2023-2024 College Catalog

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College Readiness Programs

Dual Enrollment

Institutions within The Alabama Community College System are authorized to establish dual enrollment/dual credit programs with local boards of education in the College service area. Courses offered by postsecondary institutions shall be of postsecondary level and enrolled students must pay normal tuition as required by the postsecondary institution.

A student is eligible for dual enrollment/dual credit if the student meets the following criteria:

  • The student must meet the entrance requirements established by institutions of postsecondary education;   
  • The student must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA or better GPA on a 4.0 scale in completed high school courses and must maintain a minimum of “C” average;    
  • The student must have written approval of the appropriate principal and the local superintendent of education;    
  • The student must be in grade 10, 11, or 12, or have an exception granted by the participating postsecondary institution upon the recommendation of the students’ principal and superintendent and in accordance with Alabama Administrative Code 290-8-9-12 regarding gifted and talented students;  
  • Students may enroll in academic, career and technical or health courses in accordance with guidelines of the Department of Postsecondary Education;  
  • Students enrolled in courses offered during the normal high school day on or off the high school campus shall have prior permission of the students’ principal, superintendent, and the participating postsecondary institution president;    
  • Parental permission and travel for courses offered off the high school campus during the normal school day will be administered under the auspices of local boards of education; and
  • Six semester credit hours at the postsecondary level shall equal one credit at the high school level in the same or related subject. Partial credit agreements shall be developed between the participating postsecondary institution and the local board of education.    

Accelerated High School Program

Colleges are authorized to enroll accelerated high school students who may earn college credit while still in high school. Unlike the Dual Enrollment program, college credit earned under this classification may not substitute for high school credit. 

Drake State Community and Technical College is authorized to enroll accelerated high school students who may earn college credit while still in high school. Unlike the Dual Enrollment program, college credit earned under this program awards college credit only; no high school credit is awarded. 

The Accelerated High School Program is available to students attending public, private, parochial, or church/religious school pursuant to §16-28-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975, or who are receiving instruction from a home school offering educational instructions in grades K-12, home schooled students and those receiving instruction through private tutors. 

Additional requirements beyond the general admission requirements are:

  1. The student has completed the 10th grade;
  2. The student provides a letter from the local principal or designee certifying that the student has a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade average and recommends the student to this program with accompanying transcript; 
  3. The student has completed the high school prerequisites for the course(s) in they want to enroll.
  4. The Chancellor may grant exceptions for a student documented as gifted and talented in accordance with Alabama Administrative Code §290-8-9-12. The exceptions only apply to additional requirements 1-3 above.