Best Classes to Take In Dual Enrollment

High School of America
9 min readAug 31, 2021

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What Classes Are Good For Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment is a program that allows high school students to take college courses.

There are many advantages of taking dual enrollment classes, and these benefits include the opportunity to get a head start on credits for college. It’s also an opportunity to explore what you want to do with your life before committing too early.

It’s not easy to decide on what classes you want to take in dual enrollment. There are so many options, and it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones would be the best for your high school career. To help you narrow down your choices, this post will give you an overview of which classes would benefit your academic future.

English and History

Take dual enrollment English and History courses that fit into your school’s program. Dual enrolled students often have to follow a specific pattern for the dual enrollment program to be applied. So, make sure that you are taking dual credit courses that will count towards what you will study as an upperclassman, not just as a way to get ahead of everyone else.

For example, many schools would rather dual enrollees took their foreign language dual credit class through high school because it helps them save money on textbooks during their junior year.

If there aren’t any dual credit English or History courses that can apply to your major, then take one anyway. However, do not take two dual enrollment classes if they don’t apply to your current curriculum or class schedule for the dual enrollment program.

Math

Some people dislike math, but learning about algebra for dual enrollment purposes is one of the best ways to finish high school, knowing more than ever before. Taking dual enrollment math courses helps prepare you for college-level coursework, but can it be helpful even if you do not plan on being a science major or studying anything scientific at all after graduating from high school.

The reason for this is simply because both high school and college dual credit math classes teach the basics of data organization, graphing, and other skills that can be applied to a variety of dual enrollment courses.

Criminal Justice

Take dual enrollment criminal justice courses at your community college if possible. If you are dual-enrolled into a liberal arts school or something focused on fine art, none of the dual enrollment criminal justice courses will likely apply towards what you want to major in.

Dual credit criminal justice could help anyone interested in pursuing law enforcement as a field. Regardless of future career paths, dual enrollment in criminal justice provides an insightful look at how the legal system functions in the modern world.

Additionally, criminal science classes usually introduce students to several essential innovations within our society. These include fingerprints, DNA, and other things that many dual enrollment students are not aware of.

Environmental Science

As the natural world around us is destroyed faster than ever before, it is essential to consider ways to preserve our environment, save animals from dying off and keep the planet habitable for as long as possible.

The best dual enrollment environmental science course will teach you about issues like global warming, recycling techniques, and how to properly dispose of waste so that it does not harm our environment further or humans if consumed by accident.

Government

Take dual credit government classes through dual enrollment at your local community college. Even if a dual enrollment government class will not apply towards whatever dual enrollment degree you are pursuing, there is no reason to pass up the opportunity to learn how our local and state governments function.

The best dual credit government course will be a dual enrollment politics course that explains step by step what goes into law-making, allowing students to gain valuable knowledge about democracy in action.

Psychology

Consider taking dual enrollment courses in psychology if possible. Psychology is one of the most essential fields on earth, even though we do not always think about it that way.

Without psychology, progress as a society would cease to exist because people who were psychologically unstable or ill might have never found treatment for their issues, thus leading them to cause harm to others or themselves.

Dual enrollment psychology courses that show how to care for depressed people, feed the hungry, and teach children different skills are the best dual enrollment classes you could take.

Engineering

If an engineering major is not in your future, few dual enrollment courses in this field will likely apply towards other dual enrollment degrees or grants.

However, there is no reason to pass up taking these dual credit engineering courses. The best dual enrollment engineering class examines concepts like mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and others which can open you up to various new fields of study even if you do not plan on being an engineer yourself.

Art

Even though dual enrollment art courses may not apply towards all dual enrollment degrees, it is crucial to consider taking these dual credit art courses. This is because they will help you learn about the world around us and how people respond to different things.

Plus, dual enrollment art courses can expand student’s horizons and open them to fields of study that they might not have considered before as well!

English Literature

Even if you plan on majoring in a science field, do not pass up the opportunity to take dual credit English classes because those courses can open your mind to a brand new way of thinking.

The best dual enrollment English class would allow you both an introduction to basic writing skills and also a chance to read books from famous authors that have inspired many of today’s great minds.

Computer Science

Even though dual credit computer science classes may not apply toward all dual credit degrees, there is no reason to pass on this opportunity. This is because they can teach you valuable life skills and help students take their first steps toward a career in the computer programming field.

The best dual enrollment computer science classes examine dual credit information technology, allowing students to learn more about computers and programs used by both the private sector and government entities.

Business

Dual credit business classes could cheaply open up a new range of career opportunities for yourself! There are many dual enrollment business courses offered, including entrepreneurship, accounting, management, marketing, public speaking, and others, which will help students better understand careers in fields like economics or even real estate.

Physical Education and Sports Management

Sports management dual enrollment courses can help you open up career paths in fields like athletics, coaching, or even broadcasting!

The dual credit courses offered include health promotion and wellness, sports safety, and many others, which will help students learn more about the human body’s response to various activities.

Dual Enrollment Tips for High School Students

It’s a great feeling to be accepted into college. However, as you may know from experience, it is hard work to get through high school classes. The extra challenge of taking college classes at the same time can be daunting. It does not have to be that way, though; by using a few tips and tricks, you will be able to make the most of your time and spend less time in class.

1. Take Classes that Fit your Dual Enrollment Program’s Requirement

You can dual enroll in college classes as a high school sophomore, junior and senior. Still, each dual enrollment program has different requirements, so make sure you understand what you have to do and when to do it before signing up for any dual credit courses. For example, some schools require dual enrollees to maintain a certain grade point average.

Still, if you don’t make the cut, then you can be denied from taking any additional dual-credit courses because of your “bad” performance. A worse scenario is registering for a dual credit course that does not apply to whatever degree you are dual-enrolled in. If you dual enroll to get an early start on college courses and end up with a dual credit English class that does not apply towards your dual enrollment requirements, it means nothing.

2. Take Classes that will Help you Earn Credits while Enjoying the Experience

If you know that a course will be easier for you than the high school version, it is probably worth taking advantage of this opportunity. You won’t just get credit for college but also get some credits toward high school graduation. Sometimes colleges offer dual-credit courses even if they are not as advanced or don’t carry as much weight as the high school class. Be sure to check with your high school counselor and/or an academic adviser to make sure you are taking the suitable class at both schools, though.

3. Student Reviews and Feedback

The best way to find a good college course is to look at other students’ suggestions. Look online (read forums, check out Facebook pages) for students who have already taken the course you’re interested in.

Their feedback about the class and its suitability for a dual-credit program is invaluable. Teens can speak with great authority on what is demanded of them during college because they are not taking these classes only as part of their education but also to get ahead in life (in terms of completing requirements for college and starting with a clean slate).

4. Consider Cost And Time

The cost of college courses should be considered as well; some colleges have deals with local high schools that offer free or discounted courses. Also, it is essential to find out how long the college will accept a course you take and what credits they award.

If you need to take a class but have trouble finding one that fits your schedule, have an adviser or other adult advocate for your needs with the guidance counselor at your school. They can help you find alternative education sources if a local college does not have what you need.

5. Know What to Expect

Remember that the main reason for taking a dual-credit course is to get ahead — in both school and life! Taking an online class can be difficult, but as long as you know what to expect and plan accordingly, you will earn all of the credits you need while finishing high school. This is a great way to ensure that you are on the right track for college and get out of high school as soon as possible, with less stress.

6. Plan Well

Planning and organization are essential when taking dual-enrollment classes. Students who succeed in these courses do so because they plan their work and research their assignments.

These students are more likely to pick up on concepts quickly and take better care of themselves while in class since they know what is expected of them.

Above all, remember that while this opportunity can give you a leg up on your college education, it doesn’t replace the need for good grades or proper behavior — colleges look for both, so don’t wait until the last minute to start working towards them.

7. Manage your Schedule

Before you take college courses, make sure that you have a schedule that allows you to keep up with all of your responsibilities each day and week. You want to be able to manage your time well — when other things are going on in your life, it can be easy to get distracted and miss essential assignments or exams.

Also, try to make a detailed calendar for the semester that you are about to start so you know what days have big tests or other intense assignments. Keep track of everything else going on in your life as well — this might include sports practice, clubs, volunteer work, and other social activities.

Make sure you have enough time to do everything you need to do. Otherwise, your work will suffer greatly, and you won’t achieve all that you want in the course or semester.

8. Engage your Tutors

When choosing college courses, it’s essential not only to find out what’s in it for you but what’s in it for them as well-meaning your teachers.

If you do things to show your teachers that they can count on you and trust you, it will be easier for them to help you out when other students ask questions or need assistance. They’ll be more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt instead of assuming that you never read their assignment instructions, or maybe even let slide a little bit of bad behavior, if they know that overall, there are more good qualities than bad ones about each student.

9. Keep up With your Responsibilities

Whatever course(s) you eventually choose, remember to keep up with all of your responsibilities and make sure that they are in line with your schedule so that no one has reason to complain!

We hope you found this piece on dual enrollment classes helpful! If so, please don’t forget to share using one of the social media sharing right below this piece. That way, you can help others who are seeking dual credit education like yourself. Good luck!

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