Dual Credit

Galveston College's Dual Credit Program enables qualified high school students from participating school districts (public, private, or homeschool) to enroll in academic or technical college courses concurrently with their high school education. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), high school students wanting to take part in the program have to meet the same criteria as any other college students.

Overview and Requirements

Speak to your high school counselor to discuss dual credit eligibility and options.

Ball High School Testing Center:
Meet with Ms. Felicia Beckel

BHS TSIA2 FORM

Odyssey Academy:
Meet with Ms. Dena Walker for
TSI test dates.
O'Connell College Prep School:
Meet with Ms. Paula Lamb for
TSI test dates.
Homeschool students are welcome to take TSI at GC's Testing Center

Once you take the TISA2 test and score into college readiness, you may proceed to begin the admissions application.

*TSI benchmark, exemptions and waiver scores can come from the following tests: ACT, SAT, PSAT and STAAR.

Apply to Galveston College via Google Apps

APPLY TODAY

Submit an official high school transcript to our Admissions Office. You can bring it and drop it off in the Moody Lobby at GC, or send electronically through your High School Registrar's office.

All students enrolled in the dual-credit program are required to submit a signed dual-credit contract to the Galveston College Admissions office. The contract must be signed by both the student and their parent or guardian and can be submitted either to the Dual Credit Advisor, Mrs. Alisha McCracken, or directly to the GC Admissions office. The contract is available for printing via the provided link and can be obtained from Mrs. McCracken, or the GC Admissions office.

Dual Credit Contract

After you complete all the Dual Credit requirements and your courses have been selected, the Admissions office will enroll you into the dual credit courses.You will NOT be able to enroll yourself due to a dual credit hold.

Homeschool students can enroll in college courses via an Early Enrollment form.
1. Apply to Galveston College
2. TSIA2 test is required Testing Center
3. Parent and student must meet with Ms. McCracken for course selection(s) or meet with the director, Ms. Segura.
4. High school (homeschool) transcript needs to be turned into Admissions.
5. Parent and student will sign a dual-credit contract.
6. Student can fill out the FERPA form if needed.
7. The admissions office will enroll student.
8. Payment options will be explained.

Can issue Student ID cards
You will need to show your H.S. ID to confirm who you are.

If driving, you can get a
Parking Permit
You will need vehicle information.

Set-up Whitecaps email via Office 365 email (official method of communication)

IT help desk can also help:
1. Set-up Microsoft Authenticator (our College verification system)
2. Reset Password for Single-Sign-On (which means you sign in with the same username and password).

Alisha McCracken started her academic journey at San Jacinto College, where she earned her Associates degree in General Studies. Next, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. After earning her bachelor's degree, she began working full time at the University of Houston, where she developed a passion for working with undergraduate students. She then decided she wanted to obtain a Master’s degree in higher education and she did just that at Drexel University.

After seven years of working with the University of Houston, she decided to take a different path from working with undergraduate students to graduate students at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Although it was a wonderful experience, she knew her interest was with undergraduates, specifically first-year students. Considering this, it was what brought her to Galveston College to work with Dual Credit students. Working with Dual Credit students gives her the opportunity to help students get on the right path so that they can persist and reach their academic goals.

Dual credit students must contact me to sign the dual credit contract: [email protected]

What is FERPA and why is it important to students?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) prohibits Galveston college from releasing certain student information without your written consent. As a student, you have the right to allow a third party access to your information, for example: a parent or guardian. Additional information regarding FERPA can be found in the Galveston College Catalog.
FERPA form

What is Texas Core?

The Texas core curriculum consists of 42 credit hours of general education courses that are required for any student that is in an academic transferable program in the state of Texas. However, the full Texas core is not required for all workforce programs. It is important that you speak with your dual credit advisor to discuss which course options below best fit your academic needs.

CORE COMPONENT	COURSE SELECTION	CR HRS
COMMUNICATION	ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302	6
MATHEMATICS	Select one course from the following list of courses MATH 1314, MATH 1324, MATH 1325, MATH 1332, MATH 1342, MATH 2312, MATH 2413, MATH 2414, PSYC 2317	3
LIFE & PHYSICAL SCIENCE	Select two courses from the following list of courses BIOL 1322, BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL 2421, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, CHEM 2423, CHEM 2425, ENVR 1301, ENVR 1302, KINE 1301, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426	6
LANGUAGE, PHILOSOPHY & CULTURE	Select one course from the following list of courses ARTS 1304, DRAM 2361, DRAM 2362, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333, HIST 2311, HIST 2312, HUMA 1302, PHIL 1301, PHIL 2306, PHIL 2307	3
CREATIVE ARTS	Select one course from the following list of courses ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, COMM 2366, DRAM 1310, DRAM 2366, HUMA 1301, MUSI 1306, MUSI 1310	3
AMERICAN HISTORY	Select two courses from the following: HIST 1301, HIST 1302, and HIST 2301	6
Government/political science	GOVT 2305 and GOVT 2306	6
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES	Select one course from the following list of courses CRIJ 1301, CRIJ 1307, ECON 2301, ECON 2302, KINE 1304, KINE 1346, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, SOCI 1306	3
COMPONENT AREA OPTION	Select two courses from the following AND/OR use excess credit hours from courses listed above EDUC 1300/PSYC 1300, ENGL 2311, ENVR 1101, ENVR 1102, KINE 1164, MATH 2415, PSYC 2306, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319/SOCI 2326, SOCI 2301, SOCI 2319, SPCH 1311, SPCH 1315, SPCH 1318, SPCH 1321	6
	TOTAL	42

Are dual-credit courses hard?

A dual credit course is a college-level course, which means that it is rigorous and challenging; however, you also get to experience hands-on learning experiences with dedicated faculty who want to prepare you for wherever you want to go academically and professionally. It may be difficult at first, but with all the support you will receive from faculty and staff, you’ll do great!

How many courses can I take?

Technically, you can take up to 18 credit hours per semester without having to seek administrative approval, but with Dual Credit students facing an already massive workload, we recommend further discussion with Dual Credit Advisor.

What are some of the degrees I can earn?

You can earn Workforce certifications, an Associate of Arts, or an Associate of Science degree, to name a few. Check the catalog for more degree plans.

Can I take summer courses?

Yes, Dual Credit students are still Galveston College students even after the high school academic year ends. Please note that taking summer courses may not result in earning both high school and college credit. Check with the dual credit advisor in April to see what options are available to you.

Dual Credit Orientation

Narrated by DC Advisor, Ms. Alisha McCracken

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has adopted the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program for dual-credit students. Galveston College has decided to participate in the program to help eligible dual credit students with their college credit tuition.

Through the FAST program, students who meet the eligibility criteria and are enrolled in participating colleges, public school districts, or charter schools are not required to pay tuition for dual credit courses. Additionally, the high school is responsible for supplying all essential books, materials, and supplies for the course at no expense to the students.

Student Eligibility

Students are “eligible students” under the FAST program if they:

are enrolled in an eligible dual credit course, as defined in TAC, Section 13.501, at a public school district or charter school (i.e., eligible for Foundation School Program funding); and
are taking a course offered through an institutional agreement, as outlined in TAC, Section 4.84, from an institution of higher education that has opted to participate in FAST; and
were qualified for free or reduced-price lunch in any of the four school years prior to the academic year in which they enroll in the dual credit course.

**Currently, there is NO BALANCE due for dual credit tuition; however, this may change later in the term after GC receives THECB's qualified list. At that time, GC will contact students if they need to fill out a separate form to cover tuition.
Thank you for your patience.