College Credit Options

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

About PSEO college credit earning options

Postsecondary Enrollment Options is a program that allows students in grades 10, 11, and 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 and 12 may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; students in grade 10 are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis (see details below). 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.

By March 1 of each year, or three weeks prior to the date a student registers for courses for the following school year, 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 Hopkins Public Schools district by May 30 of each year of their intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following school year.

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 show in the links at right.

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.

Hopkins High School does not weight (GPA) any courses including PSEO 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.

Tenth-grade 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 10th graders taking a CTE PSEO course earn at least a grade C in that class, they may take additional CTE PSEO 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.

Application deadlines vary and are determined by the college. Students are responsible for meeting the graduation requirements at the high school. PSEO credits will count towards Hopkins graduation requirements and will be included on a student's transcript. PSEO credits may be accepted at other post secondary institutions.

PSEO Students must maintain full-time student status or earn 6-8 credits a semester. Credits will transfer back to the high school as:

College	HHS
5 credits	2.5 credits
4 credits	2 credits
3 credits	1.5 credits
2 credits	1 credit
1 credit	.5 credit

Hennepin Technical College (HTC) Pathways Program

About the Program

Through an agreement with District 287, Hopkins High School students are able to take Hennepin Technical Pathways Courses at Hennepin Technical College (HTC). Intermediate District 287 offers career courses designed to assist students in making career decisions. Students in grades 11 or 12 may attend HTC during the school day, Monday through Friday, for 2 consecutive terms and 2 blocks each day to earn 3 credits. 

High school students who are considering a technical field may enroll in courses offered by Hennepin Technical College at Eden Prairie to gain skills and awareness of career opportunities.

Students may also register for college level courses (available online at http://www.hennepintech.edu/); please talk with your counselor as level-3 course schedules may be challenging to coordinate with high school classes. Testing is required for all level-3 classes; make arrangements with HTC.

Students must complete an enrollment form for either career level or college (level 3) courses. 

Students will:

• Explore hands-on careers while still in High School
• Fulfill district elective requirements
• Gain an understanding of the opportunities available within their chosen career cluster
• Develop a foundation of technical knowledge and skill development
• Acquire a deeper understanding of each related college major and how it matches their interests, abilities, and goals
• May earn HTC-articulated college credit by satisfactorily completing the course requirements and by obtaining a grade of an A or B

Attendance

Daily attendance at HTC is essential for success, earning credit, and staying in the program.

For a late start at HHS, all Hopkins High School students should do one of the following:

• If the student plans to stay at Hopkins High School, sign a list in the guidance office or attendance office to be excused at HTC.
• If the student plans to attend HTC, pick up a form in the attendance or guidance office for Hopkins High School teacher to sign, return with signature to the attendance office.

For early release days, there is no bus to HTC. Students will be excused but those who have transportation are encouraged to attend HTC.