Earn college credit with dual enrollment

Unlock a valuable "2-for-1" opportunity through our dual enrollment program with Southeastern University. High school students can leverage their NCFCA work to earn college credit, preparing them for higher education and future success.

COMM 1443 — Fundamentals of Speech Communication

3 college credits · Preparation begins August 26 · Assessment window: October 21–December 15, 2026

This course covers the basic principles of public speaking. Students learn to research, organize, and deliver formal presentations; use verbal and non-verbal communication effectively; and adapt messages for different audiences and contexts.

To register, you’ll need to set up your Christian Halls account and fill out a Southeastern University dual enrollment application. 

Program highlights

Varied Assessments

Students are evaluated across a variety of assignments—not just a single test or speech.  They submit working outlines, speeches, and a reflection for a balanced assessment of their progress.

Optimize NCFCA Work

Each NCFCA event aligns with the coursework already assessed, ultimately enabling participants to earn 3 college credit hours.

Built to reduce duplication — not to remove academic rigor. 

Structured Learning

NCFCA curriculum forms the essential foundation for learning, providing comprehensive instruction in rhetoric, research, organization, audience engagement, and delivery techniques relevant to college coursework. While additional books are suggested for further enrichment, they are not mandatory.

Who benefits most?

Our dual enrollment program is ideally suited for high school students who are actively involved in NCFCA and wish to convert their dedicated study and practice into valuable college credit.

Frequently asked questions

Is this automatic college credit for NCFCA participation?

No. Students must enroll in COMM 1443 and successfully complete all official course requirements.

Can students submit a speech they have already prepared?

An existing speech may be a strong starting point, but it is not automatically a finished college submission. The student must adapt it to the selected prompt and meet the required learning outcomes, audience, structure, research, citations, length, delivery, and written components.

Can students design their NCFCA work around a course prompt?

Yes — this is one of the strongest uses of the pathway. A student can choose a broad prompt, plan a new speech or research project with that prompt in mind, use the work for NCFCA preparation, and then adapt the final artifact for the college assessment.

Who grades the work?

Official course submissions are evaluated in the Southeastern University course environment according to the COMM 1443 syllabus and grading rubric.

How much work should students expect?

Study and assessment preparation begin August 26 and continue through the fall via NCFCA research, writing, and speech development. During the official eight-week Fall B assessment window, the syllabus estimates approximately 6–9 hours per week. Individual workload varies with the student's preparation and selected formats.

Which textbook do students use?

Students use their NCFCA curriculum, or another speech and debate curriculum, as the course's learning foundation. The books listed in the assessment syllabus are optional supplemental references — not required textbooks or required purchases for this pathway.

What format should students use for the major assessments?

The syllabus permits multiple formats. The companion guide recommends an essay for Assessment 1, because it is primarily rhetorical analysis, and recorded speeches for Assessments 2 and 3, because those emphasize delivery, audience adaptation, research, and organization.

When does the pathway begin if the graded assessments are in Fall B?

New student applications and registration remain open through August 26. Study and assessment preparation begin that day. The graded Fall B assessment window begins October 21.

What is the difference between MyHall and the SEU course?

The MyHall tutorial provides the NCFCA-specific roadmap, pre-course preparation, planning support, and reminders. The Southeastern University course environment contains the official assessment instructions, submissions, instructor communication, and grades.

Will the credits transfer?

Transfer policies vary by institution. Families should confirm transferability with the college or university the student may attend.

Key dates and fees

New student applications and registration remain open through August 26, 2026. Study and assessment preparation begin on August 26, 2026. The graded eight-week Fall B assessment window runs from October 21 through December 15, 2026.

College credit: 3 credit hours
Tuition: $300 ($100 per credit hour)
Technology fee (Southeastern): $175 per semester