What is 18 Online?

Special tuition pricing update, 3/3/2023

For Summer Session 2023, through MSU Moorhead only, those who enroll in graduate courses commonly referred to as 18 Online courses will be able to do so tuition free. The tuition free includes student fees, but does not include books.

For Fall 2023 and Spring 2024, 18 Online courses will cost no more than $100 per graduate credit.

Although MSU Moorhead and the Lakes Country and Northwest Service Cooperatives are partners in this 18 Online initiative, the opportunity for free 18 Online graduate credits is being offered statewide in Minnesota. Please follow the admission and application instructions for the 18 Online program.

These are bona fide graduate credits from MSU Moorhead at no cost to content-area teachers for Summer Session 2023, and no more than $100 per graduate credit Fall Semester 2023 and Spring Semester 2024.

If you have questions regarding 18 Online courses, please contact MSUM Graduate Studies or if you have preapproval or eligibility questions contact Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC).

Funding Update, 11/30/20
Graduate tuition for Spring 2021 slashed for all qualified Minnesota 18 Online teachers. Reduced from $250.00/credit out of pocket to $100.00/credit.

Important Funding Update, 9/29/2020
We are pleased to report that Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC), on behalf of the Minnesota Service Cooperatives has reached an agreement with our partner Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) to continue the 18 Online program into the future for a reduced rate of almost 50% off of regular graduate level tuition. Minnesota educators will be able to continue to earn graduate level credits at MSUM for $250/credit as LCSC's legislative appropriation helps offset tuition costs. We will continue to work with the legislature in 2021 and beyond for additional funding aimed at further reducing teacher tuition costs and expanding program offerings, but the current appropriation allows this unique program to continue.

Important Funding Update, 9/21/2020
As you may be aware and were notified electronically in April, the funding for the 18 Online program will expire in 2020. The attempts to obtain additional funding with the Minnesota Legislature have been unsuccessful. After 2020, there will be no more stipends, books and supplies, or scholarships for free tuition. Courses will continue to be offered (for tuition) in the spring 2021, summer 2021 and into future. Click for current graduate course tuition rates at MSUM. We will continue to work with the Legislature on new funding and hope to resurrect the program as we understand its need for teachers, their students and communities.

Teachers instructing concurrent enrollment (dual credit) courses are now required by the Higher Learning Commission, the accrediting body for post-secondary educational institutions, to have a master’s degree in the subject matter they are teaching, or to have a master’s degree and 18 graduate credits in the subject matter they are teaching. This important change will ensure teachers are adequately qualified to teach college courses taught in the high schools.

18 Online provides the 18 graduate credits you’ll need to become a qualified content area concurrent enrollment instructor. It’s the result of Minnesota House of Representatives bill H.F. 3326 and Senate bill S.F. No. 3062, which appropriated $3 million to provide curriculum development for the Northwest Regional Partnership continuing education program. It’s a collaborative effort between Lake Country Service Cooperative, Northwest Service Cooperative and Minnesota State University Moorhead.