Dual Enrollment Policies and Procedures

I.     Purpose

Eastern Mennonite University’s Dual Enrollment program provides high school students of Mennonite Schools Council (MSC) institutions the opportunity to earn college credit while meeting requirements for high school graduation by successfully completing university courses on the high school campus.

II.     Procedure for offering a course for dual enrollment

    • MSC institutions interested in establishing a connection with EMU’s dual enrollment program should contact the Registrar's Office.   
    • An MSC institution planning to offer an already approved dual enrollment course should notify EMU’s designated administrative assistant of which course(s) will be offered no later than January 30 of the preceding academic year.  Notifications should include course terms (e.g. fall or spring) and begin/end dates.
    • An MSC institution wishing to offer a new dual enrollment course should submit completed proposals to EMU’s designated administrative assistant no later than January 30 of the preceding academic year.  EMU will respond within 30 days of receiving the proposal.  Proposals shall include:
      • dual enrollment proposal form which identifies the related EMU course
      • course syllabus (following EMU’s guidelines—template available)
      • high school course description
      • instructor’s curriculum vitae
      • instructor’s transcripts
      • letter of endorsement from the high school principal
      • the Life Together statement
    • Instructors teaching dual enrollment courses at the high school must have earned a master’s degree in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 semester hours in the teaching discipline) or demonstrate exceptional experience within the content area. Instructors are employed by MSC institutions, with adjunct faculty privileges at EMU.
    • Upon review by the dean of the school in which the proposed subject is housed, materials will be forwarded to the appropriate university program cluster for evaluation. The reviewer(s) may request additional information and an interview with the instructor. Evidence of compatible course objectives, academic rigor (including appropriate seat time and assignment requirements), and appropriate assessment shall be considered. The program cluster submits a recommendation to the aforementioned dean. 
    • EMU makes the final decision regarding approval and communicates this to the MSC institution.
    • All instructors teaching EMU courses are required to successfully complete a background investigation as required by Human Resources and to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the designated administrative assistant.

III.     EMU oversight responsibilities and remuneration

  • The EMU program director (or designee) is the primary contact for dual enrollment instructors.
  • The program director (or designee) should contact the dual enrollment instructor regularly – approximately once per month – for updates and to answer questions that may arise.
  • The program director (or designee) is responsible for assisting the instructor in understanding university policies and procedures.
  • Textbooks for dual enrollment courses must be approved by the program director.
  • The program reviewer of the application form, syllabus, and instructor credentials (as described in section II) shall receive payment of $200. Additionally, the program director or designee who serves as the primary contact for the dual enrollment instructor shall receive payment of $200.

IV.     Instructor privileges and responsibilities

  • Instructors follow the high school calendar for school holidays, teacher work days, inclement weather, etc.
  • Upon request, dual enrollment instructors may receive an EMU ID, email account, and access to my.emu.
  • Instructors are responsible to the university program director (or designee) for providing quality instruction to students and for fulfilling the mission of the university.
  • Each student must receive a syllabus, and the instructor should review it in class. Syllabi should include appropriate EMU course objectives. Syllabi templates are available from the program.
  • Instructors should communicate regularly with their university program director (or designee).
  • Instructors will work with the EMU program director (or designee) to inform the EMU Registrar’s Office of the end-of-semester date for the course; the Registrar’s Office will facilitate collection of course grades from the instructor. Grades are due within four business days of the end of the course.
  • Note: Core assessment data is not expected to be submitted for dual enrollment courses.

V.     Student qualifications and application process

  • High school juniors or seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and approval from their high school principal are eligible for enrollment in courses in EMU’s dual enrollment program. Students should be prepared for the demands of college-level coursework.  Any exception to the GPA minimum must be approved by the high school guidance counselor and principal.
  • Students complete the dual enrollment application provided by EMU’s designated administrative assistant. The form requires signatures of the student, parent or guardian, and high school principal or designee. A new form must be completed for each term.
  • Cooperating high school instructors collect the applications and tuition fees. Checks should be made payable to EMU. The packet of materials should be sent to EMU’s designated administrative assistant by two weeks following the first day of the high school class.
  • Current tuition for one dual enrollment credit hour is $75.
  • Applications without payment will not be accepted.
  • Students are not eligible for financial aid administered by EMU.
  • Textbooks are not included in tuition cost.

VI.     Course registration and enrollment

  • High school students who have submitted an approved enrollment application and payment will be registered as non-degree seeking students at Eastern Mennonite University by the Registrar’s Office.
  • EMU will accept registrations only through the second week of the high school class.
  • Courses taught at the high school may have a different start and end date than courses taught at EMU.
  • Enrolled students receive access to academic and student support resources including the EMU library and an email account via an information packet provided at the beginning of the course. An EMU ID card will be provided to students who present themselves at the User Services Desk at the Sadie Hartzler Library.
  • Students enrolled in the course at the high school, but not taking it for college credit, are not enrolled as EMU students.

VII.     Withdrawal and refund policies

  • Up to the end of week 13 of the class, students may withdraw from the course with no grade and receive a 50 percent tuition refund. After the end of week 13 of the class, no refund will be given and a grade will be awarded for the EMU course.
  • Students who wish to withdraw from dual enrollment should consult their instructor and guidance counselor. The instructor or guidance counselor is responsible to inform the EMU Registrar’s Office when a student has chosen to withdraw.

VIII.     Grading, transcripts, and student records

  • Credit earned through the dual enrollment process becomes a part of the student’s EMU permanent academic record.
  • Transferability of credit earned through dual enrollment is determined by the receiving institution. Students should request to have an official transcript sent by the Registrar’s Office to the specified institution.

IX.     Assessment

  • Dual enrollment students will evaluate their experience using EMU’s course evaluation process. Program directors (or designees) will consult with instructors to review evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
  • Additionally, program directors (or designees) may observe instructors in the classroom as a mechanism for evaluation.

All questions regarding Eastern Mennonite University dual enrollment courses should be directed to EMU’s designated administrative assistant at barbara.byer@emu.edu or 540-432-4168.

Updated 21 February 2014
Updated 15 September 2017
Updated and approved by Provost's Council 1 September 2020

This document should be reviewed every three years.