101 - Application and Admission Requirements

Responsible Office: Student Success
Responsible Officer:  Associate Dean of Enrollment Management
Related Minnesota State Board Policy: 3.4 Undergraduate Admissions
Related Minnesota State Board Procedure: 3.4.1 Undergraduate Admissions

PURPOSE

To establish admission requirements and enrollment conditions for Minnesota State College Southeast and provide clear information regarding academic preparation and other factors that support student success.

PART 1. POLICY

For purposes of this policy, admission means acceptance by the College to enroll as a student. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a specific academic program.

Students may be admitted to Minnesota State College Southeast if they:

•        Graduate from high school;

•        Earn a General Educational Development (GED) diploma or other state recognized high school equivalency credential; or

•        Complete homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by applicable state law.

A person who does not possess a high school diploma, GED, or recognized equivalent may be considered for admission under Minnesota State Board Policy and applicable federal and state requirements as determined by the college.

To enroll at the college, students may be required to submit official documentation necessary to verify admission eligibility, prior academic preparation, transfer credit, licensure requirements, financial aid eligibility, or program admission requirements.

Individuals without a high school diploma or a recognized alternative are not eligible for Title IV financial aid.

Students participating in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) or other dual enrollment programs must meet applicable eligibility and enrollment requirements established by Minnesota law, Minnesota State, and the College. Current PSEO admission and eligibility requirements are published by the College and available through the College’s PSEO admissions materials and website.

PART 2. PROCEDURE

Application for Admission

Individuals seeking admission to Minnesota State College Southeast must submit an application for admission through the College’s designated application process. Applicants are responsible for providing accurate information and submitting required documentation. Additional documentation may be required based on an applicant’s educational background, residency status, program of study, or other admission requirements. Submission of an application does not guarantee admission to the College or as specific academic program.

Admission Eligibility Without a Traditional High School Diploma

Applicants who do not possess a traditional high school diploma may demonstrate eligibility for admission through one of the following credentials, academic achievements, or documented educational experiences:

•        A GED diploma

•        Successful completion of a home school program in accordance with applicable state requirements.

•        An associate’s degree

•        The successful completion of at least 60 semester or trimester credit hours or 72 quarter credit hours that does not result in the awarding of an associate’s degree, but that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree at any institution.

•        Enrollment in a bachelor’s degree program where at least 60 semester or trimester credit hours or 72 quarter credit hours have been successfully completed, including credit hours transferred into the bachelor’s degree program.

•        A high school transcript for a student who enrolls without completing high school. The student must no longer be enrolled in high school, must meet Minnesota State College Southeast's written admission requirements for students who have not completed high school, and is entering an academic program offered by the College for which the students meets applicable admission requirements. Admission will be based on a review of the student's academic record and readiness for college-level coursework.

 Applicants who cannot provide traditional documentation of educational preparation should contact the Enrollment Management office to discuss their educational background and available documentation. The College will conduct an individualized review to determine admission eligibility. While a student may be admitted to Southeast, a student may be denied entry into specific programs due to program requirements or limited capacity. English language proficiency is not required for admission to the college. However, many courses, programs, and student communications are delivered in English. Students should carefully consider whether they possess the language skills necessary to successfully engage with coursework and meet program requirements.

The College may place administrative holds on student records until all required admission documentation has been received and verified. Students are responsible for submitting all documents required for admission as outlined in the College admissions materials and the College website.

International Students

International students must meet all current admission requirements established by Minnesota State College Southeast and Minnesota State. Requirements may include submission of application materials, demonstration of English language proficiency, verification of financial support, compliance with visa requirements, and satisfaction of health insurance requirements. Current requirements and procedures are published by the College and are subject to change.

Visiting student status

A visiting student is a student enrolled at another Minnesota State college or university who enrolls in coursework at Minnesota State College Southeast without seeking admission to a Southeast degree, diploma, or certificate program.

Students may enroll as visiting students for up to six credits in a semester without applying for admission to a Southeast academic program. Visiting students are not considered regular students of the College and are not eligible for federal Title IV financial aid through Southeast unless they are admitted to an eligible degree, diploma, or certificate program. Visiting students are not candidates for a degree, diploma, or certificate at Minnesota State College Southeast.

Requirements and Limitations

1.     Visiting students must satisfy all course prerequisites and any other enrollment requirements established by the College.

2.     The College may deny enrollment to a visiting student who has an active hold, suspension, or other registration restriction at a Minnesota State college or university. The College may also consider holds, suspensions, or other enrollment restrictions identified through transcripts or other records submitted from non-Minnesota State institutions.

3.     Enrollment of visiting students may be restricted in courses, programs, or sections where demand exceeds available capacity or where priority enrollment is granted to students admitted to a Southeast degree, diploma, or certificate program.

Academic suspension or Disciplinary Status

The College may consider an applicant's academic suspension status at Minnesota State colleges and universities, as well as suspension information identified through transcripts or other admission records submitted from non-Minnesota State institutions.

Students on academic suspension may be ineligible for admission during the period of suspension. An applicant may be considered for admission if they successfully complete the applicable suspension appeal process and demonstrate readiness for success in the program to which they are applying.

Students who have been suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons from any postsecondary institution may be denied admission to Minnesota State College Southeast.

Admissions Denied Appeal

Applicants denied admission may submit a written appeal to the Vice President of Student Success in accordance with the College's admission denial appeal process.

1.     Individuals shall request in writing to the Vice President of Student Success that their appeal for admission to the college be reviewed. The Vice President of Student Success will establish a meeting with a review committee within fourteen (14) days of the date that the request for review is received.

2.     The prospective student will be invited to join the meeting and discuss the appeal with the review committee.

3.     The review committee will evaluate the request and make a determination regarding admission within five (5) workings days of the committee review.

4. The Vice President of Student Success will inform the student of the decision accordingly.

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Approved: April 10, 1997
Revised: February 15, 2000; June 30, 2004; September 29, 2008, May 13, 2020, April 27, 2022; November 2026