'Dual-credit' college courses extended in ND

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota high school sophomores now may take courses for college credit while they're still in high school.

North Dakota's Board of Higher Education has extended "dual-credit" courses to sophomores. Before, only juniors and seniors could take dual credits.

Dickinson High School counselor Maxine Hauck says the credits are usually good at any college in North Dakota's university system.

But Hauck says the classes may count only toward the total number of hours a student needs to graduate. A dual credit may not substitute for a specific college class.

As many as 60 Dickinson High School students are taking dual-credit courses this year.

The Dickinson Press reports that Dickinson State University charges $199 per credit hour for dual-credit classes. Most courses are for three credits each.