EKU Dual Credit Education Classes Help High School Students Get Ahead

EKU’s dual credit program allows Kentucky high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses to earn both college and high school credit. The Department of Curriculum and Instruction in EKU’s College of Education is building dual credit partnerships with school districts to address the growing shortage of teachers in Kentucky and nationwide. High school students can enroll in four different classes that will transfer EKU’s major to elementary education. These courses can also be used in the middle grades teaching major. Current partnerships include Knox County Public Schools, Frederick Douglas High School, Rockcastle County High School, Madison Central High School, Madison Southern High School, and Corbin Independent.  

Kaylee Kapp is a senior at Madison Southern High School and enrolled in an EKU dual credit class. She plans to be a middle grades social studies and language arts teacher. Kaylee says, “I like taking EKU dual credit classes because they are a less expensive way to start learning how to become a teacher. They have confirmed for me that I wanted to be a teacher. The class will impact my future career preparing me for college and helping prepare me to be the best possible teacher I am capable of being."  

Another student enrolled in an EKU’s dual credit teacher education class, Davis Lakes, said, “It really helped me figure out what I want to do in the future, and it has benefits for when I get to college."

William Dooley, a Madison Southern High School English teacher, is also an adjunct instructor for EKU. He teaches CMS 100 Introduction to Human Communication which is a general education class in the elementary teaching major and several other programs. “My students are interested in both nonverbal and interpersonal communication. Of course, both are essential for teachers as they interact with students, parents, colleagues, and principals or district leadership,” said Dooley.

Emily Alexander, a family and consumer science teacher at Madison Southern High School, teaches two dual credit classes for EKU’s College of Education: EDF 203: Educational Foundations and EDF 204: Emerging Instructional Technologies. She is qualified to teach education classes because she has earned her master’s degree and Rank I with numerous graduate classes in education.

“I like teaching dual credit courses with EKU for two reasons. First, my daughter who benefited from EKU Dual Credit recently graduated early from the College of Education. Second, I love the financial savings the program offers students and their families. I also appreciate that students get an introduction to college-level coursework with a bit of a safety net; they can dip their toes in the water without jumping off the diving board,” Dooley said. 

“The EKU Department of Curriculum and Instruction has been wonderful to work with. Everyone in the department has been very welcoming and helpful. I love having a new teaching challenge.  I have also appreciated working with students who will make a difference for the future of education. To be a small part of their journey is very rewarding,” said Alexander. 

High School teachers in EKU dual-credit partner school districts are eligible to be an instructor if they have earned a Master’s degree with at least 18 credit hours in the subject area being taught. For more information about forming a partnership between your school district and EKU's College of Education,  please contact the Chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, nicola.mason@eku.edu

Contact Information

Dr. Nicola Mason
nicola.mason@eku.edu
859-622-2154/2155

Published on April 28, 2021