Dual Credit Enrollment for High School and Homeschool Students
How Can I Become a Dual Credit Student?
Dual credit allows eligible high school and homeschool students to earn college credit while completing high school requirements.
There are no minimum age requirements for dual credit courses unless a specific program requires students to meet certain age-related criteria, such as selective admission programs or programs governed by legal age restrictions.
State Requirements
Kentucky's dual credit policy requires students to:
- Be enrolled in a participating secondary school.
- Exceptions may be considered if recommended by school faculty and approved by the college's Chief Academic Officer.
- Eligible students attending private schools or participating in homeschool programs may also qualify.
- Meet the college's dual credit admission requirements.
- Be admitted to the participating college as a dual credit student.
- Meet placement requirements for college-level coursework or courses aligned with a career pathway.
- Complete the college admissions application and any required dual credit forms.
KCTCS Dual Credit Requirements
To participate in dual credit courses through KCTCS, students must:
- Complete the admissions application through DualEnroll.
- Meet KCTCS Assessment and Placement requirements.
- Fulfill any course prerequisites.
- Be admitted to the college.
- Enroll in one or more eligible dual credit courses.
Homeschool Students
Kentucky homeschool students may enroll in dual credit courses if they:
- Meet KCTCS Assessment and Placement requirements.
- Submit a transcript showing their current grade level.
Once a homeschool student has completed their senior year of high school, they are no longer eligible to enroll as a dual credit student.
Assessment and Placement Requirements
Before enrolling in dual credit courses, students must meet KCTCS Assessment and Placement requirements.
Students must satisfy the applicable Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) college readiness indicators and any course-specific requirements listed in the KCTCS course catalog.
Students may qualify using:
- An unweighted high school GPA.
- An approved assessment score, such as the ACT.
- Other approved placement assessments.
General Placement Standards
Placement requirements vary depending on the type of coursework:
Technical Courses
Students may qualify with:
- A minimum 2.0 unweighted GPA, or
- An ACT score that meets placement requirements.
Additional course-specific requirements may apply.
General Education Courses
Students may need to demonstrate college readiness in:
- Reading
- English
- Mathematics
Placement standards vary by course and may be met through GPA, ACT scores, or other approved assessments.
College Algebra
College Algebra courses generally have higher placement requirements than other mathematics courses.
Students should review course-specific requirements before enrolling.
Exception for 12th Grade Students
Twelfth-grade dual credit students who place into an English, Math, or Reading course that includes a supplemental support course may be eligible to enroll in both courses if offered by their KCTCS college.
When available:
- Both courses may qualify for dual credit tuition waivers.
- Both courses may qualify for dual credit scholarship funding.
All other dual credit students must meet the established readiness requirements before enrolling in English, Math, or Reading courses.
Technical Education Course Exception
Students who do not meet the minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA requirement for technical coursework may still qualify if they meet alternative assessment requirements, including appropriate ACT scores or other approved placement measures.
In addition, they must satisfy any course-specific prerequisites listed in the KCTCS course catalog.
Ninth-Grade Students
Ninth-grade students who do not yet have an established GPA may enroll in one technical course per semester if:
- The course does not have a placement requirement.
- The student receives a recommendation from a high school administrator.
Approved Placement Assessments
KCTCS accepts several placement assessments, including:
- ACT
- Accuplacer
- ALEKS PPL
- EdReady
- KYOTE
- SAT
- Wonderlic
For detailed placement information, review the full KCTCS Assessment & Placement Policy. Individual colleges may accept additional assessments for placement purposes.
Transitioning from Dual Credit to Freshman Status
Students who have participated in dual credit and plan to attend a KCTCS college after high school graduation can transition to freshman status through the High School to Freshman Form.
This form:
- Is available through Self-Service for eligible students.
- Can be used instead of completing a new KCTCS Online Application.
- Typically becomes available to high school seniors based on graduation date and enrollment term.
If the form does not appear in Self-Service, students may complete a new admissions application.
Final Transcript Submission
After high school graduation, your final high school transcript and any ACT or SAT scores are typically sent by your high school guidance counselor.
Students may also request these records from:
- Parchment
- Their high school guidance counselor
- Their local board of education
Contact information for Kentucky schools is available through the Kentucky Department of Education - District and School Directory website.
Additional Information
For more details about dual credit eligibility, placement requirements, and enrollment procedures, review the KCTCS Assessment & Placement Policy and consult your participating KCTCS college.
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