College Credit Options

Advanced Placement (AP): Developed by the College Board, Advanced Placement courses are taught in high schools and are nationally recognized. AP courses give high school students an introduction to college level curriculum. These courses promote the development of higher level thinking and are more difficult than a typical high school course. At the end of the year, students will sit through an examination that assesses their knowledge of the content covered throughout the year. 

AP exams are scored on a scale from 1-5 with anything above a 3 considered passing. Some colleges will only accept 4's and 5's for credit - make sure to look at the admissions requirements for any colleges you are interested in to determine if your AP scores will count for credit at that institution. 

Advanced Placement courses offered in the Duluth Public Schools include:

• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP Language & Composition
• AP/CITS Language & Composition*
• AP/CITS Calculus*
• AP United States History
• AP World History

*Students in AP/CITS Language & Composition and AP/CITS Calculus can earn credit for both AP and CITS programs provided they earn a passing score on the AP exam and/or meet the minimum GPA qualifications for CITS courses. Colleges and universities will offer different amounts of credits for comparable classes depending on if a student is transferring CITS credits or AP credits or both. Reach out to your building's guidance counselor for more information. 

Articulated College Credit: Articulated college credit courses provide a way for students to start a college-level technical program while still in high school, paving the way for students to extend their educational pathway into a technical career. To earn Articulated College Credit, students take high school CTE courses and upon successful completion, have the opportunity to bring their high school transcript to pre-approved schools to earn credit towards the student's college transcript for those courses at those schools. Current partnering schools include Lake Superior College and Northwood Technical College. 

Please Note: Current articulation agreements are under review at the college level and changes may occur. For the most accurate information, consult your classroom teacher.

Career and Technical Education Program (CTE): Designed to help focus students into career/post-secondary pathways that fit their personality and academic interests. Programs of study are offered in six broad Minnesota career fields with exposure to over 13 career clusters and pathways. Find classes that will lead you into the career you want! For more information, reach out to your building's guidance counselor.

• Today's CTE is for all students: integrated with academics in a rigorous and relevant curriculum
• CTE courses are taught by some of the most highly qualified professionals in the region: over 80% come from industry first and then education. They bring real-world knowledge and connections to help students explore and succeed in the competitive job market
• Students work hands-on with the material and learn life skills: Our mission is to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow by providing them with work skills beyond individual content specialties
• High school students can earn college credit in their area of interest, a great head start to a successful career
• Courses may help students qualify for and earn accreditation/certification in their area of interest
• Career Clubs provide experiences beyond the classroom and help students connect to their schools
• The goal is to help students GET to work: that means high-paying careers, both regionally and globally 

 

Current CTE Courses include:

• Aerospace Physics (Aviation)
• Agriculture and Forestry
• Automotive and Engines
• Business, Marketing and Finance
• Construction Technology
• Educational Careers/Pathways2Teaching
• Engineering and Design
• Graphic Arts and Digital Design
• Health Occupations
• Hospitality and Tourism (Culinary Arts)

College in the Schools (CITS): College in the Schools (CITS) is a concurrent enrollment ("dual credit" or "dual enrollment") program that allows 11th and 12th grade students to earn both high school and college credit in certain courses at no cost to the student. These courses have admissions requirements and are challenging, faster-paced, more in-depth than traditional courses. They are taught by high school teachers at the rigor of a college level. CITS partner schools include the University of Minnesota - Duluth, Lake Superior College, and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.

Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO): Students may earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through successful completion of college-level, nonsectarian courses at eligible participating post secondary institutions. 

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

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 on-line or on campus.

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.

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 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.

For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage.