Minot State University and Dakota College at Bottineau are advertising the Passport Program, a cooperative program that lets people who are not eligible for full admission at Minot State University but still want to attend college, pursue a four-year degree and remain in the Minot area. Fifteen students were enrolled during the pilot program in 2010-11 and 36 first-year students were enrolled during the fall 2011 semester.
Requirements for first-year students were made more stringent beginning with the 2011 fall semester. Students who don't meet the new requirements can enroll in the Passport Program.
Students in the program live on campus at Minot State and take classes through Dakota College at Bottineau on the MSU campus. After completing 24 semester hours or a diploma program or associate degree through Dakota College at Bottineau, they can transfer seamlessly to classes through Minot State.
Passport students are expected to complete a minimum of 24 transferrable credits and earn a Certificate of College Studies. Among the classes included in the program are redesigned beginning algebra and intermediate algebra classes.
During their first semester in the program, Passport students take Study Skills from MSU as part of their Certificate in College Studies curriculum. This class uses a mixture of lecture, in-class discussion, hands-on assignments, and online WebCT tools to prepare them for academic life at Minot State University. This unique class along with general courses provides students the tools needed to enter their field of study after they become fully admitted MSU students.
Classes start Monday at Minot State University.