Post Secondary Option

If you are an academically advanced high school student who wishes to pursue college level courses while not giving up your high school experiences, the Post Secondary Options (PSO) program is a wonderful alternative.

While academically rigorous and challenging, Mercy College of Northwest Ohio is small enough to offer a level of flexibility and accommodation to Post Secondary Students such as you. At Mercy, every effort is made to ensure the success of Post Secondary Options students. Both your guidance counselors and your parents can be comfortable sending you to the positive environment that Mercy College provides.

Rooted in Christian beliefs, Mercy College has a tightly knit group of faculty and professional staff, who know students by name. On the Mercy campus, students are in a safe secure facility with newly renovated, state of the art classrooms, not to mention among the best-equipped science labs in the area.

Health science is the educational focus at Mercy, offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and Health Care Administration as well Associate Degrees in Health Information Technology, Nursing, Therapeutic Massage, General Studies and Radiologic Technology. The college also offers a wide array of science and general education courses that are applicable to any major outside the healthcare arena.

The Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio offers academically talented high school students – entering their junior or senior year -- the opportunity to take college level courses for high school and/or college credit. Ohio Senate Bill 140 established the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program allowing students to enroll in college on either a full or part-time basis. Students in this program must have all coursework approved by both the college and the high school guidance counselor. Under this program, qualified students have two options:

Option A
The student elects to receive both high school and college credit for the college classes he/she is taking. The State of Ohio reimburses the college for fees, tuition, books, etc. This reimbursement is done in accordance with Section 3365.07 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Option B

The student may elect to enroll in this program to receive only college credit. The student is responsible for all fees associated with taking these college courses. High school credit may not be awarded for these courses.

Visitors to our web site may link to the following web site for additional information on the Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program: http://www.ode.state.oh.us

PSO Admission Requirements:
Students who participate in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP or PSO) must meet these evaluation criteria:

  1. Be a high school junior or senior (in their expected term of enrollment)
  2. Be a resident of the State of Ohio
  3. Commute fromhis/her permanent residence
  4. Demonstrate the ability and potential to do college level work:*
    Seniorsshould have a 3.3 cumulative GPA or a 3.0 in the area(s) the student wishes to take courses. Seniors should have a minimum ACT composite score of 20.
    Juniors should have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher and an ACT composite score of 25.
    Submit a letter of reference from one of your current or previous high school teachers, the high school guidance counselor or the principal. This letter should specifically reference the following items: your maturity, ability as a self-directed learner, and clarity about your interest in a healthcare career.

* Admission into the PSO program is contingent upon successful completion of the College placement test. You will not be allowed to enroll in the College if you place into developmental coursework such as math 098, English 099 or developmental reading. However, you will be given the option to reapply for admission and retest the following year.
* At Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, Post Secondary Option Students are considered to be matriculated College students. All policy and procedures put forth by the College are to be adhered to by Post Secondary Option Students.

Admission Application Procedures :
  1. Submit a completed and signed Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program Application; also forward Part 3 of the application to the appropriate guidance counselor.
  2. Submit a letter of reference from either a high school teacher who had had you as a student in class, the high school guidance counselor or principal. This letter should specifically reference the following items: your maturity, ability as a self-directed learner, and clarity about your interest in a healthcare career.
  3. Ask your school to send Mercy College an official copy of high school transcripts that reflect the ACT or comparable test score (if applicable).
Please note that all students are evaluated on an individual basis

For More Information:
Contact Admissions at (419) 251-1313 or 1-888-80-MERCY or admissions@mercycollege.edu with any questions about the PSO program.

Tech Prep is the educational program that combines college prep classes and technical education for high school students into a seamless program that begins in high school and results in a college degree. Tech Prep students are eligible to participate in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio.
Some of the coursework provided to high school students in Tech Prep programs may allow students to earn credit by examination for courses at Mercy College of Northwest Ohio if an agreement is in place with Tech Prep program and Mercy College of Northwest Ohio.

Post Secondary Option

*All GPA requirements are based on a 4.0 scale. Comparable SAT, P-ACT, PSAT, or PLAN scores will be accepted.

Please note that all students are evaluated on an individual basis.


Post Secondary Option Application