Dual-credit programs for Nevada students gaining momentum; CSN leads in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — About a quarter of Nevada’s high school students are getting ahead in dual-credit programs, and schools see an opportunity to increase participation.

Former Gov. Brian Sandoval, now president of UNR, was in Las Vegas Wednesday touring Northwest Career and Technical Academy a day after the university touted the growth in its dual-credit enrollment around the state.

But the leader in Las Vegas is still College of Southern Nevada (CSN), where vocational training plays a big role alongside academics.

Dr. James McCoy, vice president for Academic Affairs at CSN, said dual credit is a pathway for success in college.

“If they’re a dual-enrollment student, they’re college proven. They don’t have to convince themselves that they’re college material or not college material,” McCoy said. That’s particularly important for first-generation college students, which is the case for many in Nevada.

And if college isn’t what they want, students can explore CSN’s certificate programs that can lead directly to jobs in a variety of high-growth fields where workers are always in demand. McCoy said a mining company is paying for a visit this week involving Rancho High School students. A $70,000-a-year salary could be at the end of the rainbow.

In some vocational programs, employers are paying the cost of the class and providing a pipeline to work after graduation.

Working directly with high school counselors, CSN has lofty goals for increasing dual-credit enrollment.

“Our goal is to make sure that every high school student who has a desire to enter into a dual-credit pathway has an access point regardless of the ZIP code they may reside in, regardless of who their family is, whether or not their mom or dad have never gone to college or they have no one in their family who have gone to college,” McCoy said.

“We want to make sure that every high school student has the potential to start college — and start it early,” he said.

Rather than viewing 25% participation as an accomplishment, McCoy sees it as an untapped opportunity with room for every higher education institution to participate.

“There’s not a college in this state … that hasn’t been laser-focused in growing this aspect of our missions,” McCoy said.

“Still, today CSN is leading the pack because we’ve been at this for 30 years. We’re still the largest provider of dual and early college-going experiences for students despite other institutions getting into the space,” he said.

Statewide figures for the 2022-23 academic year showed CSN with the highest share — 33.7% — of high school students enrolled in dual-credit programs. Nevada State University was second at 19.7%. UNLV was at 6.8% and UNR had 4.2%.

A Monday news release indicated UNR’s dual-credit Collegiate Academy has enrollment of 6,350 students for the 2024-25 academic year, including 4,236 students in Clark County. Officials said that’s a 30% jump from 2023-24.

CSN had 5,221 students enrolled in dual-credit courses in 2022-23, but McCoy didn’t have numbers for last year or projections for 2024-25.

McCoy said there’s room for everyone to grow, but CSN’s niche in vocational dual-credit programs isn’t available everywhere. “Every one of us can offer English 101,” he said.

UNR now lists 21 high schools in Clark County where its Collegiate Academy is operating.

“The Collegiate Academy offers a rigorous pathway for Nevada students and helps build a strong foundation for their future,” Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert said. “We are grateful for the partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno as well as the enhanced instructional partnerships and development that it provides educators across the state.”

Another aspect of dual-credit programs is that students tend to stay in the state — an important factor for continued economic growth in Nevada.

The Clark County School District did not respond to a Monday request for a phone interview on the topic.

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