Dual credit programs have become an increasingly powerful option for high school students — especially those in Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) pathways. But for many teachers, the evolving requirements and practical realities of dual credits can feel confusing:
Who qualifies? How do they count? And how can we best leverage them to support SHSM students’ transitions to college, apprenticeships, or other post-secondary pathways?
This blog breaks down what dual credit is, why it matters for SHSM learners, how eligibility works, and actions teachers can take now to ensure students benefit from these opportunities.
What Is a Dual Credit Program?
In Ontario, dual credit programs are Ministry of Education-approved opportunities that allow high school students to take college courses or Level 1 apprenticeship training while still enrolled in secondary school. The key benefit is that these courses count for both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and can also count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma, degree, or apprenticeship certification. Ontario
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Students take college-delivered or team-taught courses.
- Successfully completing the course earns them a secondary school credit and a college credit simultaneously.
- Students may earn up to four optional credits toward their OSSD this way.
Dual credits are usually offered in partnership between public school boards and local colleges. They can be delivered directly at the college campus or through team-taught models at the secondary school.
Why Dual Credit Matters for SHSM Students
For SHSM students — who are already navigating sector-focused learning, experiential placements, certifications, and pathway planning — dual credit offers several strategic advantages:
1. Reinforces Sector Pathways with Post-Secondary Exposure
Dual credits allow students to explore college or apprenticeship coursework that aligns with their SHSM sector while still in high school. This means SHSM students can experience the next step of training before graduation, helping them make informed decisions about whether they want to pursue that pathway after high school. Ontario
2. Helps Students Complete Their OSSD
Many dual credit participants are students who may benefit from alternative pathways to graduation — including those who might be at risk of not completing their OSSD. But SHSM students also qualify and are frequently encouraged to participate because the experience supports both graduation and post-secondary planning goals. Upper Grand District School Board
3. Smooths the Transition to College or Apprenticeship
By earning real college or Level 1 apprenticeship credits early and accessing college support services (like tutoring and career advising), students can enter post-secondary settings with less anxiety and a clearer sense of expectation. Dual credits help students build confidence, familiarity, and academic momentum. Ontario
Who Is Eligible for Dual Credit?
Eligibility isn’t automatic — it’s typically determined by the Student Success Team, guidance counsellors, and school administrators in collaboration with college partners. But broadly:
- Students in Grade 11 or 12 can participate.
- The program is aimed at students with the potential to succeed but who may need additional supports — this includes disengaged learners and those at risk of not graduating.
- SHSM students are specifically included in the group of students who may benefit from dual credit programs.
- Students in Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) pathways can also participate in apprenticeship-focused dual credits. Upper Grand District School Board
Teachers and guidance staff are key to identifying which students may be a good fit — not just those struggling academically, but also those who could gain confidence, clarity, and skills through a reach-ahead experience.
What’s Changed (or Worth Noting) This Year?
While the core policy framework hasn’t undergone a radical overhaul, there are a few practical shifts and renewals worth knowing:
1. Updated Dual Credit Program Guidelines
The Ontario Ministry of Education recently released updated Dual Credit Program Guidelines (2025–26), which clarify expectations around student selection, regional planning team operations, and reporting compliance for school boards and colleges. These guidelines reaffirm that SHSM students are a target group and outline how programs should be designed to meet local needs. Ontario
Teacher takeaway: Understanding the updated guidelines helps you advocate for dual credit spaces that align with your students’ goals rather than relying on outdated assumptions about eligibility or delivery.
2. Continued Emphasis on Supporting Diverse Learners
Dual credit programs today continue to emphasize inclusion across learner profiles — including those who may benefit from alternative learning environments while still meeting academic requirements. This aligns very well with SHSM’s focus on experiential and contextualized learning. Ontario
Practical Tips for Teachers (and Guidance Teams)
Here are actionable approaches you can take right now to make dual credit a meaningful tool for SHSM students:
1. Start Early — Identify Potential Candidates in Grade 10–11
Many teachers only think about dual credit in Grade 12 — but early identification lets students plan their schedules more intentionally. Discuss dual credit options when students choose their Grade 11 and 12 courses, especially if the offerings align with their SHSM sector.
2. Coordinate With Guidance and Student Success Teams
These teams are central to tracking eligibility and securing seats, especially when dual credits are limited. Work collaboratively rather than in isolation to ensure students are on the radar early.
3. Connect Dual Credit to SHSM Pathway Planning
Show students and parents how the credits literally count twice: once toward the OSSD and once on their post-secondary transcript. Tie dual credit participation to other SHSM components (like co-op or sector partner experiences) so students can articulate their pathway story clearly.
4. Communicate the Benefits (and Limitations)
Dual credits are not mandatory and won’t count in the same way as required SHSM credits — but their value lies in transition, exploration, and reduced duplication of coursework once a student enters college or apprenticeship programs.
Conclusion: A Strategic Tool for SHSM Success
Dual credit programs aren’t just an add-on — they’re a strategic mechanism to support SHSM learners in finishing strong and starting next steps confidently. By earning up to four optional credits toward graduation and college or apprenticeship credentials, students can get a head start on post-secondary success while still in a familiar learning environment.
Teachers who proactively understand eligibility, communicate options to students early, and align dual credit experiences with SHSM pathway goals give students an inside edge — academically, professionally, and personally.