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What is Dual Credit?
IECC dual credit courses are college-level courses taught in high schools or at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (Frontier, Lincoln Trail, Olney Central, and Wabash Valley) during the school day during the school year. Dual credit courses are provided to eligible high school juniors and seniors taught by qualified instructors following the college’s master course syllabi and curricula. When students successfully complete a dual credit course, they can simultaneously receive both high school and college credit. These classes are an excellent way for eligible high school students to get an early start on their college education.
Why Take Dual Credit?
IECC dual credit courses are college courses and may be transferrable to other colleges and universities. The General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) at IECC was developed using the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) and these courses are guaranteed transferable to more than 100 participating colleges and universities in Illinois. This core curriculum consists of 37-41 credit hours in courses such as communications, mathematics, physical and life sciences, humanities and fine arts, and social behavioral sciences.
Dual credit courses offer a valuable opportunity for students pursuing a degree or certificate in career and technical education (CTE) to get a head start. In fact, some CTE programs allow students to complete their degree or certificate requirements while still in high school, enabling them to immediately start their career path after graduation.
Speak to your high school counselor and an IECC college advisor for additional information concerning transfer courses. To learn more about the IAI system and other transfer information, visit their website at www.iTransfer.org. While IAI courses are only guaranteed within Illinois, several out-of-state universities also accept IECC credits and may have transfer guides available.
To receive credit at any institution other than an IECC one, students must send a college transcript for evaluation. IECC advisors are available to assist dual credit students with the transfer process.
Priority Type
A new version of the dual credit partnership between IECC and its district high schools was signed in 2021. This agreement is based on the Dual Credit Model Partnership created by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). In the agreement, the state highlights priority courses, career pathways, and non-priority courses. We define these areas as the following:
Priority: Courses that will meet the general education core curriculum components. (Ex. Communications, Math, Science, Fine Arts, Humanities, Social and Behavior Sciences.) These courses help students gain credit toward their Associate degree or general education requirements at four-year schools. Students and parents wanting to know what classes meet these requirements should consult with an IECC advisor or with their high school counselor.
Career Pathways: Career-focused courses that lead to a certificate or degree program at IECC (ex. process technology, radio broadcast, nursing, emergency medical responder) or transfer electives that are major-specific (ex. business majors should take accounting courses).
Non-Priority: non-priority courses are additional dual credit classes that fall outside the scope of priority or career pathways. These can differ from student to student and should be discussed with an IECC advisor.
How Do I Get Started?
Once you are approved for dual credit by your high school counselor, create an account and apply at www.iecc.edu/apply. Make sure to select “I am a high school student taking college classes.” Afterwards, either contact an IECC advisor or meet with the advisor that visits your high school campus. Students are not registered until they complete an IECC registration form. Parental signature may be required.