withdraw after the census date (12th class day for Fall/ Spring and 4th class day for summer sessions) will receive a grade of “W”.
Withdrawals (W) will not count towards the 6-drop limitation; however, the ‘W’ will appear on the student’s transcript. This rule only applies to dual credit students. The census date can be found on the Academic Calendar located on the College website.
Graduation
If a student’s goal is to obtain an associate degree or certificate, they should meet with the dual credit advisor at least once a semester to ensure they stay on track with what courses they need. During the student’s final semester, the advisor will conduct one last degree audit and if all degree/certificate requirements have been completed, including having a minimum 2.0 GPA, the student will apply for graduation. Students must apply for graduation to receive their degree/certificate. The graduation application can be filed through myGC.
Note: The graduation ceremony is only during the spring semester Summer and Fall graduates can participate in the following spring semester ceremony.
Transferring Dual Credit Courses
Academic Credits
These are general education courses that prepare students for transferring to a university. All GC dual credit classes are part of the Texas Common Core: classes that all public Texas colleges and universities must accept. However, it is always best to speak with the institution you plan to transfer to, to discuss what courses they will accept and how those courses will apply to a degree plan.
Workforce credits
These are courses within programs that prepare students for specific careers and vocations such as Cosmetology, HVAC, Welding, Medical Administration, etc. Students may be able to earn a certificate or an associate degree in these programs. Keep in mind that some institutions do not accept workforce credits.
Course Information
The Texas Core Curriculum consists of 42 credit hours of general education courses that are required for any student that is in an academic transfer program in the state of Texas However, the Texas Core is not required for workforce programs It is important that you speak with your dual credit advisor to discuss which course options best fit your academic needs.
College Texas Common Core
CORE COMPONENT
COMMUNICATION
MATHEMATICS
ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302
Select one course from the following list of courses: MATH 1314, MATH 1324, MATH 1325, MATH 1332, MATH 1342, MATH 2312, MATH 2413, MATH 2414, PSYC 2317
Select two courses from the following list of courses: BIOL 1322, BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL 2421, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2423, CHEM 2425, ENVR 1301, ENVR 1302, KINE 1301, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 1410 PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426
Select one course from the following list of courses: ARTS 1304, DRAM 2361, DRAM 2362, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, HUMA 1302, PHIL 1301, PHIL 2306, PHIL 2307, SPAN 2311, SPAN 2312
Select one course from the following list of courses: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, COMM 2366, DRAM 1310, DRAM 2366, HUMA 1301, MUSI 1306, MUSI 1310
Select two courses from the following courses: HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2301 GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306
Select one course from the following list of courses: CRIJ 1301, CRIJ 1307, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, KINE 1304, KINE 1346, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, SOCI 1306
Select two courses from the following AND/OR use excess credit hours from courses listed above EDUC 1300/PSYC 1300, ENGL 2311, ENVR 1101, ENVR 1102, KINE 1164, MATH 2415, PSYC 2306, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319/SOCI 2326, SOCI 2301, SOCI 2319, SPCH 1311, SPCH 1315, SPCH 1318, SPCH 1321
Articulation Agreements
The purpose of an articulation agreement is to document the approval of an Articulation Plan for specific courses and programs between Galveston College, a Texas political subdivision of higher education (referred to herein as the "College," the "College District," or "Galveston College"), and Galveston Independent School District, a Texas independent school district (referred to herein as “GISD” or "School District"). This document provides a mechanism to enable students who have completed specified courses and/or programs at GISD under specific conditions to be granted college credit by articulation. Currently, Galveston College has articulation agreements within the Culinary, Hospitality, and Welding programs.
General provisions: All students that apply for articulated credit based upon classes or programs taken at GISD must meet the following conditions:
Student must meet all Galveston College admissions requirements and have successfully completed six semester hours of non-developmental course work.
High school students enrolled under the early admissions or dual credit program must graduate from high school before articulation credit can be granted.
The students must have an official high school transcript on file with the Galveston College Admissions Office.
The student must major in an area of articulation in order to receive credit.
The students must have successfully completed the high school courses for which articulation credit is being requested and receive a grade of 80% or better for credit to be awarded.
The Galveston College Program Director of each instructional area will be responsible for evaluating the high school transcript and recommending articulation credit based on the stated conditions.
The Program Directors can initiate articulated credit with the “Application for Prior Learning Assessment” application.
Class Attendance
Students are required to attend class at least 10% of the time for the course of the semester. If a student fails to comply with the class attendance requirements, the student may be dropped from the course. It is always best to inform your instructor if you are unable to attend class due to unforeseen circumstances.
Course Syllabus
Students will be provided with a syllabus for each course. Within the syllabus are the details of the course, assignments, assignments deadlines, and a grading rubric. It is essential that students review the syllabus at the start of each semester to ensure they are aware of what will be required of them in the course. If the student has any questions or concerns regarding the course, they should reach out to their instructors.
Important Information
Student Expectations -
Review, sign, and turn in the Dual Credit Contract.
Be ON TIME- Instructors take attendance!
Dual Credit students are considered college students and are held to the same standard as any student on a college campus.
Regularly check your Canvas.
Log in to your Whitecaps Portal frequently to check for important emails.
Use whitecaps email to communicate with instructors.
Talk to your instructor if you have a question about an assignment or grade.
Work hard.
Do not procrastinate.
Know college credits count.
Make time to study every day.
Know what needs to be read ahead of time.
Know what is due and when it is due.
Ask the instructor questions.
Get help if struggling with a course.
Parent Information
As you help your child navigate this new and exciting college experience, there are a few key details that you should know
Dual Credit Contract: As stated in the contract, “Students and parents understand that Dual Credit courses are collegiate level courses offered through Galveston College and thereby contain collegiate level curriculum, material and discussions ”
What this means is that “Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The following statements rest upon the belief that the common good depends upon a free search for truth and its free expression without intent to do personal harm. Each faculty member is entitled to freedom in discussing the subject that they teach.
Limitations to this basic statement exist only within bounds of common decency and good taste. Each faculty member is also entitled to speak or write as a citizen of their nation, state, and community without fear of institutional censorship or discipline.”
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 was passed to ensure that student records were only accessed by the student and authorized parties. Dual Credit students are enrolled Galveston College students, which means that student grades, academic progress, financial aid matters as well as all other records must only be accessed by the student. Any other parties who wish to have access to individual student records must be given authorization in writing by the student to the College. FERPA applies to minors as well. Students with
Accessibility Needs: The Galveston College Accessibility Services Office provides students with assistance and information as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1972 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Accommodations include but are not limited to:
Academic Adjustment/Auxiliary Aid
Counseling
Interpreters
Priority Registration
Accessibility Equipment
Support and Referral
Helpful Accessibility Tools
Student Support: Although the college has many resources available to our students to assist in their success, it is also important for the student to have a good support system. Here are some ways that you can be involved:
Occasionally check in on their progress.
Be aware of possible stress.
Provide encouragement.
Celebrate their success.
Ensure they are communicating with instructors/college staff as needed. Help them create a schedule to manage time.
Workload Balance
Managing a high school courseload along with college courses can be challenging Here are tips to help with balancing the two:
Prioritize: Prioritize your academics and choose extracurricular activities that are important to you.
Manage your time: Schedule time to study when you are most efficient and be realistic about your commitments
Plan ahead: Start planning early, and do not procrastinate.
Take breaks: Take breaks, but do not use them to put off work.
Ask for help: Do not be afraid to ask your family and friends for help.
Build good habits: Establish good study and sleep habits.
Keep your goals in mind: Remember why you are taking dual credit classes and keep your goals in sight
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Dual Credit courses hard?
A Dual Credit course is a college-level course, which means that it is rigorous and challenging; however, you also get to experience hands-on learning experiences with dedicated faculty who want to prepare you for wherever you want to go academically and professionally. It may be difficult at first, but with all the support you will receive from faculty and staff, you will do great!
How many courses can I take?
Technically you can take up to 18 credit hours per semester without having to seek administrative approval, but with Dual Credit students facing a massive workload, we recommend no more than two courses per semester.
What are some of the degrees I can earn?
Currently, you can earn Workforce Certifications or an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in General Studies. Check the catalog for more degree plans.
Can I take summer courses?
Yes, Dual Credit students are still Galveston College students even after the high school academic year ends. Please note that taking summer courses may not result in earning both high school and college credit. Speak with your high school counselor for approval to take summer courses. You will also need to speak with the dual credit advisor to determine what your course options are during the summer.
Why should I take Dual Credit courses when I can just wait until after I graduate to take college courses?
Dual Credit students have the advantage of getting to their academic and professional goals faster by completing courses while still in high school. Starting on your college coursework early, you can begin working on your major specific courses by the time you graduate from high school. You could get your degree completed faster and experience smaller class sizes with faculty who can provide you with more one-on-one attention. Taking dual credit classes also has its financial advantages by saving students money.
Should I take AP courses instead of Dual Credit?
You should speak with your high school counselor and dual credit advisor to discuss which course option is best for you.
What is the difference between Dual Credit and Advanced Placement (AP)?
Dual Credit:
You want college class experience.
You are ready for rigorous content, but high-stakes tests are not always your strong suit.
You want to transfer the maximum possible credits to a university or college
You are ready to establish a college GPA.
Advanced Placement (AP):
You excel at standardized tests.
You want the challenge and structure of an AP content course.
You know you plan to attend a 4-year institution that will not accept any college credits earned during high school
Your academic plans require AP weighted courses for your high school GPA.
College Terminology
Academic Advisor
A faculty member or administrator whose job is to provide advice and guidance to students about their academic career.
Academic Standing
A student’s status in terms of their academic performance.
Academic Suspension
The temporary removal of a student from a college or university due to academic performance.
Add/Drop
The period at the beginning of a semester during which students are allowed to add or drop courses
Academic Year
Term of an educational institution that typically runs from August/September to May/June of the following year
Associate Degree
An undergraduate academic degree awarded by a college after completion of 60 credit hours
Credit Hour
An academic unit of measure representing the equivalent of an hour of classroom instruction over a 15-week period.
Co-requisite Course
A course that must be taken in conjunction with another course to meet certain degree requirements.
Certificate
An academic award that demonstrates a student's expertise in a specific field.
Course Load
The number of classes taken by a student in a semester.
Course Number
A numerical designation assigned to a particular course
Distance Education
The delivery of educational content online or through other media that allows students to access classes from anywhere with an internet connection.
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Financial Aid
Monetary assistance given to students to help pay for their college education. Students apply for assistance using FAFSA
Grade Point Average (GPA)
A numerical measure of a student's academic success.
Plagiarism
The act of using someone else's work or ideas as one's own without giving proper credit.
Semester
A period in which a student regularly attends classes at a college or university (Fall, spring, summer).
Syllabus
A document that outlines the course requirements, topics covered, and other information for a particular course.
Transcript
An official record of a student’s academic performance
Transfer Credit
Credit received for college course taken at another institution that are accepted as equivalent to courses offered at the current college/university.
This handbook was prepared on the basis of the best information available at the time of printing. However, all information contained here is subject to change without notice or obligation. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute as a contract.
At Galveston College, we believe that everyone deserves an education. As a learning-centered institution, we strive to boost the intellectual and economic prosperity of the diverse communities we serve.