BHSC is delighted to offer dual-credit classes through a partnership with The Academy at Houston Christian University (HCU).
For the 2024–25 academic year, we are offering one dual-credit class: U. S. History to 1877 (HIST 2313).
NOTE: This U.S. History I course is compatible with the “Common Core” Texas Core Curriculum (TCC) and transferable. (You can verify transferability here: HCU’s HIST 2313 is compatible with TCCNS Course HIST 1301.)
During the 2023–24 academic year, two dual-credit classes are available: The Art of Storytelling and World Civilizations I.
Dual-credit courses run the entire BHSC school year rather than over one semester, so the pacing is much more relaxed than taking an equivalent class at a college or university. These classes are offered seamlessly within the BHSC class schedule on the BHSC campus, which means students avoid paying the extra fees which come with taking dual-credit classes on campus at HCU!
The BHSC Dual-Enrollment Program is recommended for self-motivated students ages 16 and up and for mature and self-motivated 15-year-olds. Slightly younger or less mature students are able to “audit” the class for high school credit only. (Audit courses pay the same rate.)
Is Dual-Enrollment worth it?
While BHSC tuition rates cannot compete with community college dual-credit prices, the quality of the BHSC dual-credit classes are far superior not only in the academic quality but also in the community aspect where both professor and student prioritize their Christian faith.
Additionally, gaining some dual-credit experience in high school can help make your student’s college application more competitive. As homeschoolers, your student can present a stronger high school transcript when buffered with college level coursework.
If you are planning to enroll your student in BHSC humanities classes, paying a bit more in tuition to add college credit might be a good deal, especially if you are hoping to have your student attempt an AP exam for a class such as History. Dual-credit negates the need for the AP subject exam as college credit is already secured with a passing grade in the class.
Is Dual-Enrollment right for your student?
- Enrolling in dual credit means that the student is co-enrolled in both BHSC and our partner institution, Houston Christian University (HCU). HCU grants the college credit and keep transcripts, which students would need to request from HCU when applying for admission to other colleges.
- College credits from one university do not automatically transfer to every other college or university. It is up to each institution to decide which credits they will accept and, if they accept the credits, whether those transfer credits can be applied toward specific graduation requirements in a student’s degree plan or whether they will be credited as miscellaneous elective credits. If you need to ensure that the dual-credit course will apply toward specific classes at a specific university, you will need to check with that university about their credit transfer policies. (You can verify compatibility with the “Common Core” Texas Core Curriculum by looking up course numbers here and comparing to TCCNS.)
- The instructor (professor) of the dual-credit class will assign a letter grade to each student for the class, and that grade would become part of the student’s permanent academic record. You, as the homeschool parent, could record a B as a 4.0 (or an A as a 5.0) on the student’s high school transcript as an honors high school class, for example, but the student’s college transcript would list the B as a college grade. This means that students who do not perform well in a dual-credit class could have a permanent college transcript record of a low grade which must be reported when applying to other colleges or universities.
- Students should be proficient in writing essays and also be solid readers in order to do well in college-level humanities classes such as the ones offered in the BHSC Dual-Enrollment Program.
- Because of the preceding points, BHSC generally recommends that students younger than 15 years old wait to take dual-credit classes until they are older. Of course, there may be exceptions for students who are very mature, self-motivated, and organized with a good track record in their academic studies. You know your student best!
- BHSC family and staff tuition discounts are NOT available to apply to dual-credit classes, but need-based financial aid might be available. (Scholarship applications are due by April 28 for the following academic year.)
2024–25 Dual-Enrollment
You can check out our 2024–25 dual-credit class to see if it might be a good fit for your scholar: U. S. History to 1877.
HIST 2313: U. S. History to 1877 is a survey of American history from its origins to the close of Reconstruction. Read more.
2023–24 Dual-Enrollment
You can check out our 2023–24 dual-credit classes to see if they might be a good fit for your scholar: The Art of Storytelling and World Civilizations I.
HIST 2311: Western Civilization 1 is a survey of the historical foundations of our society, namely the twin pillars of the Greco-Roman heritage and the Judeo-Christian tradition. In the first semester, we will begin with the Ancient Egyptians and Hebrews, but focus on the wonders of the Greek and then Roman worlds. In the second semester, we will look at the rise of Christianity, the fall of Rome, and the development of medieval Europe. The course will conclude with the transition to the modern age, brought about by the Renaissance, the Reformation, and discovery of the new world. Read more.
A paired combination of co-requisite classes are rolled into this one BHSC dual-credit class: The Art of Storytelling (NARR 2200) is two-unit college class offering an overview and survey of storytelling across multiple mediums, from ancient oral tradition to modern video games. Storytelling in Creative Writing (WRIT 2100) is a one-unit co-requisite that provides students opportunities to apply the principles developed in Art of Storytelling to specific creative writing projects. This 3-unit class combo will explore the role storytelling plays in culture and help train students in the development and presentation of stories. Read more.
