Dual Credit/Early Entry

Dickinson High School partners with Dickinson State University (DSU) to offer two ways for students to earn college credit while in high school:

  • Dual Credit – DHS courses taught by DHS teachers that may also award DSU college credit.
  • Early Entry – DSU courses taught by DSU professors that DHS students may take while enrolled at DHS.

Note: Course availability and fees may change each year.

Courses Offered:

An asterisk () denotes Early Entry courses.*

  • AP Biology
  • AP Calculus
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP US History
  • Advanced Algebra II
  • Advanced Psychology
  • Agronomy*
  • AP/Honors World History
  • College Composition I*
  • College Composition II*
  • Equine Science I
  • Firefighter I
  • Firefighter II
  • Fundamentals of Public Speaking*
  • Human Anatomy
  • Introduction to Education*
  • Law Enforcement I
  • Law Enforcement II
  • Medical Terminology
  • Pre-Calculus

What is Dual Credit?

Dual credit classes are DHS courses taught by DHS teachers that can also award optional DSU college credit.

  • Tuition: Families choose whether to pay for the DSU credits. If you opt not to, you still take the DHS class for high school credit.
  • Costs & materials: The only cost is the college credit tuition; books/materials are provided by DHS.
  • Credit & transfer: Credits are transcripted by DSU and may transfer to other colleges/universities (policies vary by institution and program).
  • Credits per course: Varies by course.
  • 2025–26 rate (for reference): $167 per credit (subject to change).
  • AP overlap: Some AP courses also offer dual credit. Students may:
    • Pay for guaranteed dual credit now OR
    • Wait to take the AP Exam in spring; qualifying AP scores may earn credit or advanced placement depending on the receiving college’s policy.
  • Paperwork & billing: Application paperwork is completed in class. DSU bills parents/guardians for tuition.

What is Early Entry?

Early entry courses are DSU classes taught by DSU professors. DHS students may take:

  • Dedicated DHS sections of College Composition I, College Composition II, and Fundamentals of Public Speaking that follow the DHS A/B schedule.
  • Any other DSU class they qualify for (placement/prerequisites apply). These do not follow the DHS A/B schedule or DPS calendar; students must follow DSU start/end dates and meeting times.

Additional details:

  • Scheduling: DSU courses scheduled during the DHS day will appear on the student’s DHS schedule. Because these meet both A and B days, they replace a DHS class slot.
  • Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation to/from DSU.
  • Costs & materials: Students are responsible for tuition, any DSU fees, and required materials.
  • Tuition assistance: DHS students with a 3.0+ GPA qualify for tuition assistance.
  • 2025–26 rate (for reference): $71 per credit (subject to change).

Placement Requirements (English & Math)

Students enrolling in English or Mathematics dual credit or early entry courses must meet DSU placement standards using one or more of the following: ACT, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER (QAS/AAF). Specific score cutoffs are set by the North Dakota University System/DSU and may change.

Questions?

Please contact the DHS Counseling Office for help with placement, applications, scheduling, and financial assistance options.