Local high school students are accelerating their college journey through dual enrollment programs at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), and more of those students are deciding to continue their education at UMD.

“Being able to see students grow, that is the rewarding part,” said Jill Anderson, Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) program coordinator.

PSEO is a dual-credit program that allows eligible junior and senior high school students to simultaneously earn high school and college credit. It’s an accelerated program where students attend class on campus, where they have access to campus resources, student clubs, and recreational activities. Students who enroll at the beginning of their junior year have the potential to earn up to 60 credits, offering significant savings on their college education.

High school students looking to earn college credit while staying in their high school classrooms can enroll in the College in the Schools (CITS) program. CITS is a concurrent enrollment program that offers college courses to students still enrolled in high school. Courses are taught by high school teachers under the direction of UMD faculty. There are currently over 1,000 UMD CITS students and more than 40 CITS courses offered.

In 2024, 45.7 percent of PSEO students were accepted and admitted to UMD, up from 25.8 percent in 2023. Anderson attributes the improved retention to a more robust orientation experience, excellent academic programming, and familiarity with faculty and campus life. 

Students in video: Charli Worcster and Clarice Goman of Duluth East High School

Header image caption: UMD PSEO student, Charli Worcster, plans to pursue an engineering degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with the goal of designing sustainable infrastructure.