What if you could earn college credit before stepping onto a college campus? Luckily for interested students, Niles West not only provides many amazing Advanced Placement (AP) classes, but also a variety of dual credit classes. Dual credit is often overlooked and not fully understood by students and parents, many students miss out on a unique opportunity to get ahead. A dual credit course allows students to obtain college credit while in high school, and then transfer the credit they earned to the college they attended upon graduation. D219 offers around 20 dual credit-eligible classes. From Hebrew to Welding & Metal Fabrication, Niles West provides a dual credit course for every interest. 

Michelle Kline has taught Fashion Studio for nine years. Students who take Fashion Studio at Niles West can sign up for dual credit with Harper Community College, in Palatine IL, which allows them to take a college fashion course without leaving the Niles West fashion room.

“[To get into the fashion studio course] you have to take Fashion One.  Preferably, you also take Fashion Two, and then you can go into Fashion Studio. You have an option, usually junior or senior year, to get dual credit…It’s different than AP because you get three college credits for finishing the class and you don’t have to take a test or anything like that. If you want to go into fashion and you take Fashion Studio…you will have some really good skills that you will go into college with and you’ll be amazed at how other fashion students haven’t even sewn before,” Kline said.

Kline emphasized that dual credit opportunities are often good for students who know what they want to do with their future. In the case of Fashion Studio, students who go on to major in fashion will have a head start from their peers thanks to dual credit. But Fashion Studio is not the only class that can give students a head start in college.

Another unique program that is offered for Niles West students is Basic Nurse Assistant Training (BNAT). BNAT takes place at Niles North in the mornings and is a program for students who hope to work in the medical field after high school. Angela Mell is a Niles North-based teacher who works in the science program, teaching Health Careers and BNAT. Similarly to Fashion Studio, BNAT has multiple prerequisite courses and requires outstanding attendance.

“Students have to apply to the BNAT program by December of their Junior year. Enrollment is limited due to the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines. The D219 BNAT course provides dual college credit in the BNA 100 and BNA 105 courses at Oakton, which is a total of eight college credits. BNAT is a great course for anyone interested in the medical field. The theory and skill learned are needed for any medical-related career,” Mell said.

Karl Calingacion is a senior BNAT student. Calingacion got into nursing because of his parents who were doctors in the Philippines, and now work as nurses in the United States.

“[BNAT] is really hands on. I think it’s really beneficial because you get to do two credits at once and it’s honestly just a fun class. I don’t have to take a month or year long course after [high school] to get my CNA certification, so I get to save a lot of time.” Calingacion said.

Similarly to AP courses, dual credit is only for students who are willing to put the work in. From applications to field trips to extra classwork and homework, dual credit classes aren’t for the faint of heart. But, as with any other challenging course, dual credit courses are very rewarding for students who already know what they want to focus on in college. Although there is less discussion around dual credit at Niles West than around AP or honors classes, dual credit is a great opportunity for all students to get a head start on their future.