Course Selection Overview

Scheduling Guidelines

Recommended Credits

• Part-time (some courses outside the U): 1-2 classes 

• Full-time (almost no courses outside the U): 

  • • few or no prior college credits done: about 3 classes (12-13 credits)

    • many prior college credits done: 3-4 classes (12-16 credits) 

There are sometimes exceptions, so check with your advisor. If your plans seem like a gradual, reasonable step up from your past experience, we're open to it.

Take Courses at the Appropriate Level

U of M course difficulty is loosely correlated to the first digit of the class number, but none of the other digits. For example, you can expect ENGL 1001W and 1201W to be comparably difficult, but for ENGL 3001W to be taught at a higher level than both.

• 1xxx-2xxx: Open to PSEO students if you've met the prerequisites.

• 3xxx: Usually intended for students with some experience in the subject, even aside from prerequisites. For example, an English 3xxx course is usually taught assuming the students have had prior college English credit, even if there are no prerequisites.

• 4xxx-5xxx: Often intended for third- and fourth-year college students. PSEO students should be very cautious about taking these, even if you've met the prerequisites.

• 8xxx: For graduate students. PSEO students can only take these courses under extremely rare and exceptional circumstances, and only potentialy when a U of M instructor has recommended it to the student on their academic preparedness.  PSEO students taking these would only get undergraduate credit, making them unlikely to transfer to a graduate program.

Limit Science & Math Courses

These courses can be very time-intensive and challenging, so we do not recommend taking more than one STEM course before having success in college-level STEM. Courses intended for STEM-majors can be especially challenging! 

• • STEM major course examples:  Math 1271 (Calc 1), Biol 1009 (General Biology), Phys 1301W (Physics for Science & Engineering)

  • Non-STEM major course examples: Stat 1001 (Intro to Statistics), Phys 1001W (Energy & Environment), Biol 1012 (Human Biology)

It can be difficult to tell who a course is geared for. Check with your advisor for specific questions.

Make the Best of What's Available!

Common PSEO courses are often in demand for degree-seeking students at the University. While the PSEO advisors will help you as much as possible, PSEO admission does not guarantee that you will be able to register for courses.