What is the Declaration of Christian Community requirement?

On-campus PSEO students agree to Northwestern's Declaration of Christian Community, the university's statement of shared standards for campus life, and must be at least 15 years old. It is a real commitment, so read it before applying and decide whether the environment fits you.

Can I do Northwestern PSEO completely online?

Yes. Northwestern runs a fully online PSEO track alongside its on-campus program, with different application deadlines for each. The online option makes Northwestern one of the few Christian-university PSEO programs practically available to students anywhere in Minnesota.

When are Northwestern's PSEO application deadlines?

Plan around May 1 for fall and November 15 for spring, and verify the current dates for your specific track, since on-campus and online deadlines differ. The state's district notification deadlines (May 30 fall, October 30 spring) apply on top of the university's dates.

Can I take Bible classes through PSEO at Northwestern?

Not through PSEO itself, since state funding cannot pay for sectarian courses. Northwestern instead offers Bible courses at a reduced rate through its Early College program, so students who want them can add them alongside their tuition-free PSEO academic courses.

Does Northwestern offer PSEO in the summer?

Yes, Northwestern is one of the few Minnesota PSEO programs with a summer term. Summer courses let you earn credits without competing against your school-year commitments, which is especially useful for athletes, musicians, and students with packed junior-year schedules.

Private College

University of Northwestern - St. Paul

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Faith and free college classes come together at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul, a Christian university on the shore of Lake Johanna in the north metro. Its PSEO program admits juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA through a competitive selection process, and it runs both on-campus and online tracks, each with its own application deadlines, plus a summer term option few Minnesota colleges offer.

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GPA Requirements

Juniors (11th Grade)

3.0 GPA

Seniors (12th Grade)

3.0 GPA

Program Details

Accepts 10th GradersNo

CTE Courses AvailableNo

Term Systemsemester

About the PSEO program

Northwestern is transparent about what it asks of on-campus students: you must be at least 15 years old and agree to the Declaration of Christian Community, the university's statement of shared community standards. Students who want their college coursework in an intentionally Christian environment tend to thrive here; students who would chafe at that framework should factor it in honestly before applying.

One quirk to understand going in: Bible courses sit outside the PSEO program, since state dollars cannot cover sectarian coursework, but Northwestern makes them available at a reduced rate through its Early College program. That structure lets students combine tuition-free PSEO academics with faith coursework if they choose, while keeping the two funding streams clean.

Why choose University of Northwestern - St. Paul for PSEO

A Christian university setting for PSEO

Northwestern integrates faith and learning across campus life, giving students who want that environment a dual enrollment home that public colleges cannot offer.

On-campus and online tracks

You can take PSEO courses at the Lake Johanna campus in the north metro or fully online, with separate deadlines for each, which makes Northwestern reachable well beyond driving distance.

A summer term option

Northwestern offers PSEO in the summer, a rarity in Minnesota, letting motivated students bank credits without touching their school-year schedule.

A clear 3.0 GPA benchmark

Juniors and seniors both apply at a 3.0 GPA. Admission is competitive rather than automatic, but the baseline is one many college-bound students already meet.

Discounted Bible courses alongside PSEO

While Bible courses cannot be state-funded, Northwestern prices them at a reduced rate through Early College, so students can pair them with tuition-free PSEO academics.

Programs & courses

Writing and communication
Core composition and communication courses that anchor most PSEO schedules and transfer as standard lower-division credit.
Business coursework
Introductory business classes from one of Northwestern's larger academic areas, a frequent pick for students testing the major.
Sciences and mathematics
Lab sciences and college math that satisfy general education requirements at Northwestern and at the schools students transfer to.
Psychology and social sciences
Popular exploration courses taught within the university's faith-integrated academic framework.
Music and worship arts
Coursework reflecting Northwestern's strong music tradition, including ensembles and training that serious student musicians can access.

Campus & getting there

Northwestern's campus occupies a wooded stretch along Lake Johanna in the Roseville and Arden Hills area of the north metro, about fifteen minutes from both downtown Saint Paul and downtown Minneapolis by car. Students commute from across the northern suburbs, and the fully online PSEO track serves students statewide who want a Christian university option without relocating their day. If you are choosing between tracks, note that the on-campus experience includes the 15-plus age requirement and community standards agreement, while online students study from wherever they are.

Will my credits transfer?

As a private university, Northwestern sits outside the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum, which means public universities review its courses one by one rather than by automatic goal-area matching. Standard lower-division courses in writing, science, math, and social science generally transfer well to Minnesota State schools, the University of Minnesota, and private colleges, and they apply directly toward Northwestern degrees for students who stay. Note that Bible coursework taken through Early College is a separate, non-PSEO track, so plan transfer expectations around your academic PSEO courses.

University of Northwestern - St. Paul PSEO FAQ

A 3.0 GPA for both juniors and seniors. Meeting the GPA gets you considered rather than admitted, since Northwestern describes its PSEO selection as competitive, so a complete, on-time application with solid supporting materials matters.