About the Northwest Vista Dual Credit Program
The primary purpose of the Dual Credit Program is to enable eligible high school students who meet NVC admissions requirements to earn college credit through Northwest Vista College while satisfying their high school requirements. Dual Credit courses, also known as concurrent-enrollment courses, maintain college-level standards. The tuition for these courses is free and gives students a head start on higher education.
A commonly asked question is how Dual Credit differs from Advanced Placement (AP). Dual Credit requires that the student apply and meet NVC eligibility requirements and that the final grade for the course is transcribed onto a college transcript. In contrast, students must only meet high school eligibility requirements to enroll in an AP course and have the option to take an end-of-course exam to earn AP credit. Students should consult the institution they plan to attend to verify transferability of Dual Credit and AP coursework.
Northwest Vista College serves Northside Independent School District (NISD) high schools, various area private schools, and home school students. We also offer courses in the Multimedia field in Harlandale ISD and Kerrville ISD. If you have questions about whether or not Dual Credit is available at your school, please contact your nearest ACCD college.
Northside Independent School District (NISD) Students
Northwest Vista College has partnered with the Northside Independent School District, to allow eligible juniors and seniors to earn college credit for courses they are already taking at their high school, such as English, foreign language, math and science. Students enrolled in these courses receive both high school and college credit concurrently. Students may also earn college credit for certain Career and Technology courses by attending class at the Northwest Vista College campus.
Non-traditional (Home and Private School) Students
A non-traditional high school student is a student who is enrolled in a home school program or in a high school which is non-accredited or not recognized by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The Dual Credit program for non-traditional high school students allows eligible students to earn college credit for up to two tuition-free courses each Fall and Spring semester at Northwest Vista College while satisfying high school curriculum requirements. For more information, visit Non-traditional High School Students.
ISD Students
College-level academic courses are taken at the ISD High School and vary by school and semester.
See Current Dual Credit Courses on this website for a list of courses NVC offers as Dual Credit
Career and Technology courses are taken by eligible juniors and seniors on the Northwest Vista College campus during a regular school day (morning or afternoon). NISD will provide bus transportation and books to students who qualify. See the NVC Catalog for course description.
Non-traditional High School Students
Home school and private school Dual Credit students may enroll in courses from the list of Current Dual Credit Courses (found on this website) taught through Northwest Vista College provided that:
- the student has satisfied all NVC Dual Credit admission requirements and is in good academic standing with the college;
- the students has placed at college level in the areas (Reading, Math and English) required;
- the student has completed any necessary course pre-requisites as indicated in the catalog;
- the course is offered and seats are available at the time the student registers;
- the course will meet high school completion requirements.
The parent/legal guardian of home school students or High School Principal/Director of private school students will be required to certify that each course will satisfy high school completion requirements.
