PDF version - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Registration and Academic Records
• Courses taken as upper division at the transfer institution will count as upper division credits at Saint
Mary’s even if a comparable Saint Mary’s course is lower division. Courses taken as lower division at the
transfer institution will count as lower division credits at Saint Mary’s even if a comparable Saint Mary’s
course is upper division.
• The Saint Mary’s registrar’s office must receive an official transcript from the issuing institution. An official
transcript is one that has been authenticated by the issuing institution and must be mailed directly from
the issuing institution to:
Registrar
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #37
Winona MN 55987
Saint Mary’s University cannot control the acceptance of transfer credit by another college or university
and not all credits are transferable. If a student intends to transfer Saint Mary’s credit to another institution,
the student should contact that institution prior to beginning the course.
Credit by Examination
A student, through experience and/or personal study, may possess competencies/knowledge of
academic subject matter normally obtained through class participation in a given course. The student
may demonstrate this knowledge and earn credit, if appropriate, by taking a comprehensive exam
covering the materials in a given course. Academic departments determine which courses are eligible
for credit by examination and administer the exam. Such exams are graded strictly on a pass/no credit
basis. A maximum of 15 credits may be earned in this manner. See the registrar for credit by examination
policies and procedures.
Credit for Experiential Learning Credits (CEL)
Students who have earned some college credit and are a minimum of 25 years old may earn Credit for
Experiential Learning (CEL) credits. Application is through the academic advising office. CEL credits will
be billed at the rate of 1/3 the per-credit charge.
Program for Advanced College Credit (PACC)
Saint Mary’s University has developed alliances with many regional private high schools in the tri-state
area of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. The Program for Advanced College Credit (PACC) offers dual
enrollment college credit to qualified secondary students in their participating high schools. These
courses follow university approved syllabi and are taught by approved instructors in collaboration with
SMU content area faculty members. For more specific information regarding PACC, including lists of
participating high schools, available courses and instructions for registration, please visit the website at
www.smumn.edu/pacc.
Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO)
Minnesota law allows high school junior and seniors (whether currently in public, nonpublic or home
schools) to take courses at eligible post-secondary institutions without paying for tuition or books.
Students who enroll in courses with a course fee will be billed at the beginning of the semester and are
responsible to pay for those course fees. These courses fulfill high school degree requirements and may
transfer into colleges/universities the student may choose to attend. Saint Mary’s University participates
with Minnesota high schools in this program.
Students who participate in the PSEO program must have initial placement in either E120 English
Composition or E220 Argumentative and Research Writing in order to enroll in any English writing or
literature course at SMU. Students who plan to enroll in a mathematics course must have previously
satisfied M100 Elementary Mathematics/M102 Intermediate Algebra either by scoring a 21 on the math
section of the ACT, 500 on the math section of the SAT, or by scoring 70% on the Saint Mary's University
Intermediate Algebra Placement Exam. Students who participate in the PSEO program are not eligible
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