Dual Enrollment
Council Rock School District has agreements with several colleges and universities to offer college credits to students enrolled in select Council Rock courses. These partnerships are a perfect way for students to explore new subjects, save on college tuition, and prepare for their futures, all while never leaving their high school campus. Bucks County Community College (Bucks) offers Dual Enrollment to all students at a substantial tuition discount of only $375 per course. Students must meet the normal admissions criteria to be eligible for dual enrollment. Three credits per course will be awarded. The courses offered with a dual enrollment option at Bucks are:
Gwynedd-Mercy University (GMercyU) offers Dual Enrollment to juniors and seniors at a substantial tuition discount of only $400 per course. Students participating in the GMercyU partnership can enter college with as many as 12 credits. Three credits per course will be awarded. The courses offered with a dual enrollment option at GMercyU are:
The University of Iowa’s (Iowa) BizInnovator program offers all students enrolled in approved courses the opportunity to earn three college credits if they pass the University of Iowa proficiency exam at the end of the course. Students who pass the exam have until one year after graduating high school to apply to Iowa for the credits and pay the $150 tuition fee. There is no fee for the proficiency exam. The course offered for college credit with Iowa is:
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Why should I participate in these college and university partnerships?
Participating in our college and university partnerships program benefits you in many ways:
- The costs for college credits are 55% - 90% less than the customary cost for one course at our partner college or universities.
- You can get a head start on earning college credits while in high school.
- You never have to leave Council Rock to earn the credits.
- You can gain experience completing college-level coursework in Council Rock's supportive environment.
- Sense of achievement. An official transcript from an accredited institution demonstrates your ability to do college-level work while still in high school.
- Credits may help you stand out for college admissions and scholarship applications.
Who can earn college credits through our college and university partnerships?
Each college and university sets its own criteria.
BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- All students in grades 9-12 who meet Bucks' admission requirements are eligible for dual enrollment.
- Eligibility will be determined based on placement testing done at Bucks. Click here for more details.
- Juniors who have taken Algebra 2 AND have a GPA of at least 3.25 may be exempt from placement testing.
- Seniors who have taken Algebra 2 AND have a GPA of at least 3.0 may be exempt from placement testing.
GWYNEDD-MERCY UNIVERSITY
Grades 9-10: Not eligible for dual enrollment
Grades 11-12: Students must meet these eligibility requirements to participate in dual enrollment:
- enrolled in honors math, enrolled in accelerated math with an A or B, or permission of the business department faculty
- adequate progress toward high school graduation
- demonstrated readiness for college-level work
- maintain at least a 3.0/4.0 overall GPA
- maintain at least a C average in dual enrollment courses
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
All students in grades 9-12 are eligible to take the university's proficiency exam at the end of the course.
How many college credits may I earn through these programs?
You can earn up to 24 college credits if you take courses with all our partner schools. The maximum number of credits you can earn with each school is:
- Bucks County Community College: 9 credits
- Gwynedd-Mercy University: 12 credits
- The University of Iowa: 3 credits
Will credits earned through these programs transfer to other colleges and universities?
Most but not all colleges and universities accept the transfer of college credits earned through our college and university partnerships. However, each institution sets its own rules regarding how many credits it will take and which courses qualify for transfer credits. We highly recommend checking the transfer policy of each institution you are considering for attendance after high school before making your decision about participating in our college and university partnership programs.
How do the programs at each college or university work?
Each school has its own process for their program.
BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Each dual enrollment course has been audited by the college to ensure what you are learning in the Council Rock course is comparable to what you would learn if you took the course at the college.
At the beginning of the school year, you will be given the opportunity to apply to Bucks, take any placement tests, and enroll in the college's version of the Council Rock course you are taking. You must complete the regular college application process, get your teacher to sign the High School Approval Form, and pay the college tuition by the end of September to be eligible for the program. Click here to start the "Dual Enrollment" application process.
During the school year, you will do all the normal assessments for the Council Rock course. At the end of the school year, your teacher will report the final grade you received for the Council Rock course to the Bucks as the final grade for its course. You will receive a college transcript for your Bucks course if your final grade is a C or better.
GWYNEDD-MERCY UNIVERSITY
Each dual enrollment course has been audited by the university to ensure what you are learning in the Council Rock course is comparable to what you would learn if you took the course at the university.
At the beginning of the school year, you will be given the opportunity to enroll in the university's version of the Council Rock course you are taking. You must complete a short college registration form and pay the college tuition by the end of September to be eligible for the program.
During the school year, you will do all the normal assessments for the Council Rock course. At the end of the school year, your teacher will report the final grade you received for the Council Rock course to the university as the final grade for its course. You will receive a college transcript for your college course if your final grade is a C or better.
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
The University of Iowa specially trained select Council Rock faculty members for their BizInnovator program, which is the foundation of the Council Rock Accelerated Entrepreneurship course.
During the school year, you will do all the normal assessments for the Council Rock course. At the end of the school year, you will have the option to take the University of Iowa's proficiency exam for its Exploring Entrepreneurship course. Students who pass the exam have until one year after graduating high school to apply to Iowa for the credits and pay the $150 tuition fee. There is no fee for the proficiency exam.
What is the cost for the college credits?
Each school sets its own price for the credits.
Bucks County Community College: $375 per course (3 credits)
Gwynedd-Mercy University: $400 per course (3 credits)
The University of Iowa: $150 per course (3 credits)
How do I pay for the college credits?
Each school has its own procedure for payments.
BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Checks should be made payable to Bucks County Community College. You will give your check and your "High School Enrollment Form" to your Council Rock teacher. Your teacher will forward your registration and payment to Bucks for you.
GWYNEDD-MERCY UNIVERSITY
Checks should be made payable to Gwynedd-Mercy University. You will give your check and your registration form to your Council Rock teacher. Your teacher will forward your registration and payment to the university for you.
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Click here to go to the BizInnovator College Credits page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link to APPLY for the credits. You will also find another link on the page with more information about what will happen once you apply.
When and where are the courses offered?
All classes are held during the regular school day at your home high school. A shuttle option may be available if a class is not offered at your school.
Who teaches the courses with college credit options?
Your regular Council Rock teacher has been authorized by the college or university to teach their college-credit courses.
Will I have to take a special test to earn the college credits?
Each school has its own policy.
BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- Admissions testing may be required to enroll in a Bucks course.
- Once you are enrolled in the college course, your assessments will be the same assessments the other students take. All assessments will be created, administered, and scored by your Council Rock teacher.
GWYNEDD-MERCY UNIVERSITY
No. Your assessments will be the same assessments the other students take. All assessments will be created, administered, and scored by your Council Rock teacher.
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Your assessments for your Council Rock grade will be the same assessments the other students take. All assessments will be created, administered, and scored by your Council Rock teacher.
To earn the college credits, you must take and pass the university-prepared and scored proficiency exam. Your score on the proficiency exam will be used only to determine your eligibility for college credits; it will NOT be included in your Council Rock grade.
Do I have to sign up for college credits if I take a course with a college credit option?
No. Participation in our college and university partner programs is optional. The Council Rock course is exactly the same whether or not you decide to participate in the programs.
How do I get my college transcript?
Each school has its own process.
BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
At the end of the school year, your Council Rock teacher will report your final grade for the course to Bucks. You may request an official copy of your transcript from the college once it has recorded your grade.
Dual Enrollment Students will need to complete two steps.
1.) Students must submit their transcript requests via Parchment. Click here to go to the Bucks Transcript website.
2.) Students must email transcripts@bucks.edu and dualenroll@bucks.edu from their Bucks email address sharing that they are currently a high school student and have requested a copy of their transcript. Students must include their Bucks ID in the email.
GWYNEDD-MERCY UNIVERSITY
At the end of the school year, your Council Rock teacher will report your final grade for the course to the university. You may request an official copy of your transcript once the university has recorded your grade. Transcripts could take 2-3 business days to process and are not processed when the university is closed.
Click here to order your transcript online via the National Student Clearinghouse with a credit card. Students may have their official transcripts sent through the USPS or electronically when ordering through the National Student Clearinghouse. Contact the Registrar's Office if you cannot order your transcript online.
Note: name changes will not be processed using the transcript form. If you need to change your name, you must do so by filling out the Change of Name/Address form and by providing the appropriate documentation.
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Click here to go to the BizInnovator College Credits page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link to APPLY for the credits. You will also find a link another link on the page with more information about what will happen once you apply.