Dual Credit

Dual Credit - Early College Program

Dual Credit (DC) courses allow students to earn both high school and college credit!

Concord Christian Academy offers one of the most comprehensive Dual Credit programs available in the United States. Dual Credit (DC) describes the opportunity for high school students to take a course taught on their school campus by Masters-level teachers. Because of our particular situation, CCA has the privilege of offering 20 such courses, all of which are taught during regular school hours.

Currently, CCA works in conjunction with the New Hampshire Community College and University system — specifically New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI in Concord) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU in Manchester). Students may also take courses at NHTI, SNHU, NH Art Institute (NHIA in Manchester), or complete DC course offerings online through VLACS (Virtual Learning Academy Charter School).

Eligible CCA Faculty have been approved as adjunct professors (Masters-level degrees in their particular field) are thereby granted the opportunity to work with a mentor teacher from these institutions to whom they are accountable to manage and teach the program according to the provided class syllabi. (As appropriate, we are granted the freedom to integrate the Biblical worldview!)

CCA’s Dual Credit program enables students to make substantial progress towards their college degree before finishing high school. In most cases, students who begin taking courses in their junior year can earn up to one to two years of college credit by the time they graduate from high school providing the potential to earn up to 49 college credits.

How is “Dual Credit” different from high school “Advanced Placement (AP)” courses?

Both DC and AP courses are taught at the college level, however upon successful completion of the Dual Credit course (C or above), a student immediately achieves college credit. In an AP course, the student must pass the an end-of-year, or placement exam, to be eligible to apply college credit. In addition, sometimes a student must “petition” the college after attending one semester to accept the AP course as college credit, which in most cases, the college will do. Another difference is that Dual Credit courses are taught by faculty who hold at least a Master’s degree in the specific discipline he/she is teaching.  High school AP course instructors do not have to fulfill this same criteria.

What are the benefits of enrolling in a Dual Credit program?

There are many! Below are just a few of the benefits:

• DC courses are useful in fulfilling the requirements of the Distinguished Scholars graduation program.
• Convenience.  Most courses are taught on the CCA campus.  Students may also choose to take specialized courses at NHTI, NH Art Institute, or online depending on the course selections and schedule needs of students.
• Close to home. Learn what college professors expect while still in familiar high school surroundings.
• Low Cost. Taking DC courses cost less than regular college courses. Each has an additional fee of $150 per 3 or 4 credit course.
• Student Success. Successful completion of college-level courses helps the student to be successful in making the transition to a college campus later. The DC program provides the academic rigor and challenges of college coursework thus assisting students in acquiring the confidence to succeed academically in college.
• DC courses are fully transferable to many public and private colleges and universities.  Students should verify course transfer requirements with colleges to which they plan to apply.

How does one apply to take Dual Credit courses?

To qualify to take a DC course, a CCA student must be an upcoming junior or senior with a minimum of a “B” average in the subject most closely related to the DC course. Also, the student must exhibit mastery and proficiency in the areas of mathematics and language arts. Secondly, students must have demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and initiative in completing work in a timely manner.