About dual credit programs

Dual credit programs allow eligible students in high school to take college courses or apprenticeship training that counts towards both:

  • their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
  • a postsecondary certificate, diploma, degree or a Certificate of Apprenticeship

High school students taking dual credit courses benefit from the supervision and support of their college instructor and the dual credit teacher at their school. Students also have access to a variety of college supports and services.

As of September 2023, approved Non-College Training Delivery Agents will also support the delivery of Dual Credit Level 1 Apprenticeship training programs.

The Ministry of Education approves all dual credit programs.

Ontario high schools have a variety of job skills programs to help meet the needs, interests and strengths of all students, engaging them in learning and preparing them for graduation, life beyond high school and the jobs of the future.

Learn about other programs in schools that help students explore careers

Benefits of dual credit programs

Participating in dual credit programs helps students to:

  • complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
  • make a successful transition to college or an apprenticeship program
  • increase their awareness of the various college and apprenticeship pathways available to them
  • gain greater insight into education and career planning decisions.

Eligibility

The school board or the school principal or guidance department oversees which students can take a dual credit program on a case-by-case basis.

Students may be eligible if they are:

  • at risk of not graduating from high school
  • enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major
  • enrolled in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
  • returning to high school to get their diploma
  • interested in exploring career pathways, including apprenticeships
  • looking for help with the transition to college or an apprenticeship program

Types of dual credits offered through colleges

There are two categories of dual credits offered through colleges:

  • college-delivered dual credit courses
  • team-taught dual credit courses

Students can take dual credit Level 1 apprenticeship training (in-class, hands-on learning) from either of these categories.

College-delivered dual credit courses

These are college courses or Level 1 apprenticeship training that are delivered by participating publicly funded Ontario colleges.

For apprenticeship training, students typically travel to the college site for two or more days per week for a semester in order to complete their in-class Level 1 apprenticeship.

Students can earn up to four optional high school credits by completing college-delivered courses.

Team-taught dual credit courses

These are college courses or Level 1 apprenticeship training that are delivered jointly by college instructors and high school teachers. Students taking this type of dual credit course learn material from the secondary curriculum and college or apprenticeship curriculum. Paired high school and college courses must have significant content overlap.

Apprenticeship training includes the secondary school curriculum and the in-class Level 1 apprenticeship curriculum. Typically, these programs are delivered in a two-period block at the secondary school.

There is no limit on the number of compulsory or optional high school credits that students can earn through team-taught dual credit courses.

Non-College Training Delivery Agents

Students can also take dual credit Level 1 apprenticeship training delivered by approved participating Non-College Training Delivery Agents, such as:

  • an employer/union training centre
  • a career college
  • a non-profit organization
  • an Indigenous organization

Non-College Training Delivery Agents are approved by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to deliver apprenticeship in-class training under the In-Class Enhancement Fund program.

For apprenticeship training, students typically travel to the Training Delivery Agent site for two or more days per week for a semester in order to complete their Level 1 apprenticeship training.

Students can earn up to four optional high school credits with dual credits offered by a Non-College Training Delivery Agent.

Find a dual credit program

Search for dual credit programs at your local publicly funded college and talk to the high school principal or guidance counsellor to see if they are offered at the school.

All publicly-funded school boards with secondary schools and all Ontario colleges of applied arts and technology are involved in providing high school students with opportunities to earn ministry-approved dual credits.

Additional Information

For more information about dual credit programs speak to your local high school principal or guidance department.

Related

Dual credit programs: policy and program requirements clarifies program requirements and guides board staff, administrators and educators who are involved in developing and delivering Dual Credit programs.

Learn about the School College Work Initiative, which is funded by the province and administers the Dual Credit program on behalf of the ministry.

Learn more about supporting pathways to apprenticeship.

If you have any questions regarding this policy document, please contact skillsdevelopmentandapprenticeshipbranch@ontario.ca

Information in many languages

برامج النقاط المزدوجة  (Arabic PDF)
双重学分制计划 (Chinese Simplified PDF)
雙學分計劃 (Chinese Traditional PDF)
दोहरे क्रेडिट कार्यक्रम (Hindi PDF)
Duplo reconhecimento de crédito (Portuguese PDF)
ਦੂਹਰੇ ਕ੍ਰੈਡਿਟ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ (Punjabi PDF)
Programas de Créditos Duales (Spanish PDF)
Mga Programang Dalawang Kredito (Tagalog PDF)
Các Chương Trình Tín Chỉ Đôi (Vietnamese PDF)