External Credit Options

External credit programs are increasingly available and popular with students to make up credit deficiencies or for academic enrichment. By definition external credit is granted by organizations separate from Okemos High School. External credits may be applied to the OHS transcript only when needed to satisfy graduation requirements and only from educational institutions that have been approved by the Michigan Department of Education that Okemos High School partners with, which includes online providers limited to those listed on Michigan’s Online Course Catalog.

1. Coursework that satisfies specific graduation requirements may be taken externally only from an approved accredited educational institution and must align with the Michigan Merit Curriculum and Okemos Board of Education requirements.
2. It is strongly advised that senior students submit external credit documentation to Okemos High School by the Thursday prior to graduation. If documentation of course completion is not received by then, it is unlikely that there will be sufficient time to process the credit to ensure participation in commencement.
3. Approved external credit may be recorded as credit only, indicated by a “G” on the transcript and having no impact on the grade point average, or as a letter grade, which will impact the grade point average. Students may wait until the grade has been issued before indicating their decision. The institution through which the student took the course will be noted on the OHS transcript.
4. External credits not specifically satisfying graduation requirements or necessary to achieve the twenty-two credits required for graduation will not be recorded on the OHS transcript. Students may self-report such credits to post-secondary institutions as desired.
5. External credits may or may not serve as prerequisites for advanced courses, and testing out may be required. It is strongly recommended that any student wishing to complete credits outside of OHS consult with their school counselor to ensure satisfactory progression.
6. Credits earned during previous full or part-time enrollment in a district outside of Okemos Public Schools are considered “transfer credits” and therefore not governed by the External Credit Policy.
7. It is strongly recommended that students in need of credit recovery do so through OHS. In the event that circumstances prevent participation in the OHS program, credits for recovery earned through any Michigan public school or an online program from Michigan’s Online Course Catalog will be accepted.