HCC Dual Credit

The Associate's Degree includes the required number of college hours in each part.  The state of Texas has the Texas Education College Core Curriculum which is made of 42 college hours.  Each course taken falling under the Core Curriculum has a uniformed course ID number which is used in every Texas state supported college to ensure that (example: ENG 1301 is the same course in any college).  Typically, the 42-hour Core Curriculum is all the Freshmen and Sophomore academic classes in any degree plan.  Students completing a 60-hour Associate's Degree will enter college as a college junior after graduating from high school, saving the student and parent approximately $30,000.

The additional 18 hours that makes up the 60-hour Associate's Degree is made up of elective course choices.  SMSD offers 7 distinct pathways that students can complete the 18 hours of elective courses.  The first pathway is an academic pathway and is designed for students that might be undecided about a career direction or are wanting to pursue a four-year degree in sciences, math, or technology areas.  Then 6 other pathways where the student can complete their elective hour requirements in college and career programs already developed in the College and Career Center and offer the student an opportunity to earn industry recognized certificates.

7 Available Pathways:

• Academics

• Business (earning Microsoft Office Technology Specialization)

• Criminal Justice Specialization

• Culinary Arts (earning Food Handler & Food Manager Certification)

• Film/Video Specialization

• Information Technology Specialization

• Welding (certified Structural Welder)

STEP 1

Students that are in grades 8-10 in school year 2020-21 that are interested in pursuing an Associates Degree through Dual Credit should complete the Interest Form.

Interest Form

STEP 2

Use the guide below to complete the ApplyTexas application process. ApplyTexas is the common college application used to apply to any state college.  Students  complete the application, receive an HCC ID number, complete an electronic Fee Waiver form then the first courses that you son or daughter would enroll in is a TSIA2 Prep Class in the Fall and EDUC 1300 which is the Learning Framework class, basically College 101.  The TSIA2 test is that measures college readiness in Reading, Writing and Math.  Every student entering a state college must take and meet college standards before entering college unless they are exempt from taking the test.  Test exemptions can be achieved using STAAR scores in English I and II, Algebra I or SAT/ACT scores.  Freshmen Dual Credit students must take the TSIA2 but do not necessarily have to meet standard until the end of their sophomore year.  The freshmen scores are used as baseline data and we can build in interventions if needed.

ApplyTexas Application Instruction Guide

ApplyTexas Application

STEP 3

Parents if your student signed up for any dual credit course, they must have a dual credit waiver form on file with HCC in order to receive the free tuition. 

HCC Dual Credit Waiver

STEP 4

This step only applies to students actively enrolled in Dual Credit Courses and seeking an Associate's Degree.

Dual Credit Summer School Interest Form