1760 Boulevard
Salem, VA 24153
Phone: (540) 857-5000
Fax: (540) 857-5061
DUAL ENROLLMENT INFORMATION 2015-16
Dual enrollment courses are possible due to an agreement with Virginia Western Community College and
Roanoke County Public Schools to give college credit for certain courses offered in the high schools. For the
2015-2016 school year, VWCC will charge a minimal amount for tuition and, therefore, students will pay a
portion of the tuition costs. A final dual enrollment fee will be determined by RCPS after VWCC sets their tuition
rates this spring. The anticipated minimal fee still represents a significant cost savings for students interested in
earning college credit. We plan to inform students as soon as possible after cost information is made available.
By taking these courses, students receive college credit from VWCC as long as the course is successfully
completed (C or better). Credit can be transferred to many colleges and universities, dependent on individual
admissions policies. Please check with the specific college/university for details. All students must take an end
of course final exam in dual enrollment courses. There are no final exam exemptions. These courses are taught
by high school staff at BCAT. These courses operate on the same grading scale and are weighted. Taking a
course for dual enrollment credit is OPTIONAL.
Beginning with Summer 2014 courses, Dual-enrollment students are required to complete ALL parts of the VPT
(Virginia Placement Test) or meet criteria for alternative assessment (if applicable). Students who were enrolled
in Virginia Western courses prior to Summer 2014 will follow the Admission Criteria that was in place at the time
of their registration.
Placement testing of students who are interested in a BCAT course offering dual
enrollment should be completed by August 18, 2015 and a copy of the test results
given to the BCAT School Counseling Office.
All high school students may use the instructions listed below to apply to Virginia Western for the
dual enrollment program and for completing the placement tests.
I. STEP ONE: COMPLETE ONLINE VWCC APPLICATION
1.
Students – Complete Part I of the Application Students must complete PART I of the Virginia Western
online application for admission to the college at:
http://www.virginiawestern.edu/admissions/highschool.php.
IMPORTANT – Be sure to select High School & College Dual Credit (041) as the reason for taking classes.
2.
Students – Obtain EMPL ID (Student ID Number)
As soon as a student successfully completes PART I of the online application, he/she will immediately be
assigned an EMPL ID or student identification number. About a week later, the student will receive a
letter of acceptance from the college which also includes the EMPL ID. Another letter from the college
will be sent advising students of their EMPL ID. The EMPL ID must also be presented to the BCAT School
Counseling Office.
3.
Parents – Complete Part II of the Application –see web page
A student’s parent or guardian must complete PART II of the application, sign it, date it, and return it to
the Admissions Office at the College. The address is on the form.
II. STEP TWO: TAKE PLACEMENT TESTS
4.
Students – Take the English (Reading and Writing) and Math Placement Tests at VWCC
VWCC requires ALL new students who wish to enroll for dual classes to complete the Virginia Placement
Tests. The tests must be completed and passed before students CAN BE REGISTERED FOR ANY DUAL
CLASSES. The placement tests assess a student’s ability in reading, writing, and mathematics and
placement in dual classes will be predicated on satisfactory scores on these tests. Students who have not
taken the placement tests will not be allowed to register for dual classes.
Students may take the placement tests at the Learning Technology Center on the ground floor of Brown
Library at VWCC, and must secure appropriate scores before they may register for dual classes. Students
must present a photo ID and must have their EMPL ID number in order to take the tests in the Learning
Technology Center. The placement tests are given Monday & Tuesday from 8 am to 8 pm, Wednesday &
Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm, Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. Placement tests
are not timed but generally will take between 2 and 3 hours. Please NOTE: You must start a placement
test two hours prior to closing. No appointment is necessary.
*VPT REVIEW AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS: http://www.virginiawestern.edu/services/ltc/placement.php
*One re-test is allowed within 12 months of the first attempt.
*Students who desire to enroll in Math courses must take the VPT and meet any prerequisites.
III. STEP THREE: BRING A PRINTOUT OF SCORES FROM VWCC TO THE BCAT SCHOOL COUNSELING
OFFICE.
EXEMPTIONS FOR PLACEMENT TESTING
Students in occupational/technical courses that do not carry an English and/or mathematics prerequisite must
complete all portions of the VPT, or meet the criteria posted for alternative assessment. New students are exempt
from taking the placement tests if they have taken the SAT and received a score of 500 or above on critical reading
and writing and a 520 or above on math, or if they have taken the ACT and received a combined score of 21 or
higher in the English and writing and a score of 22 or higher in math.
To be exempt from the Mathematics section of the VPT for students in occupational/technical courses, students
must have passed the Algebra I SOL and provide documentation to both VWCC and BCAT.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE VWCC WEBSITE:
http://www.virginiawestern.edu/admissions/dualenrollment/index.php