MSU Texas announced its new dual credit program at the quarterly meeting of the MSU Board of Regents. The new program replaces Access MSU and provides more robust course offerings and competitive costs for students seeking to earn college credits that fulfill both their high school graduation and college course requirements.

"We are pleased to partner with school districts to amplify course offerings for high school students. Through affordable dual credit education, students make progress toward a college degree while still in high school. The quality and convenience of our course offerings should be very attractive across our region," said MSU President Suzanne Shipley.

Dual credit programs have flourished in Texas since 2000 with 650 percent growth in the number of students enrolling in programs. The aim of the new initiative builds upon the MSU Texas strategic goal of aggressively pursuing new student populations. Additionally, the program will aid in the state's 60x30TX strategic plan that calls for at least 60 percent of Texans aged 25-34 to earn a degree or certificate by 2030.

Through expanded course offerings and delivery methods, the program will accommodate the unmet need of local and regional school districts and will be available to the majority of school districts in Texas beginning this fall.

Course offerings will include classes in the arts, business, history, humanities, languages and sciences. Delivery methods will be through high school classrooms, MSU campus classrooms, online and interactive television (ITV).

During the board meeting, regents approved a waiver for regular tuition and fee charges to allow for a fixed cost for a school district or student. The charge for a three-hour course will be $250, but could be as low as $100 per course for students attending school districts with scholarship programs. There will be no application fee.

"We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to students. Dual credit courses go a long way toward the completion of a college degree and, ultimately, that is what we want for students in the region and Texas," said MSU Vice President for Enrollment Management Fred Dietz.

A pilot program is currently in progress with the Wichita Falls Independent School District. The School and Society course, offered through MSU's Gordon T. & Ellen West College of Education, is being taught to six high school students through the WFISD Career Education Center.

The University will present information about the dual credit program to parents and students in the Wichita Falls Independent School District from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 26 in Dillard Administration Building, room 189.

To learn more about the dual credit program and admission requirements, visit the msutexas.edu/dual-credit or call the Office of Admissions at 940-397-4343.