Overview

Dual credit programs may be delivered in different settings and through different delivery approaches, depending on the type of course or apprenticeship training offered.

Dual credit program categories

There are 2 dual credit categories. Each one has different credit rules.

Postsecondary‑delivered dual credit courses, including Level 1 apprenticeship programs

These are courses delivered by a postsecondary professor or a training delivery agent (TDA) instructor.

Students may earn a maximum of 4 optional credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students may not earn compulsory credits through these courses and programs.

Postsecondary‑delivered dual credit courses may be delivered using one of the following models:

  • integrated — where students attend classes with postsecondary students
  • congregated — where students attend classes with only dual credit students

Team-taught dual credit courses

In these courses, postsecondary course or apprenticeship training content is taught by a postsecondary professor or training delivery agent (TDA) instructor and closely matched secondary school course content is taught by a secondary school teacher.

A postsecondary course team could have either of the following:

  • college professor and a secondary school teacher
  • Indigenous Institute professor and a secondary school teacher

An apprenticeship training team would have a:

  • TDA instructor and a secondary school teacher

There is no restriction on the number of compulsory or optional team-taught dual credits students may earn.

Delivery approaches

Dual credit programs may be delivered at a postsecondary institution or at a school board location.

Postsecondary-delivered dual credit courses

A postsecondary professor or instructor delivers the course. The secondary school teacher provides support to students.

The postsecondary institution evaluates the achievement.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) students with registered training agreements (RTAs) are eligible for Level 1 apprenticeship dual credit delivered at a TDA location.

Team-taught dual credit course using matched curriculum

Students enrol in a dual credit course with 1 of the following curriculum combinations:

  • secondary and postsecondary
  • secondary and Level 1 apprenticeship

A secondary school teacher delivers the secondary school curriculum and evaluates secondary achievement in accordance with provincial assessment policies.

A postsecondary professor or TDA instructor delivers the postsecondary or Level 1 apprenticeship curriculum and evaluates the postsecondary or apprenticeship achievement.

Level 1 apprenticeship dual credit delivered at a secondary school with TDA oversight

  • The TDA oversees the training by the secondary school teacher.
  • A secondary school teacher delivers Level 1 training using the Ontario curriculum.
  • The TDA overseeing the apprenticeship training must sign an agreement with the school board confirming that facilities, secondary school teacher qualifications and resources meet Level 1 apprenticeship training requirements.
  • The TDA must attest that the school board program meets the learning outcomes set out in the Apprenticeship Curriculum Standards for each trade.
  • The TDA issues a record of Level 1 apprenticeship in-class training completion to the principal and the student.
  • The principal or their delegate records the credit on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST).

Other dual credit delivery models

School boards may offer other dual credit programs through continuing education (for example, night school and summer school) and though online and community-based delivery.

Summer and night school dual credits

Schools may offer summer and night school dual credit programs when circumstances prevent students from participating in regular day school dual credits.

Online and community-based delivery

Under exceptional circumstances, schools may offer online or community-based dual credit programs when circumstances prevent students from participating in an on-campus program.

Schools must inform students and their parents or guardians, where appropriate, that online dual credit programs:

  • will not provide the same experience
  • may not be as engaging for primary target group students

School Within a Postsecondary Institution (SWAPSI)

SWAPSI dual credit programs are delivered entirely at a postsecondary location. Students attend the campus full time.

The program is for primary target group students and students who have returned to school to earn their high school diploma. The intent is that students will not return to secondary school following the program because they will have graduated.

In SWAPSI programs:

  • secondary school teachers deliver secondary courses at the postsecondary location in accordance with the Ontario curriculum and provincial assessment policies
  • professors or instructors deliver postsecondary courses or training at the postsecondary location
  • students enrol in at least 1 dual credit course and 1 non-dual credit secondary curriculum course in each semester
  • dual credit program teachers provide supervision and support in all SWAPSI courses, including instruction in literacy, learning skills and work habits

Adult dual credit programs

Adult dual credit students must meet the same criteria as other dual credit students and must be at least 21 years of age.

Students under the age of 21 in adult and continuing education may be included in dual credit programs if they meet the eligibility requirements.