Academic Catalog

Dual Credit

EKU Campus

EKU Dual Credit Program

Division of Student Success, Outreach, & Opportunity

https://www.eku.edu/dualcredit

The EKU Dual Credit Program offers qualified high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while completing high school graduation requirements. As a statewide leader in early college access, the EKU Dual Credit Program promotes student success, accelerates college readiness, and builds a direct path to postsecondary achievement.

Eligibility and Admission

The EKU Dual Credit Program is open to eligible high school juniors and seniors. Sophomores may be considered for participation in onsite courses hosted at their high school and in other opportunities specifically approved by the EKU Dual Credit Office.

To be admitted, students must attend a participating high school with an active Dual Credit Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with EKU. Out-of-state students may be approved for enrollment by the EKU Dual Credit Office for select pathway-aligned opportunities.

Students must meet the following admission requirements:

  • Voluntarily complete a dual credit student application

  • Hold an unweighted high school GPA of 2.5 or higher

  • Submit an official high school transcript

  • Complete the EKU Dual Credit Student Orientation each academic year

Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement may be considered under an exception policy. High school principals may recommend up to 2% of their school’s EKU Dual Credit enrollment (or two students, whichever is greater) for exception each year. All requests are reviewed by the EKU Dual Credit Office.

While ACT scores are not required for admission, students are strongly encouraged to submit test scores for accurate course placement in English, Mathematics, and Reading. EKU also accepts KYOTE, ALEKS, EKU Placement Tests, and PSAT scores as substitutes. Additional information is available from the EKU Office of Academic Testing at https://www.eku.edu/in/guides/academic-readiness/#placement-guidelines.

Enrollment and Advising

EKU offers a variety of Dual Credit Pathways aligned with high-demand majors and career & technical education (CTE) programs. Students may pursue a defined pathway or register for individual courses that align with their goals, interests, and eligibility.

Dual Credit advisors work collaboratively with high school counselors and other representatives to support course selection and academic planning. Students are encouraged to explore how their dual credit coursework connects to their future academic or career plans. Students are ultimately responsible for ensuring they are enrolled in appropriate courses and meeting all registration deadlines. Recommended courses, pathway guidance, and planning tools are available on the EKU Dual Credit website.

Students may enroll themselves in eligible courses through myEKU after successfully completing the Dual Credit Student Orientation. Orientation is completed online and must be renewed each academic year before students may enroll in courses. The EKU Dual Credit Office assists with registration for onsite courses offered at participating high schools.

Students are not permitted to enroll in academic readiness or corequisite support courses through the Dual Credit Program.

Students may enroll in courses delivered online, on EKU’s Richmond or regional campuses, or onsite at their high school, as available. Dual credit students may register for any course for which they meet the stated prerequisites and placement requirements, subject to program and departmental approval.

Academic Performance & Enrollment Continuation

To remain eligible for enrollment in the EKU Dual Credit Program, students must maintain a minimum 2.0 institutional GPA. Students who earn a D or F in a course must successfully repeat the course and earn a 2.0 term GPA during the repeated semester to retain eligibility. Repeat enrollment must be coordinated through the EKU Dual Credit Office and completed in the next available semester.

Unless otherwise notified, dual credit students follow the official EKU academic calendar for all add, drop, and withdrawal deadlines. If alternate deadlines apply due to course format or high school scheduling, students will be notified via their EKU email account.

Student Standing and University Expectations

EKU Dual Credit students are admitted as undergraduate students and are subject to all applicable academic policies and university regulations. Students are responsible for understanding and following EKU’s expectations for academic integrity, course conduct, and institutional procedures. These policies are outlined in the EKU Student Handbook and Undergraduate Catalog.

Students have access to university resources and support services, including academic advising, tutoring, library services, and technology support. The EKU Dual Credit Office is available to support students and families with questions related to admissions, enrollment, scholarships, and academic planning. Students are expected to check their EKU email regularly, communicate with instructors, and meet all program deadlines and responsibilities independently.

Cost and Scholarships

Tuition

EKU Dual Credit students are charged no more than the state-set dual credit tuition rate, which is determined annually by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Current tuition rates are published at https://www.eku.edu/dualcredit.

Scholarships

Eligible Kentucky high school and homeschool students may receive the following scholarships that reduce or eliminate tuition costs:

  • KHEAA Dual Credit Scholarship – for general education courses

  • Work Ready Dual Credit Scholarship – for approved Career & Technical Education aligned courses

Students are responsible for ensuring their enrollment qualifies for scholarship funding. Scholarships are not automatically applied and must follow KHEAA and EKU processes. Students must also monitor their EKU accounts to confirm award status and resolve any issues.

Additional Costs

  • Dual credit students are financially responsible for:

    • Required textbooks and course materials

    • Applicable course or lab fees

    • Parking passes if enrolled in on-campus courses at EKU’s Richmond campus

    • Recreation Center access fees, if students age 16 or older request use of EKU’s Student Recreation Center

Dual credit students do not qualify for the EKU BookSmart program.

Students who choose to self-pay for courses not covered by scholarships are billed directly through their EKU student account.

Financial Holds

Unpaid or outstanding balances may result in financial holds that block future course registration and delay transcript release. These holds may also impact a student’s ability to enroll as a first-time freshman at EKU after high school graduation.

Transition to EKU

Many EKU Dual Credit students choose to continue their academic journey at Eastern Kentucky University after high school. While participation in the Dual Credit Program does not guarantee undergraduate admission, it provides students with a strong foundation for success and may help satisfy college-level prerequisites in advance.

Students who wish to enroll at EKU after high school graduation must submit a separate undergraduate application and meet all published admission criteria and deadlines. Application information and deadlines are available at https://www.eku.edu/admissions.

Outstanding balances or financial holds from dual credit enrollment may delay transcript release or interfere with registration for future coursework at EKU. Students should ensure that their accounts are in good standing before applying for undergraduate admission.