Marshall University’s dual enrollment program, Herd Academy, provides high school students with the opportunity to take classes online, in the high schools and on-campus college courses, helping them get ahead in their academic journey. This early exposure to college coursework can be a game-changer, just as it was for Anna-Kay Dean. While attending Spring Valley High School in Wayne County, West Virginia, Dean took advantage of dual enrollment to jump-start her college education.
“It really seemed beneficial to me,” Dean said. “It helped me get a head start at Marshall and at a lower cost.”
Now a freshman at Marshall, Dean has already accumulated enough credits to be classified as a sophomore. She knew early on that she wanted to be a teacher and strategically chose education courses that aligned with her career goals, as well as the Grow Your Own Teacher national program.
“I took four education classes at my high school that were also Marshall classes, so I was able to begin my major while I was still at Spring Valley,” she said. “The other dual credit classes that I took were general education classes that you normally take as a freshman, so I was able to get those finished early.”
Michelle Biggs, director of Herd Academy, emphasizes that dual credit programs offer students a valuable opportunity to ease into college life. By taking college-level courses while still in high school, students can explore potential career paths, develop time management skills, and save on tuition. These early credits may also allow them to graduate sooner or take on more advanced coursework once they transition to full-time college students.
“Dual enrollment in West Virginia has really blown up over the past few years because the state started paying for it under a program called LevelUpWV, which has identified certain pathways essential for in-demand careers,” Biggs said. “Marshall has seen a huge increase in its dual enrollment program over the past year, due in part to the LevelUpWV initiative, but also because we have worked hard to develop relationships with schools around the state and in our metro counties.”
Reflecting on her experience, Dean encourages other students to take advantage of dual credit opportunities.
“I took one class that was actually on Marshall’s Huntington campus, and it was such a great experience to get your foot in the door and get you more prepared for the college experience,” she said. “I was able to experience Marshall but still enjoy all the aspects of my senior year in high school.”
By blending high school and college coursework, dual credit programs like Herd Academy provide students with a unique advantage—earning their degrees faster, saving money, and gaining confidence in their academic abilities.
