Dual Credit

Dual enrollment is any college course taken by a high school student that counts for both high school and college credit. High school students applying to take courses prior to high school graduation will utilize this application. Several types of dual enrollment courses fall under this application, which are described below:

 

High School Dual Credit Program

Through the High School Dual Credit (HSDC) program, current high school juniors and seniors enrolled at public, private, and tribal high schools have the opportunity to enroll in college coursework at the rate of $78.48 per credit hour (or 1/2 of the total reduced credit hour rate). The State of South Dakota pays the remaining tuition costs. (Please note: Due to legislation passed during the 2025 legislative session, the student share of the total reduced credit hour rate was increased to 1/2, up from 1/3. This increase will take effect for the Summer 2025 semester.)

For students to participate in the program, their high schools must have a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Dakota Department of Education (see the list of high schools with an MOU here).

All courses meet the System's General Education requirements at all six Regental institutions. They are taught by university faculty and offered face-to-face at BOR campuses and online. In some cases, high schools may also offer In-District HSDC courses taught by university faculty on-site at your high school.

More information about South Dakota's High School Dual Credit program can be found on OurDakotaDreams (ODD).

 

Concurrent Credit/Rising Scholar

Concurrent Credit courses are dual credit courses offered at your high school. These courses are taught by a high school teacher who is qualified to teach college-level courses. These courses are offered at $40 per credit hour.

 

Non-Degree Seeking Admission

In certain instances, high school students in grades 9-12 may wish to take courses from BOR universities at the full tuition rate (including applicable fees). This is known as non-degree seeking high school enrollment. Students must obtain approval from their high school to take courses under non-degree seeking admission, which would count for credit at the high school level as well. This may be an option for students in the situations described below:

• A student wanting to enroll in a course that is not eligible for the HSDC program (i.e. a course that is not part of the BOR General Education curriculum.)
• A student does not meet the criteria for the High School Dual Credit or Concurrent Credit Programs. Examples of this include:
  • Not meeting the academic requirements of the initial eligibility criteria,
  • Students in grades 9-10 (who are not eligible for the HSDC program), or
  • Students who do not reside in or attend school in South Dakota.

For guidance on course selection, visit Our Dakota Dreams to find helpful advising guides based on career tracks.

Spring Courses

Summer Courses

Fall Courses

Students looking to enroll in the HSDC program or in a Concurrent Credit course at their high school must meet one of the criteria outlined in sections 1-4 below. Students who do not meet criteria may enroll as a non-degree seeking student at the full tuition rate, as outlined above. 

• High School Juniors eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meet one of the following requirements:
  • earn an ACT composite score or superscore of 24, or equivalent SAT score of 1180); or
  • rank in the upper one-third of their high school class; or
  • earn a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale
• High School Seniors eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meet one of the following requirements:
  • earn an ACT composite score or superscore of 21, or equivalent SAT score of 1080); or
  • rank in the upper one-half of their high school class; or
  • earn a cumulative unweighted high school GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
• High School Juniors or Seniors eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meet the following advanced honors endorsement admissions requirements:
  • ACT composite or superscore of 18 for BHSU, DSU, NSU, and SDSU; or of 21 for USD and SDSMT, or equivalent SAT score of 970 or 1080; and
  • Successful completion of coursework requirements per ARSD 24:43:11:02.03:
    • Four years of English
    • Three years of advanced mathematics
    • Three years of laboratory science
    • Three years of social studies
    • One year of fine arts
• High school juniors or seniors eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meet the benchmark scores on one of the assessments listed below:
  • State of South Dakota 11th Grade Assessment
    • Smarter Balance - Score Level 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics 11th Grade Assessments
  • PreACT Exam Composite Score of 24 or higher
  • ACCUPLACER Next Generation Exams (QAS exam score of 225 or higher and Writing exam Score of 263 or higher)