Dual Credit Growth

student contribution by Cate Emma Warren

As students began selecting the courses for next school year, they noticed a wider variety of dual credit class options. Through Prosper ISD, students can take Dual Credit classes through Collin College. Students are choosing classes based on their interests, hobbies and credit requirements. Now they are also able to use their high school schedule to prepare for collegiate level learning and employment opportunities for the future.

Dual Credit courses enable students to have the chance to earn credit for both their high school transcript and their college GPA. During the 2022-2023 school year, PISD students will be able to earn more than 50 hours of college credit, with help from the new Collin College campus in Celina. Superintendent Dr. Holly Ferguson said her goal is to provide more opportunities for academic advancement.

“The importance of dual credit while in high school provides our students the ability to earn college credit at a very affordable rate,” Dr. Ferguson said. “Our students can learn how to begin to navigate college expectations while still living at home with their families and having the support of our school staff. In addition, students who take dual credit courses have more likelihood of earning an additional degree beyond a bachelor’s degree.”

“The new campus will allow for greater access to Collin College’s offerings than ever before and significant cost savings. The lab facilities at Collin College - Celina will allow Prosper ISD students to enroll in dual credit science courses for the very first time. By utilizing the Celina campus and expanding the courses we offer especially in math and science, students will be able to more efficiently accrue college credits that will count towards their degree requirements,” ​AdvancedAcademics Director Seth Rutledge said.

These new Dual Credit courses are just one step in Dr. Ferguson’s vision for the future of the district.

These dual credit classes prove to be beneficial for students in multiple ways. One of the biggest being the savings. Where four-year university students can pay upwards of $750 for a course, dual credit courses are approximately $150. Students are able to gain more control over their future path through the variety of new courses offered providing a smoother transition from high school learning to the collegiate level.

“I am taking Dual Credit classes next year because I want a more professional and advanced learning experience,” PHS sophomore Anna Stringer said. “It will simulate what it will be like when I go off and live on my own and attend a university. I also want to challenge myself without feeling overwhelmed and I think that doing Dual Credit will be the perfect balance between more challenging but not too difficult and overly stressful.”

The expansion of the PISD Dual Credit courses is moving from 30 available credit hours to over 50 available credit hours. This means students can potentially enter into undergraduate studies with as many as three or more semesters worth of courses completed. These benefits can allow Dual Credit students to maximize their time and credits not only in high school, but as an undergraduate as well.

LEFT: The Collin College Celina campus building sits midday under a cloudy sky. Collin College has its own application process that is required for students looking to be enrolled in Dual Credit courses. The expansion of PISD with Collin College has not only enabled students to work towards their future, it has also aided in the process of academically advancing students.

photo by: Cate Emma Warren