Dual Enrollment Expands College Courses, Degree Pathways for District 502 High School Students

Beginning in fall 2022, high school students in District 502 will have the opportunity to earn college credit at half off the College of DuPage tuition rate through COD’s new Dual Enrollment program.

“Taught by dedicated COD faculty members, Dual Enrollment courses allow high school students the opportunity to accumulate transferable credits prior to entering college,” said Tamara McClain, COD Interim Vice President of Academic Partnerships and Learning Resources. “By graduating from high school with college credits already completed, students are ahead of their peers when they start college, both academically and financially.”

Students will have the option to take courses in a hybrid, online or in-person format at their high school, on COD’s main campus in Glen Ellyn or at one of COD’s Centers in Addison, Carol Stream, Naperville and Westmont. Courses will be offered at $70 a credit hour or $210 for a 3-credit course.

Findings from a new study from The Center for Community College Leadership and Research, located at the University of California, shows that dual enrollment programs are a powerful lever for closing equity gaps, extending pathways and accelerating the completion of degrees and credentials.

Dual Enrollment is another College initiative to provide high school students early access to college opportunities.

Serving more than two dozen high schools in DuPage County, COD's Dual Credit program allows students to enroll in courses at their high schools for which they receive both college credit and high school credit. Classes are taught at partner high schools during the regular school day by high school teachers who also are credentialed as Dual Credit Instructors by COD.

In 2020, COD signed a memorandum of understanding with District 87 administrators that provides students at all four Glenbard high schools access to dual credit opportunities.

Patrick McGill, Executive Director for Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Pathways at Glenbard Township High School District 87, said that with the launch of COD’s Dual Enrollment program, more students will feel empowered to continue their education.

“We are grateful to have such a close partnership with COD and are thrilled that they are continuing to expand student access to early college credit,” he said. “This investment demonstrates our shared values, and the impact that earning college credit can have on a student’s college and career path.”

For questions and more information, contact COD Manager of Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Lisa Haegele at haegelel@cod.edu or (630) 942-3692.