Saskatchewan Polytechnic launches dual-credit courses for high school students


Students can earn high school credit and Saskatchewan Polytechnic credit at the same time

February 4, 2015 - High school students in Saskatchewan now have the option to earn a high school credit and a Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Sask Polytech) credit simultaneously.

 

"I commend Sask Polytech on this innovative initiative, which will help high school students establish their career paths and give them a head start on attaining their post-secondary education," Advanced Education Minister Kevin Doherty says.
"This dual-credit initiative builds on our expertise in recognition of prior learning and on our commitment to streamlining the learning process," says Dr. Larry Rosia, Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO.

Beginning this winter, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is offering four dual-credit courses that let high school students get a jump-start on their post-secondary studies through distance education. Students who successfully complete a dual-credit course will not only earn a high school credit, but they will also receive credit for their course at Sask Polytech.

"High school students who enrol in dual-credit courses have an ideal opportunity to test the post-secondary waters," says Grant MacTavish, coordinator, Recognition of Prior Learning, at Sask Polytech. "They'll not only sample the more advanced curriculum of higher education, but they'll also gain a better understanding of how their studies can translate into a career."

Sask Polytech courses offered in this pilot project include CAD Drafting Level 1, Applied Trades Measurement and two courses in Medical Terminology, which pair, respectively, with high school courses Drafting and Computer-Aided Design, Workplace and Apprenticeship Math, Medical Terminology and Health Sciences. Students register for dual-credit courses through their school division and complete the curriculum using online and/or print resources.

Sask Polytech's dual-credit courses have been approved by Saskatchewan's Ministry of Education. The ministry recently launched the dual-credit initiative to allow for greater flexibility in the delivery of secondary-level courses and to provide more opportunities for students to explore and develop their interests, aptitudes and skills. Sask Polytech consulted extensively with ministry officials to ensure that its dual-credit offerings aptly align with secondary courses.

Students interested in registering for a dual-credit course should contact their guidance counsellor. Courses start as early as February 2, though registrations will be accepted up to two weeks after course start date.

Sask Polytech plans to offer three additional dual-credit courses in the next academic year if this pilot project is successful. These include Industry Communications, Interpersonal Communication Skills and CAD Drafting Level 2.

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Printable media release (pdf)

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