Higher GPA points are awarded in Tier I advanced courses to reflect the rigor of the curriculum. For example, a "100" in a dual credit course equals 5.0 rather than 4.0 in a regular class.* See Local Policy EIC for the letter grade conversion chart.
*The letter grades and numerical equivalents of dual credit courses taken at EPCC will follow the guidelines of EIC Regulation and EPCC's grading policy. See "Special Considerations" below.
College Credit
Transferability
Passing dual credit courses can earn students college credit at Texas public colleges and universities. Use the Texas Common Course Numbering System to view course compatibility between EPCC's and other Texas colleges' and universities' courses.
Applicability
Students should talk to their counselors to ensure they are enrolled in the field of study course(s) that will apply to their Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS), and baccalaureate degrees.
Student Eligibility
EPCC Requirements
To be eligible for enrollment in a dual credit course offered by a public college, admissions requirements (Apply Texas and EA Form) must be completed. Students must also meet the college's prerequisites designated for that course (e.g., minimum score on a specified placement test, minimum grade in a specified previous course, etc.). Visit the EPCC Course catalog to view prerequisite requirements for each course.
Legislative Requirements (Dual Credit/Early College Course Placement Rules)
Students can enroll in the following dual credit courses if they meet one of the criteria below for the corresponding content area:
College Course | TSIA2 | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
ENGL 1301 College-level reading-based course | 945+ AND Essay 5+ OR Less than 945 AND Essay 5+ AND Diagnostic 5+ | ELAR 480 | ELAR >=40 |
MATH 1314 MATH 1324 MATH 1342 | 950+ OR Less than 950 AND Diagnostic 6 | MATH 530 | MATH >=22 |
District Courses
Dual credit courses are open to all eligible EPISD high school students. Ask your school counselor about the dual credit courses offered at your campus. Students with an IEP are encouraged to visit EPCC's Center for Students with Disabilities for information about accommodations.
Special Considerations
Dual credit students must have completed at least 67% of the courses taken with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (equivalent to a “C” grade). Courses finished with a grade of F, W, I, NC, I*, or F* are not counted as completed.
Students who do not meet the above criteria are placed on Financial Aid Suspension and are not eligible to receive financial aid.
Online Dual Credit Courses and Dual Credit Courses Taught at EPCC (offsite): Students also have the option to take dual credit courses online or offsite. In both formats, an EPCC instructor teaches the course. If students choose to join the course offsite at an EPCC campus, they may do so. Alternatively, students can take the course online from their high school's computer lab, with the help of a facilitator who works at their high school. The facilitator's role is to assist the students in navigating the online course, but they do not teach the course.
Both online and offsite dual credit courses taught by EPCC college instructors follow EIC (REGULATION):
EPCC Grade (does not follow a numerical grading system, and letter grades do not recognize “+/-“) | TEAMS Grade Equivalent |
|---|---|
A | 96 |
B | 86 |
C | 76 |
D | 70 |
F | 69 |
Students who take an online or offsite dual credit course will not receive A+, B+, etc. When a student earns a letter grade of a “D” outside EPISD, including El Paso Community College (EPCC), and a “D” is a passing grade, the student will be assigned the numerical equivalent of 70 as described in EIC (Regulation).
Online Resources
EPCC Expectations for Students and Parents or Guardians
EPCC Tutoring Center EPCC Online Tutoring EPCC Library Services
Texas Education Agency: Dual Credit
Texas Education Agency: Dual Credit FAQs
Source: EPCC Dual Credit