Admissions Requirements

2-year state college requirements

The two-year state community and technical colleges have an open admissions policy. This means:

• You can enroll if you have a high school diploma or a GED. Even without those, you may be admitted if you demonstrate potential for success in college.
• No standardized tests are required for admission to the two-year state colleges, and your high school grades and class rank are not considered.
• After you have been admitted, you will be required to take a test for placement in the appropriate courses based on your reading, writing and mathematics skills.
• You are more likely to do well on the placement test if you complete a “college prep” curriculum in high school, including four years of English and three years of mathematics, science and social studies. If you did not, or if you had minimum passing scores on the Minnesota Basic Standards test, you may not be admitted to certain programs. Most likely, you will have to take developmental or remedial courses that will not count toward a degree before you can take college-level courses.

4-year state university requirements

The seven state universities generally will accept you if you can answer yes to at least one of these questions:

• Did you graduate in the top half of your high school class?
• Did you score 21 or higher on the ACT standardized test?
• Did you receive a combined score of 1,000 or higher on the SAT standardized test?

Admission to some of the seven state universities may require meeting slightly different requirements. Check with the university admissions office for details. Even if you don’t meet minimum requirements, you may be considered for admission under special provisions.

Apply early in 12th grade for the best chance at being admitted. Some universities and programs do not have room for all qualified applicants. For admission to a state university, you also should have completed these courses in high school:

• Four years of English, including composition and literature
• Three years of math, including two years of algebra, one of which is intermediate or advanced algebra, and one year of geometry
• Three years of science, including one year each of a biological and a physical science with laboratory experience
• Three years of social studies, including one year each of U.S. history and geography
• Two years of a single world language, including non-English native languages and American Sign Language
• One year of visual and performing arts

Choosing a major
Some students know what they want to study in college, but many students explore their interests for a year or two before selecting a major. You can begin with liberal arts courses while you are thinking about a major.

Graduate programs
The state universities offer graduate programs leading to master’s degrees and other advanced degrees and certificates. Call the office of graduate studies or the admissions office for information and a graduate program application.

Pre-professional programs, minors and special options
The state universities offer many ways to pursue interests through a minor, emphasis or pre-professional program in addition to programs listed on Page 36. Check with the university admissions office for details. Pre-professional programs help students prepare for advanced study in areas such as agriculture, architecture, dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy and veterinary medicine.

Online Education at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Check out www.minnesotaonline.org

Online courses help busy students reach their goals
At the 32 state colleges and universities, you can take single courses via the Internet, or you can complete a diploma, certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree online. Many programs listed in Go Places are offered online, so ask the college or university whether that option is available.

Check out online programs and courses offered by Minnesota State Colleges and Universities at www.minnesotaonline.org.

Is online learning for you?
Success depends greatly on being able to work independently, write clearly and participate in online discussions and team projects. Students also have access to online services including advising, admissions and instructional support.

Popular online programs include:
Accounting
Business management
Child care
Computer networking
Dental assistant
Elementary education
Information security
Law enforcement
Liberal arts
Marketing
Medical coding
Nursing