Frequently Asked Questions about Dual Credit Courses
Who are IMSA’s dual credit partners?
Currently, IMSA is partnering with Waubonsee Community College (WCC) and Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (SIUE).
How much does dual credit cost for students/families?
The dual credit courses are being presented to IMSA students at no cost. The only potential fee is by the partner institutions when students request their college transcripts.
Does my student have to travel to the college partners’ campuses for the courses?
No. All of our dual credit courses are held like regular courses at IMSA’s campus.
Will students from outside IMSA be in the dual credit courses?
No. IMSA’s dual credit courses are exclusively for current IMSA students.
Does IMSA plan to offer more dual credit courses in the future?
Yes. IMSA is continuing to explore ways to expand our dual credit offerings.
For the next academic year, will we know the dual credit courses in advance while making course selections?
One of IMSA’s goals is to include those details in our Learning Opportunities document, so students and families can, at a minimum, have a tentative sense of what courses may be offered for dual credit.
Will the college credit for my dual credit course be listed on my IMSA transcript?
No. The IMSA course will be listed on your IMSA transcript; the college credit will be on your transcript from the corresponding college partner. (EX: Students who earn dual credit for IMSA’s Computer Science Inquiry course will see Computer Science Inquiry on their IMSA transcript, and then CS140 Introduction to Computer I on their SIUE transcript.)
How do I get a copy of my WCC and/or SIUE transcript(s)?
The college transcripts are accessible through the partner institutions. IMSA does not have copies of the WCC or SIUE transcripts. You can find transcript request guidelines for WCC and SIUE on their websites.
Will the colleges/universities I apply to accept the credit earned through dual credit?
Any dual credit earned through WCC and/or SIUE may be eligible to be transferred to other colleges/universities; like all transfer credits, whether the college/university accepts the credit is dependent on several variables, including the school’s own transfer credit policies.
Will my dual credit from WCC and/or SIUE only matter if I attend one of those schools?
The credits earned at either WCC or SIUE may potentially transfer to other colleges and universities, dependent upon each school’s transfer credit policies. So, you don’t have to attend WCC or SIUE to have these credits potentially hold value at any college or university you attend after IMSA.
Will the grade I earn in a dual credit course impact my GPA at my eventual college/university?
This is dependent upon the college/university policies. However, the dual credit would be a transfer credit from WCC and/or SIUE, and most institutions do not count transfer credit toward a student’s GPA.
Can I still add a dual credit course to my schedule in Spring?
Students can express their interest in Spring dual credit courses to their College and Academic Counselor (CAC); however, all of the normal rules and procedures regarding Add/Drop will be followed, including not rearranging student schedules to fit an additional course. Also, please note that additional sections of these courses cannot be opened for Spring, meaning space may be limited or unavailable for certain courses.
I took one of the courses listed in a previous semester before it was offered for dual credit. Can I get dual credit for courses taken previously?
No. Unfortunately, IMSA or our partners can’t offer dual credit retroactively for courses that were completed previously.
Can I drop a dual credit course?
Students can withdraw from an IMSA course following the guidelines in the IMSA Student and Parent Handbook. If a student withdraws from an IMSA course that is also being offered for dual credit, how that withdrawal is reflected on the college’s transcript is dependent upon the college’s own policies. If a student wants to withdraw from the dual credit opportunity but remain enrolled in the IMSA course, the student should speak first with their CAC.
What are the eligibility requirements for dual credit courses?
Eligibility for dual credit is dependent on factors from both IMSA and the partner institutions.
- IMSA: Students must have met the IMSA prerequisites to enroll in the IMSA course, per IMSA’s Learning Opportunities document.
- WCC: Students must have completed the High School Student Registration form; this was distributed to students in class. The math and science dual credit courses have additional eligibility requirements.
- SIUE: Students must have completed the SIUE Pre-Collegiate Application form, which was emailed to all students and families enrolled in an SIUE dual credit course on several occasions.
What if I am ineligible to earn dual credit in a particular course?
Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements of WCC and/or SIUE will remain enrolled in the IMSA course and will earn IMSA graduation credit for passing the course. Students who are not eligible for dual credit in a course they are currently enrolled in for Fall 2025 will be notified by no later than the end of IMSA’s Quarter 1.
My question was not answered above. Who should I contact?
General questions about dual credit can be sent to Dr. Paul Gaszak, Dean of Academics and Equity. Specific questions about course schedules or how college credit may apply to the college application process can be directed to the student’s College and Academic Counselor (CAC).
