PHSC Dual Enrollment Overview

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Start College Early, for Free!

Eligible high school students can take college classes at any Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) campus or online at no cost. You can work towards earning some college credits or even your Associate’s Degree while still in high school! Students who begin Dual Enrollment (DE) by the start of 11th grade have enough time to graduate with both their high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree.

Whether you aim to complete the associates degree or simply want to get a head start on college, all DE credits transfer to Florida universities, with a few exceptions. For example, some universities may require you to take their version of a course, such as English Composition. All DE courses count toward both high school graduation and college degree requirements. For instance, DE English Composition fulfills high school English requirements, and DE Economics meets your high school Economics requirement.

View Dr. Siever's story highlighting her high school dual enrollment journey below.

Steps to Join Dual Enrollment

1. Check Your Eligibility

  • You must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.00.
  • You need to score “college ready” on the ACT, SAT, CLT, or PERT for Reading, Writing, and Math.
  • Student who take all three portions (reading, writing and math) but only pass the reading and writing will be eligible to take up to 12 credit hours and then must score college ready in math to continue in any DE class.

2. Take the PERT Test

  • If you haven’t scored “college ready” on the ACT, SAT, or CLT, you’ll need to take the PERT test at Springstead in the fall or Spring or over the summer at a PHSC campus. You must have a 3.00 GPA to take the PERT.
  • The PERT is adaptive and diagnostic, meaning the test adapts to your answers, becoming more challenging as you perform better.
  • For the 2024-2025 academic year, PERT tests are offered in Fall and Spring. You can also schedule a test at a PHSC testing center between spring and summer by providing your GPA, ID, and $5. Test scores are valid for two years unless you pass certain DE courses.
  • PERT scores expire two years from the date they were taken unless the student successfully passes English Comp 1 (for the reading a writing scores) or DE Intermediate Algebra or DE College Algebra (for the math score).
  • PERT PREP is available for motivated students. 

Spring PERT Test at SHS:

3. Choose Your DE Classes

  • Select courses that count for both your high school diploma and Associate’s Degree as well as electives that will relate to your future college major and career.
  • You cannot duplicate credits, like taking both AP Biology and DE Biology. See common duplicates here.
  • View the Dual Enrollment High School Equivalency List to view how your DE class will be applied towards your HSD graduation requirements, for example: is it an elective, a performing fine art, an English credit etc.
  • Students can only enroll in the full length 10 week terms that run August to December, January to May or May to July. Students are not allowed to enroll in the accelerated 6 week courses. If a student does enroll in a 6 week term, once discovered, the student will be withdrawn regardless of which week they are in or the student's grade in the class.

4. Meet with the PHSC DE Advisor and attend a virtual information session

  • Our PHSC DE advisor, Signia Alagna, can help you choose classes and answer questions about degree programs.
  • Signia's contact info: Email: alagnas@phsc.edu Phone: 352-340-4857
  • Sign up here to meet with Mrs. Alagna.
    • Meeting Dates:
      • 10/3/2024         10/17/2024         11/7/2024          11/21/2024          12/5/2024
      • 2/6/2025            2/20/2025           4/3/2025           4/17/2025            5/1/2025
      • 5/15/2025
  • Dual Enrollment 101: Virtual Dual Enrollment Info Sessions
    • You're invited to attend one of our virtual dual enrollment information sessions. Join the Assistant Dean of Accelerated Learning and Student Affairs to discuss the basics of dual enrollment, including eligibility requirements, course registration, deadlines and more! 
    • Interested in attending a session? Please complete the registration form. 
    • Meeting Dates:
      • They are all on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM via zoom.
        • 9/25/2024      10/16/2024         11/13/2024          12/11/2024

5. Complete Your Dual Enrollment Application:

  • Complete the online steps, including the application, DE Request Form (every semester), parent approval (every semester), counselor approval, PHSC advisor approval, Dual Enrollment Online Orientation, Dual Enrollment Online Readiness Orientation and registration.
  • Failing to complete these steps may result in registration holds.
  • Registration and Important Dates for the Spring, 2025 Term:
    • Spring Term is Jan. 13 thru May 5, 2025.
      • Students may only enroll in the term that runs Jan. to May, they are not allowed to take classes in the accelerated terms. If the PHSC system allows the registration, once it is identified, the student will be withdrawn from the class.
    • Registration Dates:
      • Seniors: November 18
      • Juniors: November 19
      • Sophomores: November 20
      • Freshman: November 21
  • Registration and Important Dates for the Summer, 2025 Term: 
    • Summer Term is May 12 thru July 17.
      • Students may only enroll in the term that runs May 12th thru July 17th, they are not allowed to take classes in the accelerated terms. If the PHSC system allows the registration, once it is identified, the student will be withdrawn from the class.
        • Registration Dates:
          • Seniors: NA
          • Juniors: April 28
          • Sophomores: April 29
          • Freshmen: April 30
        • [Tutorial on How to Register for DE Courses]

Fall 2025 Term – August 18-December 5

Dynamic form will be available May 14

Registration for classes

  • Seniors August 4
  • Juniors August 5
  • Sophomores August 6
  • Freshman August 7

College Readiness Test Scores

To be eligible, you must meet college-ready scores for reading/writing and math on one of the following tests:

PERT:

  • Reading: 106
  • Writing: 103
  • Math: 114 for Intermediate Algebra, 123 for College Algebra

ACT:

  • Reading: 19
  • English: 17
  • Math: 19 for Intermediate Algebra, 21 for College Algebra

SAT:

  • Reading: 24
  • Writing: 25
  • Math: 26 for College Algebra, 24 for Intermediate Algebra

Digital SAT:

  • Reading/Writing: 490
  • Math: 480 for Intermediate Algebra, 520 for College Algebra

CLT:

  • Reading/Writing: 38-80 combined
  • Math: 16-40 for Intermediate Algebra (use PERT scores for College Algebra)

DE vs. AP vs. IB

It's important to avoid duplicating college credits. For example, if you took AP US History and passed the exam, you don’t need to take DE US History. Different universities have varying preferences for DE, AP, or IB credits. To get the most accurate advice, contact the undergraduate admissions office of the university you plan to attend.

PHSC to USF through FUSE Program

FUSE is a transfer partnership between PHSC and the University of South Florida (USF) that guarantees admission to select USF bachelor’s programs after completing courses at PHSC. Participants receive dual academic advising, priority registration, and guaranteed acceptance into a USF program. Available majors include Accounting, Psychology, and Early Childhood Education. Reach out to Mrs. Alagna for more information.