What is Dual Credit?
Northwest Vista College's Dual Credit Program in conjunction with William J. Brennan High School Advanced Academics [BHS Advanced Academics Brochure] allows eligible high school students to earn college credit for certain high school courses in which they are currently enrolled while completing their high school requirements. Students may accrue from three to thirty hours of college credit, depending on the courses. Students are enrolled in college early and are required to take the TSI exam (Cost: $14) and met minimum scores. Dual credit courses taken at the high schools are tuition-free. These credits earned can be transferred to most Texas universities.
Brennan Dual Credit Timeline
Student announcements will be made through the Dual Credit Brennan Students School Group.
Dual Credit Process Checklist & Step-by-Step Instructions
Students who do not adhere to the following deadlines set by Northwest Vista will not be allowed to participate in the dual credit program.
Dual Credit Process Checklist & Step-by-Step Instructions
Students who do not adhere to the following deadlines set by Northwest Vista will not be allowed to participate in the dual credit program.
Date |
Task |
Late January - Early February |
STEP ONE: AP Dual Credit Liaison will visit various English & Social Studies classes to begin the Apply Texas Application |
Due March 22, 2024 |
|
5 - 7 Days after Submitting ApplyTexas Application |
STEP TWO: Receive Northwest Vista ACES Account & Banner ID Students login to their Northwest Vista ACES Account for the first Time |
Due April 22, 2024 |
STEP THREE: Deadline to access Northwest Vista ACES Account & complete the ACES TSI Test Prep, & Go FAARR modules, & CANVAS Dual Credit Student Orientation (DCSO) |
Opens November 8, 2023 Due April 25, 2024 |
STEP FOUR: TSI Registration Opens on MySchoolBucks [TSI Cost is $14.00] |
Testing Window: November 11, 2023 thru April 25, 2024 |
STEP FIVE: Take the TSI Assessment You will need your charged Chromebook |
Due May 24, 2024 |
Dual Credit Course Hours
Below is a list of the 2022 - 2023 dual credit courses that we offer and the corresponding college courses/hours earned for each high school course.
This is subject to change on an annual basis as faculty changes at BHS.
It is important for each student to check with the college/ university they plan on attending to see how their Dual Credits will transfer.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure their college hours are transferred properly from Northwest Vista College to the college/university where the student enrolls after graduation. Brennan High School does not guarantee as to how colleges/universities accept dual credit hours.
This is subject to change on an annual basis as faculty changes at BHS.
It is important for each student to check with the college/ university they plan on attending to see how their Dual Credits will transfer.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure their college hours are transferred properly from Northwest Vista College to the college/university where the student enrolls after graduation. Brennan High School does not guarantee as to how colleges/universities accept dual credit hours.
BHS Course |
Northwest Vista Course |
College Hours Earned |
English III AP/DC |
English 1301 & 1302 |
6 |
English IV AP/DC |
English 2322 & 2323 |
6 |
US History AP/DC |
US History 1301 & 1302 |
6 |
Spanish III PAP/DC |
Spanish 2311 |
6 |
Pre-Cal PAP/DC |
Math 1414 & 2412 |
8 |
Statistics AP/DC |
Statistics 1442 |
6 |
Calculus AB/DC |
Math 2413 |
6 |
World History AP/DC |
World Civilizations 2322 |
3 |
Dual Credit Frequently Asked Questions
Myth |
Fact |
The dual credit earned will not transfer outside of Texas |
Credit should transfer to any public Texas institution and may transfer to others as well. It is the student's responsibility to verify with individual institutions. Check the Transfer Advising Guides for further help on choosing dual credit courses suited to your degree plan. Once you have a college transcript, this document reflects the college credit you have earned. It may not transfer as the course you originally planned for, but it will transfer as an elective. |
I should take every dual credit course available at my school in order to graduate with college credit |
Students should carefully plan their enrollment in all advanced academics courses. You may not graduate with more than 42 college credit hours and students are not encouraged to take more than 4 advanced measures a year. Graduating with more than 30 college credit hours classifies a student as a college sophomore and potentially makes them ineligible for certain scholarships and financial aid. Be sure to meet with a counselor or dual credit liaison for help with a 4 year plan. |
I don't have to take the TSI because I am only taking OnRamps courses |
As with any college course, things happen and a course may not make. It is smart planning to be eligible for dual credit in case other options fall through. Additionally, your passing TSI scores can be used to college entrance applications. Testing with the rest of the sophomore class is a strong precautionary move and strongly encouraged in that these scores can be used when you get to your college/university. |
Dual credit is far too difficult and I have to do more class work |
At Brennan, classes are "stacked." If a student is in dual credit, they are also in AP. If a student has been on the Pre-AP/AP track, they are encouraged to continue that path and challenge the AP examinations. One goal of dual enrollment is to transition students into the college rigor, so there will occasionally be additional requirements outside of the scope of an AP only class, but these are meant to be learning tools necessary for a successful college experience. Additionally, they have the support of a Brennan educator who is also on the Northwest Vista Adjunct Faculty whom is available to provide individualized support that is not always available at the college level. |
I can choose to not take the credit if I am not happy with my grade at the end of the year |
Dual credit grades are entered at the mid-term and end of the year for each semester of the course in which you are enrolled. Once entered into the ACES system for Vista, the grade is permanent on your college transcript. |
If You Didn't Know about Dual Credit Work?
- Earn two sets of grades. One for high school which will be reflected on the high school transcript. One for college which will be reflected on the college transcript.
- Dual credit is designed by College Board and is based off of a college curriculum that is taught by high school teachers approved and hired as adjunct professors with Northwest Vista College.
- Students are expected to adhere to the rigorous requirements of the college curriculum.
- When deciding if dual credit is the best placement for you, consider goals, maturity, responsibility, and academic ability.