Options for Earning College Credit

InHigh School

(PSEO Emphasis)

Presented byRochester Public High School Counselors

AndRochester Community and Technical College

What are the different options for earning college credit?

Do I qualify for any of the options?

How do I know what is best for me?

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

• Tech Prep Courses

• Advanced Placement Courses (AP)

• CLEP Testing

• Project Lead the Way

• Concurrent Enrollment (College in the Schools)

• PSEO (Post Secondary Enrollment Options)

COLLEGE CREDIT OPTIONS…

• The following presentation is focusing on PSEO and Concurrent Enrollment options.

• Questions about other options, please refer to course registration booklet or school counselor.

POST SECONDARY ENROLLMENT (PSEO)

High school and college credit

• The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program allows • Sophomores in high school to take

• Career/technical options only with a limit of “ONE” class

• Juniors and seniors in high school to take• Full or part-time, at a liberal arts, community, or

technical PUBLIC college or a university for high school credit

• Private college participation is optional

BENEFITS OF PSEO

PSEO provides students with an additional variety of class offerings and the opportunity to pursue additional

challenging coursework.

Tuition, fees, and required textbooks are at no cost to students.

Books are the property of the college and must be returned. Students attending RCTC should return their

books directly to RCTC.

WHICH PSEO OPTION IS BEST FOR ME?

“Expectations of the PSEO Student”

The decision to participate is an important one.

Students are expected to: • Be responsible• Be self-starters• Be independent learners• Seek out additional information in regards to transfer credit policies• Communicate with high school counselor and the post-secondary

institution to ensure that you are making the best choice for you and your educational future

Students are required to return to their high school to take the reading and mathematics MCA-II/GRAD (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment/Graduation-Required Assessments for Diploma).

Individual institutions determine PSEO enrollment criteria.

• A strong Christian commitment.

• Ready for the rigors of college work.

• Maturity and social skills needed to be successful in the college setting.

• Above elements are weighed when applicants are reviewed for admission to the PSEO program.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST• Be a Minnesota resident.

• Be a Junior or Senior in a public school, private school, or home school.

• Sophomores are not eligible.

• Have a cumulative High School GPA of 3.0.

http://www.crossroadscollege.edu/Admissions/PSEO/PSEOProgramInformation.aspx

UMR APPLICATION CRITERIA

• Admission to the PSEO Program at UMR is competitive and applications are required.

• Space is limited in PSEO course offerings, and admission to the PSEO program does not guarantee registration.

• Admission to the PSEO program is based on multiple factors related to your readiness for college.

These factors include:

• Strong GPA – minimum 3.0• Class rank• Juniors top quarter of their class • Seniors top half of their class• Sophomores – not eligible• Successful completion of rigorous coursework (AP, honors,

college prep, etc.)• High performance in math, science, and writing

coursework• Additional test scores (PSAT/SAT/PLAN/ACT)-

recommended for all students• Application essay• Evidence of a strong desire to work in the field of health

sciences

UMR APPLICATION DEADLINES• April 15th for Fall enrollment.• Applications may be considered on a rolling basis through June 1st, if

space permits.

• UMR does not accept applications for Spring PSEO enrollment.

TWO PSEO “OPTIONS” at

RCTC

OPTION A• Students working on two year

associate degree or planning to transfer to a 4 year college

• Grades 11th and 12th only

OPTION B• Career Technical Education

Only• Grades 10th, 11th, 12th • Admission varies by program

RCTC“OPTION A”

Juniors/Seniors Only

JUNIORS• 3.00 Cumulative GPA• At or above the 66th percentile

in rank• Passing ACCUPLACER

placement scores or

• Achieving college benchmark scores on ACT test in English, Math, and Reading

SENIORS• 2.50 Cumulative GPA• At or above the 50th percentile

in rank• Passing ACCUPLACER

placement scoresor

• Achieving college benchmark scores on ACT test in English, Math, and Reading

QUALIFYING ACT SCORES FOR “OPTION A” PSEO

English 18

Math 22

Reading 21

Must have qualifying scores in all three areas.

RCTC“OPTION B”

Career Technical Education (CTE)

SOPHOMORES• Passing score on the 8th grade

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in reading.

• Passing ACCUPLACER placement scores.

• Limit to “ONE” CTE course 1st semester of enrollment and “ONE” CTE course 2nd semester of enrollment.

JUNIORS/SENIORS• Enrollment into eligible CTE

courses only.• Passing ACCUPLACER

placement scores.

• Passing score on the 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in reading.

• Limit of enrolling in ONE Career and Technical course for first timers – with the potential of additional courses in subsequent semesters.

• Complete regular PSEO application and enrollment process.

• Must be a course on the following slide(s) only.

SOPHOMORE PSE0 REQUIREMENTS CAREER & TECHNICAL OPTIONS

SAMPLE OPTIONS OF COURSES AVAILABLE FOR SOPHOMORES

PLEASE SEE YOUR COUNSELOR FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF SOPHOMORE OPTIONS.

• ACCT 1410 Supervisory Budgeting and Cost Control

• BUS 2201 Principles of Marketing

• CD 1220 Child Safety, Health and Nutrition

• CRJU 1215 Homeland Security/Defense

• ENGL 1630 English Grammar for Careers

GPA, HONORS CREDITS,

&HONOR ROLL

• All grades transferred to high school and placed on official transcript.

• Classes with the name honors in the title are transferred back as honors credits. Contact school high school GATE coordinator for exceptions. If you wish to appeal, contact the district GATE coordinator, Jennifer Lawhead at 328-4275.

• PSEO students are eligible for the honor roll at their high school and the Dean’s List at the college level.

College Credit versus

High School Credit

• 4 RCTC Credits = 1.0 high school credit or a year long class at the high school.

• 2 RCTC Credits = 0.50 high school credit, which is the same as one semester class at the high school.

PSEO Conversion Chart (Based on college semester hours)

College Credit Hours Rochester Public School Credit

1 Semester Hour = 0.25

2 Semester Hours = 0.50

3 Semester Hours = 0.75

4 Semester Hours = 1.00

5 Semester Hours = 1.25

6 Semester Hours = 1.50

7 Semester Hours = 1.75

8 Semester Hours = 2.00

9 Semester Hours = 2.25

10 Semester Hours = 2.50

11 Semester Hours = 2.75

12 Semester Hours = 3.00

13 Semester Hours = 3.25

14 Semester Hours = 3.50

College vs. RPS ScheduleTime of Day

at RCTCClass Period at RPS Hours that need to be blocked

out on RPS schedule

8-8:50 7:40 to 8:30 1st & 2nd Hour

9-9:50 8:35 to 9:30 2nd & 3rd Hour

10-10:50 9:35 to 10:25 3rd & 4th Hour

11-11:50 10:30-11:20 4th & 5th Hour

12-12:50 11:25 to 12:15 5th & 6th Hour

1-1:50 12:20 to 1:10 6th & 7th Hour

2-2:50 1:15 to 2:07 7th & 8th Hour

3-3:50 2:12 to 3:03 8th Hour

SAMPLE COLLEGE SCHEDULETime of Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8-8:50 English 1117

English1117

English1117

English1117

9-9:50

10-10:50 Political Science

1615

Political Science

1615

Political Science

161511-11:50

12-12:50

1-1:50

2-2:50

3-3:50

CONCURRENT ENROLLMENTOPTION “A”

College classes taught at the high school – Must meet PSEO criteria to enroll in course.

COMM 1114 Fundamentals of Public Speaking [RCTC]

ENGL 1117 Reading and Writing Critically I [RCTC]

Latin 4 Honors [U. of M., #3003/#3004]

MATH 2237 Multivariable and Vector Calculus [RCTC]

Choosing Courses • Choose courses to meet high school graduation requirements.• Confirm course selection with high school counselor.• Select courses to meet college degree requirements.• Choose electives you desire.• Verify all courses with PSEO Coordinator, Brooke Kosok at 285-7160.

How Many Courses? • 12-18 semester credits equal full-time.• You may take more credits than that, but if you exceed full-time high

school status, written pre-approval from high school counselor and approval from RCTC is required.

• Part-time students may take a maximum of 11 credits per semester.

Courses and Credit

RCTC classes are college level classes – NOT high school classes taught at RCTC

Example: College physics builds on the knowledge of high school physics.

SUGGESTED COURSES TO HAVE COMPLETED PRIOR TO FULL-TIME PSEOo Algebra II Advanced Functionso English III: World Literature and Research o Physicso Reading

Algebra II Advanced Functions is required for all students to graduate.

PSEO does not pay for remedial (high school level) classes. i.e. – any course that start with the number “0”.

HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES, RCTC CLASSES, &

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

KEYS TO SUCCESS

Being successful in college will require maturity, self-discipline, good study skills, and time management skills.

As a general rule, students spend two hours of study time for each hour in class.

Attendance is important and attendance is expected.

Controversial and adult subjects may be discussed in many courses and participation is expected.

If you have any questions regarding any of your PSEO courses, must be directed to each individual instructor.

KEYS TO SUCCESS, cont.

Email is the official means of communication at RCTC. All students should go to RCTC Email Accounts - Official Means of Communication at Rochester Community and Technical College and begin using their RCTC Email account.

Students are expected to read daily/weekly high school announcements for important announcements.

Students are expected to remain in constant communication with their high school counselor.

Students must provide school counselor with their current schedule and verify classes are meeting graduation requirements.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students are eligible to participate in any extra curricular activities that your high school and/or RCTC have to offer. This includes music, choir, theatre, clubs, athletics, intra murals, prom, dances, homecoming, honor societies, etc.

Recent NJCAA ruling precludes any PSEO student from participating in ANY NJCAA sanctioned sport.

At RCTC, students under age 18, cannot receive medical treatment at RCTC Health Services without the written consent of the parent/guardian.

PSEO students are not identified to RCTC instructors; therefore PSEO students are treated as if they are any other college student.

High schools are required to provide information to students by March 1.

Students are requested to let their counselor know before March 31 if they desire to participate in the program.

Students must work with their counselors to make sure they follow the PSEO guidelines that have been established by the District.

Complete Forms – Students will need to complete and sign the post-secondary enrollment options forms. Parent/guardian's signature is required unless student is over 18 years old.

WITHDRAWING FROM A PSEO CLASS

If a student withdraws from a course, notify the post-secondary institution and your high school right away.

Students are subject to the same procedures as any other high school student when withdrawing from a course or failing a course.

If a student withdraws after the 10th day of the semester of the home high school, you will receive a “Withdrawal F (W/F)” for that course on your high school transcript, which will impact your GPA.

TRANSPORTATION

The student and your parent/guardian are responsible for transportation to and from the post-secondary institution.

If a family qualifies, a parent/guardian may apply for reimbursement for transportation costs. To determine eligibility, check income requirements on the MN Department website. See your counselor for an application.

•Personal decision – What is best for one student may not be the best for another.•Why do I want to do PSEO?•My plans after PSEO are…•How will PSEO help me work toward my goals?•Am I academically prepared for college level classes?•Am I self-disciplined?•Am I good at time management?

MAKE A WELL INFORMED

DECISION

1. Apply online to RCTC.

2. Compete “Expectations of the PSEO Student” supplemental handout.

3. Meet with your high school counselor and bring completed forms

sent via email by RCTC (Brooke Kosok):

• Expectations of the PSEO Student (High School supplemental

form handed out at the mandatory informational meeting)

• Notice of Student Registration form (received in email from

RCTC)

• On-line application supplemental form (received in email from

RCTC)

RCTC PSEO Application Process

4. During high school counselor meeting, counselor will complete

counselor sections and submit forms and transcript to RCTC.

5. RCTC will contact student in regards to placement testing and

required STAR Session.

6. Provide a copy of schedule to counselor as soon as you have

registered.   

7. High school course requests/schedule will be adjusted.   

RCTC PSEO Application Process, cont.

STAY INFORMED !

Become a Fan of RCTC PSEO on Facebook

Helpful RCTC Links

On-Line application http://www.rctc.edu/pseo/

Placement test support (ACCUPLACER)http://www.rctc.edu/counseling_career_center/html/placement_test_practice.html

RCTC Current Semester Course Offerings http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/

RCTC Course Descriptions http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/courses/

RCTC Programs, Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates www.rctc.edu/catalog/overviews/index.cfm

Web site for information on credit transfer https://www.transfer.org/uselect/login.htm

Important Contacts at RCTC

• Brooke Kosok (285-7160) PSEO Advisor

• Dale Amy (285-7332) Director of High School Collaborations

• RCTC counselors will help with questions in regards to transferring credits to 4 year colleges 285-7260

MAKE A DECISION BEST FOR YOU…

QUESTIONS?