Dual Credit (Day Program)
Dual credit programs are programs approved by the Ministry of Education that allow students, while they are still in secondary school, to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards both their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree, or a Certificate of Apprenticeship.
The focus of dual credit programs
Dual credit programs are intended to assist secondary school students in completing their OSSD and making a successful transition to college and/or apprenticeship programs. The primary focus is on students who face significant challenges in completing the requirements for graduation, but have the potential to succeed. This group includes disengaged and underachieving students who have the potential to succeed, but are at risk of not graduating, and students who left school before graduating. Students in the Special High Skills Major (SHSM) programs and students in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) are also eligible to participate in dual credit programs.
Two broad categories of dual credit courses
Dual credit courses count twice: once towards postsecondary certification and once towards a secondary school diploma. They fall into two broad categories:
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The first is college-delivered course, in which students take a college course or Level 1 apprenticeship program. Credit is recorded on the college record using college course codes, and also on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST), using a special dual credit course code assigned by the Ministry of Education.
- The second is the team-taught course, in which closely matched college or apprenticeship and secondary curriculum content is taught by both a college professor or instructor and a secondary school teacher. Students are eligible to receive credit for the college course, which is recorded on the college record, and for the secondary school course, which is recorded on the OST. In the case of team-taught courses, it is the code for the secondary school course (not the college course) that is recorded on the OST, followed by the term dual credit in parentheses.
Successful students will earn credit toward both the OSSD and college diploma or certificate, or the OSSD. Students may earn up to four optional credits through college-delivered courses. Dual credit programs must be approved and overseen by the School/College/Work Initiative SCWI, through the Grand River Region Planning Team.
Students are able to participate in a variety of Dual Credit Programs through Conestoga, Fanshawe and Mohawk Colleges.
The Dual Credit programs available to students include the following:
- School Within a College (SWAC)
- Dual Credit Courses
- SHSM Dual Credit Courses
- Congregated Dual Credit Courses
Dual Credit Courses & Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Dual credit courses are available at all three high schools in the BHNCDSB. Students are encouraged to see their guidance counsellor to learn about which specific dual credit courses are available at their school.
Students in Specialist High Skills Major programs have the opportunity to take dual credit courses to meet the expectations of their program.
School Within a Collage (SWAC)
School Within a College is a Dual Credit program that provides senior students the opportunity to try out post-secondary education at a college campus while completing a high school diploma. It is an option for students who are not comfortable in high school environment, or students who want to recover credits in order to graduate with their class, or students who wish to pursue a college pathway. SWAC programs are available to students from both the BHNCDSB and the GEDSB and will allow students to:
- Attend a semester at Conestoga College (Brantford), Fanshawe College (Simcoe) or Mohawk College (Ohsweken)
- Complete the required Ontario Secondary School Diploma with the help of a Secondary Dual Credit Teacher
- Take college courses in:
- Media: Computer Software Applications & Introduction to Audio, Fitness and Wellness or Child Development: The Early Years ECE through Conestoga (Brantford Campus)
- Fitness and Wellness, Success Strategies in Health, or Self and Others for PSW through Fanshawe College (Simcoe Campus)
- Introduction to Welding, Introduction to Construction, Automotive, Computer Application for Business, or Introduction to Post Secondary Experiences through Mohawk College (Oshweken Campus)
For further information talk to a guidance counselor at your home school.
SWAC Information Sheet
Please click here to view the SWAC Info Sheet.
Resources
Ministry of Education - Dual Credit Programs
Ministry of Education - What Do You Need to Graduate from High School?
Ministry of Education - Information for Parents
Contact
Brantford Brant County
Camila Baginski
