Information for Families

Welcome to New Mexico State University, a caring community transforming lives through discovery!  We are very pleased that your son or daughter is interested in our Dual Credit Program!  Here, students will find the unique opportunity to get a jump start on their college education. Qualified high school juniors and seniors can enroll in approved college-level courses – earning college credit from NMSU and high school elective credit, simultaneously.  Dual Credit is a great way for your child to begin their future.

Benefits

The Dual Credit Program can help ease the transition from high school to college by giving students firsthand exposure to college-level work, while gaining skills and building confidence.  Dual Credit can enrich your child’s education by exploring programs not available at their high school, and help to open the door to exploration, guiding them toward their future goals.  And here is the best part… tuition is free!  Students will only be responsible for fees specific to some individual courses, such as lab fees and online course fees.  They will also be responsible for their own transportation and parking.

Dual Credit Success

Success in our Dual Credit Program will require motivation, self-discipline, and good study skills. High school students will need the maturity and initiative to attend class and participate at the same level as regular college students, understanding completely, that the grades earned in their dual credit course(s) will be a permanent part of their academic record at both high school and college.  Please discuss these important qualities with your child and encourage them to reach out to the many academic resources available to them on our campus.  Questions are always welcome!

Things to consider:

  • Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA or better in their NMSU courses to continue in the Dual Credit Program.
  • Most single college courses are equal to 3 credit hours. For every 3 credit course at NMSU, students will accumulate 1 high school elective credit.
  • Grades earned through dual credit enrollment are part of a student’s permanent academic record, at both their high school and NMSU.
  • Dual Credit students are admitted as Non-Degree and are not eligible for financial aid.
  • New students may enroll for one dual credit course.
  • Continuing students who meet requirements may enroll for 2 dual credit courses.
  • If a student does not pass a course, or receives a “W” for withdrawing from a course – it WILL affect the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and will impact future financial aid eligibility.
  • Dual Credit students are not responsible to pay for tuition and general fees, BUT in some cases, certain courses carry a course specific fee or an online course fee. These fees will be the student’s responsibility.
  • Participating in the Dual Credit Program does not impact Lottery Scholarship eligibility.
  • Dual Credit students may not audit a course.
  • NMSU will have final discretion to approve/disapprove eligibility of all students for admission and/or enrollment in courses for dual credit.

Confidentiality

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as FERPA, governs the confidentiality of student records. FERPA applies to all admitted students at the New Mexico State University. Therefore, parents do not have access to their dual credit student’s educational records without the student’s written consent. Written consent may be obtained by completing a Release of Information for Dual Credit Form.