Skip to Content
search
A group of Normandale PSEO students
PSEO Students

HOW TO TAKE COLLEGE CLASSES IN HIGH SCHOOL

The Fall 2024 application is now closed.

Take college courses and earn college credits while you attend high school through the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) program. The credits count toward high school graduation and a college degree. Normandale is one of the top PSEO colleges in Minnesota. 

Apply Online

Normandale PSEO students may take classes on the campus or online, either full-time or part-time. Online PSEO in Minnesota is particularly convenient. Tuition, fees and required textbooks and materials are covered at no cost to the student. 

The PSEO program gives you access to a greater variety of courses and more challenging classes that may not be available at your high school. Carefully review the information on this page to learn how to take college classes in high school.  

The application instructions video is for new PSEO students only.

PSEO Online Application Instructions

Watch our step-by-step instructional video about how to apply online. 

Watch Video

Join Us for an Information Session

Get details about the Normandale PSEO program, eligibility requirements, how and when to apply and more!

Choose Session

Current MDE PSEO NOSR Form

PSEO colleges in Minnesota require that you download and complete the current MDA PSEO NOSR form

Download PSEO NOSR Form

NORMANDALE PSEO ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Review the eligibility, deadline, and application requirements carefully before submitting your application and supplemental materials.

Eligibility for the PSEO program is determined by legislative, Minnesota State, and Normandale policy, and varies by grade level. We do not currently review letters of recommendation and are unable to make exceptions if a student does not meet the eligibility listed below.

Students who do not place at a college-level in English and/or mathematics will not have access to courses in those academic subject areas.

Review Course Placement Requirements

High School Seniors

  • Cumulative high school GPA of 2.6 or higher, or
  • Cumulative high school GPA of 2.5-2.59 with one of the following standardized reading test scores: 
    • ACT - 19 or higher reading score
    • SAT - 440 or higher reading score
    • MCA - 10th grade reading score of 1042 or higher 
  • Students not meeting the GPA requirement can demonstrate eligibility through ranking in the top half of their graduating class or submitting nationally standardized, norm-referenced test scores at or above the 50th percentile (ACT, SAT, PSAT, Pre-ACT, the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10) or Iowa Assessments). 
    • Seniors with a cumulative high school GPA below 2.5 will also need to demonstrate college-level reading placement by submitting ACT, SAT, or MCA scores.
      • ACT - 21 or higher reading score
      • SAT - 480 or higher reading score
      • MCA - 10th grade reading score of 1047 or higher

High School Juniors

  • Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    • Students not meeting the GPA requirement can demonstrate eligibility through ranking in the top third of their graduating class or submitting nationally standardized, norm-referenced test scores at or above the 70th percentile (ACT, SAT, PSAT, Pre-ACT, the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10) or Iowa Assessments).

High School Sophomores (Career and Technical Education)

  • 8th Grade MCA reading score of 850 or higher.
    • If a student did not take the 8th grade MCAs, the Office of Admissions will arrange alternate testing.
    • 10th graders with a disability who did not receive a passing score on 8th grade MCA because of their disability can access the 10th Grade Alternate PSEO Eligibility Options Policy here.
  • Students are eligible for only one course from this list in their first semester. A student must complete their first Career and Technical Education (CTE) course at Normandale to register for subsequent CTE and PSEO courses at Normandale. Earning a grade of "C" or better in that course allows for enrollment in any post-secondary courses approved for PSEO in subsequent semesters. Contact your assigned advisor regarding course selection and registration.

PSEO colleges in Minnesota admit students for PSEO for the fall and spring terms. Normandale is unable to review applications submitted after the deadlines below.

Fall Semester Admission

June 1

Spring Semester Admission

December 1

The Office of Admissions is no longer accepting applications or supplemental documents via email. Returning students will continue to submit their updated MDE PSEO NOSR forms to Student Services.

Complete the Two-Part Application Process

1. Apply Online

If you have attended another MinnState institution, use the same Star ID. Do not create a new Star ID. If you are new to the MinnState system, you will create a Star ID during the application process.

2. Submit Supplemental Documents (eForm currently closed)

When using the eform, please make sure that the following requirements are met:
  • Total attachment size is not bigger than 10 MB.
  • Don’t use very long file names.
  • Don’t include special characters in file name.
  • Don’t use very high-resolution images. 
  • Do NOT use the Safari web browser. We recommend Firefox or Google Chrome.
Submit the following supplemental documents:
  • A high school transcript that includes cumulative GPA.
  • MN Dept of Education PSEO Program Notice of Student Registration Form

If eligibility is not met by cumulative high school GPA, submit the following to determine eligibility:

  • Test scores (if available): ACT, SAT or PSAT, Pre-ACT, the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10), or Iowa Assessments scores.
    • PSAT, Pre-ACT, Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10), and Iowa Assessments cannot be used to determine college-level reading if a student's GPA is below 2.6.
    • If needed, homeschooled students can access the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10) or the Iowa Assessments through the Minnesota Statewide Testing Program.

PSEO students may have completed college credit at another institution, or through Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. For transfer credit and placement/pre-requisite review, submit the following:

  • Official transcripts for previously completed college-level coursework. Official transcripts must be ordered from the credit granting institution and sent directly to the Normandale Records Office.

If you are unable to apply online, please connect with PSEO Admissions at pseo@normandale.edu for the application in an alternative format.

Eligible Courses for PSEO

PSEO students can take most courses offered at Normandale in fall and spring semesters, with a few exceptions. 10th grade students admitted for Career and Technical Education (CTE) are limited to a select list of courses their first semester. Concurrent Enrollment students are taking coursework for college credit at their high school taught by a high school instructor. 

Summer enrollment is not covered by the PSEO program; students are financially responsible for any coursework taken in the summer. 

  • All courses numbered below 1000 (below college-level, developmental education);

  • All study abroad courses and courses involving overnight travel;

  • All non-credit courses;
  • Any course for which a student has received college credit, even if that course is designed to be repeatable for credit;
  • MUSIC 1100 Beginning Music Lessons/All Sections;
  • MUSIC 2251 Applied Music/All Sections
  • Expenses at any institution for which PSEO students have NOT been admitted.
  • 10th grade students are admitted as Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. 
    • Students are eligible for only one course from this list in their first semester. A student must complete their first Career and Technical Education (CTE) course at Normandale to register for subsequent CTE and PSEO courses at Normandale. Earning a grade of "C" or better in that course allows for enrollment in any post-secondary courses approved for PSEO in subsequent semesters. Contact your assigned advisor regarding course selection and registration.

Normandale and Minnesota State policy limit the number of college credits that any student can enroll in each term. During fall and spring semesters, students may register for up to 18 credits. Registration for 19 or more credits requires written approval from an academic advisor or counselor. Minnesota State restricts students to a maximum term enrollment of 22 credits System-wide.

Students planning to participate in both PSEO and Concurrent Enrollment, and/or PSEO at multiple institutions, are responsible for ensuring they are complying with credit limits. Failure to comply will impact registration. 

Concurrent Enrollment

Take Normandale classes offered at your high school for juniors and seniors. 

Start Today

Summer High School Enrollment

Take Normandale PSEO classes on campus or online classes during the summer when PSEO is not offered. 

Enroll in our Summer High School Enrollment Program

Which Costs are Covered?

Tuition and fees are not charged to the student for PSEO coursework. Some supplies, transportation, and summer coursework are the financial responsibility of the student.

  • Course tuition, required fees, and required textbooks.
  • Consumable supplies required specifically for a class, such as art supplies, film, etc.

Note: Due to Minnesota law, textbooks and materials must be returned. These items become the property of Normandale upon completion of the course. Unreturned textbooks are charged to the student. See more about textbooks and course materials.

  • General school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.
  • Non-consumable supplies such as instrument rental, uniforms, etc.
  • Transportation costs.
    • Some PSEO students may be eligible for assistance with transportation costs. To be eligible, a student's family must be under the federal poverty income guidelines. Students who qualify will work with their district on the reimbursement process. Apply for travel assistance through the Minnesota Department of Education.
  • Courses taken during the summer.
    • If a high school student chooses to enroll in courses during the summer term, the cost of tuition, fees, and books are the student's responsibility. Students who have not attended Normandale previously will need to apply as general undergraduate students.
    • Currently enrolled PSEO students do not have to re-apply to take summer courses, but may need to request an override to register from their Academic Advisor or Student Services.

Explore Summer Enrollment

PSEO students are not eligible for financial aid.

Sign Up for an Information Session

Learn more about PSEO at Normandale, ask any questions you have, and take a tour of campus!

Sign Up Here

Contact

Office of Admissions - PSEO

pseo@normandale.edu

952-358-8208

Room C1180

Hours: Mondays-Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Virtual Service Only Fridays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Chat M-W 10 a.m.-4 p.m., F 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

Chat with Admissions

Schedule an Appointment

After Hours? Try Minnesota State Live Chat

upper arrowtop