Online Dual Enrollment
Online College Courses for High School Students
Qualified high school students in tenth, eleventh or twelfth grades (and certain home-schooled students) can take online college courses in the University System of Georgia (USG) through Joint / Dual Enrollment.
Through the University of West Georgia, an USG eCore program affiliate, high school students have the opportunity to receive both high school and college credit while still enrolled as a high school student. The eCore program is a convenient and adaptable option for taking online college courses at UWG, an institution with a long tradition of excellence.
Joint / Dual Enrollment is an excellent alternative for eligible high school students who want to start college now. These students have the flexibility of studying while they are at work, taking a test in their local coffee shop, and discussing their assignments with other students day or night. Above all, the program allows them the opportunity to embrace the ability to study where and when they want - without compromising the support and sense of community that face-to-face classes offer.
JOINT versus DUAL Enrollment (What is the difference?)
Joint enrollment is an arrangement whereby a high school student is enrolled in postsecondary coursework with UWG while continuing to pursue his or her high school diploma. Joint enrollment coursework earns postsecondary credit only. Students are not eligible for funding through the Joint Enrollment Program.
Dual enrollment is a program through which high school students take courses from UWG while still enrolled as a high school student and receive credit both at the high school and UWG. Students are eligible for funding through the Dual Enrollment Program.
The Dual Enrollment Program is a non-need based grant program for students who wish to take college level coursework for credit towards both high school and college graduation requirements. Courses pursued by students in the Dual Enrollment Program must come from the approved course directory available on the GSFC Dual Enrollment web page. Credit hours paid by the Dual Enrollment Program will not count towards the maximum limit of 127 semester hours paid by HOPE. Additional requirements or restrictions for participating in this program may be imposed by the high school. All Dual Enrollment Program recipients must complete an application available through the GSFC GA Futures website. Eligible students must meet certain criteria. The program is offered during fall, spring and summer semesters. Questions? Review the Georgia Student Finance Commission's Dual Enrollment FAQs.
What is a USG eCore Course Like?
eCore is designed to expand a student’s educational experiences independent of time, location, and physical boundaries. Although eCore classes are taught on the Internet, they differ from independent study or self-paced courses where students work by themselves or at their own pace. Each eCore course has a pre-determined syllabus and schedule. Instructors specify the content to be covered in the course, dates for exams and quizzes, individual and group assignments and other activities that students must complete by a particular date.
Courses follow the traditional academic semester calendar; therefore, students cannot start and stop classes at any time. Students also are expected to participate in the course on a regular basis and interact with the instructor and other students in the course. Participation is defined by the instructor, and typically includes completing assignments, working on group projects, taking exams, and posting email comments. The eCore classes are very similar to traditional on-campus classes, with the exception that the courses are taught on the Internet. Students do not come to campus for any class meetings. However, eCore courses require one or two proctored examinations. These can be taken at the UWG campus testing center or at any other approved testing center.