Dual Credit That Works for Our Students and Our Communities
For decades, Paris Junior College has partnered with school districts across our service area to provide dual credit opportunities that are affordable, accessible, and intentionally designed for high school students. Each year our partnerships allow thousands of students to begin their college journey close to home, save money, and build confidence in a supportive academic environment.
As our region continues to grow, conversations about education and workforce training are increasingly important. In the midst of those discussions, it is helpful to step back and remember what dual credit is intended to accomplish and why community colleges in Texas have historically played such a central role in delivering it.
Dual credit courses are college courses taught to high school students that count toward both high school graduation and a future college degree. In Texas, community colleges were built specifically to provide entry level college academic coursework, workforce education, and serve as the local access point to higher education. That mission aligns precisely with the goals of dual credit.
At PJC, our dual credit courses are fully transferable through the Texas Common Course Numbering System and align with the core curriculum requirements recognized by public universities across the state. In other words, students are not earning “lesser” credit by attending a community college - they are earning college credit designed specifically to transfer seamlessly to Texas public institutions. Publicly available transfer guides and articulation agreements demonstrate that PJC coursework aligns with universities throughout Texas.
But dual credit is about more than core academic classes. One of the most powerful aspects of community college dual credit is its connection to workforce training. Students can begin career and technical education pathways while still in high school, earning industry-recognized certificates in fields such as healthcare, industrial technology, business, aviation careers, and other high-demand areas. These credentials can lead directly to employment opportunities after graduation, giving students a head start in the workforce while continuing their education if they choose.
In many cases, students can complete a full workforce certificate or even an Associate of Applied Science degree by the time they graduate from high school. Others complete the core curriculum or a substantial portion of an academic associate degree, positioning them to transfer to a university as juniors. A growing number of high school students in our service area are even earning an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree before receiving their high school diploma. These are degrees that community colleges across Texas are specifically designed and authorized to provide, unlike the University System in Texas.
Affordability is another essential consideration. Community colleges were created to provide the most cost-effective pathway to a college degree. For families, this often means significantly lower tuition and fees for the same transferable coursework. Whether a student is earning core academic credits, a certificate, or an associate degree, beginning at a community college can dramatically reduce the overall cost of higher education.
PJC took steps this past year to lower dual credit tuition rates and launched a new course materials program that further reduces student costs. After high school, the pathway at PJC remains highly affordable, supported by a strong array of local scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
Support is equally important. Dual credit students at PJC are college students. They have access to academic advising, tutoring, library services, and campus resources. More importantly, our faculty and staff are experienced in working with first-generation students, students still exploring their career goals, and students who benefit from smaller class sizes and a more personalized learning environment. That focus on access and student success is central to who we are and is demonstrated by the high level of success our students experience.
There is also value in the local connection. Paris Junior College is governed locally and exists to serve its districts and surrounding communities. The Board of Regents and administration receive input from Boards of Advisors in Hunt and Hopkins Counties to further strengthen engagement throughout our service area. Our partnerships with ISDs are not transactional - they are collaborative. We work closely with counselors, administrators, and teachers to align schedules, calendars, and communication in ways that prioritize students.
It is true that any institution can describe its courses as rigorous and aligned with university standards. In Texas, entry-level college academic coursework - whether taken at a university or a community college - must meet the same state guidelines to transfer within the public system. The key difference is not the rigor of the credit, but the mission of the institution delivering it. Paris Junior College, like most colleges and universities, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), whose mission is to assure the educational quality of its member institutions.
Community colleges were created to be the front door to higher education—and equally important, a direct pathway to the workforce. PJC designs dual credit programs that will open that front door to as many students as possible.
At Paris Junior College, we are proud of the thousands of students who have started with us - many of whom have gone on to universities across Texas and beyond. We are proud of the money we have saved families, leaving it in our communities. We are proud of the first-generation students who discovered that they could succeed in doing college-level work. And we are proud of the students who entered high school unsure of their future and graduated not only with a diploma, but with a college credential, college degree, and a clear path forward.
Dual credit should be clear. It should be affordable. It should be supportive. And it should expand opportunity. We stand ready to partner and collaborate with any school that shares these common goals. That has been the mission of Paris Junior College since our founding, and it remains our commitment for the future.
Stephen M. Benson, President of Paris Junior College
