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
Let us help you support your child’s educational success.
What are Dual Credit pathways?
These are college courses that also count as high school credits. At Sheridan all Dual Credit courses are taught by our faculty on campus.
How can a Dual Credit pathway help my child finish high school?
Students can sometimes benefit from a change of scene.
Spending time on a college campus in an applied learning environment can be very motivating and energizing.
Using a Dual Credit pathway to explore a possible career direction can also help students identify goals beyond high school. And if your child enrols in a full-time college program after they graduate, they can apply to have their dual credits recognized once they’ve been admitted to the 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.
Does the Dual Credit program 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.
Where do we start?
Your primary point of contact for the Dual Credit application process should be the guidance counsellor, student success leader, co-op teacher, or vice principal at your child’s high school.
Colleges have a very robust array of programs.
What is the difference between college and university learning?
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, whether at Sheridan or another institution.
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 supports are in place to help my child succeed at the college level ?
We’re here to support students’ success. Besides 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 child understand what to expect, the rights and responsibilities of a college student and what help is available, and parents are encouraged to participate as well.
What if my child has special needs?
Sheridan’s Accessible Learning Services department is there to support students with special needs. Please have your child 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 and we invite you to participate.
How can I help my child succeed in a dual credit program?
College courses are shorter and more intensive 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 child 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.
Why should my child take Dual Credit courses at Sheridan?
We have the experience and track record to offer your child the best possible Dual Credit experience. We’ve been delivering dual credits since 2005, growing from 20 students to over 500, with about 80-100% of those students successfully earning their dual credits. We have lots of Dual Credit pathways to choose from, and our qualified faculty and experienced student support staff are there to help your child succeed.
How can my child sign up for a Dual Credit course 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. The Principal, Vice Principal or Guidance Department can provide this information. ALL dual credit applications must be submitted by the designated teacher at your child’s school, and will be forwarded to the College through the Dual Credit contact at their school board.