Bob Jones Academy students may take residential (traditional classroom setting) or online Bob Jones University courses and have them count toward high school graduation requirements and as college credits—for a maximum of 24 college credits (8 high school credits).
During each regular semester, juniors and seniors may take one dual-credit class (two with guidance office approval). Students may choose to take additional BJU courses during the summer for dual credit.
Saving money
BJA students may take these dual-credit residential classes during the semester at no additional charge for tuition … yes, it’s that good a deal—essentially a two-for-one opportunity! In addition to the Bible and chapel hour, the high school schedule includes six classes that meet daily. Academy tuition covers up to five daily academy classes plus one residential university course for dual credit or up to four daily academy classes plus two residential university courses for dual credit.
Additional BJU courses may be taken during the summer, whether online or in residence, up to the 24-credit limit. Although BJA tuition does not cover the cost for online or summer in-residence classes, high school students receive a half-price discount for online college courses.
With 24 credits completed, a student will have earned well over one semester of college work before beginning college.
Textbooks are required for most college classes, and students pay separately for textbooks.
Calculating grade point average
Students receive 1 high school credit for 3-credit or 4-credit college courses and one-half credit at the high school level for 1-credit or 2-credit college courses. A student will receive dual-credit quality points for his/her SC UGP grade point average (which is used for the LIFE Scholarship)—the dual-credit quality point is one full point higher than for a regular high school course (for a B- in a dual-credit class, the student will receive a 4.0 on his high school transcript instead of the 3.0 that a regular high school class would receive).
Transferring credits
Acceptance of credits is always at the discretion of the receiving institution, so neither BJA nor BJU can guarantee that credits will transfer. Students should check with the colleges they are considering about whether a particular course will transfer.
Qualifying to take dual-credit classes
A student must
- have completed the sophomore year and earned a total of at least 12 credits.
- be enrolled in a minimum of 3 hours (1.5 credits) per day on the BJA campus.
- meet minimum GPA requirements (juniors, 3.5 or above cumulative unweighted GPA; seniors, 3.0 or above cumulative unweighted GPA).
- have a good discipline record during the semester preceding enrollment.
Because these grades apply to a student’s LIFE Scholarship college GPA, a student must maintain final grades of B- and above in all dual-credit classes in order to continue in the dual-credit program; exceptions may be made by the guidance counselor.
Choosing courses
Students may substitute dual-credit courses in place of several core classes on the high school level. Students also may complete elective requirements with dual-credit classes.
In lieu of English 12, students who have an English ACT of 28 or above may take Composition & Rhetoric (En 102) and Composition & Literature (En 103).
In lieu of World History, students may take History of Civilization (Hi 101 and Hi 102).
In lieu of United States History, students may take United States History 1492 to 1877 and United States History since 1877 (Hi 201 and Hi 202).
Students desiring dual credit for foreign language classes may begin a foreign language at BJU or may take a BJU course after taking a foreign language course at BJA. If they have taken a class at BJA, they cannot repeat similar material in a BJU course; and after completing a BJU course in a particular language, they may not repeat similar material in a BJA course. Students who have taken a foreign language course at BJA will need to take a placement test and begin at the appropriate level.
- After taking Spanish 1, a student may begin with Elementary Spanish II (MLS 142) or higher. After taking Spanish 2, a student may begin with Intermediate Spanish I (MLS 241) or higher.
- After taking French 1, a student may begin with Elementary French II (MLF 102) or higher. After taking French 2, a student may begin with Intermediate French I (MLF 201) or higher.
- After taking German 1, a student may begin with Elementary German II (MLG 112) or higher. After taking German 2, a student may begin with Intermediate German I (MLG 211) or higher.
Students may also receive credit on the high school transcript for electives taken by dual credit. These electives include, but are not limited to, the courses below. (Academy students have recently taken and done well in each of these courses.) Students desiring to take other BJU classes can explore BJU courses and discuss those course options with BJA guidance personnel. Unless otherwise noted, each course earns 3 college credits and 1 high school credit.
- Accounting (AC 101 and above—4 college credits; 1 HS credit)
- Drawing/Structural Representation (Ar 121 and above—2 college credits; ½ HS credit)
- Fundamentals of Counseling (Ps 341)
- Fundamentals of Speech (Com 101)
- General Psychology (Ps 200)
- Greek (ALG 101 and above)
- Introduction to Criminal Justice (CJ 101)
- Transcendental Functions (Ma 105; prerequisite for dual credit: Math ACT of 28 or higher) and above
Students desiring dual credit for a BJU course should contact the guidance office to request permission for dual credit before the course begins in order to be awarded dual credit for the class.
Taking college classes without earning dual credit
Some students may not want dual credit for a class but still want to take a college course during their senior year. For example, a student who has already taken World History may want to take History of Civilization; BJA cannot offer high school credit for this class in this situation since the student has already received that credit. In order to take a university class without earning dual credit for it, the senior must have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA and be enrolled in at least four academy classes per day. Students who qualify for dual credit may take one university class per semester (two per semester with guidance office approval), whether it is for dual credit or only for college credit. University courses not for dual credit are offered to Academy seniors at a drastically reduced rate (Complete Tuition and Fees).