The power of dual credit — a jump-start on college in high school

This paid piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

Dual-credit programs allow high school students to earn college credit for courses taken while they are still in high school. In a dual-credit class, students can earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.

However, having access to dual credit is not just about earning college credit. Students also save time and money, and the experience can help them to develop confidence in their ability to be successful in higher education. 

Because of this, the experience can improve student achievement rates once they are in college.

Every student in South Dakota has the opportunity to take dual credit, but these courses typically are offered as online options or as traditional classes offered on the college campus.

What sets O’Gorman High School’s dual-credit opportunities apart from many options is that O’Gorman’s dual-credit classes are taught by O’Gorman teachers, in-person, during the regular school day.

“Our teachers are considered adjunct professors through the university,” OGHS principal Joan Mahoney explained. “The classes have to fulfill strict requirements set by the college in order to ensure that the courses meet the rigor of the equivalent courses taught on campus.” 

For example, teachers have to submit their syllabus to the university, and they frequently are required to use the same final exam as the college uses for the course.

O’Gorman offers dual credit through four universities: Mount Marty University, Northern State University, Dakota State University and South Dakota School of Mines.

The scores and stats speak for themselves: 75 percent of the class of 2023 graduated with college credit, and the class of 2023 earned a combined total of 1,600 college credits.

Because of the large number of college credits earned while in high school, O’Gorman students often begin their college career with nearly a semester of college credits. This opens up registration windows earlier, allows for students to pursue double and triple majors and often leads to them completing their undergraduate degree in fewer than four years.

If you are interested in learning more about the dual-credit program and the opportunities offered at O’Gorman High School, please call 605-575-3358 or email [email protected].