Q & A

                                                                    Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between Dual Enrollment and Concurrent Enrollment?
Answer: Dual Enrollment classes meet at the high school during the regular high school day and are taught by college certified high school instructors using a college curriculum and text. The high school agrees to accept these college courses toward a student's high school completion, if needed.
Concurrent Enrollment classes meet at a college site or online and are not affiliated with the high school. Students interested in Concurrent Enrollment must submit a special admission form. Students need prior approval from their high school counselor or administration if they want these college courses to help satisfy high school requirements.

Q: What educational advantage will my child get from taking a Dual Enrollment Courses?
Answer: The challenge of taking college courses will help your child earn college credit, develop study habits essential for college, and learn what to expect from college. According to the U.S. Department of Education, college credits earned prior to high school graduation reduce the average time-to-degree (0 credits = 4.65 years, 9+ credits = 4.25 years) and increase the likelihood of graduation for students who participate in dual enrollment.

Q: What is the difference between Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement Courses?
Answer: Dual Enrollment courses focus on skills application, allowing for a more flexible curriculum which may include labs, computer applications and field trips. Students receive a grade and credit for the work performed throughout the school year. These credits usually transfer to the student's college of choice as direct course equivalents.
Advanced Placement classes prepare students to pass the AP test. Credit is awarded solely on the students' performance on this one exam and may transfer to college only as an elective credit.

Q: Will the college credits earned in dual enrollment be transferable?
Answer: Dual Enrollment students receive, upon request, a Scottsdale Community College transcript that may be submitted to the college of their choice. Articulation agreements are in place among all Arizona public colleges and universities, as well as several Arizona private colleges. Since Scottsdale Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, students are generally successful in transferring courses to other colleges and universities as well. It is recommended, however, that students confirm transferability of each Dual Enrollment course with their intended out-of-state college.

Q: What other benefits does Dual Enrollment provide my child?
Answer: Students earn college and high school credit at the same time. This saves the student time and money associated with having to take the course when they attend college. This also allows students to reduce course duplication.
Dual enrollment also offers students access to early occupational skills. Students desiring to enter the world of work after high school can reduce or eliminate the time required for occupational training. Occupational courses also allow academically bound students to learn skills that will get them better paying jobs during their college career.

Q: Are there any negatives to my child for taking Dual Enrollment Courses?
Answer: Yes. Students who are not academically prepared or lack the maturity required for the rigors of college course work will struggle in dual enrollment courses. Students taking a college course are subject to the policies of the college. Students' grades are thus part of their collegiate academic record. If students perform poorly, their college record will be negatively affected.

Q: What if my child is struggling with the Dual Enrollment Course?
Answer: Students must meet academic standards to participate in a dual enrollment course. These standards are required to help avoid enrollment by students who are not adequately prepared. Still, because of the rigors of college curricula, some students struggle. Students have access to all of the college and high school resources and tutoring programs. The student is responsible for asking for and getting the help needed.

Q: How do the high schools benefit from offering Dual Enrollment Courses?
Answer: The high school is provided with an opportunity to expand the diversity of their curricula and increase the rigor of the course offerings to students. By providing students with more opportunities, students will be motivated to succeed. Students will stay in school to pursue academic and occupational interests. High school students participating in college level learning will have a head start on students not participating in these programs. Students who excel in dual enrollment will represent the high school very well in future academic and occupational successes. Additionally, high schools are reimbursed at a rate of $1000 per annualized FTSE and $1300 per annualized FTSE for Laboratory courses. This money allows schools to purchase supplies and equipment needed for the college level courses and helps high schools stay current with their facility needs.

Q: Why aren't more classes taught as Dual Enrollment?
Answer: There are many types of governances from the state of Arizona, the community colleges and the high schools which guide how dual enrollment courses can be offered. The governances include things like college certified faculty, proper laboratory equipment, curriculum integrity, student assessment, evaluation, and program reporting. To offer a dual enrollment program, colleges must have the proposed courses approved by the state. High schools must be able to meet the curricular demands for the facilities and teaching. Colleges must have the availability to work with high schools to ensure that teachers have the support they need and are able to properly address the curricular needs. The process of developing a dual enrollment course take time and energy from everyone involved.

Q: Can I access my child's college educational information?
(Also in STUDENT PRIVACY under Parents and Guardians)
Answer: Because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), only the student may make request for information regarding their information. Parents are not able to contact the college and inquire about academic progress or grades. More information about FERPA can be found at this website: http://www.maricopa.edu/legal/ferpa/

Q: How are instructors for the dual enrollment courses selected?
Answer: Instructors must meet the same qualifications academically and experientially as the faculty who teach courses on the SCC campus. If they do meet the certification criteria and have an interest in teaching a dual enrollment course, discussions between college department chairs and the faculty take place regarding curriculum expertise and teaching methodologies. The college department chairperson ultimately makes the selection of the qualified teachers.

Q: How much does a Dual Enrollment course cost?
Answer: Tuition rate is currently $71 per credit hour (the same as all Maricopa Community College students). This is approximately one third the tuition cost of in-state universities and is significantly less than private and out-of-state universities. Students will also save on book cost and lab fees (which average $864 annually per student at Arizona's three major universities).

Q: Is financial aid available?
Answer: Currently, there is a small amount of money available for students who can demonstrate financial need. Qualification will require proof of family income by submission of the previous year's signed taxes and completion of financial aid forms.

Q: Where can I find more information about Dual Enrollment?
Answer: Contact the Scottsdale Community College Dual Enrollment Program at 480-423-6302 or paul.langworthy@sccmail.maricopa.edu