What if your student could graduate from high school with college credits already completed—or even earn an associate degree before receiving their high school diploma?

For more and more Central Texas families, that’s not just a possibility. It’s becoming a reality through McLennan Community College’s Dual Credit program.

The dual credit program allows eligible high school students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time. Instead of waiting until after graduation to begin college, students complete real college coursework while still benefiting from the structure, support and familiarity of high school.

Some students graduate with a semester or two of college already behind them. Others earn an associate degree before receiving their high school diploma. MCC helps families choose the approach that best fits a student’s academic goals and future plans.

Building Confidence Before College

For students who qualify, MCC also offers additional support through Upward Bound, a federally funded program designed to help first-generation and low-income high school students prepare for college. Participants who apply and are selected for the program receive tutoring, academic advising, mentoring, college visits, and career exploration opportunities that help build the skills and confidence needed for long-term success.

That support made a lasting impact on Jemiyah Babbs.

While balancing high school classes with college coursework through MCC’s Dual Credit program, Babbs also participated in Upward Bound. She credits the program with teaching her discipline, helping her overcome procrastination and opening doors she never imagined.

“It honestly opened a lot of opportunities for me,” Babbs said.

Those opportunities led to an unforgettable milestone. Jemiyah and her mother, Michelle, graduated from MCC together, each earning an associate degree.

“I told her I am doing it for her,” Michelle said. “My other daughter graduated already, so I didn’t want any of my other daughters to get their associate degrees before I did.”

Their story highlights something many families discover through dual credit: when one student succeeds, the impact often extends far beyond the classroom.

More Than Saving Money

For many families, one of the biggest advantages of dual credit is affordability. Every college course completed while a student is still in high school is one less course to pay for later. MCC also offers reduced tuition rates for dual credit students, and some public and charter school students may even qualify for free courses through the FAST Scholarship program.

But the benefits of dual credit extend well beyond cost savings.

Students gain firsthand experience with college expectations while still having the support of their families and high school teachers. They learn to manage deadlines, communicate with instructors, and develop the time-management and study skills that help them succeed after graduation. MCC reports that dual credit students successfully complete more than 90% of their courses, demonstrating that with the right support, students can thrive in a college environment before graduating from high school.

Completing college coursework early can also shorten the time it takes to earn a degree, giving students the ability to enter the workforce sooner or transfer seamlessly to a university. Students who want to remain close to home can even continue toward a bachelor’s degree in Waco through MCC’s University Center partnerships with Tarleton State University and Texas Tech University.

Investing in the Future

Because dual credit courses become part of a student’s permanent college transcript, they require commitment and responsibility. Yet for many families, that’s exactly what makes the experience so valuable.

Rather than rushing students through high school, dual credit allows them to explore college, build confidence, and make meaningful progress toward their future while surrounded by a strong support system.

Whether a student plans to pursue nursing, education, engineering, business, or is still deciding on their path, dual credit can provide a valuable head start.

To learn more about Dual Credit opportunities at McLennan Community College, visit mclennan.edu/hs-pathways or contact the High School Pathways Office at dualcredit@mclennan.edu.