Dual Enrollment

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  1. What is dual enrollment?
    Dual enrollment is an enrichment opportunity that allows eligible high school students the opportunity to take courses in high school and college at the same time. Many students, with prior approval from their high school principal, may be able to use some NOVA college courses to fulfill Virginia high school graduation requirements.

    There are two types of dual enrollment students:

    • Dual Credit Students are high school students enrolled in college credit classes who receive both college credit and high school credit towards their secondary school requirements for graduation. Dual Credit Students can take the college credit classes either on a college campus or at the high school in a contract dual enrollment class.
    • Concurrently Enrolled Students are high school or home schooled students enrolled in college credit classes. However, these students only receive college credit for the classes they take -- no high school credit is awarded. Concurrently Enrolled Students take college credit classes on a college campus
  2. What are the benefits of dual enrollment?
    Dual Enrollment provides an opportunity for qualified high school and home schooled students to enhance their education by enrolling early in college courses. Dual enrollment facilitates a seamless transition from high school to college. Students can get a taste of what college is like without being completely overwhelmed by a whole new environment. They can see how their high school classes compare to college courses and how college professors differ from high school teachers.
  3. Who is eligible to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program?
    Students must be high school juniors or seniors or the home school equivalent, and at least 16 years of age.
  4. What are the requirements to register in a dual enrollment course?
    Students must ...

    • apply for admission to NOVA.
    • get a satisfactory score on the college placement test or provide documentation showing a score of 550 or higher on the Critical Reading of the SAT. Some students may also be required to take the math placement test.
    • meet all course prerequisites as outlined in the NOVA catalog.
    • complete the appropriate dual enrollment recommendation form with necessary signatures.
    • bring a copy of their high school transcript when they meet with a NOVA counselor and the dean of students.
  5. Which classes can students take?
    NOVA offers a variety of courses. Popular courses include English composition, biology, U.S. history, government, pre-calculus and chemistry. Many students take courses not offered at their school like advanced math, science or a foreign language. If students are interested in a career skill, they can choose courses in fields such as automotive technology, culinary arts, information technology or allied health.
  6. Will dual enrollment courses transfer to other colleges and universities?
    As with other courses taken at NOVA, many credits earned through dual enrollment typically transfer to four-year colleges and universities. However, some courses are not designed to transfer. Colleges and universities have specific policies regarding acceptance of transfer credits. Students should contact the college or university they are considering to discuss the transferability of dual enrollment courses or talk to a counselor at NOVA for more information
  7. Is financial aid available for dual enrollment students?
    No. College-based financial aid is not available for high school students.
  8. Is dual enrollment right for everyone?
    Dual enrollment is an opportunity to take challenging courses and accelerate education opportunities. Students who successfully complete dual enrollment courses may save time toward their college degree. Because dual enrollment courses are college courses, students should understand that the amount of work necessary to succeed in dual enrollment courses may be much greater than in high school courses. In addition, dual enrollment courses become a part of a student's permanent college transcript.
  9. How can students get started?
    Follow the Step-by-Step Dual Enrollment Checklist.
  10. Where can I find out more about dual enrollment at NOVA?
    For more information on dual enrollment for high school or home schooled students, please contact Ruthe Brown at DualEnrollment@nvcc.edu or 571.226.7824. To get a quicker response, email is preferred.
Article ID: 19, , Modified: 6/3/2009 at 4:14 PM

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