Currently, Cass Tech has four Dual Enrollment partnerships…Wayne County Community College District, (WCCCD), Wayne State University, (WSU), Lawrence Technological University (LTU) and a special cohort partnership with the University of Michigan School of Social Work-Dearborn. WCCCD offers students a chance to earn college credit and/or earn an Associate’s Degree after successfully completing a 60 Credit Program. 

Dual enrollment programs allow students to take college classes while they’re still enrolled in high school. These classes count for both high school and college credit. High school students who complete dual enrollment may need to take fewer classes in college due to earning transferable college credit. The recommended choice of credit is COLLEGE Credit ONLY and not both High School and College. Why? If a student selects high school and college credit, the grade they earn in classes will be calculated into their high school GPA and could adversely impact their high school GPA and class ranking.  

The advantages of Dual Enrollment include:  

Challenging Coursework…When students opt to take dual enrollment courses, they’re exposed to rigorous coursework with college professors teaching their courses. 

Accelerated Learning…Since students begin earning college credit while still in high school, they can enter college with their prerequisites completed or halfway done. This shortens their graduation timeline and allows them more opportunities to explore electives and even double majors.   

Cost-Effective…One of the biggest advantages of dual enrollment is the reduced price of higher education. With college tuition increasing over the past decades, dual enrollment courses provide the perfect opportunity to drive down your student’s out-of-pocket costs. If classes are offered through the high school your child attends, the fees for the courses are likely covered through the partnership. This allows students to get a taste of college with minimal financial burden—as a result, making college more attainable.    

Things to consider: 

Do Your Research… Credits May Not Transfer!!! 

Students and parents need to research their college options and confirm if they will or will not accept dual enrollment course credit. In most cases credits will transfer. However, there are some circumstances when they won’t. For example, if your student chooses to attend a private university, there is a chance that they might not accept the credit due to not being able to verify the merit of the classes.  

1.  https://www.mitransfer.org/michigan-transfer-agreement 

2. https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/career-development-resources/postsecondary-credit-agreements 

3. https://www.mitransfer.org/ 

Another reason an institution might not accept the credit is if it’s located out of state. In that case, it could be difficult for credits to transfer. Or the school may accept the credit, but not count it toward your student’s degree. 

Greater Expectations… Your child’s ability to BALANCE a busy schedule should be considered before deciding to participate in dual enrollment. Figuring out how to alter their schedule could be a difficult task for them to take on if they want to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities. 

Additionally, the coursework is more challenging, and students will be graded based on their performance. With that, students who choose to enroll in dual enrollment courses must be committed to putting in extra work to complete assignments and receive a passing grade.   

Also, Parents can be assessed fees if a student does not pass a class, withdraw form a class, or walk away from a class. 

Even with these things to consider… 

Cass Tech has the largest Dual Enrollment Participants in the entire district. 

Cass Tech has had, over the years, the largest WCCCD Dual Enrollment Associate Degree Graduates. 

Currently, Cass Tech has four Dual Enrollment partnerships…Wayne County Community College District, (WCCCD), Wayne State University, (WSU), Lawrence Technological University (LTU) and a special cohort partnership with the University of Michigan School of Social Work-Dearborn. WCCCD offers students a chance to earn college credit and/or earn an Associate’s Degree after successfully completing a 60 Credit Program. 

Dual enrollment programs allow students to take college classes while they’re still enrolled in high school. These classes count for both high school and college credit. High school students who complete dual enrollment may need to take fewer classes in college due to earning transferable college credit. The recommended choice of credit is COLLEGE Credit ONLY and not both High School and College. Why? If a student selects high school and college credit, the grade they earn in classes will be calculated into their high school GPA and could adversely impact their high school GPA and class ranking.  

The advantages of Dual Enrollment include:  

Challenging Coursework…When students opt to take dual enrollment courses, they’re exposed to rigorous coursework with college professors teaching their courses. 

Accelerated Learning…Since students begin earning college credit while still in high school, they can enter college with their prerequisites completed or halfway done. This shortens their graduation timeline and allows them more opportunities to explore electives and even double majors.   

Cost-Effective…One of the biggest advantages of dual enrollment is the reduced price of higher education. With college tuition increasing over the past decades, dual enrollment courses provide the perfect opportunity to drive down your student’s out-of-pocket costs. If classes are offered through the high school your child attends, the fees for the courses are likely covered through the partnership. This allows students to get a taste of college with minimal financial burden—as a result, making college more attainable.    

Things to consider: 

Do Your Research… Credits May Not Transfer!!! 

Students and parents need to research their college options and confirm if they will or will not accept dual enrollment course credit. In most cases credits will transfer. However, there are some circumstances when they won’t. For example, if your student chooses to attend a private university, there is a chance that they might not accept the credit due to not being able to verify the merit of the classes.  

1.  https://www.mitransfer.org/michigan-transfer-agreement 

2. https://www.michigan.gov/mde/resources/career-development-resources/postsecondary-credit-agreements 

3. https://www.mitransfer.org/ 

Another reason an institution might not accept the credit is if it’s located out of state. In that case, it could be difficult for credits to transfer. Or the school may accept the credit, but not count it toward your student’s degree. 

Greater Expectations… Your child’s ability to BALANCE a busy schedule should be considered before deciding to participate in dual enrollment. Figuring out how to alter their schedule could be a difficult task for them to take on if they want to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities. 

Additionally, the coursework is more challenging, and students will be graded based on their performance. With that, students who choose to enroll in dual enrollment courses must be committed to putting in extra work to complete assignments and receive a passing grade.   

Also, Parents can be assessed fees if a student does not pass a class, withdraw form a class, or walk away from a class. 

Even with these things to consider… 

Cass Tech has the largest Dual Enrollment Participants in the entire district. 

Cass Tech has had, over the years, the largest WCCCD Dual Enrollment Associate Degree Graduates.