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High School Dual Credit

Dual credit is an opportunity for eligible high school juniors and seniors to enroll in courses at ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ and earn credits toward their post-secondary degree while completing their high school graduation requirements.

Dual credit coursework is available to qualified high school students in grades 11-12 at the rate of $50.85* per credit, plus any required textbooks or related course materials. That compares to about $300 per credit for non-high school students currently attending ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ.

*Subject to change

Admission Requirements and Application 

High school juniors and seniors within South Dakota are eligible to participate in the dual credit program if they meet any of the following requirements:

  1. High school junior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meets one of the following requirements:
    1. earn an ACT composite score of 24 reflective of the 70th percentile.
    2. rank in upper one-third of their graduating class.
    3. earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale.

OR

  1. High school senior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meets one of the following requirements:
    1. earn an ACT composite score of 21 reflective of the 50th percentile.
    2. rank in the upper one-half of their graduating class.
    3. earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.

OR

  1. High School junior or senior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota meeting Undergraduate admissions requirements:
    1. ACT score of 18 (or 21 for USD and SDSMT); and
    2. Successful completion of coursework Requirements:
      1. Four Years of English
      2. Three years of advanced mathematics
      3. Three years of laboratory science
      4. Three years of social studies
      5. One year of fine arts

OR

  1. High School junior or senior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meet the benchmark scores on one of the assessments listed below:
    1. Smarter Balanced – Score Level 3 or higher on the English Language Arts AND Mathematics 11th Grade Assessments.
    2. PreACT Exam Composite Score of 24 or higher
    3. ACCUPLACER Next Generation (QAS - Score 255 or higher AND Writing Score 263 or higher)

To apply, visit the .

Home School students will need to complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Dakota Department of Education. Complete the MOU.


Course Planning

Students wishing to take Math or English courses must meet the ACT requirements or successfully complete a placement exam. Refer to the links below for placement tables:

If a student has not taken the ACT, the College Board Accuplacer is then used to determine their placement into English 101 or Math 114. Please visit the Academic Testing Center for more information about the Accuplacer or to schedule an appointment to take the exam.

Students must meet major requirements in addition to general education requirements. Students should consult the dual credit coordinator and reference the Academic Advising Guide Sheets to determine the appropriate general education requirements for their specific major.

Students are able to choose from a number of on-campus and online general education courses.

Dual credit courses are offered by South Dakota State University’s world renowned faculty members and follow ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ’s processes for admissions, registration, billing and grade reporting.

Dual Credit Courses

What General Education courses should I take?

Based on the student’s desired area of study, ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ has identified five options that will guide them in choosing the courses that will help them get started on their chosen academic path.

Majors in this option offer a wide range of degree programs aimed at preparing graduates to meet the many challenges of feeding and sustaining a rapidly growing global population.

Examples of careers in this option include:

Careers
  • Soil conservationist
  • Wildlife biologist
  • Dairy product development specialist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Livestock nutritionist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Applied research and product development
  • Drug discovery
  • Patient attorney
  • Medical doctor
  • Toxicology
  • Industrial chemist
  • Chemical information management specialist
  • Quality control/quality assurance
  • Pharmaceutical sales
  • Environmental health

The list of majors in this option can be viewed below. Find advising guide sheets.

Majors
  • Agricultural science
  • Agronomy
  • Animal science
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Dairy manufacturing
  • Dairy production
  • Ecology and environmental science
  • Food science
  • Geographic information sciences
  • Geography
  • Horticulture
  • Microbiology
  • Natural resource law enforcement
  • Physics
  • Pre-veterinary medicine
  • Rangeland ecology and management
  • Wildlife and fisheries sciences

Suggested general education courses

If the student is considering a major in this option, the following general education courses are suggested.

Note that general education courses vary by academic program. Consult the advising guide regarding the program of interest, talk with a high school guidance counselor, or contact Continuing and Distance Education by email or at 605-688-4154 to determine which courses would be the best fit.

System General Education Requirements (SGRS)Courses
SGR Goal 1 Written CommunicationENGL 101 Composition I**; and ENGL 201 Composition II
SGR Goal 2 Oral CommunicationCMST 101 Foundations of Communication
SGR Goal 3 Social SciencesStudent Choice
SGR Goal 4 Arts and HumanitiesStudent Choice
SGR Goal 5 MathematicsMATH 114 College Algebra**
SGR Goal 6 Natural SciencesBIOL 101/101L Biology Survey I and Lab; or
BIOL 151/151L General Biology I and Lab;
CHEM 106/106L Chemistry Survey and Lab; or
CHEM 112/112L General Chemistry I and Lab;
GEOG 131/131L Physical Geography: Weather and Climate and Lab; or
GEOG 132/132L Physical Geography: Natural Landscapes and Lab;
PHYS 101/101L Survey of Physics and Lab; or
PHYS 111/111L Introduction to Physics I and Lab

** Enrollment based on placement

Majors in this option offer a wide range of degree programs aimed at preparing graduates to meet the many challenges of feeding and sustaining a rapidly growing global population.

Examples of careers in this option include:

  • soil conservationist
  • wildlife biologist
  • dairy product development specialist
  • biotechnologist
  • livestock nutritionist
  • forensic scientist
  • applied research and product development
  • drug discovery

The list of majors in this option can be viewed below. Find advising guide sheets.

Majors
  • Agricultural and resource economics
  • Agricultural business
  • Agricultural education, communication and leadership
  • Apparel merchandising
  • Consumer affairs
  • Early childhood education
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurial studies
  • Family and consumer sciences education
  • Global studies
  • Hospitality management
  • Human development and family studies
  • Interdisciplinary studies
  • Physical education teacher education
  • Political science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Sport, recreation and park management

Suggested general education courses

If the student is considering a major in this option, the following general education courses are suggested.

Note that general education courses vary by academic program. Consult the advising guide regarding the program of interest, talk with a high school guidance counselor, or contact Continuing and Distance Education by email or at 605-688-4154 to determine which courses would be the best fit.

System General Education Requirements (SGRS)Courses
SGR Goal 1 Written CommunicationENGL 101 Composition I**; and
ENGL 201 Composition II
SGR Goal 2 Oral CommunicationCMST 101 Foundations of Communication
SGR Goal 3 Social Sciences
Economics/Business Focus
Teacher Education Focus
Social Sciences Focus
ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics; or
ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics
HDFS 210 Lifespan Development
PSYC 101 General Psychology; or
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology; or
POLS 100 American Government;
or GLST 201 Global Studies I
SGR Goal 4 Arts and HumanitiesStudent Choice
SGR Goal 5 MathematicsMATH 114 College Algebra**
SGR Goal 6 Natural SciencesStudent Choice

** Enrollment based on placement

Ready for a rewarding career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)? We prepare our students for the future through a rigorous, practical education focused on problem-solving in one of many STEM majors.

Students can also enhance their degree with many options for real-life work experience right here in Brookings or nearby. Most of our students complete part-time work in their major before graduation at nearby engineering and manufacturing companies who are eager to hire our students and graduates.

Examples of careers in this option include:

  • Mechanical engineer
  • Electrical engineer
  • Civil engineer
  • Agricultural and biosystems engineer
  • Software engineer
  • Computer programmer
  • Data scientist
  • Actuary
  • Electronic engineering technician
  • Operations manager
  • Construction manager
  • Precision agriculture technician

The list of majors in this option can be viewed below. Find advising guide sheets.

  • Agricultural and biosystems engineering
  • Civil engineering
  • Computer science
  • Construction management
  • Data science
  • Electrical engineering
  • Electronics engineering technology
  • Operations Mm
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical engineering

Suggested general education courses

If the student is considering a major in this option, the following general education courses are suggested.

Note that general education courses vary by academic program. Consult the advising guide regarding the program of interest, talk with a high school guidance counselor, or contact Continuing and Distance Education by email or at 605-688-4154 to determine which courses would be the best fit.

System General Education Requirements (SGRS)Courses
SGR Goal 1 Written CommunicationENGL 101 Composition I*; and
ENGL 201 Composition II; or
ENGL 277 Technical Writing in Engineering
SGR Goal 2 Oral CommunicationCMST 101 Foundations of Communication
SGR Goal 3 Social SciencesECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics
SGR Goal 4 Arts and HumanitiesStudent Choice
SGR Goal 5 MathematicsMATH*
SGR Goal 6 Natural SciencesCHEM 106/106L Chemistry Survey and Lab**; or
CHEM 112/112L General Chemistry I and Lab**;
PHYS 111/111L Introduction to Physics I and Lab**; or
PHYS 211/211L University Physics I and Lab**

* Enrollment based on placement
** Course selection depends on selection of major. Please contact Alaina Corgard for more information.

The Health Science option provides undergraduate programs in Athletic Training, Nutrition and Dietetics, Exercise Science, Health Education and Physical Education. The integration of academic programs, which focus on nutrition, health, recreation, exercise and human performance, provides students and faculty with unique opportunities to collaborate and to promote interaction among students in different majors with a common focus on promoting health through proper nutrition and physical activity.

Examples of careers in this option include:

  • Athletic trainer
  • Dietetic technician
  • Medical lab technician
  • Nurse 
  • Pharmacist

The list of majors in this option can be viewed below. Find advising guide sheets.

  • Athletic training
  • Exercise science
  • Health education
  • Medical laboratory science
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition and dietetics
  • Pharmacy
  • Pre-professional interest areas

Suggested general education courses

If the student is considering a major in this option, the following general education courses are suggested.

Note that general education courses vary by academic program. Consult the advising guide regarding the program of interest, talk with a high school guidance counselor, or contact Continuing and Distance Education by email or at 605-688-4154 to determine which courses would be the best fit.

System General Education Requirements (SGRS)Courses
SGR Goal 1 Written CommunicationENGL 101 Composition I**; and
ENGL 201 Composition II
SGR Goal 2 Oral CommunicationCMST 101 Foundations of Communication
SGR Goal 3 Social SciencesHDFS 210 Lifespan Development; or
PSYC 101 General Psychology
SGR Goal 4 Arts and HumanitiesStudent Choice
SGR Goal 5 MathematicsMATH 114 College Algebra
SGR Goal 6 Natural SciencesBIOL 151/151L General Biology I and Lab;
CHEM 106/106L Chemistry Survey and Lab; or
CHEM 112/112L General Chemistry I and Lab;

** Enrollment based on placement

 Students in the majors in this option will be provided the intellectual fabric and foundation for transforming student passion and creativity into a lifetime of discovery and opportunities for success. Students thrive in an atmosphere of engaged teaching and learning, interdisciplinary research and partnerships in meaningful service.

Examples of careers in this option include:

  • Photographer
  • Interior designer
  • Publisher
  • Graphic designer
  • Architect
  • Translator
  • Broadcast journalist
  • Museum curator
  • Musician
  • Stage Manager

The list of majors in this option can be viewed below. Find advising guide sheets.

Majors
  • Advertising
  • American Indian studies
  • Architecture
  • English
  • French studies
  • German
  • Graphic design
  • History and history education
  • Interdisciplinary studies
  • Interior design
  • Journalism
  • Landscape architecture
  • Music and music education
  • Spanish
  • Speech communication
  • Studio arts and art education
  • Theatre

Suggested general education courses

If the student is considering a major in this option, the following general education courses are suggested.

Note that general education courses vary by academic program. Consult the advising guide regarding the program of interest, talk with a high school guidance counselor, or contact Continuing and Distance Education by email or at 605-688-4154 to determine which courses would be the best fit.

System General Education Requirements (SGRS)Courses
SGR Goal 1 Written CommunicationENGL 101 Composition I; and
ENGL 201 Composition II; or
ENGL 283 Introduction to Creative Writing
SGR Goal 2 Oral CommunicationCMST 101 Foundations of Communication
SGR Goal 3 Social SciencesStudent Choice
SGR Goal 4 Arts and HumanitiesART 111 Drawing I; or
ARTH 100 Art Appreciation; or
HIST 111 World Civilizations I; or
HIST 121 Western Civilization I; or
MCOM 151 Introduction to Mass Communication;
MUS 100 Music Appreciation; or
THEA 100 Introduction to Theatre
SGR Goal 5 MathematicsMATH 114 College Algebra; or
MATH 103 Mathematical Reasoning
SGR Goal 6 Natural SciencesStudent Choice

** Enrollment based on placement

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