FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 30, 2008

MUW offers dual enrollment for high school students

By Jill D. O’Bryant

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Mississippi University for Women offers high school
students the chance to jump start their college careers by offering dual
credit and dual enrollment. Over 160 students are participating in this
program at MUW this spring.

MUW began offering the program in the early 1990s and has seen a 158%
increase in participants in the last five years.

“The dual credit and enrollment program gives the university an opportunity to showcase our great faculty, staff and current students in a way that is so interactive,” said Cassie Derden, director of admissions. “We in turn get to offer this community service to students in our area to help them start their college education.

“We feel this program helps us to build relationships with the high schools as well as the students.”

Dual credit allows students to earn both high school and college credit
for courses taken at MUW. Students must have approval from their principal or guidance counselor and have a 2.50 GPA on at least 14 college prep credits or an ACT composite score of 29 or 1280 SAT.

With dual enrollment, students earn college credit only for courses taken at MUW. Students must have written approval from their principal or guidance counselor and have an ACT composite score of 25 or 1130 SAT.

MUW offers a variety of courses appropriate for high school students, such as English composition, history of civilization, biology and lab, geography, art appreciation, theatre appreciation, music appreciation, psychology, sociology, economics, oral communication, college algebra, pre-calculus, calculus and computer courses.

“This program provides a challenge for the students who are academically strong and motivated,” Derden said. “It can reduce the time to complete a college degree. Scholarships also are provided to help with cost of tuition.”

Danielle Stewart, a senior from Caledonia High School dual enrolled in
college algebra, feels the dual enrollment program is a good step for her.

“When I first heard of the dual enrollment program, I immediately thought it was an excellent idea,” Stewart said. “To be able to earn college credit while still in high school is very beneficial. If I have any trouble comprehending the material, I have the options of help from my professor or my high school teachers.”

Derden said many of the participants choose to continue their education
at MUW because of their experience during the program with the university’s personalized learning environment and strong academic programs.

Stewart, who plans to major in baking and pastry arts in college and is
looking at MUW’s Culinary Arts Institute.

“I have been thinking about college since I entered high school,” she said. “Because my major is not provided many places, my choice for college is now between two. Mississippi University for Women is one of the two.

“As a very ambitious person, I plan to have my own bakery chain within ten years of graduating from college. I feel as though my career choice will not just be a job, and a very fulfilling career.”

For more information about MUW’s dual credit and dual enrollment program, please contact MUW’s Office of Admissions at 662-329-7106 or
email Derden at cderden@admissions.muw.edu.