Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit for High School Students

The Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit program allows high school students the opportunity to receive both high school and college credit. The program is restricted to qualified students in Alabama high schools and home schools which have signed a working agreement with Calhoun Community College.

Student Eligibility:

Criteria for student eligibility are developed by each individual school system and may be more restrictive than the minimum criteria that follows:

  1. The student must have a 2.5 GPA or higher in completed high school courses;
  2. The student must have written approval (application and approval form available online at www.calhoun.edu) of his/her counselor and principal. In addition to the approval form the student must provide a high school transcript - official or unofficial
  3. The student must be in grade 10, 11, or 12.
  4. All students in academic dual enrollment courses must provide appropriate ACT, SAT or placement test scores.

Continuous Eligibility

Students who meet the criteria for initial admission for a Dual Enrollment for Dual Credit program will maintain continuous eligibility so long as they earn a grade of C or better in all attempted college courses.

Dual Enrollment Continuous Eligibility Appeals Policy 

A student who withdraws from an academic class, or who fails to earn a grade of C or better in an academic class, may appeal to continue in the Dual Enrollment program, provided the student is prepared to pay for future academic classes, and understands that no scholarship funding will be available for those academic classes.

A student who withdraws from a scholarship-funded career/technical class and who wishes to continue the Dual Enrollment program may appeal the Continuous Eligibility requirement.  The appeal must be made by the student and supported by the high school counselor or home school administrator.  The decision to allow the student to continue the program will be at the discretion of the college.

A student who earns a grade of D or F in a scholarship-funded career-technical class will be suspended from the Dual Enrollment program for one-semester and will be required to reapply to the Dual Enrollment program. Continued scholarship funding will not be available for a student who earns a D or an F in a career/technical class.

All appeals to the Continuous Eligibility policy will be at the discretion of the college.

Available Courses:

Determination of the equivalencies of Calhoun Community College coursework is at the discretion of the high school system. In some cases, one 3-semester hour course equates to a full unit at the high school. However, a cross-walk of eligible courses has been developed to ensure that courses taken at the College warrant the awarding of secondary credit for post-secondary/ college coursework. Students should contact their high school counselor for information about specific course equivalencies.

Eligible courses include any college-level courses in English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Science, or Social Science; any career/technical courses; or any other courses agreed upon by the school system and the college. Students must meet the course prerequisites prior to enrollment. This program does not include physical education courses, nor any courses taken on an audit basis.

Prerequisites may be met by completion of the approved college placement exam and/or minimum levels on the ACT or SAT in English, Mathematics, and Reading.

Students in the Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit program may take their coursework at any Calhoun campus or through Distance Learning. Students should consult the College's current course schedule or contact the Calhoun Dual Enrollment office for information on the dates, times and locations of courses. Email gwendlyn.baker@calhoun.edu or heath.daws@calhoun.edu for more information. Calhoun also offers courses at selected high school campuses. Information is available through local high school counselors or from the Dual Enrollment office: 256-306-2665 or 256-306-2671.

Traditional financial aid is not available for students enrolled under the Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit program. Federal government regulations require students to have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for any form of financial aid. However, Alabama families who are recipients of the fully-funded PACT Program may apply these funds towards Dual Enrollment/ Dual Credit courses.

Dual Enrollment Technology Scholarships

Funds are available through a Workforce grant to provide scholarships to Dual Enrollment students in specific technical programs. These Dual Enrollment scholarship funds are available to eligible high school students participating in approved technology programs offered by Calhoun Community College.

Programs designated as eligible for scholarship funding at Calhoun Community College include Advanced Manufacturing (Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Design Drafting, Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology, Process Technology, and Welding); Computer Information Systems; Emergency Medical Services, Nursing Assistant and Criminal Justice.

Student Eligibility for Dual Enrollment Scholarships:

The student must be in the 10th, 11th or 12th grade, have a 2.5 GPA or higher, and have approval from the high school principal and counselor or the home school director. All students receiving scholarships must meet established placement criteria each semester as determined by appropriate ACT, SAT or placement test scores. Approval from secondary school officials indicates that the student has demonstrated both academic readiness and social maturity.

The scholarship funds are contingent upon allocations by the Alabama Legislature. Calhoun has received technology scholarship grants since the program was initiated by the state in 2008; however, future grant awards are not guaranteed and will depend on availability of funding through the Alabama Community College System.

Each student who receives a Dual Enrollment Technology Scholarship must have declared a technical program of study and only those courses required for that program of study will be eligible for scholarship funds.

Dual Enrollment technology scholarship funds may be used to cover not only the required technical courses but required English, math and science courses as well. Academic courses must be taken concurrently with the technical courses.

Most of Calhoun's manufacturing technology programs are taught on the Decatur campus. In addition, several high schools offer on-site Dual Enrollment classes in Drafting, Machine Tool Technology, Automotive Technology, Advanced Manufacturing and Welding. Computer Information Systems is taught on both the Huntsville and Decatur locations and through distance learning. Dual Enrollment Emergency Medical Services (EMS) year-long regional programs are available at Calhoun and qualify for workforce development scholarship funding. High school students pursuing this EMS certification can only participate in these regional dual enrollment programs. High school students may not be registered for Calhoun's traditional EMS programs.

The scope of each scholarship is determined by available funding and the scholarship grant guidelines. Costs covered will be determined on an individual basis.

The Dual Enrollment Technology Scholarship program is not designed for academic transfer but to allow students to begin earning credits towards a two-year technical degree or a certificate and prepare them to enter the workforce. To facilitate this, Calhoun has developed a group of short term certificates in Advanced Manufacturing and Computer Information Systems. Students in these programs can earn a college credential while continuing to work towards their A.A.S. degree.

Scholarship Application:

In order to apply for a scholarship, the student must be accepted by Calhoun Community College. The Dual Enrollment Scholarship Application is available to download along with the application for admissions, the required Dual Enrollment Approval Form, and Signature Page. The link to these documents can be found at: http://www.calhoun.edu/dualenrollment

Short Term Certificates

The following short term technology certificates are embedded in Calhoun technology programs and are eligible for Dual Enrollment Scholarships. These certificates are available to all Calhoun students and provide a pathway that allows high school students to work towards their chosen A.A.S. degree, and at the same time, graduate from high school with a credential that could potentially lead to employment.

Technology Certificates

AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ADM 104 Thermal Electrical Principles 3
ADM 111 Manufacturing Safety Practices 3
ACR 113 Refrigeration Piping Practices 3
ACR 119 Fundamentals of Gas Heating 3
ACR 120 Fundamentals of Electric Heating 3
Total Credit Hours   15
AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICIAN TECHNICIAN
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ASE 112 Electrical Fundamentals 3
ASE 162 Electrical and Electronic Systems 3
ASE 212 Advanced Electrical and Electronic Systems 3
Total Credit Hours   9
BRAKES AND SUSPENSION TECHNICIAN
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ASE 112 Electrical Fundamentals 3
ASE 121 Braking Systems 3
ASE 122 Steering and Suspension 3
ASE 130 Drive Train and Axles 3
Total Credit Hours   12
ENGINES TECHNICIAN
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ASE 112 Electrical Fundamentals 3
ASE 124 Automotive Engines 3
ASE 212 Advanced Automotive Engines 3
Total Credit Hours   9
TUNE-UP OR DRIVABILITY TECHNICIAN
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ASE 112 Electrical Fundamentals 3
ASE 162 Electrical and Electronic Systems 3
ASE 212 Advanced Electrical and Electronic Systems 3
ASE 239 Engine Performance 3
ASE 244 Engine Performance and Diagnostics 3
ASE 246 Automotive Emissions 3
Total Credit Hours   18
DESIGN DRAFTING TECHNOLOGY
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ADM 111 Manufacturing Safety Practices 3
DDT 111 Fundamentals of Drafting 3
ADM 107 CAD Concepts 3
Two of the following electives are required
DDT 132 or DDT 124   3
ADM 108 or DDT 109   3
Total Credit Hours   15
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ADM 111 Manufacturing Safety Practices 3
ELT 108 DC Fundamentals 3
ELT 109 AC Fundamentals 3
ELT 110 Wiring Methods 3
ELT 114 Residential Wiring 3
Total Credit Hours   15
INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ADM 111 Manufacturing Safety Practices 3
ELT 108 DC Fundamentals 3
ELT 109 AC Fundamentals 3
ELT 117 AC DC Motors 3
INT 117 Principles of Industrial Mechanics 3
Total Credit Hours   15
MACHINE TOOL TECHNOLOGY
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ADM 111 Manufacturing Safety Practices 3
MTT 121 Basic Blueprint Reading for Machinist 3
MTT 147 Introduction to Machine Shop I 3
MTT 148 Introduction to Machine Shop I Lab 3
Total Credit Hours   12
PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ADM 111 Manufacturing Safety Practices 3
ADM 106 Quality Control 3
PCT 100 Fundamentals of Process Technology 3
PCT 115 Instrumentation I 3
PCT 105 Process Tech I - Equipment 4
PCT 220 Process Tech II - Systems 4
Total Credit Hours   20
WELDING TECHNOLOGY
Course Prefix & Number Course Title Credit Hours
ADM 111 Manufacturing Safety Practices 3
WDT 109 SMAW/Fillet PAC/CAC 3
WDT 123 SMAW/Fillet PAC/CAC Lab 3
WDT 110 Industrial Blueprint Reading 3
WDT 119 GMAW/Flux Cored Arc Welding 3
WDT 124 GMAW/Flux Cored Arc Welding Lab 3
Total Credit Hours   18

Computer Information Systems Cybersecurity Pathway

Calhoun's Computer Information Systems (CIS) Cybersecurity Dual Enrollment Pathway allows a high school student to complete a certificate in cybersecurity preparation as well as English and math courses required for the Cybersecurity/IT A.A.S. degree. Students in this program will graduate from high school with a technical foundation as well as a marketable credential. High school students may enter the program in either 11th or 12th grade, but entry in 11th grade is preferable to avoid scheduling and prerequisite issues. Students completing the pathway will earn the Cybersecurity Foundations Certificate. All coursework listed in the pathway is eligible for Workforce Development Scholarship funding for students enrolling in the pathway program. Scholarship awards are based on availability of funds. For more information regarding this program contact 256-306-2665 or 256-306-2671.

Advanced placement credit is available for these courses with the appropriate CompTIA certifications listed in the study plan below. Articulated credit may be available as well; consult your high school counselor. CIS202 (Python Programming) is not included in the certificate program but is required for all CIS A.A.S. degrees and is highly recommended. It may be taken during any term without regard to the other courses.

Students may opt to take ENG 101 (English Composition I, 3 credit hours) and either of MTH 110* (Finite Mathematics) or MTH 112 (Precalculus Algebra, each 3 credit hours), which are required for the CIS A.A.S. degree program. Workforce Development Scholarships may be available contingent on funding.

CYBERSECURITY FOUNDATIONS STUDY PLAN

11TH GRADE  
Term (suggested) Course College Credits
FALL CIS 134 - IT Fundamentals (CompTIA ITF+) 3
SPRING CIS 263 - Computer Maintenance (CompTIA A+) 3

 

12TH GRADE  
Term (suggested) Course College Credits
FALL CIS 199 - Network Communications (CompTIA Network+) 3
SPRING CIS 280 - Network Security (CompTIA Security+) 3
TOTAL CREDITS   12

Notes

1. Either MTH 110 or MTH 112 will satisfy the requirements for the Cybersecurity/IT A.A.S. degree, but MTH 110 generally does not transfer toward a bachelor's degree in a STEM major. Transferability of credit is determined by the transfer institution. Alternatively, a student with a sufficient placement score may take MTH125 (Calculus I), a four-credit hour course. In any event, scholarship funds, if available, will cover only one mathematics course. MTH112 and ENG 101 are offered on some high school campuses as well as at the college; consult your high school counselor.

2. Students may substitute CIS270, Cisco CCNA I. CIS 270 is required for the Cybersecurity/IT AAS degree concentration, but any student who has earned the Network+ credential will be awarded advanced placement credit for CIS 270.

3. Proper sequencing of coursework is important. Completion, with a grade of C or better, of any one of CIS134, CIS202, or CIS263 is required to take CIS199 or 270, and CIS199 or 270 is required to take CIS 280. Students entering the program in the 12th grade must have either advanced placement credit or articulated credit for one of CIS134, CIS202, or CIS263 to be able to complete the program during their senior year.

4. Additional academic coursework required for high school may be taken at the college but is not eligible for scholarship funding.

College Transfer

The Pathway is designed to prepare a student for entry into the workforce, but many of the courses can be transferred to a university for students pursuing a bachelor's degree. MTH 110 generally does not transfer, but MTH 112 and MTH 125 do transfer with an official transfer agreement (Alabama Transfers), as does ENG 101. The four CIS courses transfer to Athens State University toward either the IT minor in Computer Science or the Management of Technology degree in Business Administration.

Dual Enrollment EMS

EMS (Emergency Medical Services) are a critical part of your community’s healthcare system. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) provide medical assistance in everyday emergencies, large-scale incidents and natural disasters, alike. EMT’s have the knowledge and skills to provide basic life support to all patients whether the problem is trauma, cardiac, or medical.

Dual Enrollment EMT locations

Calhoun offers Dual Enrollment EMT programs at the Limestone County Career Technical Center, on Calhoun’s Huntsville campus, and at the City of Decatur Fire and Rescue Training facility. Sufficient student registrations are required in order for the program to be offered at each of these locations.

Meeting days and times are announced each semester. All programs involve an online learning component.

Program Costs

The Calhoun Dual Enrollment EMT program is eligible for scholarship funding through the Calhoun Community College Workforce Development grant. The grant currently covers tuition, fees, and cost of the textbook and some required supplies. The level of funding for each year’s program is determined by the availability and the scope of the Workforce Development grant.

Student Eligibility

Dual Enrollment EMT is open to high school seniors who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, who are or will be 18 before the end of the program, and have prior approval by their high school counselor or home school director. 

Courses included in the Dual Enrollment EMT program

EMS 100, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I

EMS 118, Emergency Medical Technician

EMS 119, Emergency Medical Technician Clinical

The Dual Enrollment EMT program is year-long; students begin the program at the start of the fall semester in August and finish in May of the following spring semester.

Accelerated High School Program

Calhoun Community College offers qualified high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. This program differs from Dual Enrollment in that participating students receive college credit only; no high school credit is awarded for course taken under the Accelerated High School program.

  1. The student must have successfully completed the 10th grade;
  2. The student must provide certification each semester from the local principal and/or his/her designee that the student has a minimum cumulative 3.0 average and recommends the student for enrollment (the accelerated high school approval form can be found on the Dual Enrollment page at the Admissions link on our website: https://calhoun.edu/dual-enrollment/accelerated-high-school-program)
  3. In addition to the approval form, the student must provide an official high school transcript;
  4. The student must provide qualifying ACT, SAT or placement scores;
  5. The student may enroll only in postsecondary courses for which the high school prerequisites have been completed