FAQs: Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment students must meet college admission requirements and the prerequisite criteria for the course. For more information, go to Participating High Schools and click on the high school you will be attending to view the admissions and prerequisites for the courses you plan to take.
Rio Salado College dual enrollment credits are transferable to the Arizona public colleges and universities as listed in the AZTransfer Course Equivalency Guide tool. Most colleges and universities accept dual enrollment credit as it is regionally accredited college credit. Students are encouraged to check with the college/university to which they intend to transfer regarding transferability and course applicability before enrolling. Students can request transcripts be sent to their college/university by ordering from the transcript team here.
Dual enrollment and advanced placement courses are good options for students. The difference is that dual enrollment students receive a grade and credit for the work performed throughout the year. These credits usually transfer to the student's college of choice as direct course equivalents.
Advanced placement classes require students to pass the Advanced Placement (AP) test to earn college credit. Credit is awarded solely on a student's performance on this single exam. Credit is based on the score students achieve on the AP exam.
Dual enrollment classes meet at the high school during the regular high school day and are taught by college-certified high school instructors using a college curriculum and text. The high school agrees to accept these college courses toward a student's high school completion.
Concurrent enrollment classes meet at a college site or online and are not affiliated with the high school. Students interested in concurrent enrollment must submit a special admission form. Students need prior approval from their high school counselor or administration if they want these college courses to help satisfy high school requirements.
Dual enrollment students pay the same tuition rate assessed for all Maricopa Community College courses. This is a significant savings over private and out-of-state colleges, and about one-third the cost of comparable in-state university courses. Current tuition rates are listed in the registration materials. As an additional savings, dual students do not have to purchase textbooks or pay lab fees because these materials are usually provided by the high school.
Dual Enrollment is offered during Fall and Spring terms. Xavier and Brophy also offer a summer school term. High school students can always take advantage of concurrent classes, which are the online classes Rio Salado College offers.
