Highschool Administrators

Starting a concurrent enrollment partnership is a meaningful investment in your students and your district. It requires thoughtful planning to ensure the program is impactful, equitable, and sustainable.

As you explore a partnership with PTCC, consider the following:

Expanding Student Access

How will your school increase access to concurrent enrollment opportunities?

A key priority for PTCC is expanding access to college-level coursework—especially for:

• First-generation college students
• Students of color
• Students from low-income backgrounds
• Students who may not otherwise see themselves as college-bound

Intentional program design helps ensure these opportunities reach the students who benefit most.

Transferability & Student Pathways

Where do your students go after graduation—and how will these courses support their next step?

Offering courses that:

• Transfer easily within Minnesota State and beyond
• Align with general education requirements
• Support multiple academic and career pathways

…helps students maximize the value of their college credits.

Student Impact

How do concurrent enrollment courses benefit students beyond high school?

In addition to earning free college credit, students:

• Build college readiness and confidence
• Reduce time and cost to degree
• Explore academic and career interests

We encourage districts to prioritize courses that provide long-term value and flexibility.

Strategic Alignment

How does concurrent enrollment fit within your district’s goals?

Consider alignment with your:

• Strategic plan
• College and career readiness initiatives
• Equity and access goals

Also consider long-term planning for:

• Program growth and expansion
• Instructor pipeline and credentialing
• Ongoing sustainability

Pine Technical & Community College (PTCC), as part of the Minnesota State system, follows a uniform pricing model for concurrent enrollment.

• $3,000 per course, per semester, per mentor-mentee relationship

This structure supports faculty mentorship, course alignment, and overall program quality.

Examples

• Example 1: One teacher teaches one course in a semester with the same faculty mentor → $3,000
• Example 2: One teacher teaches two sections of the same course in the same semester with the same faculty mentor → $3,000
• Example 3: One teacher teaches two sections in the fall and one section in the spring (same course and mentor) → $6,000 (one fee per semester)

Students must meet:

• Program eligibility requirements (PSEO/Concurrent Enrollment guidelines)
• Course-specific requirements (placement scores, GPA, or prerequisites)

Non-Concurrent Enrollment Students: High schools may allow additional students to take concurrent enrollment courses for high school credit only.

However, all students receiving college credit must be held to college-level expectations and standards.

Students only need to apply and be admitted to PTCC once. They do not need to reapply each semester or request permission to enroll in each course.

Once admitted, students may register for any concurrent enrollment course offered at their high school, provided they meet eligibility requirements. This streamlined process saves time and creates a more seamless, college-like experience for students.

All high school instructors must meet PTCC and Minnesota State credentialing requirements.

Minimum qualifications typically include:

• A Master’s degree in the discipline, or
• A Master’s degree in any field with at least 18 graduate credits in the discipline

Credentialing requirements vary by subject area.

Concurrent enrollment courses must:

• Follow the approved common course outline
• Include all required learning outcomes and major content
• Maintain college-level rigor and assessment standards

If an instructor is unavailable due to extended leave:

• The high school must work with PTCC to identify qualified coverage
• Substitute instructors must meet credentialing requirements
• PTCC approval is required prior to instruction

High school partners agree to:

• Provide qualified instructors (employed by the school district)
• Assist students in completing the college application prior to course start
• Ensure course rosters are confirmed by the 15th day of class
• Ensure grades are entered within 4 days of course completion
• Verify all student eligibility requirements
• Recommend and authorize student enrollment per Minnesota Statute 124D.09
• Administer placement testing in partnership with PTCC
• Collaborate on orientation/information sessions for students and families
• Lead local marketing, recruitment, and student selection
• Coordinate accommodations in partnership with PTCC
• Require instructor participation in annual professional development
• Participate in ongoing program meetings
• Provide approved textbooks and course materials

PTCC will:

• Approve instructors in alignment with Minnesota State, HLC, and NACEP standards
• Provide instructor orientation and professional development
• Assign qualified faculty mentors
• Award and transcript college credit
• Communicate student eligibility requirements
• Provide placement testing for CEP students in partnership with the high school
• Collaborate on orientation/information sessions
• Provide course outlines and access to learning resources (including D2L Brightspace and library services)
• Review and approve course materials
• Administer course evaluations and required surveys
• Participate in regular partnership meetings
• Ensure compliance with all system and accreditation standards
• Create contracts and invoices for school districts

Concurrent enrollment at PTCC is built on a shared commitment to:

• Academic rigor
• Student success
• Equity and access
• Continuous improvement

We value our partnerships and look forward to working together to expand meaningful opportunities for students.

Pine Technical & Community College (PTCC) is proud to be an accredited member of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).

NACEP accreditation ensures that courses offered through concurrent enrollment are equivalent in rigor, content, and outcomes to those taught on campus.

To maintain accreditation, PTCC aligns its program with national standards in areas such as:

• Faculty qualifications and support
• Curriculum alignment
• Assessment practices
• Professional development
• Program evaluation and continuous improvement

These standards guide the expectations and processes outlined on this page and help ensure that students receive a high-quality, college-level experience while still in high school.