How do I know if dual credit is for me? Typically, if you are  successful in regular and/or Pre-AP core courses with As and Bs, then you are usually able to handle dual credit courses. A good gauge for success is your CCMR status. If you have earned college-level scores on the SAT, TSI or ACT, you should succeed in dual credit. Please click here for more information on CCMR scores. 

How do I get high school credit for the class? HCC issues letter grades, whereas FBISD issues numerical grades. These letter grades are translated to the following for your high school transcript: 

• A = 96
• B = 86
• C = 76
• D = 70
• F = 59

In addition, ten points will be added to the dual credit grade to determine the student's Ridge Point GPA, similar to the AP GPA boost. 

Are there consequences for poor grades? There are consequences on both the high school and the college side. If you earn a D in a dual credit course, you will receive high school credit (70). You will also be removed from the class for the second semester; for instance, if you earn a D in ENGL 1301 in the fall, you will not be allowed to take ENGL 1302 in the spring and will be moved to on-level ENGL IV. 

The D will also remain on your HCC transcript and will be calculated into your HCC GPA as 1.0. Very few four-year universities will accept a D from a community college, and you will be required to retake the class. 

How do I get college credit for the class? For classes taken at Ridge Point, when the class ends the grade will go on both your Ridge Point and your HCC transcript. If you take an approved dual credit class during the summer or on your own time during the fall or spring, HCC will email your grades to RPHS, and we will place them on your RPHS transcript. 

When you apply to college, you can send them your HCC transcript to ensure you receive credit for your class. If you're going to college in Texas, you can see which HCC classes will transfer to your college of choice by utilizing the online TCCNS tool. 

Who can sign up for dual credit classes offered at RPHS during the school year? RPHS students in all grades can enroll in dual credit classes that they are eligible for and if they meet all requirements for enrollment. For instance, any student can take dual credit German but only seniors can take dual credit Economics or College Algebra. Please see the dual credit crosswalk for more details. 

How do I sign up for classes? Please click here for the Summer 2025/Fall 2025/Spring 2026 enrollment process.

How much does a dual credit course cost? Students who live within the HCC taxing district can take dual credit classes at no charge. Students who live outside of the taxing district will pay $65. All students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks. Students who drop a dual credit course after the posted drop date will be charged a $15 withdrawal fee by HCC.

Do I have to take a standardized test before I can take a dual credit class? Students with less than 15 college credit hours are not considered degree-seeking, and no longer have to take a TSI or an SAT before they can enroll in dual credit. However, it is recommended that students enroll in dual credit if they have demonstrated college readiness through their SAT, ACT or TSI scores. Following are the recommended scores that students should earn before enrolling:

English-based classes: ENGL 1301 and 1302, HIST 1301 and 1302, GOVT 2305, ECON 2301, PSYC 2301, SOCI 1301, SGNL 1401 and 1402, GERM 1411 and 1412, SPCH 1315, EDUC 1300 and COSC 1436

• SAT: EBRW 480
• ACT: Reading & Writing (combined): 40
• TSI: 945+5 essay, or 910-944+5 essay+5 diagnostic

Math-based classes: ECON 2301, MATH 1314

• SAT: Math 530
• ACT: Math 22
• TSI: Math 950, or 910-949+6 diagnostic

Can I take extra HCC credit courses even if it is not going to be on my high school transcript or considered for my high school GPA? Yes, these courses are considered "concurrent credit courses." Students do have to pay the full tuition for concurrent credit courses and will take them on their own time. If they are not on the approved dual credit crosswalk and your taking them is not approved in advance, you will NOT receive RPHS credit for them (but you will receive college credit).

What is a benefit of taking dual credit courses both semesters instead of just one? College courses are contained in one semester. However, senior English IV consists of two one-semester classes, ENGL 1301 (fall) and ENGL 1302 (spring). The same thing applies for U.S. History. Students will take HIST 1301 in the Fall and HIST 1302 in the Spring during their Junior year. Students taking College Algebra will take a prep class at RPHS in the fall and MATH 1314 in the spring at RPHS with the same instructor. 

How long are the DC courses in the summer? When do they start and end? Please click here for the HCC academic calendar. 

How many DC classes can I take during the summer? There is a maximum of two summer courses allowed in the summer, per FBISD and HCC guidelines. The May/June minimester is considered part of the summer. 

Can parents have a conference with the HCC dual credit instructor? As this is a college class, students need to have a FERPA waiver on file with HCC before instructors can share information or education records with anyone, including parents. Please click here to download the HCC FERPA waiver. 

Do I need a meningitis shot before I can take dual credit courses? Future and returning students who are under the age of 22 and plan to enroll in in-person or hybrid classes at an HCC campus must submit a Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification form before they can start classes. Please click here to download the HCC meningitis form. Dual credit students who are taking classes online or on the Ridge Point campus do not have to submit proof of a vaccination.