Rappahannock Community College has dual enrollment agreements with most local high school systems to offer college-level courses that can be taken at the college or the high school location.

Dual enrollment programs are voluntary and enable students to take courses at a community college while enrolled in high school and provide college level educational opportunities not otherwise available.

What are the advantages to taking dual enrolled courses?

• Saves time and money


• May shorten the time to college degree completion


• Gives students early exposure to the academic rigors of a college level course


• Student is both a high school student and enrolled in college as well (dual enrolled)


• College credit is earned at the same time as high school credit


• College courses are taught at the college level


• Credit earned for many dual enrolled courses may be applied toward a degree or certificate once the student in enrolled in college


• Transfer applicable college credit to most 4-year colleges and universities in Virginia

Who pays for the tuition, books, testing and other fees related to dual enrollment classes?

The actual cost of enrolling in a dual enrollment course offered through RCC is determined by the public school division. In most instances, there is little or no actual cost to the student. In all cases, students can save money by earning college credit through the community college.

What courses are offered as dual enrollment credits?

The community college and the high school determine classes that are offered each semester as dual-enrollment courses. Typically, the dual-enrollment classes offered would be courses taken during a student's first year of college.

Who is eligible to take a dual-enrollment college class?

• Students who take the RCC placement test to demonstrate that they are prepared to do college work (tests for high school dual enrollment course placement can be taken at either college campus by appointment or may be scheduled at the local high school).


• Each student must complete an RCC dual enrollment college application.


• Students need high school and parental approval to enroll in RCC college courses.

Are dual enrollment classes transferable to a four year college or university?

• Dual enrollment classes that are designed to transfer to colleges and universities are considered university bound courses and are approved to satisfy the general education core requirement at the college freshman or sophomore level.


• Dual enrollment classes are also offered that are job oriented courses.


• Students should consult with their high school counselor or an RCC college counselor to determine which courses are considered transfer courses.

College Transcripts

Students may request that a copy of their RCC college transcript be sent to other colleges and universities from the RCC Office of Admissions and records once coursework is complete. Students can also view unofficial transcripts through the RCC college website at http://rcc.my.vccs.edu. (Please see or call a RCC college counselor if you need assistance with the RCC Student Information System.)

How does a dual enrollment course differ from an Advanced Placement (AP) course?

• A dual enrollment course is a college class taught by an instructor who has the degree and credentials to teach at a community college.


• Upon successful completion of a dual enrollment course, a student is awarded college credit as well as high school credit.


• A high school transcript and a college transcript are separately generated for each school


• In an AP course the student must pass a costly standardized exam at the end of the course to receive college credit.

Who benefits from dual enrollment classes?

• The student benefits! Studies show that those who acquire college credits while still in high school are more likely to continue their education beyond high school.


• Families of the high school students benefit! College credits earned during high school help reduce the financial burden of full-time college tuition.


• The Commonwealth of Virginia benefits! It avoids unnecessary duplication of facilities and equipment.