Eligibility

Who is it for?

The dual credit program is for eligible* students who will be heading to a postsecondary institution, an apprenticeship or the workplace after graduation.

* To be eligible for a dual credit program, students must be working towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

You may be eligible if you are:

at risk of not graduating from high school
enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major
enrolled in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
returning to high school to get your diploma
interested in exploring career pathways, including apprenticeships
looking for help with the transition to college or an apprenticeship program

To find out if you are eligible, your first step is to contact your high school principal or guidance counsellor.

The school board, school principal or guidance department oversees which students can take a Dual Credit Program on a case-by-case basis.

Goals of the dual credit Program

To encourage students to complete their secondary school education and to consider postsecondary education as their next step.
To introduce students to a variety of career options within various sectors.
To help students make appropriate career choices and choose educational pathways before they enter a postsecondary institution.
To expose students to an adult learning model and new learning environments.
To ease the transition from secondary school to College.
To provide students with opportunities to learn skills that can be used throughout their life.

What are the benefits of dual credit learning opportunities?

The unique advantage of dual credit programs is their ability to provide new and varied learning opportunities to students by providing real-world applications to help them achieve their potential.

Dual credit courses also engage students through exposure to the college setting and culture, provide more student choice, and ensure a smooth transition pathway from secondary to postsecondary education. Evidence has shown that dual credit programs increase the likelihood of graduation success and reduce dropout rates.

Dual credits let students “try on” college courses while still in secondary school and at no cost to them.

Is a dual credit right for me?

College courses are both interesting and challenging. You will learn a great deal, but you will also be expected to work hard. The grades you earn in a dual credit course will become part of your permanent secondary school record and your college record.

If you are interested in earning both secondary and college credits; if you feel like you don’t fit into the secondary school system; if you are looking for a way to save money on your educational costs; if you want to learn new skills that can be used over a lifetime; if you want to get a head start to a college career; if you are returning to secondary school and are looking for an adult learning environment; if you plan to attend college after graduation and you want to ease your transition to college, then you should consider registering in a dual credit program.

Secondary School Student

If you are a secondary school student and answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you should consider enrolling in a dual credit program at Cambrian College.

Would you like to earn dual secondary school and Cambrian College credits?
Would you like to ease your transition from secondary school to College?
Would you like to learn more about the College environment and get a head start on a career in a related field?
Would you like to learn skills that can be used throughout your life?
Would you like to explore your career opportunities?
Would you like to learn in an adult learning environment?
Would you like to participate in a number of Cambrian College events as a college student?
Would you like to learn skills that can help you obtain part-time or summer employment?

Parent/Guardian of a High School Student

If you are a parent/guardian of a secondary school student and answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you should encourage your son or daughter to enrol in a dual credit program at Cambrian College.

Would you like a greater awareness of Cambrian College programs as cost-effective pathways to careers for your son or daughter?
Would you like your student to “try out” a College program?
Would you like your student to be more engaged in his or her secondary school education?
Would you like your student to learn skills that can be applied to obtain part-time or summer employment?