Dual Enrollment

For The Commission on Colleges and Universities purposes, “dual enrollment” refers to courses taught to high school students for which the students receive both high school credit and college credit, regardless of location or mode of delivery. This would include such coursework offered at the high school, on the institution’s campus, or via distance education. This also includes programs and courses that may be offered under different names such as “early college,” “dual credit,” or “concurrent enrollment.” The academic rigor of such coursework matches the quality of other institutional coursework, regardless of location or mode of delivery.

Institutions must ensure that their dual enrollment courses and programs comply with the Principles of Accreditation. This applies to all such educational programs and services, wherever located or however delivered. In addition, institutions being reviewed should also be prepared to demonstrate clear institutional control over these dual enrollment courses and programs.

With the underlying concept that the Principles of Accreditation apply to all programs of the institution, regardless of mode of delivery, institutions should consider the following statements in implementing and reporting on dual enrollment programs. Similarly, reviewers should consider these statements when approving or evaluating dual enrollment programs.

An institution offering dual enrollment ensures appropriate notification and prior approval (if needed) of off-campus instructional sites where dual enrollment courses and programs are offered. Another aspect of dual enrollment that may require notification or approval could be the use of a cooperative academic arrangement to deliver courses. (Please refer to The Commission policy “Substantive Change for The Commission Accredited Institutions.”)

The Commission defines an “instructor of record” as the faculty member qualified to teach the course. This person has overall responsibility for the implementation of the syllabus and for issuing grades. The faculty member will provide direct instruction for the course. The institution ensures appropriate faculty qualifications for those who provide instruction for dual enrollment courses; these faculty members possess the same academic credentials and/or documented professional experience required by the institution of all of its faculty. Graduate teaching assistants, if they are the instructor of record and providing direct instruction, should meet the same academic and/or professional criteria. In all cases, the institution bears responsibility for documenting and justifying the qualifications of its dual enrollment instructors, and they are included on the Faculty Roster when appropriate for review by a The Commission committee. (Please refer to the Resource Manual, Standard 6.2.b, for a broader discussion of faculty qualifications.) An institution offering dual enrollment courses or programs ensures that a sufficient number of full-time faculty members teach and/or provide appropriate oversight for the courses/programs. Materials submitted for review by The Commission explain the nature of faculty oversight that ensures the quality and integrity of the courses offered. The institution has clear criteria for the evaluation of faculty teaching dual enrollment courses and demonstrates the use of these criteria.

For all dual enrollment courses offered, the institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and level of credit awarded. Course content and rigor of dual enrollment courses are comparable to that of the same courses taught to the institution’s other students. (Please see The Commission policy “The Quality and Integrity of Educational Credentials.”) The faculty assumes primary responsibility for dual enrollment courses. Such oversight ensures both the rigor of programs/courses and the quality of instruction.

Dual enrollment students are included within the processes used to ensure the effectiveness of campus programs. If dual enrollment students can earn a credential, then that credential and those students should be part of the institutional effectiveness process of the institution. The institution regularly assesses the effectiveness of its provision of library/learning resources and student support services for dual enrollment.

Students have access to appropriate library resources, and the institution demonstrates that students are able to use such resources effectively. If the high school is the provider of these materials, the institution establishes the appropriateness of the collections for the courses and programs offered. The institution ensures that its students have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of library and other learning resources.

Academic support services are appropriate for the courses and programs offered. Institutions ensure that dual enrollment students are appropriately advised regarding the collegiate curriculum. Student support services are appropriate for dual enrollment students. Institutions have an adequate and published procedure for resolving written student complaints, and the institution follows its policies and procedures. The institution ensures that its dual enrolled students are appropriately oriented regarding their rights and responsibilities. Documented procedures assure that security of personal information is protected.

The institution implements appropriate eligibility and placement procedures to ensure that potential dual enrollment students are prepared for college-level courses. Dual enrollment students are usually admitted under exceptions to an institution’s published admissions policies, and the institution follows commonly accepted practices in making such exceptions. Advertising, recruiting, and admissions information adequately and accurately represents the programs, requirements, and services available to students. Statements and other representations regarding the ability to transfer credit earned in dual enrollment programs and courses are accurate and complete. The institution ensures that its registration and transcripting practices for dual enrollment students are consistent with those in effect for all other students.

Dual enrollment courses are offered in adequate physical facilities, whether under the control of the institution or under the control of the high school.