Dual Credit
Get a head start at DSU
South Dakota high school juniors and seniors can begin their college career early through Dakota State University’s dual credit program. At a discounted rate of $78.48 per credit hour, you’ll earn college credits that also count toward your high school diploma.
Courses are taught by university faculty and offered online, on DSU’s campus, or at your high school. Whether you're earning general education credits or exploring a subject, DSU’s dual credit options offer a strong academic foundation. Credits transfer to most colleges and universities.
No matter your path, DSU’s dual credit programs help you get ahead, save you money, and allow you to explore college-level learning early.
Gateway Certificates
Explore your future with DSU’s Gateway Certificates. These 3–4 course programs let you dive into university-level learning in areas like business, digital technology, health sciences, STEM, and education. Whether you join online, on campus, or through your school district, this program offers a flexible way to discover your interests and get on track for what’s next.
Governors Cyber Academy
Jump-start your future with DSU’s Governors Cyber Academy. This dual-credit program allows you to explore high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, computer science, AI, and network security. Take flexible online courses, earn college credit and digital badges, and even complete your first year of a DSU cyber degree, all while still in high school.
Getting started
Whether you're a junior starting to explore college coursework or a senior looking to earn credits before graduation, there’s a dual credit option that fits your path.
Courses are available online, on campus, or at your high school, depending on the program and your grade level.
- High school junior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meets one of the following requirements:
- earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale; or
- rank in upper one-third of their graduating class; or
- earn an ACT composite score of 24 reflective of the 70% percentile (or
- equivalent SAT score of 1180)
- High school senior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meets one of the following requirements:
- earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale; or
- rank in the upper one-half of their graduating class; or
- earn an ACT composite score of 21 reflective of the 50% percentile (or
equivalent SAT score of 1080)
- High School junior/senior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meets all of the following Undergraduate admissions requirements:
- ACT composite score of 21 (or equivalent SAT score of 970); and
- successful completion of coursework Requirements:
- Four Years of English
- Three years of advanced mathematics
- Three years of laboratory science
- Three years of social studies
- One year of fine arts
- High School junior or senior eligible to enroll in a high school in South Dakota who meet the benchmark scores on one of the assessments listed below:
- Smarter Balanced – Score Level 3 on the English language arts & mathematics 11th grade assessments
- PreACT exam score of 24
- ACCUPLACER Next Generation (QAS – Score of 255 and writing score
of 263 or higher).
Getting started is simple whether this is your first dual credit course or you’ve taken one before.
Application Opening Dates
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Spring Semester: Opens November 1st
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Summer Semester: Opens March 1st
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Fall Semester: Opens April 1st
First-Time Students
If you’ve never taken a course through an SDBOR university before:
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You’ll need to create a new account, through the use of a personal email address when signing up (K-12 school emails often have firewalls that block communication).
Continuing Students
If you’ve previously taken a course through an SDBOR university, log in using your university-provided email and password.
If you're currently enrolled in the High School Dual Credit Program and need to make a change to your schedule, just fill out the add/drop form and send it to your campus contact.