Dual Credit Options

Dual Credit refers to all courses that allow students to earn high school and college credit while the student is in high school.

There are a variety of ways MPS students can earn dual credit. Opportunities vary by school; however, all schools offer multiple ways students may earn both high school and college credit.

Dual Credit programs are a way for high school students to challenge themselves academically, earn college credit, and save time and money. Eligible high school students can choose to participate in the following dual credit programs.

More Information

Ready Set Go provides information about dual credit options for Minnesota high school students.

Check out the MPS Advanced Academics homepage or explore dual credit options below.

The Center for School Change compiles a number of reports about Dual Credit.

Dual Credit Courses

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows students in grades 10-12 to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions.

Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses.

Students in grades 11-12 may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; grade 10 students are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate, she/he may continue to participate in PSEO on a term by term basis.

Pre-Approved PSEO Courses

Use this PSEO Course Request Form to request an unapproved PSEO class to fulfill an MPS graduation requirement.

Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage

Registering for PSEO Courses

By March 1 of each year, or three weeks prior to the date a student registers for courses for the following school year (whichever is earlier), schools must provide PSEO information to all students in grades 8-11 and their families.

To assist the district in planning, a student must inform the district by May 30 of each year of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following school year

PSEO Costs and Available School Resources

There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course; however, students may incur fees for equipment that becomes their property when the course or program is completed, textbooks that are not returned to the postsecondary institution according to their policies, or for tuition costs if they do not notify the district by May 30 and the district does not waive this date requirement.

Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. For more information on these funds, access the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions.

Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.

School districts must allow a PSEO student reasonable access to the high school building, computers and/or other technology resources during regular school hours to participate in PSEO courses, whether online or on campus.

PSEO Courses and Grades

Each year, districts must publish their grade-weighting policy on their website, including a list of courses for which students can earn weighted grades.

All courses taken through the PSEO program must meet graduation requirements. Districts must transcript credits earned in PSEO by a ratio prescribed in statute. Districts have the authority to decide which subject area and standards the PSEO course meets. If there is a dispute between the district and the student regarding the number of credits granted for a particular course, the student may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner. The commissioner's decision regarding the number of credits will be final.

Postsecondary institutions are required to allow PSEO students to enroll in online courses consistent with the institution’s policy regarding postsecondary student enrollment in online courses.

Grade 10 students may initially enroll in one Career and Technical Education (CTE) PSEO course if they receive a reading proficiency score of “meets” or “exceeds” on the 8th grade MCA. If grade 10 students taking a CTE PSEO course earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional postsecondary courses. If the student did not take the MCA in 8th-grade, another reading assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution can be substituted. For students with disabilities, there is an alternative option to demonstrate reading proficiency.

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Concurrent Enrollment

Concurrent enrollment courses are college level courses taught in high school.

High school teachers partner with Minnesota college and university staff to offer college courses during the school day. Many students recognize some concurrent enrollment courses by the name "College in the Schools."

Students should check with their school counselor to learn more about the courses offered in their building and the requirements needed to enroll.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB Programme may be offered to students in elementary (Primary Years Programme), middle (Middle Years Programme), and high school (Middle Years and Diploma Programme).

High school juniors and seniors, after consulting with their teachers and counselor, may enroll in the full IB Diploma Programme. IB Diploma "candidates" take:

Six courses at the higher or standard level
Theory of Knowledge course
Complete an Extended Essay
Complete Creativity Service Action hours

If a student does not wish to take the entire Diploma Programme, they may enroll in individual courses. Students may be able to earn college credit by scoring a four or higher on their final IB exam. Many colleges may require students to score a 5, 6, or 7 in order to earn credit (IB exams are scored 1-7). Similarly to AP courses, students should research the IB test scores they would need to earn college level credit at their prospective college.

Learn more about IBO

Advanced Placement (AP)

The CollegeBoard offers AP courses in the following subject areas:

Arts
English
History & social sciences
Mathematics & computer sciences
World languages & cultures

The number and type of courses offered vary depending upon the MPS the student currently attends. Students may earn both high school and college credit by passing the course and scoring successfully on the AP exam taken upon completing the course. Many colleges will award college level credit if a student earns a score of three or higher on the AP exam (AP scores range from 1-5 points).

Learn more about AP

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