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OnRamps Dual Enrollment Courses
NEISD offers OnRamps dual enrollment courses to students—giving them access to high-quality, college-level courses early in their academic careers.
Established by the University of Texas at Austin in 2011, OnRamps reduces barriers to higher education for students by introducing them to the expectations of a college course within the familiarity of their high school classroom. In addition to learning effective study habits, gaining independence, and developing key interpersonal communication skills; students are also eligible for the opportunity to earn college credit.
NEISD offers the following OnRamps courses* (click for more information):
- Arts & Entertainment Technologies
- Biology & Lab
- College Algebra
- Computer Science
- Physics I & Lab
- Physics II
- Precalculus
- Rhetoric (Fall and Spring Semester)
- U.S. History (Fall and Spring Semester)
*Offerings vary by campus
THE ONRAMPS MODEL
OnRamps students are enrolled in two separate courses: a high school course taught by an NEISD teacher—who receives yearlong, research-based professional learning and development on the most effective techniques and technologies used in classrooms today—and an online, distance college course taught by a faculty member or college “Instructor of Record.”
Students receive separate grades for the high school and college courses. The work and grades between the high school course and college course are kept separate and do not influence the other. In both courses, students are challenged with rigorous content, encouraged to take ownership of their learning, and prepared with the skills they need to support their transition beyond high school.
COLLEGE CREDIT AND TRANSFERABILITY
Students can earn transferable college credit through their OnRamps course. To be eligible for the opportunity to earn college credit, students must meet a minimum grade requirement in their college course or meet minimum scores on the TSI, TSIA 2.0, ACT, or SAT.
Students who earn college credit have the choice to accept or decline the credit based on their college goals. Accepted credits will appear on an official university transcript with the final college letter grade, which may factor into a student’s college GPA depending on the college’s policies. Students who decline credit will not have a university transcript and declining credit has no impact on a student’s financial aid status.
College credits earned with a grade of C- or above that fulfill Core Curriculum requirements are required by law to transfer to any public colleges or universities in Texas. Private and out-of-state colleges and universities have also accepted credit transfers, based on their varying policies. More information on college credit can be found on the OnRamps website.
STUDENT ELIGIBLITY
OnRamps courses give students the opportunity to experience college before college! Students are not required to complete a placement assessment (such as TSI) or application to enroll in any OnRamps course, though they may have to complete a pre-requisite course or two to ensure they are fully prepared for the material. Click on the course names above for more information on any required pre-requisites.
2022-2023 OnRamps Students
Reminder: OnRamps students will not automatically receive a transcript.
Beginning Thursday June 15, 2023, eligible OnRamps students may request a transcript through UT Austin's Registrar if they earned and accepted credit for their OnRamps course(s). The Registrar charges a $20 fee for each transcript ordered, which is a residential fee, not an OnRamps or NEISD fee. For more information, including the request form, please visit the OnRamps website.
Students who need a letter verifying enrollment in OnRamps or non-attendance at The University of Texas at Austin can request it via this form. If students need a letter verifying their grade or credit before Thursday June 15, 2023, they can use the same form to make that request.
AP/Dual Credit/OnRamps Dual Enrollment: What's the Difference?
Advanced Placement
Dual credit
Dual Enrollment
Description
The AP program allows high school students to take college-level courses and exams to potentially earn college credit.
A Dual Credit course allows a high school student to earn college credit and high school credit concurrently.
Dual Enrollment allows high school students to simultaneously earn a high school credit as well a separate college credit.
Description
Advanced Placement
The AP program allows high school students to take college-level courses and exams to potentially earn college credit.
Dual credit
A Dual Credit course allows a high school student to earn college credit and high school credit concurrently.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment allows high school students to simultaneously earn a high school credit as well a separate college credit.
Credit
High school credit is awarded for successful completion of the course. Most colleges offer credit and/or placement for qualifying AP scores.
Credit, both high school and college, is awarded when the student passes the course with a 70% or better. The number of college credit hours is determined by the college. Typically, academic Dual Credit is awarded through San Antonio College.
High school credit is awarded if the student passes the course with a 70% or better. The faculty of UT Austin awards college credit if the student earns a D- or better in the college portion of the course. Students may choose to accept the college credit.
Credit
Advanced Placement
High school credit is awarded for successful completion of the course. Most colleges offer credit and/or placement for qualifying AP scores.
Dual credit
Credit, both high school and college, is awarded when the student passes the course with a 70% or better. The number of college credit hours is determined by the college. Typically, academic Dual Credit is awarded through San Antonio College.
Dual Enrollment
High school credit is awarded if the student passes the course with a 70% or better. The faculty of UT Austin awards college credit if the student earns a D- or better in the college portion of the course. Students may choose to accept the college credit.
Teachers/ Instructors
AP courses are taught by high school teachers trained by the College Board.
Dual Credit courses are taught by high school teachers qualified to serve as adjunct professors at the college.
Dual Enrollment courses are taught by qualified high school teachers in conjunction with faculty from the University of Texas at Austin. The high school course is taught in person in conjunction with the distance learning provided by the university.
Teachers/ Instructors
Advanced Placement
AP courses are taught by high school teachers trained by the College Board.
Dual credit
Dual Credit courses are taught by high school teachers qualified to serve as adjunct professors at the college.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment courses are taught by qualified high school teachers in conjunction with faculty from the University of Texas at Austin. The high school course is taught in person in conjunction with the distance learning provided by the university.
College/ University Acceptance
AP scores are accepted throughout the nation. However, students should note individual college and university requirements for credit may vary. Students should check with each school's policy.
Dual Credit hours are accepted at public colleges and universities in Texas. Other colleges and universities may accept the credit hours, but students should check with each school's policy.
Dual Enrollment hours are accepted at public colleges and universities in Texas. Other colleges and universities may accept the credit hours, but students should check with each school's policy.
College/ University Acceptance
Advanced Placement
AP scores are accepted throughout the nation. However, students should note individual college and university requirements for credit may vary. Students should check with each school's policy.
Dual credit
Dual Credit hours are accepted at public colleges and universities in Texas. Other colleges and universities may accept the credit hours, but students should check with each school's policy.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment hours are accepted at public colleges and universities in Texas. Other colleges and universities may accept the credit hours, but students should check with each school's policy.
Location/ textbooks
AP courses are taught at the high school. Curriculum and instructional resources are provided by the school district.
Dual credit courses are taught at the high school. Curriculum and instructional resources are provided in conjunction by the school district and the college.
Dual Enrollment courses are taught at the high school and on a distance learning platform. Curriculum and instructional resources are provided by UT Austin and/or the school district.
Location/ textbooks
Advanced Placement
AP courses are taught at the high school. Curriculum and instructional resources are provided by the school district.
Dual credit
Dual credit courses are taught at the high school. Curriculum and instructional resources are provided in conjunction by the school district and the college.
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment courses are taught at the high school and on a distance learning platform. Curriculum and instructional resources are provided by UT Austin and/or the school district.
Rigor
College Level Rigor - AP courses are standardized and controlled by The College Board. Course syllabi are submitted and approved by College Board.
College Course - Dual Credit course syllabi are submitted and approved by individual departments at Alamo Colleges.
College Course - Through a distance learning platform, students experience courses exactly as they would receive instruction at the UT Austin campus.
Rigor
Advanced Placement
College Level Rigor - AP courses are standardized and controlled by The College Board. Course syllabi are submitted and approved by College Board.
Dual credit
College Course - Dual Credit course syllabi are submitted and approved by individual departments at Alamo Colleges.
Dual Enrollment
College Course - Through a distance learning platform, students experience courses exactly as they would receive instruction at the UT Austin campus.
Cost
Course is free of charge. The cost of the exam is set by the College Board. Subsidies for the exam may be available. Students are responsible for any fees associated with taking the exam and to send scores to colleges and universities.
Course is free of charge. Students are responsible for any transcript fee assessed by the college.
Course is free of charge. Students are responsible for any transcript fee assessed by UT Austin.
Cost
Advanced Placement
Course is free of charge. The cost of the exam is set by the College Board. Subsidies for the exam may be available. Students are responsible for any fees associated with taking the exam and to send scores to colleges and universities.
Dual credit
Course is free of charge. Students are responsible for any transcript fee assessed by the college.
Dual Enrollment
Course is free of charge. Students are responsible for any transcript fee assessed by UT Austin.
Impact on High School GPA
Course is considered advanced and is weighted in accordance with local policy.
Course is considered advanced and is weighted in accordance with local policy.
Course is considered advanced and is weighted in accordance with local policy.
Impact on High School GPA
Advanced Placement
Course is considered advanced and is weighted in accordance with local policy.
Dual credit
Course is considered advanced and is weighted in accordance with local policy.
Dual Enrollment
Course is considered advanced and is weighted in accordance with local policy.
Impact on College Transcript
Each college or university evaluates transfer credit based on its own policies, which vary by school, college, and institution. AP scores are sent by the student. AP scores could earn students college credit or advanced placement.
Each college or university evaluates transfer credit based on its own policies, which vary by school, college, and institution. Dual Credit performance is permanently recorded on the student's college transcript. All college transcripts must be reported when applying to any college or university. Failing grades cannot be expunged.
Each college or university evaluates transfer credit based on its own policies, which vary by school, college, and institution. Students who earn and accept college credit in an OnRamps course may request a transcript from UT Austin. Once on the transcript, OnRamps course grades are factored into a student's cumulative GPA at UT Austin.
Impact on College Transcript
Advanced Placement
Each college or university evaluates transfer credit based on its own policies, which vary by school, college, and institution. AP scores are sent by the student. AP scores could earn students college credit or advanced placement.
Dual credit
Each college or university evaluates transfer credit based on its own policies, which vary by school, college, and institution. Dual Credit performance is permanently recorded on the student's college transcript. All college transcripts must be reported when applying to any college or university. Failing grades cannot be expunged.
Dual Enrollment
Each college or university evaluates transfer credit based on its own policies, which vary by school, college, and institution. Students who earn and accept college credit in an OnRamps course may request a transcript from UT Austin. Once on the transcript, OnRamps course grades are factored into a student's cumulative GPA at UT Austin.
Eligibility
Open to any student. Students will want to be prepared for the AP course selected. Some AP classes have recommended courses students will need to take prior.
Students must qualify by taking the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test and complete the college application.
Open to any student. Students do not have to meet testing requirements or complete an application to enroll. Some courses will require completion of high school course prerequisites. Participating students should be prepared to experience a college distance learning course.
Eligibility
Advanced Placement
Open to any student. Students will want to be prepared for the AP course selected. Some AP classes have recommended courses students will need to take prior.
Dual credit
Students must qualify by taking the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test and complete the college application.
Dual Enrollment
Open to any student. Students do not have to meet testing requirements or complete an application to enroll. Some courses will require completion of high school course prerequisites. Participating students should be prepared to experience a college distance learning course.
