Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP)

What is the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP)?

Concurrent Enrollment is an opportunity for high school students in their Junior or Senior year to earn college credit while concurrently attending classes at their local high school.

What is the difference between Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) and Concurrent Enrollment?

• Concurrent Enrollment is listed under the Minnesota State College and Universities (MnSCU) Board Policies as a PSEO option. The Postsecondary Enrollment Options program was established in 1985 as a means to “promote rigorous educational pursuits and provide a wider variety of options for students.”
• When participating in the Concurrent Enrollment option, high school students do not have to travel to a local college or university. They stay on site at their local high school where high school teachers work collaboratively with college faculty to provide college level courses.

How does a high school student qualify for Concurrent Enrollment?

• A Junior (11th grade) may be considered for the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) if the high school administrator certifies the student is at or above the 66th percentile in class rank. (If a high school does not computer class rank, an 11th grade student may be admitted on the basis of an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher.)
• A Senior (12th grade) student may be considered for the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) if the high school administration certifies the student is at or above the 5oth percentile in class rank. (If a high school does not computer class rank, a 12th grade student may be admitted on the basis of an overall grade point average of 2.50 or higher.)

Admission Checklist for Concurrent Enrolment Students: 

1. Admission Form
2. Consent for Release of Information Form – Complete and return with application.
3. Registration Form

Applications for Concurrent Enrollment can be found in the high school counselor’s office, should be filed out appropriately, and returned to your high school counselor’s office upon completion.
What are the benefits of Concurrent Enrollment?

• Challenging courses for high-achieving high school students
• Enrichment of secondary curricular offerings
• An introduction and preparation for students as to what is expected in a college course
• A jump start on college education for high school students
• The opportunity for high school students earning college credits to stay at their own high
• school with their peer group
• Partnerships and cooperative initiatives between high school and post-secondary
• institutions
• Retention of high school educators who may otherwise be displaced due to declining
• secondary enrollments

Are Concurrent Enrollment courses more difficult?

• Yes!  All Concurrent Enrollment students are expected to perform at the standards to which regularly enrolled college students are held accountable.
• As with most college courses students can expect to spend two hours outside of class doing research and homework for every one hour spent in the classroom of a Concurrent Enrollment class.

What is a course syllabus?

• A syllabus is a contract between the student and the instructor.  It gives the rules and detailed information about the course. Each syllabus should contain the following:
• Course title, course prefix, course number, number of credits, and a description of the course from the college catalog
• Teacher's name, office number, location, office hours and office telephone number
• Prerequisites and/or recommended entry skills and knowledge for the course
• A calendar/course schedule listing the timeframe and date of each class
• A list of required texts and materials, as well as additional recommended resources
• Student assessment methods
• Grading policies
• Attendance
• Course accommodations
• Academic integrity

What about attendance? 
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and are responsible for all work missed during excused absences.  Students should refer to their high school district policy regarding absences. Attendance is not used as a basis for determining a student’s grade.
What if a Concurrent Enrollment student needs to drop a course?

• Students may change their course schedules (drops and/or adds) through the 5th class day of the high school semester. Courses officially dropped within this five-day time frame do not appear on a student’s transcript.
• It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the drop of a course. To officially drop a course a student must meet with their high school guidance counselor, and complete a Drop/Add Form, which the guidance counselor must forward to the Concurrent Enrollment Director immediately for processing with the College Record’s Office.

What if a Concurrent Enrollment student needs to withdraw from a course?

• Students may withdraw from courses after the 5th class day through the 60th class day of the college semester. Grades of “W” will be recorded on the student’s transcript.
• It is a student’s responsibility to initiate withdrawal from a course.  To officially withdraw a student must meet with their high school guidance counselor, and complete a Withdrawal From, which the guidance counselor forwards to the Coordinator for processing with the College’s Record’s Office.
• Withdrawals which are not officially processed through the College Record’s Office will be recorded on a student’s permanent records with a grade of “F”.

Can dropping or withdrawing from a Concurrent Enrollment course affect my high school graduation?
If a student drops or withdraws from an Concurrent Enrollment course, it is important for the student to check with their high school guidance counselor to ensure that he/she still meets the requirements for high school graduation.
What type of grading system is used?

• Students receive whole letter grades (no pluses or minuses are given for any grade).

Students who complete credit courses shall be assigned grades according to the following definitions:
Grade - Achievement
A - Superior or exemplary, works above and beyond course expectation
B - Does more than fulfill course outcomes
C - Competent; has fulfilled course outcomes
D - Inadequately fulfilled course requirements
F - Did not fulfill course requirements
A student’s grade in a course is to be based on his or her academic performance on assignments and tests. Testing will cover the full curriculum of the course. Attendance is not used as a basis for determining a student’s grade.
What if a Concurrent Enrollment student fails a course?  
If a student fails a Concurrent Enrollment course, it is important to know that in addition to the “F” grade being part of his or her permanent record; it may also affect graduation from high school.
Will the credits earned through Concurrent Enrollment transfer to another college?
Transfer Programs

• The credits earned through the Concurrent Enrollment Program will transfer to any college or university in the Minnesota State College and University System (MnSCU). For a list, and more information about theses institutions, visit www.mnscu.edu 

Technical Programs

• There is no guarantee that the credits you earned will transfer to another technical college.  Credits are valid for up to 5 years.

What about Private or out-of-state colleges?

• Students planning to attend a private or out-of-state college must check with the post secondary institution to see if Concurrent Enrollment credits will be accepted.  Not all private or out-of-state colleges will accept Concurrent Enrollment credits!

Do I need to take a college placement test?

• Yes!  Our advisors come to your high school to administer the Accuplacer (College Placement Test).
• Through our College Placement Test, we match your demonstrated knowledge to the courses offered at MRCTC. This is a proven method of making sure that you don't register for classes that are too difficult (which can lead to frustration and failure) or classes that are too easy (which would be a waste of your time and money).

Can I retest?

• Yes!
• A student can take the placement test two times per academic year.  Testing is scheduled in the local high schools during the spring.
• Students who do not meet criteria may be considered for participation in Concurrent Enrollment through special appeal by the high school counselor or principal to the college provost.

Do I need to purchase college textbooks?  
No.  Textbooks are purchased by the local school district and remain the property of the school district.  Please refer to your high school handbook for the policy and procedure for returning books.
What is an Incomplete?
The mark of an “I” is a temporary grade that is assigned only in exceptional circumstances. It will be given only to students who cannot complete the work of a  course on schedule because of an illness or other circumstances beyond their control.  An “I” will become an “F” grade at the end of the next term (not including summer sessions) if requirements to complete coursework have not been satisfactorily met.  Instructors have the option of setting an earlier completion date for the student.
What if I received an IP?

• In many cases, the high school semester ends after the college semester, in which case students will be assigned an “IP”. The grades will be changed to the student’s earned grade when the high school semester is completed. Grades of “IP” when awarded for this reason, will not be part of the student’s academic record
• Find out why you received an “IP”!  It is important for you to know why.  For clarification check with your high school teacher or guidance counselor.

What is Academic Dishonesty?
Academic dishonesty is defined as any instance in which a student violates the rules of conduct established by your high school, the college, and the instructor for his or her own class.  Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating on examinations; plagiarism, stealing, duplicating, or selling examinations or papers; producing or submitting other student’s papers, projects, or tests; knowingly furnishing false or misleading academic information to college and high school officials; and sabotaging another student’s work.
What about tests?
The scheduling of class-related examinations and the due dates for class-related assignments will normally correlate with the time allotted and assigned for the class meeting and/or occur during scheduled examination periods established by the high school instructor and college collaborator.
What about final examinations? 
Final examinations are held according to a schedule that is issued by the college. 
How do I get a college transcript?
Send a written request to:
Records Office
Mesabi Range Community & Technical College
1001 Chestnut Street West
Virginia, MN  55792
Where can I get information on the Concurrent Enrollment program? See your high school guidance counselor or contact:
Jennifer Willard, Concurrent Enrollment Co-Director
Mesabi Range Community & Technical College
1-800-657-3860 or 218-744-7524       
Email:  j.willard@mr.mnscu.edu

Or

Carol Helland, Concurrent Enrollment Co-Director
Mesabi Community & Technical College
1-800-657-3860 or 218-749-7715
Email:  c.helland@mr.mnscu.edu