Over one year has passed since Union Commonwealth University reinstated its Dual Enrollment Program. Under the guidance of College Program Liaison and Coordinator Dr. Lori Henderson, the program that started out as a small group of nearly 30 students has nearly tripled in size with at least 90 students from Knox County and Barbourville Independent participating this fall. Additionally, the number of career pathways offered through the program has expanded, giving students more options, all approved by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

Each career pathway at Union includes four foundational courses that introduce students to key concepts in their chosen field. Many of these involve students taking courses on core subjects such as English, Algebra, and History. The newest options, the Business and Teaching and Learning pathways, were recently approved, and they join the existing tracks in Media Arts and Nursing.

Tuition for dual credit courses is still fully covered by KHEAA, and the requirements to take dual credit are still roughly the same for all enrolled high school students. It has, however, been changed locally to be more in line with the process that a freshman enrolling at Union would go through. Admission to the program is available to both juniors and seniors who maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) and earn an ACT score of at least 18. Enrollment in 2 college-level English and Math courses require specific subject scores: 18 in English and 20 in Reading for English 111, and a 22 in Math for Math 131.

Ultimately, the purpose of these dual credit courses is to prepare students for the future while offering a clearer vision of what it may entail.

“One of the goals that we want to try to accomplish is to introduce them to the college environment and culture, and then see if they’ll be interested in becoming full-time students,” says Dr. Henderson. “I feel like students need to be introduced to the college environment in order to know if they want to go to college.”



Dual enrollment at Union is still growing as more students and schools recognize the value of early college exposure. This continued progress, however, wouldn’t be possible without the support of Union’s president, Dr. Dj Washington, who has been instrumental in working with local superintendents to strengthen school partnerships.

At the Building Bridges: Partnerships & Pathways Panel, Barbourville Independent Schools Superintendent Dennis Messer and Knox Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Ledford shared their thoughts on the new educational opportunities available to students.

Superintendent Messer spoke about the importance of building strong connections between students and the campus community, saying, “DJ and I have talked a lot about getting our kids 3 on campus to help them, teach them, and build that relationship. And that’s been big for our students!”

Superintendent Ledford emphasized the academic and career advantages these pathways offer, adding, “Students have the opportunity to earn 24 to 27 hours of high school dual credit, then spend two years here at Union and enter the workforce.”

Their collaboration is also reflected in the fact that both superintendents currently have children attending Union, a sign of trust and investment in the university’s mission.

Union looks forward to the continued development of the Dual Enrollment Program over the next year, with hopes of seeing even more students from Knox County and Barbourville Independent take part. It is also a hope that many of these students will return to Union’s campus as full-fledged university students.

For more information on enrollment, students should contact their school guidance counselors.