Get a head start on earning college credit by taking dual-credit classes through Sandburg. Dual-credit classes allow you, as a high school student, to take courses that count toward both your high school and college credit. Don’t wait until you’ve graduated to begin your college career — use dual credit to get started today!
Our dual-credit offerings include general education courses that prepare you for a transfer to pursue a bachelor's degree, as well as classes for those interested in entering the workforce after high school. These classes include career, technical, and health certificates and degrees.
Advantages
Affordability
Tuition at Sandburg is three times less than it is to attend a public in-state university, saving families hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Sandburg provides a discount of 50% off tuition for up to six credits per semester.
Lighten your college workload
With dual credit already on your transcript, you'll get a head start on your college courses. Frequently, students can take a lighter academic load or even graduate early.
Earn a degree while still in high school
Some high schools in our district offer enough dual-credit classes that you can complete your associate in arts from Sandburg while you’re still in high school.
Student services
Dual-credit students receive the same on-campus benefits as other Sandburg students, including academic advising, free tutoring (in-person and online), Sandburg library access and free admission to campus events.
What are your plans after graduation?
Are you planning on attending Sandburg after graduation?
- You don't need to re-apply, since you're already a Sandburg student.
- In October of your senior year of high school, apply for financial aid and scholarships.
- You may also be eligible for the dual-credit success scholarship.
- Email us to schedule an advising appointment, or call 309.341.5237.
Are you attending another college or university after graduation?
Don't forget to have official Sandburg transcripts sent to your school of choice for evaluation. Transcripts can be requested on this page.
View Associate of Art and Associate of Science transfer planning guides to explore how Sandburg classes meet general education and elective requirements for the 2 year degrees.
Select schools allow students to complete their Associate in arts (AA) degree through dual credit: (credit hours designated in parentheses):
English 101 and 102 (6)
Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
Fine Arts/Humanities (9)
Social Sciences (9)
Sciences (7)
Math (3)
Human Relations (3)
Electives (21)
Dual-credit high school partnerships
Sandburg collaborates with the following high school by giving you the opportunity to complete college courses that connect with career paths. Whether you're interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree or certificates in career, technical or trade areas, find your pathway today.
- Abingdon-Avon High School
- Bushnell Prairie City High School
- Farmington Central High School
- Galesburg High School
- GAVC
- Hamilton High School
- Illini West High School
- Knoxville High School
- Monmouth-Roseville High School
- ROWVA High School
- Warsaw High School
- United High School
- West Prairie High School
- Williamsfield High School
- West Central High School
Career, technical and trade programs
Are you interested in taking classes in the career, technical, trade or health areas to prepare for the workforce? These courses aren't intended to transfer to a four-year institution. For some of our AAS degrees in healthcare, you must complete a separate application and meet the established requirements for admission.
Information & communication technology pathway
You can take online courses to receive certificates in information & communication technology following the sequence below.
Health profession pathways
If you're interested in a career in health, you can accelerate your enrollment into our selective admissions programs by taking some of the prerequisite courses in high school. Meet with your Sandburg academic advisor to discuss admissions requirements and to develop a specific plan to ensure those requirements are met. Learn more.
Sample schedules
View these sample schedules to understand the general plan for admission into Sandburg's limited-enrollment health professions programs. Meet with your Sandburg advisor to discuss these plans and develop an individualized plan to meet admissions requirements.
How much will it cost?
Dual-credit students receive a tuition discount of 50% for the first six credit hours each semester.
Tuition calculation example (two classes 2026-2027) — $190 per credit hour)
ENG.101 (3 credit hours): $570
PSY.101 (3 credit hours): $570
Registration fee: $35
Tuition & fees total:$1,175
Dual Credit tuition discount: ($570)
Total tuition for dual credit: $587.50
Galesburg Area Vocational Center (GAVC)
You can take classes towards your associate in applied sciences (AAS) or certificates while in high school through GAVC. Depending on the availability of qualified faculty, these career degrees or certificates may be offered at GAVC, online or on Sandburg's campus. You can also complete some of the courses at GAVC, graduate from high school, and then finish the AAS degree or certificate at Sandburg.
These degrees, offered in the career, technical, trades and health areas, prepare you for the workforce; they're not intended to transfer to a four-year college or university. For some AAS degrees in healthcare, you have to complete a separate application and meet the established requirements for admission.
Welding
You can take the following courses through GAVC towards the Advanced Welding Certificate.
- WEL 128 Metal Preparation
- WEL 168 Gas Metal Arc Welding
- WEL 162 Arc Welding Basics
- WEL 170 Applications of GMAW & FCAW
- MAT 101 Technical Math
- MFG 130 Industrial Safety
- MFG 125 Welding Blueprints
- WEL 164 Arc Welding Advanced
- WEL 166 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
- WEL 126 Weld Test Evaluation
- WEL 172 Welding Applications
- IND 100 Career Skills for Industry
Additional courses offered through GAVC
- ALH 110 Introduction to Pharmacology
- MDT 110 Medical Terminology
- NUT 110 Nutrition
Medical assisting
Medical assisting will be offered in a one plus one option at GAVC. Students will take the following either online, face to face or virtually (synchronously over TEAMS_:
Fall:
- ALH 130- face to face- Professionalism in Healthcare
- ALH 135-face to face- Health Professionals Success Strategies
- ALH 140-face to face-Human Body in Health and Illness
- MDT 100-online- Medical terminology
- ALH 150- Face to face-Career Development for Health Professionals
- ALH 155- Face to face- Principles of Electrocardiography
Other healthcare courses offered at GAVC include:
- NUT 110- Nutrition- online
- PHL 103- Biomedical Ethics- online
College expectations
Environment
The college learning environment encourages critical thinking and promotes the examination of contrasting perspectives of the world. This is an environment of adult interaction where you'll be exposed to concepts, lectures and materials for adults and adult audiences.
Internet usage
At the college, some internet access is restricted; however, internet usage isn't monitored.
College environment
Sandburg is a community of lifelong learners that welcomes, values and respects diversity. The college fosters a climate of mutual respect that celebrates diversity and inclusion by embracing our similarities as well as our differences.
Expected conduct
View the Student Code of Conduct, which all students are expected to follow.
Course descriptions
Course descriptions for all courses are available through the online catalog. At times, college courses may expose students to graphic depictions or discussions of mature themes.
College classroom activities
Classroom activities may include fieldwork, lab experiments with chemicals, career, technical and trade education courses may include the use of machinery/complex equipment and group work with other students of all ages and backgrounds.
Course expectations
Enrolled students establish a permanent college academic record and transcript that may be required by future colleges or universities. This permanent academic record may affect eligibility for future financial aid. Students receive college credit for successfully completed course work.
- You can view your college grades online; they're not mailed to your home.
- You're expected to comply with all current published college policies, rules and regulations. You're also subject to the same course requirements, grading standards and attendance requirements established by the course instructor in the course syllabus.
- You'll be treated like everyone else in the class.
- You'll be held to the same expectations as any other student in the classroom and will be expected to follow the course syllabus.
- The course content, delivery and assessments won't be altered due to underage students enrolled in the course. You may be exposed to adult language, discussion and/or themes in the classroom,and on campus.
- You're expected to communicate with your instructor if you have any questions or concerns.
- You're expected to ask for help with any special needs you have, such as disability services or tutoring.
- The faculty bear no responsibility for underage students outside the classroom. Parents/legal guardians are responsible for students before and after class.
- Parents/legal guardians assume responsibility and liability for students and will be expected to attend any disciplinary sessions.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
If a student is attending a postsecondary institution — at any age — the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information on that student. If the student is under 18, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.