Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

DCTC offers programs that allow you to earn college credits for free while you are still in high school. As a qualifying high school student, you will be able to seamlessly transfer the credits you earn to nearly any college or university in Minnesota, as well as many others nationwide.

PSEO

As a qualified high school junior or senior, you can earn credit for college-level courses taken at DCTC through Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, or PSEO. The credits you earn at DCTC will apply to both high school graduation requirements and a college transcript.

The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Program is the program established by Minnesota State Statutes 124D.09 to "promote rigorous educational pursuits and provide a wider variety of options for students." Through PSEO, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade high school students may earn both secondary and postsecondary credit for college or university courses completed on a college or university campus, at a high school, or at another location. Dakota County Technical College gladly participates in the PSEO program and offers the following information to further explain this wonderful opportunity.

Important PSEO Links and Forms

Programs/Courses Available to PSEO Students
View Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goals and Course Options
2018-2019 Notice of Registration
This form must be filled out each semester the student registers for classes.
View General Education Courses available to PSEO Students.
Complete Immunization Requirement (home-schooled students only)
Submit the PSEO Contract must be initialed and signed by parents and student
Download the PSEO High Demand Program Application Form

Important PSEO Information

PSEO students are encouraged (but not required) to meet with a DCTC Admissions or Enrollment Advisor prior to applying. Contact Enrollment Services at 651-423-8000.
PSEO students will be enrolled on a space-available basis and/or if they meet the required course pre-requisites. There are some programs and courses that are NOT available to PSEO students.
PSEO students are expected to meet the DCTC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress measures of 2.0 GPA and completion of 67% of enrolled courses.
PSEO students cannot take developmental education courses (typically those numbered below 1000). Students with an IEP and/or have a disability should contact Disability Support Services at 651-423-8469.
10^th Grade PSEO students can only take ONE career or technical education course during their first semester. If the student receives a grade of C or better in the course, the student shall be allowed to take additional career or technical education courses in subsequent terms.
11^th and 12^th Grade PSEO students can be full or part-time students at DCTC depending upon their high school schedule.
PSEO students are not charged for tuition, books or lab fees, but they are required to pay for non-consumable tools and equipment.
Text books are available to PSEO students from the DCTC Bookstore through the 6th business day of the semester. These books must be returned to the Bookstore by the last day of the semester.
The PSEO program is not available during summer session.
PSEO students are required to attend their DCTC classes even if their high school is not in session.
If accepted to PSEO students must attend the mandatory PSEO Orientation and Registration session before registering their first semester.

Admissions Deadlines

June 1^st for the Fall Semester start (classes begin in late August)
December 1^st for the Spring Semester start (classes begin in early January)

Qualifications

For 10^th graders:

Must be attending a Minnesota public high school
Must have passed the 8^th Grade Reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) with a “Meets the Standards” indicator

For 11^th graders:

Must rank in the upper third of graduating class OR have a composite score of 24 or higher on the ACT OR have a score of 250 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension OR have received a 10^th grade MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher OR receive a SAT score of 480 or higher.

For 12^th graders:

Must rank in the upper half of graduating class OR have a composite score of 21 or higher on the ACT OR have a score of 250 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension OR have received a 10^th grade MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher OR receive a SAT score of 480 or higher.

Admissions Requirements (for those who meet the qualifications)

Submit the PSEO Application for Admission
Submit the PSEO Contract must be initialed and signed by parents and student
Submit a high school transcript
Submit the Notice of Student Registration Form
Submit MCA Reading Results (10th graders only) OR the ACT Scores (11^th and 12^th graders who do not meet the class rank qualifier)
11^th and 12^th graders must take the ACCUPLACER Test
Submit the Immunization Form (home-schooled students only)
Complete admissions requirements by June 1^st for Fall Semester and December 1^st for Spring Semester
Download the PSEO High Demand Program Application Form

Printable PSEO Application

PSEO Requirements and Application

High Demand/Cohort Program Procedure for PSEO

PSEO students are not guaranteed to be able to join a high demand or cohort program. The PSEO High Demand Program Application must be completed for students to be considered. Students should verify with their high school they have the ability to participate full time in a technical program. Students in a cohort program will only be able to take one general education course per semester while completing technical course work. No exceptions will be made for PSEO students regarding credit load or class structure.

There is no set date for students to be accepted to one of these programs. Only when the waitlist of traditional students has been exhausted will a PSEO student be offered a seat in the program. Students who are offered a seat in one of these programs will need to give their decision to the college within 24 hours.

Programs considered high demand or cohort include: