As a high school student, you have the opportunity to take a post-secondary course and earn credits in high school and at the post-secondary institution at the same time. You can experience our courses, teaching styles and learning environments while continuing to receive support from your high school Guidance Counsellor and your parents.  

Why dual credit?

Participating in dual credit enables you to make progress toward a post-secondary program before finishing high school or to prepare for the workforce once you complete high school. Dual credit can help you determine what post-secondary program to apply for by finding areas of study you’re interested in or ruling out areas in which you thought you were interested. Research indicates a number of benefits from being involved in dual credit programs, including increases in student attendance, student engagement and achievement, and career and life goal setting. 

What are the courses being offered, and how are they delivered?

Dual credit is available for:

• University Transfer courses
• Certificate and Diploma programs
• Continuing Education safety courses 

With us, dual credit courses are available in person, through video conference and online. Currently, dual credit opportunities are available in many different programs but, dual credit is not possible in all courses and programs. A complete list of courses is available here. Your school's Guidance Counsellor will have details about courses and programs availale to your school.

Who is eligible for dual credit?

Generally, students in grades 11 and 12 are able to apply for dual credit courses. Your school’s Guidance Counsellor will assist you to determine if you’re eligible and if there is a dual credit course or program that fits your interests and schedule. Courses have different prerequisites that must be considered when selecting which course(s) to apply for. You may contact dualcredit@NWpolytechca for assistance as well.

What does it cost to enrol?

Each School District will address costs independently, please see your Guidance Counsellor for the particulars of your school. You can expect to pay the application fee when you apply. Your school may cover the cost of tuition and expect you to cover the costs of the text book or other additional fees. You may be asked to submit a Caution Fee to your school that will be reimbursed once you successfully complete the course. Ask your Guidance Counsellor about your school district's Caution Fee.

How do I apply?

Meet with your high school Guidance Counsellor to plan program or course options. You will be required to complete an Application Package and submit this, along with the Application and Caution Fees, to your school. The school will make arrangements to send it to our admission team. To get an application package, please talk to your school’s Guidance Counsellor or Principal, or contact dualcredit@NWpolytech.ca. 

It is best to submit your package as early as you can to save your seat in a course. Registration begins in the May prior to the next academic year, and you may register for both Fall and Winter courses at this time. Please note that application packages submitted at the start of a semester will have delays in processing and a seat in the course may not be available.

How do I know if I am accepted?

Once your application is approved by Admissions, you will be notified by email and directed to your myNWP Self-Service Account to register. If there are concerns with your application, Admissions will contact your school. To inquire about the status of your application, please contact us at dualcredit@NWpolytech.ca, 780-539-2911 or 1-888-539-4772.

When do I start, how will I know where to go, and what textbook do I need?

Most courses start at the beginning of September and the beginning of January. There is a new student orientation prior to classes starting each semester. During the orientation, you will receive all the necessary information about being a student at our institution. If you are unable to attend, or if you have questions along the way, you are always welcome to contact dualcredit@NWpolytech.ca, 780.539.2911, or call toll free 1.888.539.4772.

Once classes start, your instructor will communicate directly with you, often through myClass (or other media). If you are struggling, please contact your instructor, dualcredit@NWpolytech.ca, and/or your guidance counselor. We are here to support you and want you to be successful. We will help you look at options to ensure success or to address the issue. 

You can find what textbook your course requires through the on-campus Bookstore.

Academic Advising

Academic Advisors are available for all of our students and prospective students. If you’re starting to plan for post-secondary (it’s never too early to start!), an Academic Advisor can help you. If you have questions about how a dual credit course would fit into a program, transferability to another institution or want to know if you have the high school requirements to get into a program, Academic Advisors can help you with all of these. To book an appointment, please go to Student Services, Grande Prairie Campus Office H103, or call 1-888-539-4772.

Can I take a course with you and still go to another University?

Many of our courses that are available through dual credit are transferable to other institutions. The ACAT Guide will help you understand the transferability of our courses to universities in Alberta. If you have any questions about transferring, please speak with an Advisor.

Do I get an official transcript?

YES! You will receive a letter grade on an official transcript. You will also receive a numeric grade for the equivalent course(s) on your high school transcript. Your high school transcript will note that the course(s) were awarded through a post-secondary institution.

Questions?

Please contact dualcredit@NWpolytech.ca, 780.539.2911, or 1.888.539.4772.