A growing number of Royals aren’t waiting to start college

There’s a moment when PSEO stops feeling like high school with harder classes and starts feeling like what it actually is: college.

Eligible Minnesota high school juniors and seniors can take the same courses as other Bethel students, learn from Bethel professors, and earn both high school and college credits. They can study online, come to campus, or combine the two. And for a growing number of students and families, that opportunity is about more than getting credits out of the way. It’s a chance to test their independence, explore what they might want to study, build confidence, and find out what being a college student is really like.

What is PSEO?

Minnesota high school students can take college courses at schools like Bethel through the state’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program. Courses are taught at approved colleges and universities, students earn both high school and college credits for completing their coursework, and tuition and materials are provided at no charge to students and families. 

Statewide, PSEO was signed into law in 1985. Twelve PSEO students enrolled at Bethel immediately that fall, and the subset of Royals doing double duty as high school students and Bethel undergrads has grown steadily over the years. 

As the cost of college—and life in general—have increased, families look for creative ways to save. Bethel also recently expanded PSEO to include high school juniors and online options, so the program has gotten even more popular. In the last ten years, enrollment in the program has grown by 766%, and last year, about one in three undergraduate Bethel students were dual-enrolled, meaning they were still high school students. Another strong PSEO class begins in just a few weeks. 

So what makes Bethel such a great place to pursue PSEO? In short: it’s a smaller, supportive, values-centered community; the campus is beautiful, safe, and centrally located; and the academics are high-caliber. Getting all of that for free while getting a jump-start on a college degree—whether that’s at Bethel or elsewhere—is a pretty sweet deal! 

“Bethel offers more than college credits,” says Audra Carlson, admissions counselor of early college. “We provide a true college experience in a supportive, Christ-centered community that invests in students academically, personally, and spiritually. Our goal is to help students build confidence, find connection, and begin their college journey with a genuine sense of belonging.”

As the program has grown, Bethel has invested in additional staffing and resources to serve PSEO students well, explains Julie Finnern, associate provost for teaching and learning. In recent years, Bethel has appointed admissions, student life, academic advising, and director-level staff who are dedicated to PSEO and dual-enrolled students. It’s expanded online course offerings that appeal to students across the board, but are especially convenient for high school students interested in remote learning. Faculty have had additional professional development relating to instructional methods for dual-enrolled students. There’s a dedicated Welcome Week track for PSEO students. And the university has streamlined behind-the-scenes systems and ramped up marketing efforts to draw in new PSEO students and ensure they succeed. 

PSEO students also have access to the same support systems other Bethel students enjoy, like personalized academic advising, tutoring and study skill development through the Academic Support and Resource Center, the Studio for Vocation and Calling, and student life resources.

“Bethel PSEO is a highly flexible, tuition-free on-ramp to college. It’s an incredible option whether a student is already focused on a specific major or just wants to explore their interests,” Finnern says. “These aren't just high school classes with a college label; our PSEO students dive into university coursework; learn in standard classroom, lab, and online settings; and work directly with professors who genuinely care about their success.”

Choose your own adventure

One of the amazing things about PSEO at Bethel is that students and families can choose the best format to take college courses. Just like no two students are alike, no two PSEO journeys are exactly the same. 

“PSEO at Bethel is set up for students to be able to reach their individual goals,” says Leah Smith, director of early college at Bethel. “Students can dip a toe in college and get some credits early at no cost, or be all-in and have a year or two of high school that are almost or exclusively done at Bethel.” 

Here are some of the ways students do PSEO at Bethel:

 

Attend Bethel full-time or part-time

Students can take a single course or a full-time load (12 credits or more), or any number of courses they’d like. Over the last two years, about 40% of Bethel PSEO students were considered full-time. But whether a student takes a single class or a full two years of courses—or anything in between—they’re building confidence, taking steps toward a degree, and creating flexibility. 

“This head start often helps students graduate from college in fewer years than they would otherwise, but for students continuing at Bethel after high school graduation, it also opens up their schedules for options like a double major, additional internships, or studying abroad,” Finnern says. About one in five PSEO students returns to Bethel to finish college. 

Take courses online, in-person, or hybrid

Once a student decides to pursue PSEO at Bethel, they can browse face-to-face course options or online options that meet their academic goals. Students request courses that fit the time and place that works best for their schedule, and they’re placed based on availability. 

Live on campus

Students who are at least 17 years old by move-in day have the option to live in a Bethel residence hall.“This is a good fit for students who want to engage fully in the college experience and are planning to take the majority of their classes at Bethel and participate fully in co-curricular activities on campus,” says Erica Lynch, associate vice president and dean of students. 

Dive into extracurriculars

“At Bethel, PSEO students aren't just taking classes—they are fully invited into our campus community,” Finnern says. “They can join music ensembles, audition for theater productions, attend campus events, and access spiritual formation through campus ministries. It is an ideal, low-risk environment for students still determining if college is the right next step.”

Take courses at a high school

While we’re focusing on PSEO here, there are other pathways for high school students wishing to take Bethel courses. Through dual enrollment, students who are otherwise not eligible for PSEO can take Bethel courses at a reduced tuition rate. College in the Schools offers high school students at select partner high schools to take courses from qualified, Bethel-approved instructors, earning credits along the way. Current partner schools include Cambridge-Isanti, Denver Christian School, Minnehaha Academy, and Stillwater High School. Learn more about all early college options. 

Take intro courses or explore interests

The most common courses taken by PSEO students last fall were How Stories Change the World, Inquiry Writing Seminar, American Politics and Government, Intro to Psychology, and Principles of Microeconomics. These are 100- or 200-level courses that meet both high school graduation and college coursework requirements. Some are also part of Bethel’s online Associate of Arts degree, a 60-credit program that gives students a solid foundation in writing, reading, and research—all core to a liberal arts education and a great start to any further education or career path.

PSEO students share

Media production major Esperanza Ortega ’26 was homeschooled her entire life, and wasn’t even seriously considering college when she enrolled in PSEO at Bethel to explore interests in art and science. Without the financial stress of paying tuition, she felt the freedom to get to know professors, build friendships, and dabble in new subjects. She ended up loving her PSEO experience at Bethel so much that she returned to complete her degree. Now she’s working campus jobs and taking a full courseload while actively building a career as a homebirth midwife. “College gives you a lot of opportunities you can’t get through a high school,” Ortega says. “And if you decide you do want to come back, getting some of those classes out of the way can only help you.” 

Elli Barnes had a similar experience, coming to Bethel because it was close to home and faith-centered. She’s loved the friendships she built, mentors who poured into her, and opportunities to get involved. By choosing strategic courses, she even finished an entire associate’s degree before graduating from high school. Though she’ll finish college elsewhere to study hospitality and tourism management, she’s grateful for her time at Bethel and the way it set her up for success. 

“Just walk in, and you will immediately feel welcomed. Also, look at all the classes and options you have here,” Barnes says to students who may be on the fence. “There are so many paths you could take, and there are so many people who genuinely want to help you pick the path that’s best for you.”

Mark Berry also went to high school nearby, and he loved the idea of being able to craft an academic schedule that fit his interests and faith. His goal is to double major in theology and engineering—hopefully at Bethel—so it’ll be important to maximize his courseload in two very different subjects in order to graduate on time. “PSEO felt very freeing in comparison to the standard public school system,” he says.

For Sylvia Hennig, enrolling in PSEO was, at first, a practical decision. “With college prices getting higher and higher every year, it has always been a priority to find a path that will push me academically, while also not making my education a financial burden for our family,” she says, reiterating that she might be able to graduate a year or more early from college, because of her PSEO credits. “However, another wonderful side-effect of being on-campus full-time is the experience of knowing what college is like by living through it–with the safety net of the Bethel counselors talking me through it.”

Nicholas Barrera '29 is double majoring in neuroscience and psychology, and he initially started PSEO classes at Bethel because it seemed like a fun challenge and a good way to augment his high school coursework. Beyond the academics, he quickly realized how much he also appreciated being with like-minded students, where he could share his Christian faith and speak freely about his beliefs. 

“PSEO students are very successful at Bethel,” Smith adds. “A PSEO student is a Bethel student. They’re welcome to be just as involved, just as present, and just as invested in the Bethel community as other students. And I think because of that posture from the whole community, they truly thrive here.”

Start your college journey at Bethel

Taking Minnesota PSEO courses can shave thousands of dollars off your tuition fees—and at Bethel, you'll find a PSEO experience set apart from the rest. Whether you take college-level courses on campus or online, you'll discover a warm learning community that cares about you and the person you are becoming.

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