Dual credit is a program that provides public high school students the opportunity to receive credit for both a high school course and a college course by taking a single qualifying course. Dual credit is a state statute,revised in 2007 by the State Legislature – Senate Bill 943, Statutory Authority, Section 9‐25‐8 NMSA (01/01/08). Concurrent enrollment functions similarly but does not require that the college course be aligned with a corresponding high school course. Consequently, the student is not guaranteed that the high school will accept the college credit toward the high school graduation requirement.

The primary purpose of the Dual Credit Program at New Mexico Tech is to increase the educational opportunities and options for high school students and increase the overall quality of instruction and learning available through secondary schools. The Dual Credit Program allows students to earn credit at the secondary and postsecondary levels simultaneously and provides students an early glimpse of college life and college‐level studies. Enrolling in college coursework is a commitment of your time and energy. Please consider whether enrolling in the Dual Credit Program is a realistic option based on your extracurricular activities and family schedules. Students interested in participating in the Dual Credit Program at New Mexico Tech must be prepared for the following:

• Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from New Mexico Tech’s campus.
• Students are expected to adhere to New Mexico Tech’s student handbook while on New Mexico Tech’s campus and attend the class or classes in which they are registered even if the high school is not in session that day.
• New Mexico Tech’s academic calendar starts and ends differently than most high school calendars.
• Students who take courses that are not part of the approved course list agreed upon between the District and New Mexico Tech will be responsible for all costs of attendance including tuition, fees, and textbooks.
• Students must follow New Mexico Tech’s Registration schedule each semester.
• Students are required to participate in the Dual Credit Program Orientation the first semester they participate in the Dual Credit Program.
• Grades earned through the Dual Credit Program at New Mexico Tech are part of your permanent academic record.

Type of Dual Credit

Dual credit courses provide an accelerated path to success in college or career. Developmental or remedial courses and physical education courses cannot be taken for dual credit.

College Offered

1. One form of dual credit, referred to as college‐offered, requires that the student attend regularly scheduled New Mexico Tech courses, either on campus or at an off‐site location, which may include the high school site after hours.

School Offered

2. Another form of dual credit,referred to as school‐offered, allows students to receive college credit for courses they are taking at the high school.

 

Eligibility & Application Process

Admission to the dual credit program does not constitute regular admission to New Mexico Tech. To be considered for dual credit or concurrent enrollment it is necessary for the student to meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

To qualify for college‐offered or school‐offered dual credit, a high school student must:

1. Be a public high school, private high school, or home school student; 
2. For college‐offered courses, be at least 16 years old (exceptions can be made in certain situations with approval of a parent, high school principal, and college dean or Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs);
3. For college‐offered courses, achieve minimum qualifying score on the ACT, PSAT, SAT, or take the appropriate departmental placement exam;
4. For school‐offered courses,there are no age or grade restrictions; and
5. Have a minimum 2.5 GPA;
6. Submit the following each semester:
   • Completed Dual Credit Request Form (signed by your high school counselor)
   • Current official high school transcript
   • Family Educational Right to Privacy Act Release Form (signed by the student and the student’s parent/guardian) Copies of the forms are available at the high school counseling office.

Students who are denied participation in the dual credit program may appeal through the same process as regular NMT students, or through the New Mexico Public Education Department’s Dual Credit Committee.

Continued Eligibility

In accordance with the New Mexico State Public Education Policy & Procedures for Dual Credit, in order to maintain dual credit eligibility, students must:

• continue to demonstrate readiness for college coursework;
• make continued progress toward high school graduation;
• maintain half‐time high‐school enrollment until graduation requirements are completed;
• obtain a course grade of C or better for each course taken, not obtain withdrawals or incompletes for dual credit courses, and not enroll in a dual credit course to audit or for an S/U grade.

If these conditions are met, students may enroll in two dual‐credit courses per semester(including recitation and labs) until all core high school graduation requirements (other than electives) are completed. Students who have completed all core high school courses may enroll in up to four dual credit courses. Home school and private school students are limited to two courses per semester according to the New Mexico Public Education Department’s Dual Credit Policy & Procedures.

Students who have not met the above requirements will retain “provisional dual credit eligibility.” Students with provisional eligibility may register and enroll in one dual credit course per semester until they meet the above requirements.

Financial Aid

Dual Credit students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Course Selection

Course selection will vary based on the Master Agreement with each high school district and New Mexico Tech. Students interested in enrolling in a math class are required to take the Math Placement Exam to determine course placement prior to registering for the class. Students are also required to meet with the Dean of Student Success Initiatives, Elaine Debrine Howell (elaine.debrinehowell@nmt.edu), at New Mexico Tech prior to enrolling in any course and must satisfy prerequisite/corequisite requirements for the class.

Please direct any questions or concerns about the content of the Office of Admission's website to admission@nmt.edu