For Motivated High School Juniors and Seniors

The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program through the University of Minnesota Twin Cities allows motivated high school juniors and seniors to take classes at the University for both high school and college credit.

The cost of University tuition, course fees, and textbooks is covered by the Minnesota Department of Education. On-campus housing is not available to PSEO students.

  • 1,600 Applicants per year
  • 3.94 Average unweighted GPA of admitted students
  • 45% Students who apply to U of M PSEO are admitted

Find out more in the Pre-College Programs Annual Report.

Is PSEO the Right Choice for You?

Attending PSEO at the U of M is exciting, but it’s also a major change compared to high school. We recommend doing a self assessment to be sure PSEO is the right choice for you. If all of the descriptors below resonate, then you’re a great candidate for PSEO and the next step is application.

Are You Proactive in Your Education?

  • There are three main qualities every PSEO student should have: an independent learning style, good time management skills, and willingness to seek help when it’s needed.
  • U of M PSEO students actively use peer tutoring services, the writing center, and instructor office hours to excel in PSEO.
  • PSEO students are solely responsible for their academic experience. Parents will not have access to your information due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Do You Have a Proven Track Record of Academic Success?

  • The average high school GPA for accepted PSEO students is around 3.93 (unweighted), and the average U of M GPA for PSEO students is around 3.700. An unweighted 3.600 high school GPA is required to apply (see the How to Apply section for exceptions).
  • Admitted PSEO students have usually pursued the most rigorous high school courses available to them.
  • Grades earned in PSEO will remain on your U of M college transcript and can impact freshman admission to college.

Do You Fully Commit to Academic Priorities? 

  • The U of M does not consider high school activities, such as band and sports, to be excusable activities. If these commitments conflict with an exam in a U of M class, instructors may not accommodate you.
  • The amount of outside work required in PSEO classes and significant commute times can make time management challenging.
  • Juggling your high school and PSEO courses can be tricky. Carefully consider your course load and extracurricular activities, and prepare for the investment.

Application Timeline | 2024−25 School Year

One application period per school year. (Note: The American Indian Studies PSEO Option accepts applications on a rolling basis.)

Jan

Feb 15

Application period opens

Mar

Apr 15

Application (postmark) deadline

May 22

Admission decisions

June

Orientation

Jul

Orientation, 

registration*

Aug

Campus Exploration Day (optional)

Sep 5

Fall classes start

Oct

Nov

Dec

 

*Admitted students must complete an online orientation before registering for classes. Registration for new students opens in July.

Requirements and How to Apply

Students must meet the Minnesota Department of Education criteria (click on the "Postsecondary Enrollment Options Reference Guide").

Minimum High School GPA

  • Students must have a minimum unweighted high school GPA of 3.600 to apply. Applications that do not meet the minimum GPA requirement will be automatically denied.
    • Exceptions are granted for: students applying to the School of Music, or attending an international school or a high school that doesn't use GPA.

Residency and High School Enrollment

  • The UMTC PSEO program is open to 11th and 12th grade students only.
  • Students must have a free period (or study hall) during the high school day (public schools only).
  • Students must live in Minnesota* and be enrolled in:
    • a public school district, charter school, home school or nonpublic school in Minnesota
    • a public school district or nonpublic school out of state through a tuition arrangement between the out of state district and the Minnesota public school district, OR
    • attending a nonpublic school in another state, whether or not the parent is paying tuition.

*South Dakota resident students attending a Minnesota district under the Minnesota-South Dakota Reciprocity Agreement (includes only border districts) are eligible for PSEO.

Age Requirements

International Students

Students who hold J1, J2, F1, F2, or B visas are not eligible to participate in PSEO.

Application for the 2023–24 academic year has closed. The 2024–25 application will open February 15, 2024.

Required Application Documents

  1. High School Transcript, Official or Unofficial
    • Report cards or grade reports are required in addition to the transcript when there are no grades for the current academic year on the transcript (e.g., schools that only award grades at the end of the full academic year).
  2. Post-Secondary Notice of Student Registration (2024–25) Form
    • Complete and sign part 1 the form (a parent/guardian signature is required if under 18).
    • Your high school representative (or homeschool authority) completes and signs part 2 of the form.
  3. College Transcripts, Official or Unofficial (if applicable)
    • Submit transcripts if you took college credits outside your high school through a college or university (e.g., PSEO).
    • Transcripts required for all completed and in-progress courses
    • Transcripts not required for University of Minnesota courses
    • You do not need to submit transcripts for concurrent enrollment courses.

After requesting your application (step 1), you will receive an email with a link to a form where you will upload your application documents.

Use your application link when you are ready to upload your application documents listed in step 2.

If a high school official will submit documents on your behalf, indicate this in your application. When you submit your application, an email request will be sent to your high school official asking them to upload the documents.

You will receive an email once your application has been reviewed for completeness. This process takes several business days. Please allow extra processing time in the last two weeks before the application deadline.

Issues submitting application documents?

  • If you didn’t receive an email with your application link after creating your application (step 1), contact our office (pseo@umn.edu).
  • You may submit application documents via email (pseo@umn.edu) or postal mail (U of M PSEO Admissions, 20 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455).
  • If using Parchment or another transcript service, send your transcript to pseo@umn.edu. Do NOT select University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
  • Students interested in enrolling in private music lessons (one-on-one study) with a faculty member through PSEO also need to apply to the School of Music. Apply to the School of Music if you are currently taking private music lessons and are prepared to submit a virtual audition as part of their application process.
  • Students admitted to PSEO and the School of Music may be limited to School of Music courses only, depending on our holistic application review.
  • Students with an unweighted high school GPA below 3.600 may use an approved School of Music audition to still be considered for admission to the PSEO program. However, if admitted, these students will be limited to School of Music courses only.
  • Admission to the School of Music does not guarantee admission to the PSEO program.  

How to Apply

  • Visit the School of Music's website for application and audition information.
  • The School of Music PSEO application deadline is April 1.

Admission criteria for acceptance into the UMTC PSEO program are evaluated on a holistic basis. Space is limited to around 750 new students each year. Approximately 45% of applicants are admitted to the program. As a result, we unfortunately must deny admission to many well-qualified students. 

Primary Considerations

  • GPA (3.600 or greater high school unweighted GPA required)
    • Exceptions may be granted for School of Music applicants; see the School of Music section above for more information
  • Class rank (if available)
  • Rigor of courses (honors, accelerated, advanced, enriched, concurrent enrollment (AP, IB, PLTW, other PSEO, etc.)
  • Successful grades in rigorous courses (B or higher to be competitive)

Secondary Considerations

  • Grade trends
  • Extenuating circumstances affecting grades (e.g., illness)

Freshman Admission

The UMTC PSEO office is not part of the UMTC Office of Admissions, and the two offices use separate admission processes and criteria. If you are accepted into the UMTC PSEO program, it doesn't mean you are automatically admitted to the U of M as an undergraduate student. You'll want to apply for freshman admission if you decide to attend the U of M after high school graduation.

  • Late applications are reviewed on a space available basis.

  • Late application documents will be reviewed if received by May 1. The online application form must be submitted by April 15.
  • Be sure all forms include the required signatures. Forms missing signatures will not be accepted.

  • Materials submitted on time to the wrong address will be considered late if resubmitted to the PSEO Office after the application deadline.

  • The responsibility for submitting a complete, on-time application lies solely with the student applicant. Exceptions to the April 15 deadline are not granted for high school, counselor, parent, or any other person's error.

American Indian Studies Option

The PSEO office has partnered with the Department of American Indian Studies to offer a tuition-free opportunity for high school students interested in learning about the history, issues, and languages of our Indigenous communities.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students must have at least a 2.000 high school GPA at the time of application.

Admitted students will be limited to American Indian Studies courses. If you’re interested in taking other University courses, you may submit a separate application to the general PSEO program. See the Requirements and How to Apply section above to learn more about the general PSEO program application requirements and deadlines.

Visit the American Indian Studies PSEO website to learn more and apply.

Apply to Another U of M System Campus

U of M Crookston and U of M Morris offer online PSEO courses and the ability to live on campus to attend classes. Students must attend classes full-time to live on the Morris or Crookston campuses. Students living on campus pay for their room and board. PSEO does not cover this expense.

Each campus has an application and specific application deadlines. Research their programs below.

U of M Crookston

U of M Morris

Summer Orientation and Registration

PSEO orientation and registration happens in stages during the summer. There are no required on-campus orientation events. Orientation information and instructions will be provided to admitted students upon admission. Students who complete summer orientation may choose to defer their enrollment until the spring semester.

Courses

Courses are offered on-campus or online. You can attend full-time (3–4 classes per semester) or part-time (1–2 classes per semester).

Choosing Courses

New PSEO students sign up for classes in July–August.

Some courses and topics have limited accessibility, including most business and engineering courses and online courses.

One 4-credit course is generally equivalent to one year at the high school. Work closely with your high school counselor to make sure you fulfill your graduation requirements.

You will get support and guidance from your PSEO advisor before you register.

Popular Courses

PSEO students have access to hundreds of courses. Here are some of the most popular:

Course Name Credits
Film  
Introduction to Film Study (ARTH 1921W) 4
Cinema (CSCL 1201W) 4
Philosophy  
Introduction to Political Philosophy (PHIL 1004W) 4
Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 1002W) 4
Other Arts and Humanities Courses  
Introduction to Design Thinking (DES 1101W) 4
Varied topics (ARTS 1xxx) 4

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook Arts/Humanities page.

Course Name Credits
Literature  
Introduction to Literature (ENGL 1001W) 4
Introduction to Shakespeare (ENGL 1181W) 4
Introduction to Contemporary American Literature (ENGL 1201W) 4
Introduction to Multicultural American Literature (ENGL 1301W) 4
Introduction to World Literatures in English (ENGL 1401W) 4
Literature of Public Life (ENGL 1501W) 4
Literature (CSCL 1101) 4
Writing/Composition  
University Writing (WRIT 1301)* 4
Language & Society (LING 1701) 4
Introduction to Creative Writing (ENGW 1101W) 4

*Access to this course may be limited.

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook English/Speech page.

Course Name Credits
Sports Nutrition (FSCN 1012) 2
Food: Safety, Risks, Technology (FSCN 1102) 3
Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science (MLSP 1010) 1
Fundamental Neuroscience (NSCI 1001) 3
Common Prescription Drugs & Diseases (PHAR 1004) 2
Orientation to Health Careers (AHS 1101 & 1102) 1
Orientation to Pharmacy (PHAR 1001) 2
Health Sciences Terminology (PHAR 1002) 2
Personal & Community Health (PUBH 3001) 2
Fundamentals of Alcohol & Drug Abuse (PUBH 3003) 2
Basic Concepts in Personal & Community Health (PUBH 3004) 4
Note: PUBH 3004 combines PUBH 3001 + 3003  
Personal Wellness  
Success Over Stress (PUBH 1001) 1
Alcohol & College Life (PUBH 1003) 1
Sexuality Matters (PUBH 1004) 1
Sleep, Eat, and Exercise (PUBH 1005) 1
Principles of Holistic Health and Healing (CSPH 1001) 2
Non-Prescription Medications and Self Care (PHAR 1003) 2
Physical Education Courses  
Varied topics (PE 1xxx) 1

PE classes include, but are not limited to, the following options: running, weight raining, conditioning, self-defense, karate, tennis, rock climbing, bowling, etc.

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook Health/Physical Education page.

American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, Classical Greek, Dakota, Dutch, Finnish, French, Hebrew (biblical and modern), Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Norwegian, Ojibwe, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Urdu

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook Languages page.

Course Name Credits
College Algebra & Probability (MATH 1031) 3
Precalculus I (MATH 1051) 3
Precalculus II (MATH 1151) 3
Calculus I (MATH 1271) 4
Calculus II (MATH 1272) 4
Linear Algebra (MATH 2243) 4
Multivariable Calculus (MATH 2263) 4
Quantifying Judgments of Human Behavior (SLHS 1302) 3
Introduction to Statistical Analysis* (STAT 3011) 4
Introduction to Logic (PHIL 1001) 4

*Access to this course may be limited.

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook Math page.

Limited online course options; not many online courses fulfill high school requirements.

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook Online Courses page.

Course Name Credits
Chemistry  
Introduction to Chem Lecture (CHEM 1015) (+CHEM 1017 Opt Lab) 3−4
General Principles of Chemistry I* (CHEM 1061 lecture/CHEM 1065 lab) 4
Physics  
Physics by Inquiry (CI 1563) 4
Introduction to College Physics (PHYS 1101W) 4
Introduction to Physical Science & Engineering (PHYS 1301W)* 4
Energy and the Environment (PHYS 1001W) 4
Biology  
Evolution & Biology of Sex (BIOL 1003) 4
General Biology (BIOL 1009) 4
Human Evolution (ANTH 1001) 4
Biogeography of the Global Garden (GEOG 1403) 4
Other Science Courses  
Exploring the Universe (AST 1001) 4
Biorenewable Resources (BBE 1002) 3
Environmental Issues and Solutions (CEGE 1501) 4
Climate Crisis: Implementing Solutions (EE 1701 Lecture/EE 1703 Optional Lab) 4
Earth and Its Environments (ESCI 1001) 4
Physical & Biology of Spoken Language (SLHS 1301W) 4
Introduction to Meteorology (GEOG 1425) 4

*Access may be limited.

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook Science page.

Course Name Credits
History (US and World)  
Global Societies Before 1500 (HIST 1011W) 4
Authority/Rebellion: US History to 1865 (HIST 1301W) 4
Europe and the World (Hist 1032W) 4
History (General)  
Perspectives on Biology (HSCI 1212) 4
Waterwheels to the Web (HSCI 1715) 4
Babylonians to Newton (HSCI 1814) 4
Atoms, Genes, and Quanta (HSCI 1815) 4
Political Science (US Government)  
American Democracy (POL 1001) 4
Political Science (General)  
Global Politics (POL 1025) 4
Puzzles in World Politics (POL 1054) 4
Political Ideas (POL 1201) 3
Geography  
Our Globalizing World (GEOG 1301W) 3
Mapping Our World (GEOG 1502) 3
Geography of the Twin Cities (GEOG 1973) 3
Varied Topics (GEOG 1xxx) 1–4
Economics  
Principles of Microeconomics (APEC 1101) 4
Principles of Macroeconomics (APEC 1102) 3
Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 1101) 4
Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 1102) 4
Other Social Studies Courses  
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1001) 4
Psychological Science Applied (EPSY 1281) 4
Introduction to Sociology (SOC 1001) 4
Understanding Cultures (ANTH 1003W) 4
Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 1002W) 4
Introduction to Ethics (PHIL 1003W) 4
Introduction to Political Philosophy (PHIL 1004W) 4
Philosophy & Cultural Diversity (PHIL 1006W) 4
Intimate Relationships (FSOS 1101) 4
Human Development in Families: Lifespan (FSOS 1201) 4

For additional course information, see the PSEO Student Handbook Social Studies page.

Information Sessions and Tours

Virtual Information Sessions

We invite you and your family to our virtual information sessions. PSEO advisors will provide an overview of the U of M Twin Cities PSEO program and discuss how and when to apply for the 2024–25 academic year. You will also hear from a panel of current PSEO students. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.

The 2024–25 information session dates will be posted in January 2024

High School Visits

PSEO staff members are available to attend high school events to share information about the U of M PSEO program with students, parents, and guardians. To request a visit, please contact us at 612-626-1666 or pseo@umn.edu.

Campus Tours

The Office of Admissions offers campus tours for students who are interested in attending the U of M as freshmen. If you would like to schedule a visit, sign up for a General Admission session.

Questions?

PSEO staff members are available to answer any additional questions you may have.

Feel free to also reach out to some of our students in the PSEO Student Association (pseosa@umn.edu) to learn about their experience in the program.

Students and Counselors

Current PSEO students and high school counselors can find more information and resources below:

Contact Information

pseo@umn.edu | 612-626-1666
20 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Monday−Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (except University holidays)
Phone and virtual support available Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Related Links