CTE Dual Credit
The Whatcom County CTE Dual Credit Consortium is dedicated to helping students get connected to clear, meaningful educational pathways which lead to successful career opportunities. The consortium is sponsored by a partnership of local High Schools, Bellingham Technical College, and Whatcom Community College. Students can earn college credit on the high school campus for articulated courses that prepare them for a professional/technical career. According to the Washington Student Achievement Council, students who earn college credit are more likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete college degrees.
Why Take College CTE Dual Credit Classes?
- CTE Dual Credit students save time and tuition dollars by getting a head start on fulfilling college degree or certificate requirements.
- CTE Dual Credit students complete courses that help prepare them for career opportunities beyond high school.
- CTE Dual Credit students learn skills to be productive in the world of work.
- CTE Dual Credit students take college courses while attending classes on their high school campus.
Program Considerations
- Grades earned in high school will show up as part of the cumulative college GPA. For example, if you earn a "B" in high school, you will also have a "B" on your college transcript.
- Excess credits that are not part of a program/pathway could negatively impact a student’s future financial aid eligibility.
Students | Parents | Guardians
Dual Credit means 9th-12th grade students can earn high school AND college credit at the same time, for completing a high school CTE course in their home high school. Teachers from high schools and college work together to ensure the high school classes match the learning outcomes of the college-level course. Course options vary by high school.
- CTE Dual Credit classes satisfy high school graduation requirements and earn college credit at the same time.
- Get college credit by taking course on your high school campus and starting your college transcript.
- Take classes that prepare for college and a career.
- CTE Dual Credit classes are generally free to high school students. Credits on your transcript can lower the cost of attendance by completing required courses in your future program of study.
To enroll in a CTE Dual Credit course, students must be enrolled in an eligible, articulated high school course and register for college credit through the SERS website.
Here are the steps for enrolling in CTE Dual Credit Courses:
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Visit your Counseling/Career Center at your high school for help in selecting classes that match your career pathway.
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Complete the College CTE Dual Credit registration Process by using the online system (SERS)
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During the semester, work with your teacher to achieve the required skills and competencies.
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Earn at least a "B" grade in the class.
- Contact Whatcom County CTE Dual Credit if you have any questions.
adalgarn@btc.edu or 360-752-8409
Registration Timeline
Transcript Information
An unofficial transcript is an unsigned and unsealed copy of the student’s record and is available online. There is no charge for unofficial transcript copies. It is the responsibility of the student to view their transcript for accuracy.
To order official transcripts, use the online transcript service to order your Official BTC or WCC Transcript. There is a fee to order official transcripts. Transcripts can be mailed or picked up in person with photo ID. Transcripts are delivered in an envelope with an officially sealed envelope inside. Official sealed transcripts are required to transfer credit to another college or university. Transcripts will be withheld if all obligations to the College, financial or otherwise, are not fully filled. To view and print your unofficial transcript, go to the BTC Transcripts or WCC Transcript websites.
CTE Dual Credit Courses by High School
CTE Dual Credit Programs of Study
Districts and Educators
Information for Districts and Educators
Whatcom CTE Dual Credit program is a cooperative program between local school districts, Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College. This dual credit program allows 9th through 12th grade students the opportunity to earn college credit while simultaneously earning high school credit in approved high school courses. Courses are college-level and equivalent in outcomes, instruction, and pedagogy. Students who enroll in the program and satisfy course requirements can have their coursework posted to a BTC/WCC transcript with the grade they earned in the course.
Eligibility
- Certificated teachers must be endorsed in CTE with the appropriate V-code to offer CTE Dual Credit courses.
- The college and school district must have a contract in place (Memorandum of Agreement) with the respective college or commit to signing one in the future.
- The high school course must be equivalent to the college course, including but not limited to: meeting the College's course outcomes, grading standards, theoretical, and pedagogical standards.
Course Articulation Process
To articulate a course for CTE Dual Credit:
- Contact Alana Dalgarn at adalgarn.btc.edu to inquire about courses available for articulation. GUidance can be given on which courses qualify for CTE credit and a list of currently articulated courses can be provided.
- If an aligned course is available for articulation, please fill out High School portion of the Course Articulation Form (linked below).
- CTE Dual Credit staff will review the Course Articulation Form, follow-up with any questions.
- The CTE Dual-Credit coordinator will route the articulation to the appropriate faculty for review. If any changes are necessary to move forward with articulation, the faculty will reach out to the high school directly. In some cases, the college faculty may request to meet with high school faculty to evaluate the classroom space to confirm the classroom has the necessary technology to articulate the course.
- Once the faculty has reviewed and if approved, the Dual Credit coordinator will route for final signatures. The course will then be able to offer college credit the following school year.
CTE Articulation Deadlines
|
Steps |
Deadline |
What to Submit |
Notes |
|
Request for New Articulation |
Nov. 1st |
Email inquiry to CTE Dual Credit Coordinator adalgarn@btc.edu |
Approved requests placed by this deadline will be for students enrolled in CTE classes the following academic year |
|
Submit Articulation Packet |
Dec. 31st, |
CTE Dual Credit Course Articulation Form, Course Syllabi, & Examples of major assessments |
School districts must provide all required materials for new articulations in order for requests to be routed to faculty and department chairs for review. |
|
New articulation approved or denied |
On or before Jan. 31st |
Signed and returned Articulation Agreement |
Department chairs and faculty determine if the articulation is approved or denied. School districts/teachers will be notified of if their articulation is approved or denied. |
Request Help
We know that teachers and other school staff are busy people! Reach out for help or request an onsite visit by emailing Alana Dalgarn at adalgarn@btc.edu.
Resources for Districts and Educators
Faculty & Support
Alana Dalgarn (she/her/hers)
CTE Dual Credit Coordinator
Available Monday-Thursday
3028 Lindbergh Ave. | Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 752-8409
Katherine Honeycutt
Dean of Professional Technical Education- 360.752.8490
- KHoneycutt@btc.edu
- Campus Center (CC), Room 219