HIgh School Dual Credit
High School Dual Credit (HSDC) courses give high school students who meet admissions standards the opportunity to enroll in public technical colleges and universities in South Dakota while still in high school. Students taking HSDC courses simultaneously earn credits for both their high school diploma and college degree or certificate.
Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to start your college career before high school graduation - saving you time and money!
High school juniors and seniors in South Dakota receive a special discount for dual credit courses; paying only one-half of the cost on an already reduced credit hour rate thanks to a program approved by the South Dakota Legislature. That’s a deal compared to the typical cost of about $200 per credit at the state’s four technical colleges and $300 per credit at the state’s public universities.
Benefits of Dual Credit:
- Save time by earning college credit in high school that you can apply towards a college certificate or degree.
- Save money during your junior and senior year in high school with a majorly discounted tuition rate.
- Gain experience, confidence, and motivation for college early on.
- Get access to free college resources such as the library, email, and tutoring services. (Access to wellness centers, sporting events, and other student activities vary amongst institutions.)
Dual Credit Things To Know:
- High school students are also college students when they take dual credit and are held to the same expectations and standards as other college students.
- Students taking dual credit courses are admitted, billed, and graded through the colleges’ policies and procedures.
- Students are responsible to pay $78.48 per credit hour, which is one-half of the reduced rate of the course as established by the Board of Regents in its Tuition and Fee Schedule, plus any required textbooks and materials.
- Dual credit course grades become part of the students’ permanent high school and college records.
Dual Credit Courses
Students can choose from a number of on-campus and online HSDC classes.
It is highly recommended that students contact a university or technical college admissions representative to advise on which dual credit courses they should take.
Apply Today
Students should work directly with their school counselor to register for HSDC courses. This helps to ensure that all high school requirements are being met. Each college has its own registration form, and students should work with their local school contact to complete the necessary paperwork.
Public University HSDC Application
Technical College HSDC Application
Dates and Deadlines:
Summer 2025 Term
Fall 2025 Term
Spring 2026 Term
Summer 2026 Term
Coming Soon! Fast Track Admission
Fast Track Admission is a new pilot program in South Dakota that simplifies the college application process for SD public universities based on students’ academic achievements. Currently only the Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, and Spearfish School Districts are participating in the pilot. However, starting April 2026, junior students statewide who are applying for High School Dual Enrollment coursework will have the opportunity to activate their Fast Track Admission by selecting their universities of interest directly within the application. Students who activate their Fast Track will not need to complete a traditional admissions application for the universities they selected.
Learn More about Fast Track Admission
SD Public University Dual Credit Advisory Tools
All HSDC courses offered by the South Dakota Board of Regents are part of the general education curriculum required for any degree program in the system. The term “general education” consists of required coursework (30 credit hours in total) that helps students build foundational skills across a spectrum of topics necessary for success in any career. If you are looking to graduate college faster, it’s a good idea to focus on taking only the HSDC courses that are necessary to complete your degree. Find HSDC coursework suggestions based on your interests in the advisory tools below.
Business & Management Track
Education & Social Sciences Track
Engineering, Math & Technology Track
Health Sciences Track
Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Track
Natural Sciences & Agriculture Track
See how dual credit helps you earn a credential
Take HSDC from a SD Public University? Visit our DegreeWorks audit tool (login with university email) to see how your courses satisfy requirements toward a credential. If you are enrolled in a Gateway Certificate, you will be able to see your progress toward the credential, and which courses you still need to take. You can also use the “What If” feature to see your progress toward the various degrees offered by the universities.
Take HSDC from a non-SD Public University? Visit “Transfer SD” to see how those course credits will transfer.
Access Degree Audit ToolNEW! Gateway Certificates
Earn an Undergraduate Certificate through High School Dual Credit
Students can take the first steps toward rewarding careers at a fraction of the price. Designed to help high school students explore careers in a meaningful way, Gateway Certificates includes 3-4 courses geared toward career pathways, including discipline-specific and relevant general education courses. Upon completion, the certificate credential appears on the students South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) transcript. (While Gateway Certificates are geared toward High School Dual Credit students, these certificates are available to all students at South Dakota public universities.)
Available Certificate Programs:
- Gateway to Teaching
- Gateway to Agriculture
- Gateway to Business
- Gateway to Engineering
- Gateway to Architecture & Construction
- Gateway to Digital Technology
- Gateway to Health Sciences
- Gateway to STEM
If a student is interested in pursuing any of the above certificates, their school counselor should indicate that certificate on the student’s HSDC application so it can be added to their record. Completed certificates will result in a credential on the student’s regental postsecondary transcript.
Certificate Programs Coming Soon:
- Gateway to Career Essentials
- Certificate in Civic Traditions
- Basic French Language Proficiency Certificate
- Basic German Language Proficiency Certificate
- Basic Spanish Language Proficiency Certificate
Frequently asked questions
1. What is High School Dual Credit (HSDC)?
2. What is the reduced tuition rate for HSDC and who is eligible for it?
3. What are the admissions requirements for HSDC?
4. Are there other ways to qualify for HSDC besides GPA, ACT score or class rank?
5. How is the HSDC course credit recorded?
6. How will a school district determine how HDSC coursework will apply toward a high school diploma?
7. How many HSDC courses may a student take?
8. What are some things a student should consider before applying for HSDC?
9. Will the HSDC course credits transfer to any college?
10. What if the student fails or withdraws from a HSDC course?
11. Can a student drop a HSDC course if they get part way into the semester and realize they are having difficulties?
12. Can HSDC courses be used to enhance high school CTE programs?
13. How can a home school student participate in the HSDC program?
Calling Juniors and Seniors!
Are you interested in going to college but need additional support to be successful in college-level math coursework? Consider taking our Year-Long College Algebra Course. This course is taken in two consecutive semesters, both taught by the same teacher through the Northern State University E-Learning Center.
1st Semester: College Algebra Prep
2nd Semester: HSDC College Algebra (MATH 114)
Full scholarships for HSDC tuition and books are available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch or are first-generation college students.
Learn MoreParticipating Institutions | Contact Information
SD Technical Colleges
Lake Area Technical College
Mitchell Technical College
Southeast Technical College
Western Dakota Technical College
SD Board of Regents Universities
Black Hills State University
Dakota State University
Northern State University
South Dakota Mines
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Related Resources
Crosswalk of HSDC Courses to Graduation Requirements
CTE Pathway Dual Credit Courses
College Readiness Coursework
Advanced Placement (AP)
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
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