Post-Secondary Enrollment Options

Frequently asked questions

What is the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option, or PSEO, Program?
The Minnesota Legislature established the PSEO program in 1985 to give students an opportunity to enhance the education that they receive at their local high schools, alternative area learning centers, charter schools or home schools. The program gives students capable of doing college-level work the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits while completing high school graduation requirements.

Who is eligible for the program?
Students who wish to take PSEO courses at a Minnesota state college or university as juniors must be in the upper one-third of their class or score at or above the 70th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test; as seniors, they must be in the upper one-half of their class or score at or above the 50th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test. Examples of test scores that can be used are the ACT and SAT tests. In addition, students may be admitted on the basis of other documentation of the student's readiness and ability to perform college-level work as determined by the college or university.

Note: By law, students participating in cultural exchange programs are not eligible for the PSEO program.

Does it cost the student anything to participate in the program?
The PSEO program covers all course tuition and fees and text books. It also covers consumable supplies that are required specifically for a class, such as art supplies, film, etc. The program does not cover general school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, etc., or non-consumable supplies such as calculators, instrument rental, uniforms, etc. The cost of on-campus housing is not covered by the program.

Will the courses taken at a Minnesota state college or university count toward the PSEO student's high school graduation requirements?
Minnesota law specifies that students who satisfactorily complete PSEO courses or programs are "not required to complete other requirements of the academic standards corresponding to that specific rigorous course of study."

Will the courses taken at a Minnesota state college or university count toward university credits?
All public colleges and universities in Minnesota accept credits earned through PSEO. A college or university transcript will be established just as it is for every college or university student. In addition, many private institutions in Minnesota and public and private institutions in other states accept credits earned through PSEO as well.

What if a student does not successfully complete a college-level course?
That is a risk for students in this program. If a class required for high school graduation is not successfully completed, the student might not be able to graduate with his or her high school class. In addition, there will be a permanent college or university transcript on which the grade is recorded.

Can PSEO students attend summer sessions?
The PSEO program is only for regular academic year classes unless the student is enrolled in a state approved Learning Year Program.