Dual Credit

Traditional Dual Credit ISD/Charter/Private

Traditional dual credit is an option for eligible high school students in the Alamo Colleges District service area. Partnership with public, private, or charter schools must be established to ensure dual credit courses are available. The 42-Hour Core Curriculum provides course selection availability for dual credit participants.

ECHS - Early College High School

Early College High Schools (ECHS) are located either within one of our partnered traditional high schools or on our college campus. This innovative program enables students to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously accumulating substantial college credit—potentially leading to an associate degree. Designed to expand college access for students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, ECHS offers a near-seamless transition into postsecondary studies or the workforce. This model is the result of a collaborative partnership between TEA (Texas Education Agency) and Northwest Vista College.

P-TECH – Pathways in Technology Early College High School

Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) are located either within one of our partnered traditional high schools or on our college campus. This innovative program enables students to earn a high school diploma while simultaneously accumulating substantial college credit—potentially leading to an associate degree and/or certificate in high-demand fields, with a focus on work-based learning through partnerships with businesses and institutions of higher education.

Your future starts now - apply today!
Click here to complete the Dual Credit Application

Northwest Vista College offers traditional dual credit to eligible home school students in our service area.  The courses a student can take will depend on their high school transcript and college core curriculum.  Dual credit students need to be taking courses that will be equivalent to courses they need to graduate high school.  Per Senate Bill 1091, dual credit is limited to the NVC Core Curriculum, career and technology education courses, or foreign language courses within the core curriculum.  The cost of tuition is $100 per course, and you are also responsible for accessing books and other materials required for each course (which should be listed on the syllabus for the course).

Final course eligibility will depend on student's transcript.

Please email the NVC Dual Credit Department if you have any further questions regarding the program. 

• Returning students:
  • Reference your course eligibility when selecting courses. This was sent to your student ACES email, along with instructions on how to search for courses and how to submit your registration requests.
  • The dual credit department can assist you with determining the need to re-apply if it has been more than 2 semesters since you last attended
    
    

Enrollment Process: 

Below is the process for your student to follow if they would like to be eligible for our dual credit program:

STEP 1: Submit an Application here

• The application typically becomes available in September. Be sure to select the correct entry term (Spring 2026 or Fall 2026)
• Once you submit your application, please allow 5 business days for the application to be processed - then proceed to Step 2.

STEP 2: Log into ACES to make sure you have access to your college email. If you plan to take the TSI exam, you will need to complete the Test Prep module located in ACES.

Testing Information (Optional but Encouraged)
Alamo Colleges cannot impose assessment requirements for enrollment into dual credit courses for the first 15 credit hours.

• • After the first 15 credit hours, if you do not have course history to verify college readiness, you will NEED to take the TSI exam.
  • You may verify college readiness in English by successfully completing ENGL 1301 or HIST 1301 or 1302.
  • You may verify college readiness in Math by successfully completing MATH 1314 or MATH 1414.

However, we encourage students to take the TSI exam voluntarily, as it can help determine college readiness and may support future course placement.

• • Students may take the TSI exam after their application has been processed and they receive their Banner ID and username (typically within 5 business days).
    • Please note: Some dual credit courses still require that students meet specific course prerequisites. If a prerequisite is in place, it must be satisfied before enrolling in that course. Testing may be one way to meet those prerequisites. 
    • An example: Students cannot take ENGL 1302 without taking ENGL 1301. Students cannot take MATH 2412 (Precalculus) without taking MATH 1314 or MATH 1414 (College Algebra).

Important Reminder: Although testing requirements have changed, college-level rigor and curriculum standards have not. Dual credit students are beginning their official college transcript, which is a permanent academic record. Students are fully responsible for their academic performance and grades earned.

Click here for more information on testing and score requirements.  

If you have previous course history at any college, you will need to request an official, sealed transcript or electronic transcript from each college be sent to Northwest Vista College.  Transcripts may take up to 4 weeks to be received and uploaded into our system.  All transcripts must be on file by the deadlines listed below.

After completing the steps 1-3 above, send all documents below to nvc-dualcredit@alamo.edu.

(REQUIRED) NVC HSP Consent Form

(REQUIRED) Notarized high school transcript that includes anticipated date of graduation, all high school courses completed, and the courses in progress or completed for the current school year

• For students that are following the graduation requirements of, and will be awarded a high school diploma from an online high school program, please request an official electronic transcript from the high school be emailed to nvc-dualcredit@alamo.edu

(REQUIRED) Parent Invoice Registration Form

(Optional) FERPA Consent Form and additional paperwork/supporting documentation. Click here for more information on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The documents above must be received and registration requests must be sent via email to the Dual Credit Office no later than the deadlines listed below. Please be aware, the later you complete all steps, there will be less course options available to you.

Once all documentation is received and reviewed, a course eligibility will be sent to the student's ACES email. This email will contain all the information on how to search for your courses and how to submit registration requests. 

Documentation will not be accepted after the following dates:

• Spring 2026 - Dec 11, 2025
• Fall 2026 - July 24, 2026

 Registration Deadlines:

• Spring 2026 - Dec 17, 2025
• Fall 2026 - July 31, 2026
  
  

*Dual Credit Students cannot register themselves. Students must email their course request to the Dual Credit department at nvc-dualcredit@alamo.edu before the deadline.

NOTE: Home school students must choose courses that follow the high school curriculum they will need to complete in order to graduate.

Want to know how dual credit works? From signing up to transferring your credits (and everything in between!), these common questions and answers will help you and your student understand the process and feel confident every step of the way.

Dual Credit FAQs