Dual Enrollment/College in the High School Program

Mount Pleasant Area Senior High School has entered into a College in the High Schools relationship with Mount Aloysius College, Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC),  Seton Hill University and Saint Vincent College. Under this program, high school students are able to earn college credits for coursework completed in high school.  Courses will be approved on an annual basis. In order to earn college credit, students must complete a dual enrollment form which their teacher will provide at the beginning of the course, pay a nominal fee to Mount Aloysius, Seton Hill, Saint Vincent College or WCCC and maintain certain grade point requirements.  Complete details of the program will be available from teachers who have a course recognized as a College in the High School course. 

Credits earned through any of our offered DE/CHS programs may transfer to many colleges and universities.  Students are responsible for determining if the college or university in which you are interested in attending accepts the DE/CHS credits.  The best way to do this is to contact the admissions office of the school you are interested in attending. After completion of the DE/CHS course, students will need to contact the college registrar's office and request a transfer of the credits/transcript to the college the student will be attending. Students are responsible for keeping track of their DE/CHS credits. DE/CHS courses are subject to change.

Mt. Aloysius College 

If you are currently enrolled in:

Application Process:   The cost is $65 a credit (Calculus AND Anatomy are 4 credits and the others are 3 credits).   If interested, apply here.   The registration will open on September 1 and the deadline for Mt. Aloysius is September 25, 2022.

Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) 

If you are currently enrolled in:  

Application Process:  Students must be currently taking Accounting, AP Chemistry, Intro to CAD, Precalculus, 

Spanish 3, Spanish 4.     Students must complete the form that has been emailed to students and return the completed Parent Proxy form to Mrs. Mikulsky no later than September 22, 2022.   If it is the first time taking a WCCC class, students must also complete the online application here Deadline is September 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m to Mrs. Mikulsky in Guidance.

Seton Hill University 

If you are currently enrolled in:

Application Process:    In order to register for your CHS courses with Seton Hill please click this link .  If you are a student who has taken a CHS course with Seton Hill in the past, please use the instructions for “Returning Student”   If you are a student taking a College in High School course with Seton Hill for the first time, please use the instructions for “New Student”.  Seton Hill’s online registration  will open on September 14 and the deadline for registration is October 24, 2022.

Saint Vincent College 

If you are currently enrolled in:  

Application Process:   You will need to review the information, complete the Registration Form (sent in previous emails or pick one up in the Guidance Office) along with a check payable to St. Vincent College, and submit both to Mrs. Taylor in the Guidance Office.  The deadline for registration is September 29, 2022.

The cost is $84 a credit (AP Calculus and AP Chemistry are 4 credits and the others are 3 credits).  In addition, there is a ONE-TIME $15 processing fee per student.  Payment must be by check.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ST. VINCENT COLLEGE DUAL ENROLLMENT:

• Spring course registration information will be sent in late December/early January. No spring registrations should be sent at this time.

• Be reminded that payment in full is required with the registration form.  Checks are to be made payable to Saint Vincent College.  The cost per student is $84 per credit plus a one-time charge of  $15 to establish a Saint Vincent College record.  Please note that we do not accept credit card payments.  Students should complete the information on the left hand side of the form and sign and date the form.

• Students and parents should be informed that once registration occurs, students cannot withdraw from the course.  

• Students and parents should also be informed that credits earned through this program will count toward a degree at Saint Vincent College.  However, students who plan to attend another College or University should check with that institution to determine their policy for accepting such credits.

Dual Enrollment/College in High School--What is it?   

Dual Enrollment allows high school students to take college classes while they are still enrolled in high school. These classes count for both high school and college credit.  High school students who complete dual-enrollment classes generally take fewer classes in college and save money on total college costs.  

Dual Enrollment/College in High School Programs take place at students’ own high school. These convenient programs allow students to remain in a familiar setting while still enabling them to take college-level courses in high school. 

Students can get detailed information on the Dual Enrollment opportunities from their school counselors.  It is highly recommended that students and their parents check with prospective colleges to see if credits earned through dual enrollment will transfer. Colleges vary in their policies.

To earn college credit, students must pass a dual-enrollment class with a C or better.  The grade earned will be part of the student’s college academic record.  Unlike AP classes, students do not have to pass an exam to earn college credit.  College admissions counselors may consider dual-enrollment grades during the admissions process.

Is Dual Enrollment right for you?  Dual enrollment offers many perks and can be a great choice for students looking to get a head start or a change of pace. However, it’s not for everyone. Students and their parents should be sure to check the specific details of any dual enrollment programs they’re considering and weigh the following pros and cons:

PROS

• Dual enrollment can save you money on your college degree. The Dual Enrollment cost per credit is a mere percentage of what students would be paying if taking the course in college. 

• Students get a head start on college credits, potentially earning enough to graduate a semester or even a year early, or have space in their schedules to double major.

• Colleges offer a greater variety of classes, so students may find dual enrollment more engaging.

• Students who participate in dual-enrollment programs are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college, enroll full-time in college, earn higher grades in college and graduate from college.

• Students can explore their chosen majors early.

• Students may be more likely to pursue full degree programs after graduating.

CONS

• “Dual enrollment courses usually are not considered as rigorous as AP courses,”. “Academic rigor is important in the college admissions process. If a student is planning to attend a selective college, AP courses may be more impressive to college admissions counselors.”  Unless the Dual Enrollment course is an AP course.

• Credit earned through dual enrollment may not transfer to all schools.

• Earning credits early can shorten the college experience students may be looking forward to.