What is College Now?
College Now is SMSU's concurrent enrollment program. Concurrent enrollment (also called "dual credit" or "dual enrollment") allows qualified high school students to earn college credit in their high school, during their regular school day. College Now classes are taught by qualified high school teachers and supervised by SMSU faculty members.
College Now classes are actual SMSU courses where students earn actual SMSU credit. There is no cost to the student for these courses, providing an outstanding opportunity for students to earn college credit and jump start their college careers without incurring additional debt.
Benefits of Participating in College Now
The advantages to taking College Now courses are numerous:
- It allows students to earn college and high school credit simultaneously.
- It’s an alternative to the senior doldrums.
- It’s a great transition and introduction to university study.
- It allows for more flexible scheduling upon enrollment at the university.
- It allows earlier completion of general education requirements.
- It’s a demonstration of a commitment to university admissions officials.
- It may lead to early completion of a degree program.
- Unlike AP, it concludes with a college grade on a college transcript; AP courses are high school courses that teach to a "one shot" test and may not even count toward general education requirements.
Student Eligibility Requirements
Seniors - need to meet one of the following requirements:
- a 3.0 GPA or above in high school
- be in the top half of their graduating class
- score in the 50th percentile on a nationally standardized test
Juniors - need to meet one of the following requirements:
- a 3.0 GPA or above in high school
- be in the top third of their graduating class
- score in the 70th percentile on a nationally standardized test
Sophomores - need to meet one of the following requirements:
- a 3.5 GPA or above in high school
- be in the top 10% of their graduating class
- have scored in the 90th percentile on a nationally standardized test
Transcripts and recommendation letter must be sent to the College Now Office to verify sophomore eligibility.
Students not meeting these standards can complete the College Now Student Appeal if interested in earning college credit.
Southwest Minnesota State Marshall (SMSU) courses offered at Blooming Prairie High School Fall Term: Name of BPHS Class & HS Credits Name of SMSU Course & College Credits College Algebra .5 credit Math 110 College Algebra 3 credits Calculus 1 credit Math 150 Calculus 5 credits College Chemistry 1 credit Chem 231 GeneralChem 3 credits Chem 231L Lab 1 credit College English .5 credit Eng 151 Academic Writing 4 credits Spanish III 1 credit Span 201 Intermediate Spanish I 3 credits Spanish IV 1 credit Span 202 Intermediate Spanish II 3 credits Spring Term: Statistics .5 credit Math 200 Intro to Stats 3 credits College English .5 credit Lit 100 Human Diversity 3 credits Total College Credits Offered 31 credits |