When are MSUM's PSEO application deadlines?

August 1 for fall semester and December 15 for spring semester, per MSUM's PSEO apply page. Also remember the statewide notification rule: public school students must give their district notice by May 30 (fall) and October 30 (spring).

Can 10th graders take PSEO classes at MSUM?

No. State law restricts sophomores to CTE courses, and MSUM, as a university, does not offer CTE coursework through PSEO. The program is open to juniors and seniors who meet the eligibility requirements.

Does MSUM offer online PSEO courses?

MSUM runs courses in both in-person and online formats, so students outside the immediate Fargo-Moorhead area may be able to take some coursework remotely. Check with admissions about which specific courses have online sections before finalizing your plan.

What needs to be on my transcript when I apply?

MSUM specifically asks that your high school transcript include your class rank and national test scores, since those are two of the ways you can qualify. If your school does not rank, talk with your counselor and MSUM admissions about how your eligibility will be evaluated.

How does MSUM PSEO compare to taking classes at a community college?

The eligibility bar is higher — a 3.5 GPA for juniors versus around 3.0 at most two-year schools — but you earn university credits, learn from university faculty, and can flow straight into a bachelor's program at MSUM with credits already banked.

Public University

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Moorhead, Minnesota

On the Minnesota side of the Fargo-Moorhead metro, Minnesota State University Moorhead gives high school juniors and seniors in the Red River Valley a way to take free college classes at a genuine four-year university. MSUM PSEO students enroll in the same courses as regular undergraduates, taught by university faculty, with every credit landing on an official Minnesota State transcript.

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GPA Requirements

Juniors (11th Grade)

3.5 GPA

ORTop 33% Class

OR≥ 24 ACT Composite

Seniors (12th Grade)

3.25 GPA

ORTop 50% Class Rank

OR≥ 21 ACT Composite

Program Details

Accepts 10th GradersNo

CTE Courses AvailableNo

Term Systemsemester

About the PSEO program

The application is more traditional than at most two-year schools: MSUM asks for a high school transcript that includes your class rank along with any national test scores, because eligibility can be met through GPA, rank, or ACT. Deadlines are firm and posted — August 1 for fall and December 15 for spring — so students in Moorhead, Dilworth, Barnesville, and nearby districts need to plan a term ahead rather than applying last minute.

For students who want the feel of a mid-sized university without leaving home, dual enrollment at MSUM is a strong fit. You get university-level academics, campus resources, and a head start on a bachelor's degree, all while finishing high school across town.

Why choose Minnesota State University Moorhead for PSEO

A four-year university close to home

Students in the Fargo-Moorhead area can earn university credits without relocating, commuting to a campus that is minutes away for much of the metro.

Multiple ways to qualify

MSUM accepts GPA, class rank, or ACT composite scores for eligibility, so a strong test score can open the door even if your GPA falls short.

Clear, posted deadlines

August 1 for fall and December 15 for spring are published on MSUM's apply page, which makes planning your PSEO timeline straightforward.

Credits that already count toward a bachelor's

If you continue at MSUM after graduation, your PSEO credits are already part of your university record — no transfer step at all.

Programs & courses

General education core
Composition, communication, and humanities courses that satisfy Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goal areas are the standard PSEO on-ramp at MSUM.
Sciences and mathematics
University-level biology, chemistry, and math sequences let STEM-minded students move past what their high school offers.
Social sciences
Psychology, sociology, and political science intro courses transfer widely and help students explore majors early.
Education-related coursework
MSUM has deep roots in teacher preparation, and students considering a future in education can start exploring the field through introductory coursework.

Campus & getting there

MSUM's campus sits in a residential part of Moorhead, directly across the Red River from Fargo, North Dakota. That location puts it within an easy drive — or a city bus ride — for students throughout the Fargo-Moorhead metro, from Moorhead and Dilworth to West Fargo. The university offers both in-person and online course options, which helps PSEO students from smaller Red River Valley districts participate without a daily commute. Concordia College and a Minnesota State Community and Technical College campus are also in Moorhead, so local students have several dual enrollment options to compare.

Will my credits transfer?

PSEO credits from MSUM are standard four-year university credits within the Minnesota State system. General education courses map onto Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MNTC) goal areas, which every Minnesota public college and university honors, and Minnesota State's Transfer Pathways make it easy to carry coursework toward a bachelor's degree at any system school. University credits from MSUM also tend to transfer cleanly to private colleges and out-of-state schools, though each institution makes its own final call.

Minnesota State University Moorhead PSEO FAQ

Juniors need a 3.5 GPA, a class rank in the top third, or an ACT composite of 24. Seniors need a 3.25 GPA, a rank in the top half, or an ACT composite of 21. You only need to meet one of the three, and your transcript must show class rank and any national test scores so MSUM can verify it.