Cambrian offers dual credit programming

Cambrian College president Sylvia Barnard outlined the college's achievements in the area of dual credit programming April 23 during a conference entitled Promoting Inclusion for All Students — Elementary, Secondary and Post-secondary.

The dual credit program enables secondary school students the opportunity to earn credits that count towards both a secondary school diploma as well as towards a post-secondary and apprenticeship certification. The program caters to learners that are motivated by real-world applications of learning and that enjoy a hands-on approach in the classroom.

By placing secondary students in a new learning environment and exposing them to a college setting and culture, dual credit students have thrived, realizing an increased likelihood of graduation success while significantly reducing dropout rates.

“Dual credit is a great two-for-one deal for students,” Barnard said, in a press release.

“Dual credit opens clearer pathways for students who have the potential to succeed but who are at risk of not graduating from secondary school. It gives them a new lease on their high school studies and also gives them an opportunity to experience learning in a college environment that might be more suitable to their needs and learning style.”

Cambrian College was the first post-secondary school in Sudbury to offer dual credit. It was launched in fall 2005 with 13 area high school students in chef training. The college has since offered an additional 32 programs and trained 326 students.

For the 2010-11 school year, Cambrian will offer 24 dual credit programs and serve 455 students from the Rainbow District School Board and Sudbury Catholic School Board.