P a g e 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS WHAT IS DUAL CREDIT?... 2 DEFINITION... 2 ILLINOIS LEGISLATION... 2 FEDERAL GUIDELINES... 2 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DUAL CREDIT?... 3 LIST OF BENEFITS... 3 COMPARING DUAL CREDIT AND AP... 3 IS DUAL CREDIT RIGHT FOR ME?... 4 AM I READY FOR COLLEGE WORK?... 4 DO I HAVE A CAREER GOAL?... 5 DO I KNOW WHERE I WILL GO TO COLLEGE?... 5 WHAT TYPES OF COURSES ARE OFFERED?... 5 WHAT ARE TRANSFER AND NON-TRANSFER COURSES?... 5 WILL MY DUAL CREDIT COURSES TRANSFER?... 6 WHY TAKE NON-TRANSFER DUAL CREDIT COURSES?... 7 HOW DO I ENROLL IN DUAL CREDIT?... 7 APPLYING TO JJC... 7 COMPLETING THE APPLICATION... 8 USING YOUR JJC EMAIL ACCOUNT... 13 MANDATORY PLACEMENTS AND PREREQUISITES... 13 ENROLLING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL OR CAREER CENTER... 13 WHAT IF I MOVE DURING THE SEMESTER?... 13 WHAT IF I HAVE AN EXTENDED ABSENCE?... 14 WHAT IF I WANT TO DROP A COURSE?... 14 REASONS FOR DROPPING... 14 PROCESS OF DROPPING... 14 WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL A DUAL CREDIT COURSE?... 14 JJC TRANSCRIPT AND GPA... 15 IMPACT ON FUTURE FINANCIAL AID... 15 IMPACT ON FURTHER DUAL CREDIT... 15 HOW DO I OBTAIN MY JJC RECORDS?... 15 ACADEMIC SUMMARY... 15 SEMESTER GRADES... 16 OFFICIAL JJC TRANSCRIPTS... 16 HOW DO I MATRICULATE TO JJC?... 16 WHERE CAN I TAKE JJC DUAL CREDIT CLASSES?... 17 LIST OF HIGH SCHOOLS AND CAREER CENTERS... 18
P a g e 2 What is Dual Credit? Definition: The Dual Credit program is a partnership between Joliet Junior College and area high schools and career centers. Students earn both high school and college credits upon successful completion of courses. Illinois Legislation: Dual Credit is a legislated opportunity for students in Illinois. Each state in the United States sets specific policy regarding Dual Credit. Sometimes other names are used, such as Concurrent Enrollment. In Illinois, the term Dual Enrollment is also used for courses where students come to a college campus and are taught by a college instructor but receive both high school and college credit. For more information on the law, you may wish to search online: 110 ILCS 27: Dual Credit Act is the name of the legislation for Illinois. Full text may be found online at: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?actid=3117&chapterid=18. The legislation covers definitions, purpose, and standards for Dual Credit. The document is only three pages long and easy to read. Federal Guidelines: The United States Department of Education (USDE) provides guidance on dual credit but leaves actual legislation to the states. In addition, a professional organization, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Programs (NACEP), provides guidelines on quality programs and information on policy. The USDE regularly includes concurrent enrollment/dual credit for policy guidance and grant guidelines. The USDE recognizes the regional accrediting bodies to determine policy for credit hours, transfer, and funding. For more information: http://www.nacep.org/research-policy/legislation-policy/. Accreditation for Higher Education: JJC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and is an AQIP college. The Higher Learning Commission also establishes expectations for dual credit programs. Visit http://www.hlcommission.org/accreditation-processes/dual-credit-programsandcourses.html?highlight=wyjkdwfsiiwiy3jlzgl0iiwiz3vpzgvsaw5lcyisimr1ywwgy3jlzgl 0IiwiZHVhbCBjcmVkaXQgZ3VpZGVsaW5lcyIsImNyZWRpdCBndWlkZWxpbmVzIl0= for the complete 393-page report.
P a g e 3 What Are the Benefits of Dual Credit? Benefits: Dual credit is an opportunity for high school students to earn college credits during the regular high school day. The benefits are as follows. Provides access to the many resources and activities on campus. Reduces overall college costs JJC-approved dual credit courses are free to high school students. Speeds up the time to college degree completion. Enhances the curriculum for high school students. Earns college credit before completing high school. Facilitates the transition between high school and college. Allows high school students the convenience of taking courses as part of their regular school day. Provides an official JJC transcript with transferable courses. Comparing Dual Credit and AP: Sometimes students are unsure about whether a Dual Credit or an AP course would be the best choice. Each type of course offers benefits, but the most important thing to know is that colleges and universities make individual choices about how to handle these courses. Students should first try to determine where they plan to attend college. Both Dual Credit and AP courses challenge students to meet high academic standards, so the learning experience is always valuable. Before making a decision, please follow these steps: 1. Think first about long-term college goals. Where are you going: Community college, in-state college or university, private college, out-of-state school?
P a g e 4 What are you seeking: Two-year CTE degree, transfer degree, specific major? 2. Research the policies of your individual college choices concerning transfer credit and AP credit. 3. Think about your own readiness for college-level work. Talk to counselors and parents. Understand your own needs and interests. Am I Ready for College Work? Is Dual Credit Right for Me? Joliet Junior College wants students to be successful in their college work, so the college makes every effort to help students understand college expectations and readiness. Readiness is a combination of factors, not limited to academic readiness. Students considering dual credit classes should be eager to meet the challenges of college work, have sufficient time to meet their commitments, and have access to resources and support to further their goals. College readiness is a balancing of traits, timing, and preparation. Academic Readiness Critical thinking skills Required placements and prerequisites College-prep choices in high school Habits of Learning Good attendance and promptness Active preparation Active participation and courtesy Effective use of resources Intellectual honesty Emotional Readiness Independence Reflectiveness Passion for learning Tolerance and openness Support High school and college resources: tutoring, library, computer labs, counselors Support of family and friends An environment for study and learning
P a g e 5 Do I Have a Career Goal? Many college students are undecided about their majors and career goals, and many others begin with a goal but change during their college years. However, having an idea about your interests and passions will help you to make decisions about courses that will contribute to a degree or career pursuit. Talking to high school and college counselors, job shadowing, attending career days, and asking questions will help you to make decisions about dual credit. Do I Know Where I Will Go to College? Knowing where you plan to attend college, or at least narrowing the possibilities, will help you to know which dual credit classes may transfer and contribute to a degree. The next section of this handbook addresses the types of courses offered for dual credit and the importance of knowing what will or will not transfer. What Types of Courses Are Offered? What Are Transfer and Non-transfer Courses? The concept of transfer can be tricky because each college and university in the country decides what it will or will not accept for transfer. Therefore, it is helpful to know where you hope to attend college so that you receive maximum benefit for your coursework. Here are some basic definitions: Transfer Courses intended for college-level credit. JJC offers courses at the 100 and 200 levels because it is a community college. These levels are considered freshman and sophomore courses that transfer as General Education credit. o General Education Essential courses in Communications, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts taken by students of all majors for a well-rounded education. o Majors Specialized courses in specific disciplines generally taken in the third and fourth years of college. JJC does not offer these courses for dual credit. Non-transfer Courses in developmental education and career and technical education. o Developmental Education Courses for underprepared students offered in reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as general student development. These courses are not offered for dual credit, but some high school students may receive a developmental placement score through COMPASS. o Career and Technical Education Most CTE courses offered as dual credit may be applied to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree at JJC, but they generally do not transfer. A student who attends JJC after high school may use this earned credit, but the AAS degree itself is not intended for transfer. It is a career pathway. However, a few specialized colleges and universities will accept this degree and these courses for transfer, and counselors and advisors can help with this information.
P a g e 6 Will My Dual Credit Courses Transfer? Accepting courses for transfer depends on the individual college or university. Therefore, it is important for a student to plan ahead and think about career goals and transfer possibilities. Counselors and advisors in the high school and at the degree-granting college or university can assist with specific information. Always check with the receiving institution for accurate information on transferring credits. These general guidelines may also help. 1. Joliet Junior College Credits are automatically a part of your JJC transcript, so you are not actually transferring anything. However, some credits will apply to specific degrees only. Career and Technical Education generally intended for the two-year Associate of Applied Science degree at JJC and not intended for transfer elsewhere. General Education Courses listed in the JJC Catalog for General Education requirements will apply to JJC degrees. 2. Another Community College in Illinois Courses intended for transfer will be listed in the JJC Catalog with an IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) number and should transfer to other community colleges. CTE courses generally do not have an IAI number. Currently, CIS 126 and OFS 214 do have IAI numbers. For more information, visit www.itransfer.org. IAI is a statewide GECC (General Education Core Curriculum) transfer agreement, which is valid among more than 100 participating colleges or universities in Illinois.This site provides information for students, academic advisors, teachers, and military veterans. 3. A State University in Illinois The state universities in Illinois participate in IAI so that transfer between institutions in the state is smooth. Detailed information on specific schools may be found at www.itransfer.org.
P a g e 7 4. A Private College or University in Illinois Private colleges and universities set their own rules and vary widely. JJC has articulation agreements with some of the neighboring private colleges and universities. It is best to check information through the college or university. 5. Out-of State College or University Out-of-state institutions vary widely as well. Generally, state schools are more flexible than private institutions. 6. Online Colleges and Universities Online education is on the rise, and many online programs and colleges are legitimate, accredited institutions. Check for accreditation. 7. For-Profit Institutions Students need to be watchful of institutions that may or may not be accredited and have specialized curricula. Each institution is different, and students should seek help from counselors to make informed decisions. Why Take Non-Transfer Dual Credit Courses? Students may value the learning experience itself even if some dual credit does not transfer. The same may be said of taking AP courses for the learning experience. Even without the credit, students will be better prepared for the workplace or for higher education. Changes in career goals in the future may also make these credits useful even if they did not initially transfer. Applying to JJC: How Do I Enroll in Dual Credit? All students must apply to JJC and receive a JJD ID number before taking COMPASS placements or enrolling. However, a special dual credit application is used for high school students enrolling in dual credit. The process of applying is usually facilitated at the high schools and career centers, and the high school teachers and counselors have been instructed on the process. Students only need to apply once! The application process is online only. Students must have or know their Social Security number and date of birth. This information is needed to complete the online application. The steps for applying are indicated on the JJC Webpage for dual credit and listed here. STEP 1. Log onto the JJC web site at www.jjc.edu. STEP 2. Pull down Academics, locate the column called High, and click on Dual Credit. STEP 3. Click on the sidebar menu Information for Students and Parents. STEP 4. Click on How to Apply.
P a g e 8 Information for Students and Parents How to Apply COMPLETING THE APPLICATION 1. The link How to Apply will lead to the page of detailed directions and a link to the actual application. Read the directions carefully. 2. Fill out the application. There are 6 screens: Starting Information, Personal Information, Contact Information, Education Information, Personal Goals, and Review. Click Next after each screen.
P a g e 9 Screen #1: Starting Information
P a g e 10 Screen #2: Personal Information Screen #3: Contact Information
P a g e 11 Screen #4: Education Information Screen #5: Personal Goals. Mark first choice. 3. On Screen 5, Personal Goals, under the subheading Educational Goals, please have students choose the first option: I only plan to complete one or several courses NOT pursuing a certificate or degree. Then under the next subheading, Reason for Attending JJC, please have students choose the last option, Other.
P a g e 12 Lower Portion of Screen #6 with notice and Submit bttton. 4. Screen 6 is for review of all information entered. Have students review their information for any errors. When all information is correct, have them hit the Submit Application button. 5. Be ready for the final prompt. Student ID numbers will appear on the screen for 30 seconds, so please have them ready to write them down or print the page. If the system is experiencing heavy traffic, there will be a prompt letting them know when to check back. If a student is a twin, triplet, or multiple birth AND the sibling has also applied to JJC, the JJC ID number will not appear. Please call the Office of Dual Credit at: 815-280- 6927. 6. A final message will appear, exactly as it appears in italics here: Thank you for applying! We have received your information for application to Joliet Junior College, and we are pleased to welcome you to Joliet Junior College! Our system is still processing your information. Please print this page for reference. Students are provided a free JJC email account within 24-72 hours after completing the online application. Please visit the ID / Username / Password Help page within the next couple of days to access your JJC account and obtain your JJC ID number. If you are a twin, a triplet, or a
P a g e 13 multiple birth AND your sibling has also applied to JJC, your JJC ID number will not appear. Please call the Office of Dual Credit at 815-280-6927. You will be receiving important correspondence from JJC through your JJC email account, so be sure to check it regularly. For security reasons, please close your browser at this time. It will attempt to close automatically after 60 seconds. NOTE: A JJC ID number is required prior to taking the ACT COMPASS test and to register for classes through JJC. The process of obtaining a JJC ID number DOES NOT enroll students in a class. Students must complete a registration form for each class each semester. Registration forms are collected by the instructor. The student ID number DOES NOT change. Using Your JJC Email Account: As noted in the electronic message quoted above, you will receive essential correspondence from JJC through your JJC email account. This information includes deadlines for withdrawal, dates for registration, information on matriculation to JJC, and a wide range of helpful news. You may wish to forward your JJC email to your preferred email account. Check your JJC email at least once a week! Mandatory Placements and Prerequisites: Many JJC courses have mandatory placement scores or prerequisite courses. JJC uses ACT scores and COMPASS placement scores in mathematics and English. High school counselors and Dual Credit staff are trained to interpret scores and facilitate appropriate registration. Dual credit teachers have detailed placement information in their own handbooks, and the JJC Website posts the information at http://www.jjc.edu/academic-skills-center/pages/compass.aspx. The Website is updated when changes occur in placement requirements. Enrolling at the High or Career Center: High school and career center counselors and teachers are trained in the enrollment process for dual credit. Teachers supply paper forms in the high school classroom. Students who have not met the placement or prerequisite requirements will not be allowed to register for the JJC courses. In some situations, they may be earning high school credit only in the classroom, but this practice is being phased out to comply with state legislation for dual credit. If a student is in doubt about his registration or qualifications, he or she should ask the high school teacher of the course. What If I Move During the Semester? Occasionally, a high school student enrolled in dual credit must move to another school during the semester. He must withdraw from the JJC course separately from withdrawing from the
P a g e 14 high school, or he will automatically receive a failing grade on his JJC transcript. The student, instructor, or counselor should contact the JJC Office of Dual Credit to withdraw the student at: Office of Dual Credit Joliet Junior College Main Campus Room C2019 1215 Houbolt Road Joliet, Illinois 60431-8938 Telephone: 815-280-6927 FAX: 815-280-6930 E-mail: OfficeOfDualCredit@jjc.edu What If I Have an Extended Absence? Students, administrators, counselors, or instructors should notify the Office of Dual Credit if there is a situation requiring an extended absence. Please follow your own school policy for issuing a grade of Incomplete. However the Incomplete must be resolved at JJC prior to the beginning of the next semester. If students wish to enroll in a sequenced course, such as English 102, an Incomplete in the prerequisite course must be resolved prior to registration by the Office of Dual Credit. Reasons for Dropping: What If I Want to Drop a Course? A student may decide that dual credit is not working out after beginning a course. If the student is not earning a grade of C or better by midterm and is unlikely to raise the grade, it is time to consider a withdrawal. Withdrawals are facilitated by the high school teachers and completed in the Office of Dual Credit, listed above. If the student withdraws prior to the Midterm date, the student is deleted from the course. After the midterm date, the student receives a W on the JJC transcript. Midterm dates can be obtained through instructors. Dual credit instructors also have the correct forms and directions for withdrawing a student. Deadlines are critical! Process of Dropping: The high school teacher will monitor student success in dual credit courses and may initiate a withdrawal when a student is failing, excessively absent, or missing work. However, the student should check to ensure that the teacher completed the withdrawal paperwork. The teacher completes the form, and the Office of Dual Credit processes the withdrawal. Students may contact the office directly if they wish further information or have an emergency situation. What Happens If I Fail a Dual Credit Course? Failing a dual credit course has a serious impact on three areas: the JJC transcript and GPA, future financial aid, and further dual credit. Students are advised to monitor their own progress, withdraw from a course if necessary, and choose wisely to avoid future problems.
P a g e 15 JJC Transcript and GPA: Dual credit courses appear on an official JJC transcript and are not identified separately. Therefore, recipients of the transcript, such as transfer colleges, only see the college work. Like most colleges, JJC uses a 4-point grading scale, no weighted grades, letter grades without plusses or minuses, and standard credit hours. A grade of C in a course receives 2 points, and any Grade Point Average (GPA) below a 2.0 is cause for serious concern. A low GPA affects future college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid. A student with a low GPA may be placed on probation or kept from reenrolling in some colleges. Impact on Future Financial Aid: Financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans, is awarded to students after calculations of merit, need, and academic success. Failing grades and withdrawals from college courses weigh heavily in restricting and withdrawing financial aid. Financial aid awards have become more and more regulated to ensure that funds are going to students who will set academic goals (seek a degree), persist (not withdraw), and succeed in completing the goal in a timely manner. Impact on Further Dual Credit: Students enrolled in dual credit who do not earn a grade of C or better will not be allowed to enroll in additional dual credit courses. These students are placed on Academic Caution. Academic Summary: How Do I Obtain My JJC Records? Dual Credit students should become familiar with all the tools available through eresources, the secured portion of the JJC Website that allows access to individual records. One of these records is the Academic Summary, an informal list of courses earned, grades, placement scores, and other valuable information. To access e-resources, go to the JJC Website at www.jjc.edu and follow these steps. 1. Pull down the Tools menu in the upper right corner. Click on eresources. 2. Log in for access to your personal information. Use your JJC user name and password. If you need help with your user name and password, use the link to the left.
P a g e 16 JJC Login ID/Username/Password Help 3. A wide range of links will be available for you to obtain information. The Academic Summary appears in the second column under Student Academic Profile. Semester Grades: JJC instructors post grades electronically within 72 hours after the official end date of a course, and they become available through eresources. The link is immediately below the Academic Summary link. Paper grade reports are not sent to JJC students. Official Transcripts: Students may use the link at the bottom of the Student Academic Profile to access the site for ordering official transcripts. Transcripts may be ordered and sent to transfer colleges at any time. Students may request a delay until final grades are in. Students may also wish to have a copy sent to their home address, but official transcripts must arrive at transfer colleges in their original sealed envelope. Students may also access the link to ordering a transcript directly from the JJC Website for Dual Credit at http://www.jjc.edu/dual-credit/pages/students.aspx. How Do I Matriculate to JJC? Dual Credit students wishing to matriculate to JJC after high school must apply as a New Student to matriculate to JJC. To enter Dual Credit classes while in high school, students completed a special short-form application and received a permanent JJC ID number, but they
P a g e 17 must reapply using the longer form to enroll in JJC classes, apply for financial aid, and participate in the New Student Orientation. Clicking on the New Student link for full-time or downloading the.pdf file for Full-time New Student Steps will detail the process for entering JJC. The basic steps are as follows: 1. Complete the full-length JJC Application. 2. Access your Student ID# and password. It is the same as you had in high school. 3. Apply for financial aid and scholarships through the JJC links on the Website. 4. Take ACT COMPASS or submit ACT scores to JJC if you haven t already. 5. View the New Student Information Presentation online. 6. Attend the New Student Orientation on the date and time assigned to you at the end of the online presentation. New Student Links for matriculating to JJC (fulltime or part-time) after high school. Dual Credit Admissions Link for high school students only. Where Can I Take JJC Dual Credit Classes? JJC currently offers a variety of Dual Credit classes at the following high schools and career centers. Information on the current offerings by school is available on the JJC Website at http://www.jjc.edu/dual-credit/pages/dualcreditlocations.aspx. Since the course offerings at each school differ, interested students should check with their high school counselors.
P a g e 18 Participating High s and Area Career Centers: Bolingbrook High Coal City High Dwight High Gardner South Wilmington High Grundy Area Vocational Center Joliet Catholic Academy Joliet Central High Joliet West High Lemont High Lincoln-Way Central High Lincoln-Way East High Lincoln-Way North High Lincoln-Way West High Lockport East High Minooka Central High Morris Community High Plainfield Central High Plainfield East High Plainfield North High Plainfield South High Reed-Custer High Romeoville High Seneca High Wilco Area Career Center Wilmington High
P a g e 19 Office of Dual Credit Joliet Junior College Main Campus Room C2019 1215 Houbolt Road Joliet, Illinois 60431-8938 Telephone: 815-280-6927 FAX: 815-280-6930 E-mail: OfficeOfDualCredit@jjc.edu