COD helps high school students earn college credit for free

Imagine earning college credit tuition-free. Now imagine doing so before reaching a college campus.

This is just one benefit of the Dual Credit program at College of DuPage, which gives qualified high school students the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses and earn both college and high school credit.

When students begin college, that credit becomes part of their transcript, thus giving them a head start on their college careers without spending a dime.

One of the beneficial aspects of dual credit is that the courses are taught at the high school during the regular school day - in other words, dual credit is conveniently scheduled as part of a high school course load. These classes are taught by high school teachers who are qualified to teach college-level courses.

Currently, the College of DuPage Dual Credit Program works with more than 25 schools and has approved 170 high school teachers to instruct these courses.

Students participating in dual credit can choose from a broad range of general education classes such as anatomy and physiology, earth science, education, English, foreign languages, speech and math, as well as technical education classes, including architecture, automotive technology, computer and information systems, cosmetology, health sciences, horticulture, motion picture/television and welding.

This past fall, the college signed a memorandum of understanding with District 87 administrators that provides students at all four Glenbard high schools access to dual credit opportunities.

Previously, Glenbard South High School was the only school in District 87 offering dual credit through COD. This memorandum - the first of its kind between the college and a local high school district - demonstrates our continued commitment to student success and service to the larger COD community.

Aligned with the Illinois State Dual Credit Quality Act, the agreement with District 87 features four classes available for the first time as dual credit offerings through COD: English 1101 (English Composition 1) and 1102 (English Composition 2), Math 1218 (General Education Mathematics), and Speech 1100 (Fundamentals of Speech Communication).

As part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative, the accredited classes are transferable for college credit to more than 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois.

It is often surprising to me that many parents and students are unaware of the college's Dual Credit Program and the benefits associated with it.

By graduating from high school with college credits already completed, students are ahead of their peers when they start college, both academically and financially. This is a huge win for all involved.

Dual credit is just one way that College of DuPage helps people of all ages find success as they pursue their academic goals.

For more information about the Dual Credit Program, call (630) 942-2880.