20,508 last year!
More than 20,500 students participated in Dual Credit in 2022-23
For more information on Dual Credit:
Speak to your school Guidance Counsellor or
Contact us at 905-874-4440 or dual.credit@sheridancollege.ca
We hope this information will help you help your students.
At Sheridan we want to work with you to support the success of your students.
Here are answers to questions we often receive from high school teachers, guidance counselors and administrators:
What are dual credit courses?
These are college courses that also count as high school credits. At Sheridan all dual credit courses are taught by our faculty on campus.
What kind of track record does Dual Credit have?
So far, over 50,000 Ontario high school students have taken dual credit courses at their local college. The success rate for dual credit students is over 80% on average. What we often see is that when students find something they’re interested in, and have the chance to work in Sheridan’s great studios, shops, and labs, they really enjoy their classes and achieve good results.
Does Dual Credit cost anything?
There is no cost. Dual Credit is funded by the Province of Ontario’s School-College-Work Initiative (SCWI) and all costs, including transportation, are covered.
Which students are best suited to Dual Credit pathways?
Dual Credit is helpful for students who face challenges in completing their OSSD, but have the potential to succeed. Dual Credit is also a good choice for students in some Specialist High Skills Majors and OYAP programs.
What grade levels are suitable for Dual Credit pathways?
Most Dual Credit pathways are best suited for Grade 12 students. Some courses may also be suited to Grade 11 students.
How can I fit Dual Credit pathways into my student’s timetable?
Because of the timing of most classes, it is often easier to timetable Dual Credit if the student is on a co-op semester, but this is not always the case. General information about start and end dates is provided on each program page. For specific days, dates and times, please check with the dual credit contact at your school board.
What supports are in place to help my student succeed at the college level?
At Sheridan we’re here to support students’ success. In addition to smaller classes, there is a high school Dual Credit teacher and Sheridan’s student services to call on for more help. We provide an orientation to help your student understand what to expect, the rights and responsibilities of a college student and what help is available, and we invite you to participate.
What are the biggest challenges for students?
College courses are shorter and more intense than high school courses and often involve a fair bit of reading and several assignments, projects, tests and exams. Test dates and assignment deadlines are firm and your student may need some coaching and preparation to be sure they understand the type of commitment needed for success. Regular attendance and motivation are important. Most dual credit students are successful, and the dual credit experience usually boosts their confidence and academic skills.
What if my student has special needs?
Sheridan’s Accessible Learning Services department is there to support students with special needs. Please encourage your student to contact this department to discuss their needs. This is important because Sheridan doesn’t receive any information or documentation from the high school. More information about this is provided at the student orientation.
I’m a university graduate myself, so I’d like to become more familiar with college programs and employment pathways for my students.
Colleges have a very robust array of programs. Far from limiting students’ opportunities, college opens the door to several destinations, both academic and career-related. At Sheridan, we have programs at the apprenticeship, certificate, diploma AND degree level, many with built-in pathways to help students move between credentials at Sheridan or at other institutions.
College programs focus on a combination of important theoretical learning and applied learning in studio, shop and lab environments to develop the practical skills needed in the workplace. Many have co-op streams as well.
How marketable is a college credential with employers?
College programs are reviewed regularly by business and industry experts to make sure they will prepare our students for a job. In Ontario, over 80% of college graduates gain employment, and over 90% of employers were satisfied with the college graduates they’d hired. In fact, many university graduates come to Sheridan to take our graduate programs in order to gain employment.
What should I know about the college curriculum?
All college programs must be approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and are subject to quality standards and regular review. Each program must have a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) that includes business and industry representation to ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of employers. Most college faculty hold post-graduate degrees in the form of Masters and, in many cases, PhD designations, and many are published authors and researchers in their field. All faculty at Sheridan are required to participate in a comprehensive training program that supports high calibre teaching and curriculum design skills.
If my student wants to apply to a Sheridan program, how can they use their dual credits to advantage?
Students can apply to have the dual credits they’ve earned recognized once they are admitted to a college program. Recognition will depend upon whether their dual credit courses are part of the full-time program they’re enrolled in. Dual credits earned at another college would be assessed by the receiving college to determine if credit can be awarded, depending on the admitting program. The Registrar’s Office can help students with this process. When mapping out a full-time program pathway from a dual credit program, please ensure that your student would be eligible to apply for the full-time college program upon graduation by reviewing the specific Admission Requirements for their chosen program.
What is the process for helping my students to apply for a Dual Credit Pathway at Sheridan?
Each school has a designated staff person who performs this role. It may be a Guidance Counselor, Student Success Leader, Co-op teacher or a Vice Principal. Your Principal, Vice Principal or Guidance Department can provide this information. ALL Dual Credit applications must be submitted by the designated teacher at your school and will be forwarded to the College through the Dual Credit contact at your school board.