Overview
Dual-credit students are high school students who earn college credits by taking courses at Dakota State University (DSU) or other South Dakota universities, including Black Hills State University (BHSU), Northern State University (NSU), South Dakota Mines (SDSMT), South Dakota State University (SDSU), and the University of South Dakota (USD).
This article explains where to find high school dual-credit information, which university account to use for your courses, where to check for instructor emails, and how to get assistance with your university account.
High School Dual Credit Student Information
High School Dual Credit Students: Visit the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) High School Student Information Portal for information and resources related to your dual-credit enrollment.
Visit the SDBOR High School Student Information Portal
Use this portal as a starting point for high school dual-credit information. The instructions below explain how your university account and course access work.
Applies To
Users: Dual-credit high school students
Universities: DSU, BHSU, NSU, SDSMT, SDSU, and USD
Services: University accounts, email, D2L, and course resources
Before You Begin
It is important to know which university is your primary home university.
What is my primary home university? Your primary home university is the university where you first applied to begin earning college credit. This remains your primary university while you are in high school, even if you take additional courses through other South Dakota universities.
If you are unsure which university is your primary home university, contact the DSU Support Desk at 605-256-5675 for assistance.
Instructions
1. Use Your Primary University Account
When you enroll in your first dual-credit course, you apply to one of the South Dakota universities. That university becomes your primary home university.
Use your primary university account to:
- Sign in to D2L and access your courses.
- Access resources associated with your primary university.
- Check your university email for messages from instructors.
Example: If DSU is your primary home university but you are taking a course through SDSU or USD, continue using your DSU account to sign in to D2L and access your courses.
2. Check Your Primary University Email
Your instructors use your primary university email address as the main way to communicate with you.
To avoid missing important course information:
- Check your primary university email regularly.
- Look for messages from your instructors about assignments, deadlines, and course updates.
- If you are not receiving expected messages, contact your primary university's support team for assistance.
Important: Even when taking a course through another university, continue checking the email account provided by your primary home university.
3. Access Resources from Other Universities
Some courses may require access to resources provided by a university other than your primary home university.
If additional access is needed:
- Use the additional university account provided to you, if applicable.
- Use that account only for the resources needed to complete the course.
- Continue using your primary university account for D2L and your regular coursework.
Note: Access to resources from another university may be removed when your course ends. The university providing the additional account determines how long that access remains available.
4. Use a Personal Email Address for Account Management
First-time dual-credit students are encouraged to use a personal email address, such as Gmail, when managing university accounts.
This is recommended because:
- Some K-12 school email systems have restrictions or firewalls that may interfere with university communications.
- Your K-12 email account may be deactivated after you leave high school.
- A personal email address can help maintain access to account-management communications during and after high school.
Remember: A personal email address is intended for account management. Continue using your primary university email address for communication with your instructors.
5. Get Help with Your University Account
For account issues, contact the support team at your primary home university.
Use the links below to find assistance.
Additional Information
For more information about taking college courses while in high school, visit Dual Credit at Dakota State University.
Still Need Help?
If you are unsure which university is your primary home university, call the DSU Support Desk at 605-256-5675.
For sign-in problems, missing instructor emails, or other account issues, contact the support team at your primary home university using the links above.
If these instructions do not resolve the issue, contact the DSU Support Desk or submit a support request.