What is Early Middle College?

• Early Middle College Program (EMC) allows high school students to earn dual high school and college credits with defined pathways to earning a postsecondary degree or credential in addition to a high school diploma.

• Early Middle College Programs are partnerships between State-Approved Alternative Programs and eligible postsecondary institutions designed to serve and support students in the academic middle.

• Students who participate in this program qualify to take technical courses and explore technical programs, take general education courses, or take developmental education courses as needed.

Partner High School Programs with Riverland Community College EMC?

• Albert Lea Area Learning Center

• Austin Area Learning Center

• Owatonna Area Learning Center

• Southern Minnesota Education Consortium (SMEC)

• Zumbrota Education District 

Eligibility Criteria for Early Middle College Program

• There are no academic requirements to be eligible to enroll in the program.
• Students interested in the EMC program at Riverland Community College should:
  • Meet with their high school counselor/school personnel to review the program.
  • Determine if the program is a good fit.
• Counselors/school personnel will:
  • Work with students to complete the required application materials.
  • Submit the application materials to Riverland Community College.

Application Process for Early Middle College Program

• Step 1: Please contact your high school counselor/school personnel to indicate you are interested in the EMC program. Your high school will review the program detail and the admissions process with you.
• Step 2: Apply to Riverland Community College: https://eservices.minnstate.edu/adm/public/studentWelcome?campusId=307&appType=underGrad
• Step 3: Complete EMC Notice of Student Registration Form with high school, send in official high school transcripts, and test scores to pseo@riverland.edu.

NOTE: If your cumulative HS GPA is below 2.6, and you don’t have any previous test scores (ACT, SAT, Accuplacer), or if your scores are insufficient, Accuplacer testing should be considered: https://www.riverland.edu/admissions/course-placement-testing/ 

More information about Early Middle College: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/ccs/pseo/emc/

Apply now to the Early Middle College Program at Riverland Community College and start earning dual credits today!