Frequently Asked Questions

This is my first time taking dual credit.  How do I apply for dual credit and get registered for classes?

You'll need to do two things: apply online and complete a registration form.

• You can go here to get started with your online application.
• The registration form is available at your high school, so make sure to check in with your counselor to get a copy.  You'll turn it in to your counselor or teacher once you've completed the form.

I've applied online and I've turned in my registration form.  What now?

After completing your applicaiton and registration form, be on the lookout for an email from WCU regarding OneLogin (the email address will be bounce@wmcarey.edu).  The email will include your account information such as your student ID number and will have instructions for setting up your WCU account.

Once you're able to login to your account, some things you should consider exploring include:

• Completing a FERPA form through Indigo Portal.
• Saving your WCU student ID and student email address (these are necessary for your information and courses with WCU).
• Logging into Indigo Portal, Canvas, and other areas to get familiar with the system(s).

If I've already taken dual credit classes from WCU before, do I need to apply online again or fill out another registration form?

You don't have to apply online again, but you will need to fill out another registration form.  For each semester you want to take WCU dual credit courses, you will need to complete a new registration form.

What if I change my mind?  How do I drop a class or withdraw?  Do I need to do anything about my online application?

If you decide that you don't want to take a class you signed up for, then you can drop or withdraw.

What is OneLogin?

OneLogin is a service that allows you to access multiple accounts and resources by logging in once rather than having to log in to each account.  It also helps to protect your accounts and student information through what's called multi-factor authentication (MFA).

If you need to access any WCU accounts, you'll need to setup OneLogin.

How do I setup OneLogin?

After you complete your online application, you'll eventually receive an email containing your WCU student ID, a WCU username and a student email address.  You'll also receive some instructions on setting up your OneLogin account.

There'll also be an authentication app that you'll need to download as part of setting up your account called OneLogin Protect.  After setting up your password, you'll have an option to choose an authentication factor.  Select "OneLogin Protect" to then have a QR code appear on screen.

• You'll need to download OneLogin Protect and either scan the QR code on the computer with your phone or open OneLogin Protect and enter the code that generates manually to complete this step.
• Note: You need to keep the app on your phone to be able to login to your account.  If you delete the app from your phone or if you get a new phone, you'll need to send a helpdesk ticket to request a reset.

What if I don't get an email about OneLogin or have trouble setting up my account?

There are a few things that we can explore to find out what's going on.

• If you haven't received an email about OneLogin and it's been awhile since you applied online or if you are having trouble with MFA, not getting password reset links, or authentication is not working, then you'll need to submit a helpdesk ticket for further assistance from our IT department.

You mentioned OneLogin, but I'm seeing other things like Indigo Portal and Canvas.  What are those for?

OneLogin helps to manage all of your accounts by using the same username and password.  Depending on what you need, you may need to access some of the other accounts available to you.

• Indigo Portal is your student portal while with WCU.  Everything from the FERPA form to transcript requests can be found here.  This is also where you'll go if you want to make payments for classes online or look at the courses you've taken.
• Canvas is a learning management system that WCU uses for classes.  Some classes use this for posting assignments and guides, exams, and more.  Check with your dual credit teacher to find out if they're using WCU Canvas for their class.
• There's also a separate account setup through Outlook for your WCU email address.  Be sure to check it periodically since some emails may be sent to your WCU email such as any statements for payment or invitations for events on campus.

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a Federal law that requires colleges and universities to maintain confidentiality of student education records.  It's through FERPA that schools and colleges work to protect student information.  You can find out more about FEPRA by going here.

Why do I need to know about FERPA?

WCU works to protect your student information and will only share information about a student to the student.  This means that we cannot provide information about you to anyone else including your family such as your parent/guardian.  There's a form that you'll need to fill out to give permission for us to talk to anyone else about your student information.

How do I fill out that form?  Where can I find it?

You can find the form in your Indigo Portal account in the "Forms" tab under Administrative Services.  This will let us know that you've given your consent for us to speak with whoever you list on the form about your student information.

• Examples include your parent or guardian, other family members, or your high school counselor.

How do I pay for dual credit classes?

There are a few ways that you can pay.  You can make payments using any of the following methods:

• You can make payments online through your Indigo Portal account.  It'll be visible in My Ledger, but you'll need to make sure that the term is correct.
• You can stop by our Main campus in Hattiesburg or our Tradition campus in Biloxi to pay in person with our Business Office.

We also offer a "Deferred Payment Plan" if you need to make multiple payments on a class instead of paying in full.  You'll need to contact our Business Office if interested or for more information.

What if my school is paying for my classes?

If your high school or school district has told you that they are paying for your classes, then there's nothing for you to worry about.  We'll be in touch with your high school to handle payment.

How much do dual credit classes cost at WCU?

The current price for dual credit classes is $50 per credit hour.  Most dual credit courses are worth 3 credit hours, so most classes will cost $150.  Lab-based courses (ex. Biology, Chemistry, etc.) and MAT 171: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I are worth 4 credit hours and will cost $200 per class.

What about textbooks?  Are there any other fees?

Textbooks are a separate charge that you may have to pay depending on your school.  Some school districts will cover the cost of your dual credit textbooks or may already have copies ready for you to use.  Be sure to talk with your counselor and dual credit teacher for more information.

As for other fees, the only other fee you'll have is when you're ready to request a transcript.  Official transcript requests cost $11.50 per copy.

Is there anything I need to do after I graduate from high school?

You'll need to request an official WCU transcript to be sent to the college or university you're planning to attend if you want your dual credit courses to count towards your college degree.  You can get to the request page by going through your Indigo Portal account or by going here.

P.S. If you know the college or university you want to go to, check with them to make sure there won't be any issues with transferring your credit.

Does it cost anything to request a transcript?

Yes, it costs $11.50 each time you request a transcript.

I'm trying to request my transcript, but it says that I have a hold on my account.  What's going on?

If you receive anything that says you have a hold on your account while requesting a transcript, then it's likely that we're either missing something for your account or we haven't received payment for some of the classes you took.  Holds will need to be cleared before a transcript request can be fulfilled, so make sure to check with the appropriate offices.

• Business Holds will need to be resolved with our Business Office.
• Admissions-Incomplete holds can be handled through the Office of High School Dual Credit.

I've decided to come to WCU!  Do I need to do anything since I took dual credit classes from WCU?

There are a few things that you'll need to do if you're coming to WCU.  The first is that you'll need to complete a new online application as a New Student since you've graduated from high school.  You can go here for the application.

After that, we'll need some documents from you such as your immunization records and final high school transcript.  You should receive an email letting you know what we'll need, but you can always contact our Admissions office if you have any questions at 601-318-6103 or admissions@wmcarey.edu.

• Note: You do not have to request an official transcript for WCU dual credit classes since we already have them on file.

Are there any additional benefits available to WCU dual credit students after graduating from high school?

WCU dual credit students who have completed a dual credit course are eligible for a one-time $1,000 scholarship.  This scholarship is an add-on scholarship and is one of several that you may be eligible for.  We have an online application for add-on scholarships that you can get to by going here.

If you're curious about other types of scholarships, then there is a page on our website that you can go to for the types of institutional aid.

What does a student need to do to apply for dual credit and register for classes? 

New students will need to complete two things: an online application and a registration form.

• The online application can be accessed from here or by going through the "Apply" tab found below.
• The registration form, meanwhile, can be found in the Dual Credit Procedures Manual.

Returning students, or students who have taken dual credit classes through WCU before, will not need to complete the online application again but will need to complete a new registration form each term.

Is there anything else that they need to do after applying and registering?

If you're planning on using WCU's Canvas for dual credit, then the students will also need to setup their OneLogin accounts.  They should be receiving emails including their WCU student IDs and usernames as well as instructions for setting up their accounts.

• We encourage them to setup their accounts since they'll need to do this for anything from making payments online to filing FERPA forms and more.

What do you need from the school once they apply online and complete their registration forms?

For us to register a student for dual credit, here is what we'll need:

1. Their completed registration form.
2. A copy of their high school transcript showing their current GPA.
   1. Students need to have a 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale to participate.
3. ACT scores either on the transcript or on ACT Score Reports
   1. Students need a Composite score of 20 or higher; if they're wanting to take a dual credit Math course, then they'll also need a specific Math subscore.
   2. For students with an ACT score of 17-19, we can accept an ACT Waiver Letter along with their current ACT score(s).

You can send these to us via email, through the mail to Box #140, or we can make arrangements to collect them in person.

Is there a limit to how many classes a dual credit student can take?

Yes, there is a limit.  Students can earn up to a total of 29 credit hours through WCU's dual credit program, and they can take up to a maximum of 13 credit hours in a single term/semester.

Note: This is a limit for just WCU dual credit.  If a student has the choice to take dual credit classes through another college or university or if they want to consider taking classes through our Step-Ahead program, then those are separate from dual credit and unaffected by the 29 credit hour limit.

As a teacher, how will I know that each student has been successfully registered?

Once registration is complete for a class, a verification roster will be sent to ensure that the roster matches the high school records.  Teachers and counselors will be able to make changes to the verification roster; the roster(s) will need to be signed and returned to WCU for confirmation.

Note: WCU will need copies of the high school class rosters alongside the students' registration paperwork to ensure accuracy.

If a student decides to drop or withdraw from a class, what does WCU need?

WCU will need one of two forms completed: either a drop form or a withdrawal form.  It will need to be filled out and signed by the student before being sent to our department for processing.

What's the difference between a drop form and a withdrawal form?  When should we use which one?

• A drop form is used when a student has decided to drop a course or several courses but will still be registered for at least one WCU dual credit course after dropping.
• A withdrawal form is used for students who are only registered for one class and are choosing to drop the course or if a students wishes to drop from every WCU dual credit course they are taking.  After being processed, a student will show as not taking any dual credit classes for the semester.

What is the deadline for drops & withdrawals?

The deadline can vary between school districts, but the deadline is typically the end of the midterm week or the middle of the term that the class is being taught in.

Note: There are certain exceptions that are considered if a student needs to drop or withdraw after the deadline.  Students withdrawing from the school entirely or moving to a new school district, being sent to alternative school or expulsion, and serious medical emergencies are a few examples.  Be sure to reach out and let us know.

Does a student still owe anything if they drop or withdraw from a dual credit course?

If a student drops or withdraws within the deadline, then their fee is waived.

Now that the students are registered for class, what's available to them?  Is there anything supplied by WCU that they can use for dual credit classes?

Certainly!  We have quite a few resources available to the students that can be utilized with our dual credit classes.  Some of those options include the following:

1. Canvas is a course management system (CRM) that WCU faculty use for anything from posting assignments and grades to chat rooms with their students and more.  This is available at no cost for our dual credit teachers.
   1. Teachers are welcome to use other systems (ex. Google Classroom, Schoology, etc.) or multiple systems if they prefer.
2. Students can request tutoring services through Canvas by going to the On-Line/eLearning Tutorial box in Canvas and completing a sign-up form for TutorMe: Online Tutoring.
3. Every WCU student has access to Indigo Portal after setting up their accounts.  Indigo Portal provides students access to information and services including online payments for classes, unofficial transcripts, and course information.  Students can also find several forms through Indigo Portal such as transcript requests, name change requests, and FERPA authorization.
4. Dual credit students may use WCU's library database for any assignments requiring research.  Students will have access to this after setting up their OneLogin accounts.

You mentioned that Canvas is free to use.  What do you need from a teacher to setup Canvas?

For approved WCU dual credit teachers, there is a request form to complete that will allow us to setup an account for OneLogin and Canvas by extension.  You're welcome to request this form from the department by contacting dualcredit@wmcarey.edu.

Students will automatically have access to Canvas after they are registered for classes and have setup their OneLogin accounts.

Do dual credit teachers receive anything for offering dual credit classes?

Yes; dual credit teachers earn tuition certificates for each completed dual credit course.  As WCU receives the final grade roster for a class, the teacher for the class earns one tuition certificate that can cover the cost of tuition for one class of their choice.  The certificate may be used for Undergraduate or Graduate courses (some exceptions apply) and may either be used personally or gifted to someone else.

Teachers will need to contact the Office of High School Dual Credit to request their certificate(s) for use.  They will need to be used within 3 years of the date issued.  Keep in mind that these certificates only cover the cost of tuition; other fees (ex. general fee, lab fee, textbooks, etc.) still apply.  After receiving your tuition certificate(s), they can be submitted for use by going here.

As a teacher, what curriculum must I use?

The curriculum must be consistent with WCU's course description and syllabus.  A requirement for teaching dual credit courses is a syllabus for each class being offered.

Does each teacher have to build a new syllabus?  How do teachers know what the curriculum is for each class?

WCU has syllabi templates available for each eligible dual credit course that are based on the courses being offered on campus.  They include information such as the course or catalog description, Student Learning Outcomes, required textbook, and more.  Copies of the templates are sent as part of the application process for new teachers; they are available upon request if you contact dualcredit@wmcarey.edu.

Do teachers need to submit a new syllabus every term?

Yes, WCU will need an updated syllabus for each dual credit class taught during a term and is required to keep a syllabus for every class taught each term.

How do students get their textbooks?

Textbooks are the student's responsibility, but WCU does not have any requirements for how they acquire their textbooks.  Students may use WCU's bookstore to purchase copies of the textbooks, local bookstores that may have available copies, or through online retailers.

If a school or school district wishes to supply textbooks for their students, then that is also acceptable.

What if a school doesn't have access to the textbook listed on the syllabus template for a class?  Is the textbook that WCU uses mandatory?

A WCU-approved textbook is required for our dual credit classes.  If you're unable to acquire the textbook included in the syllabus template or if you have a textbook that you are considering using for a dual credit class, then that is possible.  You will need to complete a Textbook Request Form; our academic departments will then review your text for use in dual credit.

Note: Textbooks will need to be approved by WCU faculty before the class begins.

How do students pay for their dual credit classes?

Students have a few options on how they can pay for their classes.  We can accept any of the following methods:

• Students are welcome and encouraged to setup their OneLogin accounts so that they can access Indigo Portal.  Indigo Portal is where students can go to pay for classes online by selecting the correct term and going to My Ledger.
• Our campuses are open for students to stop by and pay in person with our Business Office at either our Main campus in Hattiesburg or our Tradition campus in Biloxi.
  • The current office hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm on Monday through Thursday and 8:00am - 4:00pm on Friday.

Is there a deadline for when students need to pay their classes?

Students will have the semester to pay for current classes, but they will need to be paid before the next semester begins to avoid any Business Holds.  Once a Business Hold is placed on a student's account, they will be unable to register for additional classes.  It also prevents official transcripts from being sent, so it's important that they understand and pay in a timely manner.

What if our school or school district decides to pay?  What do we need to do?

If your school or school district is going to cover the cost of tuition, then we can work with you on that.  We can prepare any statements, quotes, and/or invoices that are needed; just reach out to the department and let us know.

The class is nearly finished.  How do I submit final grades?

Prior to the last day of class, you will receive a final grade roster to record the students' grades and absences.  Once we receive the finished grade roster, we will record each grade into our system for the students to receive credit for completion.

Note: Grades for dual credit classes must be the same on both high school and college transcripts.

Is there a deadline for final grades?

WCU will need all final grades submitted within a week after the end of the semester.  If there are any complications or issues that result in needing to submit at a later date, then please contact the department.

What does WCU need on the final grade roster?

Final grade rosters for WCU dual credit courses must include each student's final letter grade and the total number of unexcused absences.  You can include the numerical grade with the letter grade as long as the letter grade is listed.

Note: If a student has zero unexcused absences for a semester, then the roster will need to include a zero in the space for absences; do not leave the space blank.

Why does WCU need to know the number of absences?

WCU's attendance policy is currently 75% attendance for each class per term.  We review the total number of days met with the absences listed on the final grade roster to ensure that the students were present for 75% of the meeting days or more.  Students who miss more than the alotted amount will receive an automatic 50(F) for their final grade.