Dual Enrollment - For Parents, Students

Answer:
The Dual Enrollment program allows eligible high school students the opportunity to take college courses and receive both high school and college credit concurrently.

This program is available to students who attend a public high school or a private high school that is accredited by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). This program is only available to school systems that have entered into a Dual Enrollment contract agreement with the College.

Answer:
To be eligible for dual enrollment each student must meet the following criteria:

• Meet the entrance requirements established by JSCC
• Have a “B” average (3.00 GPA) in completed high school courses
• Be in grade 10, 11 or 12
• Have written approval of the appropriate principal and the superintendent (via signatures on the application)
• Attend a public school or a private school that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
• The Dual Enrollment application must be complete (including signatures) before the student will be allowed to register.

Notes:

• Certain classes have specific ACT or placement test requirements.
• Students must re-apply each semester.  (High school students cannot apply online.)

Answer:
Eligible students may pick up a Dual Enrollment Application from their high school guidance counselor or the Office of Enrollment Services at the Jefferson or Shelby-Hoover Campuses and/or the Pell City location. The application is also available online at http://www.jeffstateonline.com/forms/pdf/dual_enrollment_application.pdf.

Students should complete the college application and return all completed forms along with any necessary proof of prerequisites to the Office of Enrollment Services at Jefferson State.

Answer:
Prerequisites may be met by completion of the placement test (http://www.jeffstateonline.com/testing/default.htm) and/or minimum levels on the ACT in English and mathematics. When contacting Jefferson State, you must identify yourself as a high school student interested in dual enrollment to receive the correct information.

Question:
What courses are available in the Dual Enrollment program?

Students must meet the course prerequisites prior to enrollment in any of the Dual Enrollment courses.

Question:
Why can’t I speak with the instructor about my child?

Answer:
Federal privacy laws prohibit any official of the college from speaking to a parent without express permission of the student. Jefferson State follows all FERPA guidelines regarding a student’s right to privacy. College officials are not allowed to discuss a student’s record without express permission of the student. 

Question:
Is Financial Aid available for the Dual Enrollment program?

Answer:
No. Financial aid is not available for high school students. Those families who participate in the PACT (Prepaid Affordable College Tuition) program may use these funds to pay for Dual Enrollment courses. Please call 1-800-ALA-PACT for details.

Question:
Will my child be guaranteed college credit?

Answer:
If a student makes a grade of “C” or higher, he or she is guaranteed credit at any public college in the state of Alabama under the AGSC guidelines. Please note that the guarantee of transfer only applies to those courses listed on the Alabama General Studies Committee Approved Course Listing. Technical courses do not apply. Please contact an admissions counselor at any private or out-of-state university regarding transferability.

Question:
Will a college course be more demanding for my child than a high school course?

Answer:
Yes.  Students must be aware that all material will be taught and graded at the college level.

Question:
How can I help my child be successful?

Answer:
Be supportive and encourage the students to take advantage of Jefferson State’s free tutoring services. Please call 205-856-7952 for more information.

Question:
What are the penalties for cheating and plagiarism? 

Answer:
Refer to the JSCC College Catalog and Student Handbook online at http://www.jeffstateonline.com.

Question:
What is the tuition?  Do I have to pay it? 

Question:
Must Dual Enrollment students purchase the required texts?   

Question:
Where do I get my books and how much do they cost?

Question:
How do I find out my WebCT username and password.

Answer:
Go to http://virtual.jeffstateonline.com (WebCT logon page) and click Search for username and password.

Question:
Is this a real college class?

Answer:
Yes. Courses taught are at the college level by a qualified instructor, and upon successful completion of the course the student is granted college credit for the course.

Answer:
A home computer is not required; however, it will certainly help. If the student is taking a distance learning class a home computer (with a reliable Internet account) is strongly recommended.
 

Question:
Where can I get tutoring?

Answer:
JSCC offers free tutoring services in some subjects. In addition, all students enrolled in Math and English courses are provided with Smartthinking online tutoring services.  Please contact the Learning Success Center at 205-856-7952 or email Edith Mayomi at emayomi@jeffstateonline.com for more information.

Question:
What do I need to do if I am failing the course? 

Answer:
The student is responsible for his or her academic progress. We encourage speaking with the instructor, taking advantage of Jefferson State’s free tutoring, or withdrawing from the class if the student is not passing. Please refer to the current class schedule as to whether or not a refund would be applicable. The student must have permission from the high school counselor to withdraw.

Question:
What is expected of me as a Jefferson State student?  

Answer:
Follow all rules and regulations in the Student Handbook and College Catalog.

Question:
How do I email my instructor?    

Answer:
All Dual Enrollment classes use a WebCT site to supplement the course.  These sites include email.

Question:
Do I have to use Microsoft Word or other software?  

Answer:
Check with your instructor.  You may be able to use another application and save work/assignments in another format (i.e. rich text format/rtf). Microsoft offers a version of MS Office for students and teachers that includes Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, priced at around $149.

Question:
What libraries can I use?

Answer:
Dual Enrollment students have access to all of the Jefferson State Community College library resources.  They also have access to the Alabama Virtual Library.  An AVL card, which allows students to access the AVL off-campus, may be obtained from the JSCC library or any public library at no charge.  We also have interlibrary agreements with UAB, Lawson State, Miles, and Birmingham Southern.

Question:
Will I get the personal attention I need? 

Answer:
Yes. Most instructors hold office hours. Also, Jefferson State has much smaller class sizes than those of most four-year institutions.

Question:
Will the high school give quality points for Dual Enrollment courses?

Answer:
Yes, the amount is determined by the individual school system.

Question:
Are these classes taught at the high school?

Answer:
Yes, however, a student can also come to JSCC to take Dual Enrollment classes with the permission of both the High School and College.

Question:
What do I do if my extracurricular activities are scheduled during class time?

Answer:
College courses take precedence over sports, pageants, band maneuvers, church retreats, fundraising activities, and other extracurricular events.

Question:
What kind of computer skills do I need?

Answer:
Students should have basic keyboarding, word processing, and navigation skills.  Students should also be able to upload and download email attachments.

Question:
How will this class be taught?  What is the format? 

Answer:
Courses are taught using a variety of methods: lecture, class discussion, group discussion, class and group activities, and peer activities.

Question:
Is there an attendance policy?

Answer:
The attendance policy for Jefferson State courses is as follows:

• Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are
  registered. 
• Students who are unable to attend class regularly,regardless of the reason 
  or circumstance, should withdraw from that class before poor attendance 
  interferes with the student's ability to achieve the objectives required 
  in the course. 
• Withdrawal from class can affect eligibility for federal financial aid.

If you are not in class, you will be considered truant by the high school. Please
remember that extra-circular activities do not take precedence over the dual enrollment course.

Question:
Will Dual Enrollment courses transfer? 

Answer:
This depends on the course and what institution one plans to attend. Please refer to the STARS guide online at http://www.jeffstateonline.com/distance_learning/distance_learning_guide/stars/default.htm for specifics. Courses listed on the Alabama General Studies Curriculum (AGSC) list in the STARS guide are guaranteed to transfer to any public institution in the state of Alabama.

Question:
What happens if I make a “D” or fail the course? 

Answer:
In order to participate in the Dual Enrollment program, a student must maintain a 3.00 GPA. Also, a “D” could jeopardize transferability as well as the student’s chances of being awarded financial aid in the future.

Question:
Can you Drop/Add a course?

Answer:
Students will be allowed to drop with the permission of the high school within the first three days that the Dual Enrollment class meets. Please refer to the current class schedule for refund information (located online at http://www.jeffstateonline.com). Students will be made aware of the last day to withdraw in the orientation at the school. Any schedule changes must be approved by the high school counselor.

Question:
Where can I find out more information about the Dual Enrollment program?  Who can I contact?

Answer:
For more information on Dual Enrollment for high school students, please contact the Coordinator of Dual Enrollment at (205) 856-7923 or email asipper@jeffstateonline.com. Detailed information is also available at http://www.jeffstateonline.com.