July 29, 2008
Bowling
Green, Ky. - The Dual Credit Program at Western Kentucky University is a partnership between the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO) and area high schools to offer high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credit as part of their high school curriculum.
Dual Credit courses are offered in 24 high schools during regular school hours and are taught by WKU faculty or accredited high school faculty. The Dual Credit Program is not a gifted and talented program, but an enrichment opportunity for academically qualified students who are ready for the challenge of university coursework.
“Any junior or senior can be recommended for the program by their guidance counselor or principal,” said Dewayne Neeley, Dual Credit program specialist. “It’s not just for students who are on the honor roll.”
Grades received in Dual Credit courses are recorded as part of the student's official college transcript with WKU and will transfer to most colleges and universities throughout the United States. Courses are offered at a substantially reduced tuition rate. Students receive both high school credit and college credit upon successful course completion.
“My Dual Credit classes put me a full semester ahead,” said Dual Credit student Lindsey Elmore, a graduate of Glasgow High School who attends WKU. “I was better prepared for some of the more rigorous classes here at WKU.”
During the 2007-08 school year, more than 900 students took advantage of the Dual Credit opportunity. Many students who get this jumpstart earn enough credits to be a sophomore after only one semester when they go to college.
The Dual Credit Program offers additional courses during the summer months at WKU’s Glasgow Regional Campus and Bowling Green Community College.
Besides lower tuition and earning college credit, other benefits include receiving more individualized instruction than in a typical college classroom and improving skills and abilities needed to succeed at the college level.
Teachers also reap the benefits of working with the Dual Credit Program. They can share ideas and techniques with other teachers and college mentors, and they have access to WKU facilities including the libraries and labs.
For information about WKU’s Dual Credit Program, contact Dewayne Neeley at (270) 745-2386 or visit the Dual Credit Program website at www.wku.edu/dualcredit.
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Stacey Biggs at (270) 745-1926.
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