Dual Credit Learning Accelerator FAQs

What is dual credit?

Dual credit allows high school students to take college-level courses that count toward both their high school diploma and future college degree requirements.

What is the Dual Credit Learning Accelerator (DCLA)?

The DCLA is an initiative that will bring some of our most popular 100-level courses from across campus to high school students in the state of Illinois. The course offerings will expose students to fields beyond the standard curriculum core, and help prepare under-served student populations to navigate a variety of college courses from their flagship University. By offering hybrid dual credit courses, the pilot will bring general education specialties often unavailable in high-need districts directly to the students who need them.

The online portion of the courses offered via the Learning Accelerator are designed by Illinois faculty and taught by certified high school teachers. The pilot will be completely free for interested students thanks to the American Talent Initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Who oversees the dual credit program?

Oversight is shared between the university’s academic unit offering the course and the Office of Online Learning which reports to the Office of the Provost. There are several university units involved to ensure the success of the dual credit program, including the Office of the Registrar, Technology Services, University Library, Privacy and Cybersecurity, among others. 

What approvals are needed to launch a dual credit course?

Courses must be approved through university curriculum processes and align with state-level dual credit standards and institutional policies. Each course is submitted for approval through the IBHE process ensuring it meets the requirements of the Dual Credit Quality Act.

How is academic quality maintained?

The university faculty members that design each dual credit course ensure that the course meets the same learning outcomes, assessments, and rigor as courses taught on campus.

Who can teach a dual credit course?

High school instructors must meet the same qualifications as adjunct instructors at the university—typically a master’s degree in the discipline or a master’s with 18 graduate hours in the subject per the Dual Credit Quality Act.

How are high school instructors trained or supported?

High school instructors receive an orientation and ongoing professional development from university faculty, along with access to instructional materials and mentoring.

What role do university faculty play?

University faculty develop the course in alignment with the course taught on campus. They also serve as mentors, reviewers, and maintain communication throughout the course delivery.

Who is eligible to enroll in dual credit courses?

For the DCLA pilot, Illinois is seeking to provide dual credit course access to low sending, rural, and under-resourced Illinois high schools. One way to determine high school eligibility is by their ‘Tier’ classification which signifies the amount of state funding they receive. For the pilot, Illinois will be focused on serving ‘Tier 1’ and ‘Tier 2’ high schools.

Student eligibility is determined by each qualifying high school—usually based on grade level (junior or senior), GPA, and readiness indicators.

How do students register for dual credit courses?

Students complete a university non-degree application, which is then processed by the university’s registrar prior to course enrollment.

How much does it cost to take dual credit courses?

There is no cost to students to take a dual credit course during the two-year pilot.

How are credits recorded and transferred?

Dual credit students receive an official university transcript showing earned credits, which can be applied to a degree at Illinois or transferred to others (subject to each institution’s transfer policies). Each course is fully articulated, satisfies an Illinois General Education requirement, and connects students to the types of courses and resources that will be available to them at a 4-year University.

Do these credits affect future college GPA?

Yes. Since dual credit courses generate a university transcript, grades earned are part of the student’s permanent academic record and may factor into GPA when transferring. Dual credit students will be given the option to elect either ‘Credit’ or ‘No Credit’ after seeing their final grade to minimize the potential impact the grade could have on their permanent academic record.

Where and how are dual credit courses offered?

During the Dual Credit Accelerator pilot, courses will be taught synchronously at the high school. The offering may be taught by a virtual instructor if a qualified high school instructor is not identified. The virtual instructor is provided by Illinois Virtual Schools and Academy (IVSA) through a partnership between Illinois and IVSA.

Are course materials and assessments the same as on campus?

Yes. Course syllabi, learning outcomes, assignments, and exams are aligned with those used in traditional university sections.

How does the university ensure compliance with state and accreditation standards?

 The Office of Online Learning ensures offering units follow state dual credit regulations, regional accreditation standards, and internal academic policies related to curriculum, instructor qualifications, and assessment.

What data must be reported?

The state of Illinois requires annual reporting on enrollment, student demographics, course outcomes, instructor qualifications, and subsequent college enrollment or success rates.

How are partnerships with high schools established?

Through formal memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or partnership agreements that outline responsibilities, cost structures, data sharing, and compliance expectations with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as with IVSA for the remote instruction option.

Who should high school partners contact for questions or support?

Each course or program will have an identified university liaison or coordinator who supports the high school instructor and administrators.