PSEO

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. Eleventh and 12th-grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th graders may take one career/technical PSEO course. If they earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional PSEO courses.

There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate, she/he may continue to participate in PSEO. Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. Schools must provide information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families by March 1, every year.Students must notify their school by May 30 if they want to participate in PSEO for the following school year. For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.

Students from MSA have historically chosen from a few schools to pursue PSEO and include these:

Inver Hills Community College
Century Community College
Concordia Univesity
Metro State University
University of Minnesota

Application Process and Timelines:
The application process and timelines differ depending on the school. It is best to visit the college's website that you are interested in attending for application deadlines and processes.

Information on PSEO courses and the steps to apply for PSEO from popular PSEO institutions can be found below (click on each college below to be directed to their PSEO information and application process:

Student Responsibilities:

Students are responsible for making sure their PSEO courses meet our core course requirements. Because there are too many PSEO colleges and available PSEO courses to detail on a form, please check with the advisor before you register if you are not sure if a PSEO course meets MSA graduation requirements - not all courses through PSEO meets MSA's graduation requirements.

PSEO students must submit a course schedule to Mrs. Graveen immediately after they register and before their PSEO courses begin. Further, students must check in with her each semester to ensure progress towards MSA graduation requirements. Please inform Mrs. Graveen of dropped or added classes to ensure an accurate transcript.

While PSEO colleges and universities will send semester grades to MSA, each student is responsible for making sure MSA receives them.

PSEO OR AP?

Instruction is very different for PSEO courses and AP courses. PSEO and college courses emphasize independence and those students tend to spend less time in a structured class environment. AP courses usually allow for more contact with the AP teacher and is structured in a way that offers more instruction time with direct teacher contact.

How does AP and PSEO transfer to College?:

Each institution varies on their policies and procedures and how they accept or view AP scores. Each college institution decides how much, if any, credit students will recieve based on their AP scores.
Colleges and institutions always treat PSEO credits earned differently and on a case-by-case basis. PSEO credits usually transfer fairly well within state (Minnesota), but it may be a great idea to contact and research the out-of-state colleges you are interested in attending. Some colleges will only accept courses that meet certain academic standards, while others may refuse to grant credit for any course that you have also earned high school credit for.
It is always best to research the institution you are interested in attending and consult with Mrs. Graveen or the Academic Counselor at the institution you are interested in to better understand their PSEO and AP credit transfer policies.

Click here to be directed to Collegeboard's AP credits college search to find colleges and universities that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

Please contact Mrs. Graveen with any other PSEO questions or concerns.

(This form must be completed for each PSEO college you are attending and must be completed each semester.)

PSEO U of M Balance Form

(This form must be completed for each each semester you attend the U of M for PSEO courses.)

MSA Academic/College Counseling

(Postsecondary Enrollment Options)