PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option)

what is pseo?

PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option) is an opportunity for students to earn college credit while in high school, at no charge!

How It Works <<< Click here for the logistics of how PSEO works along w/ high school classes

PSEO Advantages/Disadvantages

What classes should I take through PSEO?

That's up to you! It depends on what your purpose is for doing PSEO.

• Some students take PSEO to try out various career related electives. This is a great way to see what a college class in your intended major is like. You'll need to check with that specific college to find out if all, or only select classes, are available to you as a PSEO student.

• Most students take PSEO to get a head start on their college "gen-eds" (general education) requirements. Taking these courses through PSEO is a great way to "kill two birds with one stone." For example, you can take a Writing class at the college to earn college English credit, but it can also count towards you high school English requirements. It is vital that you show your counselor the classes you signed up for so they can verify that the classes will fulfill high school requirements.

• Here are guides that have been reviewed by Anoka-Hennepin Curriculum specialists who confirm that these college classes meet the HS graduation requirements listed by them. These course lists must be used at the colleges listed, and are excellent guides for other PSEO colleges, too:

  • • Recommended courses to take at Anoka Ramsey Community College

    • Recommended courses to take at North Hennepin Community College

    • Recommended courses to take at Hennepin Technical College

How do I enroll?

1. Start by viewing this PSEO Slide Presentation.

2. Fill out the PSEO application online at the college you want to attend (NHCC, ARCC, UofM, for example) * Not the regular admission application!

3. Complete and return these two documents:

   • PSEO Expectations Agreement (Keep a copy for yourself.)

   • Notice of Student Registration (also called an NOSR or “3 part form”). You only need to complete part 1 and the top of page 2. (Please note: “Postsecondary Institution This Term '' refers to the college to which you will be applying for PSEO.) 

4. You will hear directly from the college about your acceptance and next steps, Orientation and Registration for classes. The college will email you to do this at the email address you put on your NOSR, so check your email! If your Orientation or Registration happens in June or July, do not worry. Your school counselor will help you adjust your high school schedule in late August.

At this point, the college will likely tell you that you need to meet with your high school counselor to discuss courses you need. Most students can simply use the "Recommended Courses" and "How It Works" documents provided to assist you. All of your 11th and 12th grade  required classes for graduation are addressed in the recommended courses, even if you will attend an institution that does not have a provided recommendation list. Simply use the NHCC or ARCC list as a guide. If you have specific questions, please reach out to your counselor. The "How It Works" helps you understand the number of classes you’ll need to take each semester/trimester and the difference between high school credits and college credit hours.

5.Once you have a college class schedule, submit it to your counselor. (Screenshots are fine.)

• Schedule must include title of class, course number, number of credits, and class meeting day/time.

• Please let your counselor know if you will be full time at PSEO (taking 12+ credit hours) or if you will be taking some classes through your home high school, STEP, or online. If you will still be taking some classes through your home high school, STEP, or online, please let us know what periods you would like to be here and what classes you would like to take.

• If you will be taking online classes at the college and want to be at your home high school or STEP to work on them, please let us know.

• Upon receipt of all of the information above, your counselor will adjust your high school schedule accordingly. Please remember that you cannot miss part of any class at your high school (including STEP) to accommodate your PSEO schedule, so choose your schedule wisely! Your high school classes will not be dropped until you submit your college schedule to your counselor.

Again, please understand that counselors do not work in the summer. If you send your schedule to your counselor in June or July, your schedule will likely not be altered until late-August.