Frequently Asked Questions

     

Interested high school students can connect with their high school guidance counsellor to determine eligibility. Applications are submitted directly to the Seneca Dual Credit office by the student’s high school. 

At Seneca, Dual Credit courses are delivered through a congregated model where students attend classes in-person or online taught by a professor with other Dual Credit students.

Students must be at least 16 years of age or older by December 31 of the academic school year to take a Dual Credit course . However, there are several other Ministry requirements that must be met before being approved to take a course. Interested students can connect with their high school guidance counsellor to determine their eligibility status.

Contact your high school guidance counsellor to check if your high school participates in the Dual Credit program at Seneca and if you are eligible. 

Eligible high school students can take a maximum of two Dual Credit courses per semester and up to four  Dual Credit courses towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

A student receives two credits upon successful completion of a Dual Credit course: one credit towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and one credit towards their postsecondary studies.

The program is completely funded by the Ministry of Education. Tuition, textbooks, course supplies and transportation are free for eligible students.

Yes. Students who require learning or physical accommodations during their Dual Credit course must book an appointment with our Counselling & Accessible Learning Services Office at Seneca once they are accepted in the program.

As a Dual Credit student at Seneca, you will have access to a variety of student services including Student Recruitment, Counselling & Accessible Learning Services, Career Services, The Learning Centre, and Athletics and Recreation. Dual Credit students are invited to participate in activities and events happening on campus.

Dual Credit classes are offered at our Newnham, Seneca@York, King, Peterborough campuses and online. Review our list of courses to see which campus offers the course you are interested in. You can also connect with your high school guidance counsellor for information.

Please review our list of courses for details.

If your course is delivered in-person, your high school Dual Credit teacher will assist you in securing transportation to the Seneca campus where your course is offered. Transportation to Seneca is free for Dual Credit students and is arranged by the high school.

Students who successfully complete a Dual Credit course at Seneca earn two credits: one credit towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and one credit towards their postsecondary studies.

A number grade will appear on your high school transcript and you will also receive a college letter grade on an official Seneca transcript.

Seneca's Dual Credit students are eligible to apply for a $1,000 bursary if they successfully complete a Dual Credit course and then later enroll in a full-time program at Seneca. Students are required to complete an application. More information can be found on the Dual Credit Bursary page.

You will need to contact the receiving college’s admissions or registration office to inquire about their transfer credit policy. You will be required to submit an official Seneca transcript.

If you earned Dual Credit from another college, you will need to complete a Transfer Credit Request through our Registration Office. 

Most Dual Credit courses require a minimum grade of 50 per cent in order to pass the course. Some courses require a higher passing grade in order to use for transfer credit at the postsecondary level.

Dual Credit students are considered Seneca students. They are expected to adhere to Seneca’s policies and regulations while completing Dual Credit courses. It is your responsibility to review Seneca's Academic Policy and our Student Code of Conduct.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be provided with an official Seneca transcript. Contact the college that you will be attending to learn more about their transfer credit policy.

If you anticipate that you will not be able to complete your Dual Credit course, you can withdraw from the course by the withdrawal deadline. Please be aware of the withdraw deadlines when you begin your course. To withdraw from a course, please contact both the Dual Credit Team at Seneca and your high school guidance counsellor.

Your withdrawal will show as DNC (Did Not Complete) on your official Seneca transcript. A DNC grade does not affect your college GPA. To withdraw from a course, please contact both the Dual Credit Team: dualcredit@senecapolytechnic.ca or 416.764.0419 and your high school guidance counsellor. Please be aware that there are deadlines to withdraw every term.

Yes, all Dual Credit students will be able to create their Virtual OneCard, which is Seneca’s student ID. This allows students to use campus services such as the Library, Computing Commons, free inter-campus shuttle and athletics facilities.

You can request your official Seneca transcript through Student Home and it will be delivered to you as a secure digital document. For students who have been away from Seneca for more than three years, you will need to complete the Official Transcript Request form and email it to theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca

Dual Credit courses run in four semesters:

  • fall semester: courses run from September to December, with class once a week
  • winter semester: courses run from February to June, with class once a week
  • spring semester: courses run from May to June, with class twice a week
  • summer semester: courses run in July, with class four times a week 

There are lots of Dual Credit courses that relate well to SHSM programs. For example, if you are in a Business SHSM, you may be interested in taking Introduction to Business or Introduction to Marketing. If you are in a Health and Wellness SHSM, you may find Anatomy and Physiology for the Practical Nurse, Natural Science: Nutrition or Behaviour of Animals to be better suited for you.

Check out our courses page to see which is the best fit for you. 

Students who face challenges in completing their high school diploma, but have the potential to succeed, are best suited for Dual Credit courses. These courses are also a good choice for students in some Specialist High Skills Majors and apprenticeship programs.

Dual Credits are best suited for Grade 11 and 12 students who would benefit from learning in a postsecondary environment.

The Dual Credit Program is part of the Ministry’s School-College-Work Initiative (SCWI) and all costs, including tuition, textbooks, supplies and transportation are covered. There is no cost to the student.

A dedicated Seneca professor and a high school Dual Credit teacher will support students along their journey. Students also have access to Seneca support services including The Learning Centre and Counselling & Accessible Learning Services. An orientation is provided to help students understand what to expect, their rights and responsibilities, and available resources. 

Seneca’s Counselling & Accessible Learning Services offer support to students who require any type of accommodation. Please encourage your student to contact this department to discuss their needs when they start their Dual Credit course, including students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). 

Each school has a designated staff person who performs this role. It may be a guidance counsellor, student success leader, co-op teacher or vice principal. All Dual Credit applications must be submitted by the designated personnel at your school directly to Seneca’s SCWI Office.

Taking a course in the college environment can help to motivate and inspire young students to complete their high school studies. Dual Credit courses allow students to explore possible careers and identify goals beyond high school. If your child decides to enrol in a full-time Seneca program after they complete high school, they can apply to transfer their Dual Credit course. Recognition will depend upon if their Dual Credit courses are part of their full-time program.

There is no cost. Dual Credit courses are funded by the Ministry’s School-College-Work Initiative (SCWI). All costs, including transportation, are covered.

Seneca’s Dual Credit Program provides students with an introduction to postsecondary life. They can enrol in a variety of courses such as psychology, aeronautics, journalism, podcasting, business and fashion. Students will also have access to a number of campus services and supports including Student Recruitment, Career Centre, The Learning Centre, Library Services, Counselling & Accessible Learning Services and more. The Dual Credit experience can help students feel confident and enhance their academic skills.

Each high school in the province has a designated staff person who oversees and manages Dual Credit opportunities. Please connect with your child’s high school for further information. All Dual Credit applications will be submitted to Seneca directly from the high school.

In addition to smaller classes, there is an experienced professor and high school Dual Credit teacher dedicated to ensuring your child’s success. Detailed orientation sessions that outline program expectations and inform students about Seneca resources are held at the start of each term.

Student success is a shared responsibility. Everyone has a role to play including the student, high school Dual Credit teacher, faculty, Dual Credit team and parents/guardians.

Your child may need additional coaching and preparation to be sure they understand the type of commitment needed to complete their Dual Credit course successfully. Postsecondary courses are shorter than high school courses. They involve extensive reading as well as a number of assignments, projects, tests and exams. All deadlines are set in advance so students can manage their time accordingly. Regular attendance and motivation are essential to student success.