Dual Credit Learning Format Options

OTC Dual Credit offers three learning formats: seated, live virtual, and online.

A seated format means students receive instruction from an approved high school instructor as part of their school day. Typically, this type of instruction is in-person and taught at the high school location. The subjects available for seated classes depend upon the credentials of each high school instructor and accreditation standards.

A live virtual course format means students receive instruction with a live OTC instructor via Zoom, during designated, weekly class times. Classes may be offered seated at the high school location, or online.

Online courses mean students receive instruction from an OTC instructor and participate in class with other college students of various ages. This type of instruction only exists in the online format. Many area high schools offer this option for high school students to complete in a computer lab as part of the school day. The subjects available for online classes at the discounted dual credit rate are limited to a specific class list, provided within step four of the dual credit admission steps and checklist.

Contact the high school for course format and subject options with OTC Dual Credit.

Homeschool families are welcome to pursue the online option without contacting a high school.

Expectations and Policies

Students enrolled in dual credit are college students. The expectations outlined below assist students with how to navigate college before high school graduation.

In college, FERPA states educational rights are limited solely to the student, no matter the student’s age. Meaning, we cannot disclose student information to parents, even when students are minors. Students are encouraged to contact OTC directly.

Therefore, OTC expects dual credit students to act like college students, perform at the college level, and be responsible for their own education. The college-level expectations include regular attendance, active class participation, meeting class objectives and deadlines, and seeking academic help through the resources like the tutoring center. Additionally, students are encouraged to use and respond to their myOTC portal email, especially to contact their course instructor directly when a concern or questions relevant to class arises.

Students who are unable to actively participate in online class(es), are withdrawn from class(es) for non-participation.

OTC Dual Credit students follow OTC’s Academic Calendar. For example, when a student’s high school is closed and OTC is open, the student’s assignments for their online course are still due before the deadline.

Students and parents should carefully review the Important Online Dual Credit Information, How to be a Successful Online Learner, and the Student Handbook before deciding to pursue online classes. Additionally, students should complete the Guided Self-Placement Tool to determine which English and math classes are right for them prior to enrollment. Making an informed and wise decision about placement is important. For more information about why we use this tool as an alternative to tests like the ACT, visit the Guided Self-Placement Overview.

The limited list of online class subjects, for the discounted dual credit price, is provided on the course options page.

Accreditation and Transferring Credit

OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommision.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status can be viewed here.

OTC participates in the CORE 42 Transfer Guarantee program. Most courses are offered through OTC Dual Credit transfer to other public institutions in the state. The few courses that are not CORE 42, are noted in the class list within the admission steps. Math courses with a CORE 42 prerequisite (MTH 131 & MTH 140) will satisfy the math general education credit portion of CORE 42, but may not directly transfer to all four-year universities like other CORE 42 courses. Non-CORE 42 courses still have transfer agreements with other colleges and universities. Students are responsible for consulting with other college institutions about transfer policies. For more about these topics, visit documents and links.

Course Materials

Contact your high school to determine if course materials are provided or paid for by the district.

For seated courses, with an approved high school instructor, please contact the course instructor at the high school.

For online courses, with an OTC instructor, students can find approximate course materials costs via the online class list prior to enrollment. Course materials information is provided within the enrolled student’s myOTC account after enrollment or in the course syllabus just before the OTC class begins.

Parents and students may search for course materials information through the OTC Bookstore, at any time. Learn more about OTC’s AutoAccess program, for any courses with “AutoAccess” listed.

Scholarships

OTC has three types of Scholarship Opportunities for Students in Dual Credit: 

1. Scholarships – Must Apply During the Enrollment Process  
2. Scholarships – Must Apply After the Dual Credit Class Begins and the Deadline
3. Scholarships – After High School Graduation

Please read more about each option below.

Scholarships – Must Apply During the Enrollment Steps 

• Students with a financial need can apply for assistance with the cost of their dual credit class(es) via the Marion Bissett Hoblit Scholarship. Examples of financial need may include a recent job loss of a primary caretaker, recent medical expenses to the student or immediate family member, and/or for students on free and reduced lunch at their high school.
• The scholarship opportunity is competitive and limited to available funds each semester. The scholarship typically covers the cost of 11 to 19 course enrollments each semester. Therefore, students and families with financial needs are encouraged to apply and make plans to cover costs if the student is not selected to receive funds.
• Students (1) must apply for the scholarship, (2) during the enrollment window, (3) via the hyperlink provided to partnering high schools, and (4) successfully complete their course(s) in order for funds from the scholarship to apply toward their account.
• Those who apply will continue to receive payment reminders until all balances are paid in full.
• All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application, after the enrollment window closes, via the email address(es) provided during the enrollment process.
• Students able to pay their dual credit account, but then encounter a financial need afterward can contact us via dualcredit@otc.edu for additional resources.

Scholarships – Must Apply After the Dual Credit Class Begins and Before the Deadline

• OTC is an approved institution for the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s (MDHE) Dual Enrollment Scholarship!
• See more about student eligibility, reimbursement amounts, application, and application deadlines within this link: https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants/dcdeforstudents.htm
• Further questions about this option can be directed to MDHE or financialaid@otc.edu

Scholarships – After High School Graduation 

• Ozarks Technical Community College offers the High School Programs Transition Scholarship to students who earned college credit in any of OTC’s programs for high school students.
• See more about this scholarship, including student eligibility and award amounts under the High School Programs Transition scholarship section, and deadlines to apply at the top.
• See how to apply and the deadlines for this scholarship at the top of the same page or follow these steps.
• If a student is eligible for the A+ scholarship and receives A+ dollars, the A+ scholarship would pay first. In other words, this scholarship would not be needed.
• Students would only be responsible for the cost of course materials and any associated fees. If they are out-of-district and/or take a Tier II course, students will have to pay the difference in tuition in addition to course materials and associated fees.
• If you have questions about the High School Transition Scholarship or the FAFSA contact financialaid@otc.edu.

Costs & Payment

 

Costs

Remember, OTC Dual Credit is the most inexpensive option in the area and credits transfer well to other colleges! OTC Dual Credit courses cost half as much as our dual credit competitors and 80% off regular course rates at OTC.

All dual credit classes are $55 a credit hour! Course Options by School Partner lists the cost of each course option offered at each high school. The approximate cost of course materials costs for online classes only is provided under Course Materials.

A registration fee can occur by a third party if the parent consenting to the student’s enrollment selects the payment option with a fee during the enrollment process.

Contact your high school to determine if costs are paid by the district or if the student and their families are responsible for payment. Students and families and responsible for payment with the majority of our school partners.

 

Payment 

Payments made during the DualEnroll enrollment process are the easiest for families. Parents are strongly encouraged to select a ‘Pay Now’ option while providing their consent via email from DualEnroll. 

Any remaining balance must be paid outside of DualEnroll, online only and via the student’s myOTC account, and during the payment window to avoid penalty. Parties with a remaining balance receive an electronic communication to the student’s myOTC email account, from ‘Nelnet Campus Commerce’ with the balance and directions to make payment.

Resources to assist with student’s myOTC login are available. Questions about remaining balances and payments should be directed to dualcreditpayments@otc.edu

 

How to Enroll – Add Class(es)

 

Students should complete the admission steps to register for dual credit courses. 

Course options are listed in the hyperlink near the top of the page.

OTC uses the date of receipt to OTC for completed items. No other dates are used. Students are not enrolled until they receive a “confirmed enrollment” email from dualcredit@otc.edu.   

How to Disenroll – Drop Class(es)

 

We hope students are successful; However, if a student is considering dropping, we highly recommend they first review the drop deadline, refund schedule, the possible impact on financial aid in the section below, as well as discuss high school credits and graduation concerns with the school counselor at school and parents or guardians, before completing the process below.

All college credit activity is evaluated for the purposes of obtaining financial aid for college courses after high school graduation. Meaning, activity in dual credit courses count toward the student’s ability to obtain financial aid for college courses in future semesters. Evaluation for financial aid includes enrollment(s), dropping course(s), and all final letter grades earned. It is important students make an informed decision regarding how dropping a class may impact their financial aid ability before dropping the course. Review the policy on our website before contacting Financial Aid office with any further questions.

The next step would be to contact the high school counselor.

We hope students are successful. However, if a student is considering dropping, we highly recommend they first review the drop deadline, refund schedule, the possible impact on financial aid in the section below, as well as discuss high school credits and graduation concerns with the school counselor at school and parents or guardians, before completing the process below.

All college credit activity is evaluated for the purpose of obtaining financial aid for college courses after high school graduation. Meaning, that activity in dual credit courses counts toward the student’s ability to obtain financial aid for college courses in future semesters. Evaluation for financial aid includes enrollment(s), dropping course(s), and all final letter grades earned. It is important that students make an informed decision regarding how dropping a class may impact their financial aid ability before dropping the course. Review the policy on our website before contacting financialaid@otc.edu office with any further questions.

The school counselor determines if the student is eligible to drop based on their graduation requirements at their high school. Students should request a drop via their DualEnroll account by clicking on the three ellipses next to the class on their registration activity page and selecting the “drop” option. 

College Course Load

The number of classes students take in high school differs from the amount taken in college and the credits for each class differ as well. Most full-time high school students take 7 to 8 high school classes each semester. College students typically take less classes that are worth more credits. Four classes, or 12 college credits, is considered full-time in college. The average full-time college student takes four to five classes, or 12 to 15 credit hours, each semester.

Most first-time college students struggle with the differences in expectations, rigor, time commitment, and the level of independence and responsibility that comes with being in college, as opposed to their high school classes. Dual credit students often have to juggle more than high school and college classes. These students often participate in sports, clubs, and work as well.

Therefore, we recommend students start with two college classes, or 6 credit hours, their first semester. Students can take a maximum of four classes, or 12 credits, each semester. If students successfully complete 4 classes, or 12 college credits, with a 3.0 or higher GPA on their final grades, in a previous semester, they may enroll in 5 classes or 15 credits afterward. For more than five classes, or 15 credits, students will have to submit a time management plan, special permission from their parent and school counselor or principal to dualcredit@otc.edu, prior to enrollment. Students cannot take more than 18 credits in a semester.

23/SP Dates

Date	Range	Type of Dual Credit	Term	Event
12/20/2023		(online, LVL)	16-week/semester	Registration Ends (If Space Existed)/Roster Verification
12/21/2023	1/4/2023	(all)		College Closed: Winter Break
1/13/2023		(online, LVL)	16-week/semester	Canvas Opens for Enrolled Students (Test/Troubleshoot Technology Access)
1/16/2023		(all)		College Closed: Marin Luther King, Jr.
1/17/2023		(online)	16-week/semester	First Day of Spring Classes (Students can start submitting work)
TBA		(online, LVL)	16-week/semester	100% Refund/No Bill
TBA		(online, LVL)	16-week/semester	50% Refund/Partial Bill
TBA		(online)	14-week/late start	100% Refund/No Bill
TBA		(online)	14-week/late start	50% Refund/Partial Bill
1/25/2023		(online)	14-week/late start	Registration Ends (If Space Existed)/Roster Verification
TBA January		(seated/onsite)		Registration Begins for Spring Semester Only
1/27/2023		(online)	14-week/late start	Canvas Opens for Enrolled Students (Test/Troubleshoot Technology Access)
1/30/2023		(online)	14-week/late start	First Day of Spring Classes (Students can start submitting work)
2/8/2023		(seated/onsite)		Registration Ends for Spring Semester Only
2/13/2023		(seated/onsite)		No Refunds/full bill if drop after
2/13/2023		(all)		Scholarship Applications Due
3/13/2023	3/19/2023	(online, LVL)		No Classes: Spring Break
3/14/2023		(online, LVL)		Midterm Grades Available
3/17/2023	3/19/2023	(all)		College Closed: Spring Break
TBA		(online, LVL)		Registration Begins for Fall
TBA		(all)		Payment Window Opens for Unpaid Balance
TBA		(all)		Payment Window Closes for Unpaid Balance
5/5/2023		(all)		Drop: Last day to drop or withdraw, W on transcript
5/15/2023	5/18/2023	(online, LVL)		Final Assessments
5/24/2023		(online, LVL)		Final Grades Available in myOTC
August		(seated/onsite)		Registration Begins for Fall after your school starts

Additional Resources and Information

Enrollment Services:

Contact dualcredit@otc.edu for assistance with enrollment in dual credit courses.

Academic and Learning Support Services:

Students enrolled in one or more OTC dual credit classes have the same access to learning and support resources as any other enrolled student. High school partners may have additional learning and support resources as well.

Visit Dual Credit Documents and Links for other information.