Illinois Dual Credit Information
There are several pathways for students to pursue dual credit courses, among receiving institutions. More than ninety percent of the dual credit coursework is offered through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), please see https://www.iccb.org/academic_affairs/dual-credit/ for more information.
Four-year public and independent institutions also participate in dual credit within the State of Illinois. Please see the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Dual Credit website for the most up-to-date information. Note: The Dual Credit Quality Act has a limitation for out-of-state providers, Section 17.
Participating Institutions
Enabling Legislation
In Illinois, “Dual credit course” means a college course taken by a high school student for credit at both the college and high school level. In 2010, Illinois passed the Dual Credit Quality Act (110 ILCS 27/1) to accomplish all of the following:
- To reduce college costs.
- To speed time to degree completion.
- To improve the curriculum for high school students and the alignment of the curriculum with college and workplace expectations.
- To facilitate the transition between high school and college.
- To enhance communication between high schools and colleges.
- To offer opportunities for improving degree attainment for underserved student populations.
Additional Information
Dual Credit Endorsement: The Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois State Board of Education collaborated to create a new endorsement for Nine Dual Credit Disciplines. A Dual Credit Endorsement, as designated in 110 ILCS 27/Dual Credit Quality Act, is an endorsement valid for grades 11-12 to be placed on the Professional Educator License (PEL) at the request of an instructor who meets the appropriate credential standards. The Content-Specific Endorsement will be a recognized credential that will help with the portability of approved coursework for qualified high school dual credit teachers across the State of Illinois. The nine areas include: English Composition, English Literature, General Math, Statistics, Calculus, Speech, History, Biology, and Psychology.