Dual Enrollment

Georgia’s Dual Enrollment Program allows high school students to take college classes while they are still enrolled in high school. Students are enrolled in high school and an eligible Georgia college or university at the same time. The courses they take count toward both high school graduation and college credit, appearing on both a high school transcript and a college transcript. Through the Dual Enrollment program, tuition, mandatory fees, and required textbooks are covered at no cost to families.

The goal of Dual Enrollment is to increase access to college and help students build the skills they need to succeed after high school. To participate, students must meet the admissions requirements of the college or university they wish to attend. These requirements may include a minimum grade level, age, GPA, or test scores. Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the participating college.

Common Acronyms and Definitions for Parents and Students:

CTAE - Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education
DE - Dual Enrollment
HCCA - Houston College & Career Academy
TCSG - Technical College System of Georgia
USG - University System of Georgia
Postsecondary Institution - technical college, college, or university

Dual Enrollment Opportunities in Houston County

There are three options for Dual Enrollment in Houston County - Houston College & Career Academy (HCCA), On Campus, and Off Campus.

OPTION 1: HCCA

HCCA is a part-time option to students who attend one of the five high schools in our District. Transportation is provided between the high school and HCCA. In addition to high school courses, HCCA also offers specific technical programs through DE with Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) and Middle Georgia State University (MGA) for students who qualify. To apply students must register during the advisement process and see their counselor. Students are selected based on criteria set forth by HCCA and availability in the program. Some of these programs are a two-year commitment and will require the use of two periods in the student’s schedule each semester. These slots are competitive and not everyone is guaranteed a seat in the program.

OPTION 2: On Campus

The Houston County School District currently offers Dual Enrollment on each of our five high school campuses with CGTC. Beginning in the fall semester of 2026, our schools will also offer classes through MGA. Below are the courses offered on campus:

11th Grade Courses:
- HIST 2111 (Fall Semester)
- HIST 2112 (Spring Semester)
  - Both HIST 2111 and 2112 will be taken in order to fulfill the student's 7 period schedule.
12th Grade Courses:
- ENGL 1101 (Fall Semester)
- ENGL 1102 (Spring Semester)
- ECON 1101
- SOCI 11o1
- PSYC 1101
- MATH 1101 (College Algebra)

Each of the On Campus courses use 3 DE hours.

OPTION 3: Off Campus

Students may choose to do Dual Enrollment through multiple institutions in the state of Georgia. A full list of participating colleges and courses offered can be found on GAFutures.org. Students are responsible for:

setting up a meeting with their high school counselor (if required by your high school)
applying to the college of their choice
having their high school transcript sent, and
registering for coursework at the college (available DE courses at each college are also on GAFutures.org).

Students must let their counselor know they are applying for DE and bring the counselor all registration documents for the college classes each semester by the deadline set by the Houston County School District to qualify for DE funding each term. Students are responsible for transportation and any fees not covered by DE funding (lab fees and book fees may apply).

DE hours used in this format will depend on courses students take. Students should check with the postsecondary institution for credit hours.

Additional Information for Parents and Students

All three options require students and parents to complete the DE Funding Application on GAFutures.org once a year to receive funding for course work at the college level. Students can choose to use their funding in a variety of ways, and the Houston County School District strives to offer many opportunities for students. If you need assistance understanding your options, please make an appointment with your counselor.

(This information is based on current GA law and updated on 12.5.2025)

Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment

Student Eligibility

A student must be enrolled in and physically attending high school in Georgia.
A student must be approved by the participating high school at which he or she is enrolled to participate in Dual Enrollment.
Prior to participating in Dual Enrollment, as part of the funding application process, the student and parent must complete their portions
A student must have completed the admission process and been accepted and approved by the participating postsecondary institution.
All postsecondary coursework must be completed prior to high school graduation in order to receive Dual Enrollment credit and funding.

Grade Level Eligibility

9th Grade

Students in the 9th grade are not eligible to participate in the Dual Enrollment funding Program.

10th Grade

All CTAE courses are available for 10th graders.
Academic Dual Enrollment courses (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and World Languages) are only available to students with:
- Minimum SAT score of 1200 for SAT or 26 for Composite ACT
- 3.70+ High School HOPE GPA

11th and 12th Grade

Eligible students may take any approved Dual Enrollment courses listed on the Course Directory, at an eligible participating postsecondary institution (USG, TCSG, or private).

Funding Guidelines and Limitations for DE

Students in Georgia have the option to take a total of 30 semester hours (or 45 quarters) funded by the DE program for their high school career.
English, math, science, social studies, foreign languages, and CTAE courses are approved for DE funding.
Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Health courses are not eligible for DE funding.
Students do not receive program funding to retake or repeat a course.
Students become ineligible for future DE funding after withdrawing from two DE courses through out high school.
After a student exhausts their 30 semester hours of DE funding, they can use the self-pay tuition option for additional courses.
Only courses approved for DE funding will be permitted for self-pay.
For a semester with a mixed payment of DE and self-pay, students are eligible to have mandatory fees waived and are provided required books.
For a semester with all self-paid courses, students are responsible for paying all tuition, fees, and textbooks.
Both DE funded and self-paid courses appear on a student's high school transcript.
Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress through their pass rate at the college to remain eligible for dual enrollment funding.
Males take dual enrollment who turn 18 during the semester must register for selective service to receive funding. If they do not register, the state will bill them for the courses taken that semester.