Frequently Asked Questions
This page provides help with the most common questions about Palm Beach State College's Dual Enrollment & Early Admission program. If you have additional questions, please email dualenrollment@palmbeachstate.edu.
What is the cost to participate in Dual Enrollment?
It is FREE to participate!
Does my student need to either be a resident of Palm Beach County or attend a school located in Palm Beach County?
- Public School: Students must attend a public or charter school in Palm Beach County.
Your school must be listed here: SDPBC Schools by Name
- Charter Students: Verify your school partners with PBSC for dual enrollment.
- Home Education: Students must be registered with the Palm Beach County School District Home Education Office and reside in Palm Beach County.
- Personalized Education Plan must reside in Palm Beach County.
- Private School: PBSC partners with select private schools in our service region. Please check with your high school if they have an agreement with PBSC for dual enrollment.
If I attend FLVS Full-Time or another virtual public school that is not a part of the Palm Beach County School District, can I dual-enroll at PBSC?
- No, since these students are considered public school students and not in the Palm Beach County School District. PBSC’s current public student dual enrollment partner is only the School District of Palm Beach County. Students must consult their virtual public school for their current dual enrollment partner institutions. See the list of Palm Beach County Schools.
- Palm Beach Virtual School Students or Home Education FLVS Flex Students (registered with SDPBC Home Ed Office) can dual enroll at PBSC.
What courses should I take?
Dual enrolled students can take any 3-credit course toward the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree or in the statewide course numbering system that are not limited access as long as the student meets the requirement. Feel free to use the resources below during the course selection process!
Dual Enrollment Approved Courses: comprehensive list of classes participants are eligible to take
Dual Enrollment A.A. General Education Checklist: designed to assist students, counselors and parents in course selection
It is organized by subject area requirement: Communications, Humanities, Social Science, Mathematics, and Natural Science
It focuses on the 36-credit General Education requirements needed for the completion of the 60-credit Associate of Arts needed to transfer to the university.
Where are the DE classes held?
DE students can participate in classes held in person at any of our five campuses (Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Bell Glade, Loxahatchee, and Palm Beach Gardens). Other courses are also offered online (which is fully online with specific deadlines), live online (which are at specific times via video conference) or hybrid (which are partly in person and partly online).
How are dual enrollment courses accommodated into my student’s high school schedule?
Students participating in DE on PBSC campuses sometimes are allowed early release by their high school to accommodate their college course schedule.
Can my student, who is in a magnet, AICE, IB, etc. program at their high school, still dual enroll?
Yes, but they should meet with their high school counselor to discuss best options. Also, please check the credit by exam course table to verify that you do not take a dual enrollment course for which you will already be earning college credit by way of credit by exam: AICE/Cambridge, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), CLEP, etc.
Will my credits from PBSC transfer to other Florida colleges and universities?
Yes, your credits will be fully transferable within the state of Florida; however, for private or out-o-f-state schools, you should inquire of that school.
Are DE students able to participate in extracurricular activities on the PBSC campus?
Yes, and they are strongly encouraged to! There are many student clubs, organizations and extracurricular activities for DE students to participate in.
If I desire to remain at PBSC after I graduate high school, what do I need to do to become a traditional student?
We would be glad for you to remain a student at PBSC after you’ve met all high school graduation requirements. Please meet with our Admissions/Registration team at the campus of your choosing so we can help you enroll! Make sure you ask about our Finish4Free program!
What is the PERT test?
The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) is the placement test Florida uses to determine whether students are ready for college-level course work. The PERT consists of three sections: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. This is an adaptive test that consists of 30 questions per section. It typically takes three hours to complete.
PERT scores are valid for two years.
What is the ACCUPLACER?
ACCUPLACER is a series of tests that evaluate a students preparedness for college-level courses. Using computer-adaptive technology, students are tested on three areas: mathematics, reading and writing.
What resources are available to help me prepare for the placement test(s)?
What are the test score requirements?
ACCUPLACER: (since August 2022)
- Writing/English: 253
- Reading: 256
- Math: 261
Digital SAT (since June 2023)
- Reading & Writing Section: 490
- Math: 480
ACT:
- Writing/English: 17
- Reading: 19
- Math: 19
SAT:
- Writing/English: 25
- Reading: 24
- Math: 24
PERT:
- Writing/English: 103
- Reading: 106
- Math: 114
Placement into higher level math courses are dependent upon score.
Can I Access My Students Information?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) allows the release of "Directory Information" without the student's prior consent.
This includes dates of attendance, major field of study, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees and awards received, and educational institutions attended.
