Union Commonwealth University reinstates dual enrollment program

Union Commonwealth University has brought back its beloved dual enrollment program, which gives local high schoolers the ability to get a head start on earning college credits before they finish 12th grade. The program will officially begin with its full slate of offerings in January 2025, but the Media Arts pathway is already underway this semester.

According to an article on Union Commonwealth University’s website, Interim President Dr. DJ Washington addressed the program’s return, noting that it was highly requested to bring the program back. Washington said, “Over and over, I hear from our community that they want us to offer dual credit again. This is the single most value-added thing we can do for them, and I’m proud to be part of bringing it back.”

Dr. Washington was part of the task force that was put together to facilitate the much anticipated return of the dual enrollment program, which was headed by Dr. Lori Henderson, the dean of the School of Education and Kinesiology. Other task force members instrumental in the return of the program were Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Ryan Winders, Assistant Professor of Health & Wellness Chris Gibson, Head Cheerleading Coach and Reading Interventionist at Knox Central Elementary Lisa Napier, and Title III Program Coordinator Rachel Gaynor.

In order to be eligible to participate in the dual enrollment program at Union Commonwealth University, the students must be in 11th or 12th grade at participating high schools with at least a 3.0 grade point average. They must also have earned at least an 18 on the ACT. 

Dennis Messer, the superintendent of Barbourville Independent Schools, noted that the students who participate in the program will be earning a large chunk of college credits before leaving high school: “A lot of kids now will have thirty hours when they graduate. It gives them a nice head start when they begin college.” 

That said, the benefits are not only quantifiable in terms of credit hours. Dr. Henderson said, “Dual Credit offers students an opportunity to see what college is like.” Students will have the chance to see if the rigor of higher education is right for them before officially enrolling as a freshman student, without spending any money to make it happen. The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority pays the tuition for the high school students participating in the program, giving them an inside look at the college experience without the financial risk.

This newer iteration of the dual enrollment program comes with an additional benefit for students: career pathways have been instated. Frank Shelton, who serves as the Director of District Communications and Governance for Knox County Public Schools, said,  “Previously, students earned college credit, but it was not toward a specific career path. This is a significant improvement over the previous agreements.” Students are able to select from a variety of pathways that will help guide their college credits based on their interests for their future career, such as nursing, education, or media arts.

The Media Arts Pathway is already in session at Union Commonwealth University, and Jeremy Ledford, the Superintendent of Knox County Public Schools, noted that it is popular and facing growing interest. “The media pathway is only the beginning as we work, as we have in the past, to identify opportunities for our students. We are excited to be returning to Union and offering dual credit at our hometown university,” he said.

The full roster of offerings for the dual enrollment program are set to begin in January 2025. High school students can opt to take their classes either online or on campus at Union Commonwealth University.

“We hope to continue expanding Union’s dual credit offerings for students at Barbourville High School, Knox Central, and Lynn Camp and within the tri-county region in the near future. Those conversations are already taking place,” said Dr. Washington.

For more information about Union Commonwealth University, visit the school’s website.