What is Dual Credit?
The UMSL Advanced Credit Program (ACP) is a dual credit program in which students taking an eligible high school course can simultaneously earn college credit. Dual credit courses are taught by certified high school instructors within the high school classroom. Students who opt to receive dual credit are typically not required to complete any additional work. The content is the same whether or not the student registers for dual credit. Check with your high school to see if any courses are offered for UMSL dual credit!
Students who register for the UMSL Advanced Credit Program are given an official UMSL student account and access to UMSL campus resources. Students pay a tuition fee that is heavily discounted from the full-time undergraduate tuition rate.
At the conclusion of a dual credit course, students receive a final letter grade, typically mirroring the grade that appears on their high school transcripts. This grade will appear on their official UMSL transcript. Records will show that the student completed the course with UMSL. Students can either matriculate to UMSL with this credit, or they can transfer the UMSL credit to another institution by requesting an official transcript.
Why Enroll in Dual Credit?
Wondering if dual credit is right for you? Consider your plans after graduating high school. Most colleges and universities have a core curriculum or general education requirements, totalling anywhere between 30 and 60 credit hours. For example, UMSL's Core and Explore curriculum requires students to take 42 credit hours across various proficiency areas.
UMSL Core and Explore
On average, full-time college students take 15 credit hours per semester, meaning your first two years of study will largely be devoted to general education courses.
Many ACP courses fulfill these general education requirements. By earning dual credit, students can be exempted from taking these courses again. The sooner students fulfill their general education requirements, the sooner students can begin taking courses that are directly relevant to their majors. Students who arrive with enough college credit may even graduate early, saving both time and money.
Not attending UMSL? No problem! Transfer credits can exempt you from equivalent courses at your desired institution. Visit your institution's website and check their general education requirements. Then, consider the UMSL courses available to you. Use our transferability resources to determine if any of these courses are likely to fulfill those requirements.
Important Considerations
The institution receiving transfer credit decides whether and how that credit applies to your degree.
UMSL credits are widely transferable, but the institution receiving the transfer credit has sole authority to decide whether and how to accept these credits. Factors may include course equivalency and the grade the student received for the course. For resources to help you determine the likelihood of transferring your UMSL credits, see Transcripts and Transferability.
Dual credit courses become part of your permanent academic record.
Letter grades are weighted according to UMSL's GPA scale. If students matriculate to UMSL or attend another UM institution, dual credit grades will immediately factor into their college GPA. Outside of the UM System, policies will vary. Some institutions will incorporate transfer grades into students' overall GPA. Other institutions evaluate transfer credit as pass/fail but do not factor it into students' overall GPA.
All students should consider the long-term impact unsatisfactory grades can have on their academic career. Graduate or professional programs will request transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, including UMSL. For example, the Law School Admissions Council will incorporate dual credit grades into your total LSAC GPA, even if the grade did not factor into the GPA for your bachelor's degree. If a student anticipates receiving a grade that they would not want on their permanent record, they should consider dropping the UMSL credit by the appropriate deadline.
Be strategic about the courses you select for dual credit.
Students should not simply try to enroll in as many dual credit courses as possible. Students should think strategically about their college plan and enroll in courses that are most likely to help them in their academic career.
In extreme cases, students with too many transfer credits may encounter the "150 Rule" for federal financial aid. Students must complete their college degree within 150% of the minimum timeframe. At a 4-year institution requiring 120 credit hours to graduate, students are expected to complete their degree after taking 180 credit hours. Any further courses may no longer be eligible for federal financial aid.
Imagine an scenario where a high school student earns 40+ credit hours that are irrelevant to their degree path. After transferring the credits, the student would have 40+ credits that count toward their total but do not contribute to their graduation requirements. If the student later changes majors, or needs to retake a few classes, they could potentially reach 180 credit hours, after which they would be cut off from federal financial aid. Most students will not have this many transfer credits. Nevertheless, students should prioritize credits that are relevant to their academic plan or likely to satisfy a general education requirement.