Minnesota State University-Mankato

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

Minnesota State University-Mankato History

Minnesota State University—Mankato was founded in 1868 as the Mankato Normal School, operating out of rented facilities at the Methodist Episcopal Church. It became Mankato State Teachers College in 1921, and then Mankato State College in 1957. It thereafter became Mankato State University in 1975, and did not adopt the current name until very recently.

Minnesota State University, Mankato was founded as a normal school and received university status in 1975. It was known as Mankato State University until 1998, when it became Minnesota State University, Mankato. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Its mission statement says in part that the university “promotes learning through effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, scholarship, and research in service to the state, the region and the global community.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.

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Minnesota State University-Mankato Academics

Mankato’s academic offerings are provided through the Colleges of Allied Health & Nursing; Arts & Humanities; Business; Education; Science, Engineering & Technology; and Social & Behavioral Sciences. MSU Mankato offers 150 undergraduate programs and 16 pre-professional programs and is accredited by 25 different accrediting agencies. The most popular programs of study are elementary education, nursing and pre-nursing, management, computer and information science, and marketing. The University employs some 600 full-time faculty, 80% of whom have the terminal degree in their field.

Minnesota State University, Mankato has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 7 colleges: the College of Allied Health and Nursing, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Graduate Studies and Research, the College of Science, Engineering, and Technology, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

p. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in approximately 150 fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as accounting, astronomy, aviation, dental hygiene, food science technology, French, history, law enforcement, mass communications, psychology, social work, Scandinavian studies, and urban and regional studies. There are some minors and associate degree programs.

p. Graduate programs are offered in 6 colleges and also in cross-disciplinary studies. These include master’s level programs in biology, engineering, communication disorders, nursing, art, English, creative writing, theatre and dance, education, anthropology, ethnic and multicultural studies, psychology, and business. There are no doctoral degrees. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in educational administration/educational leadership.

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Minnesota State University-Mankato Unique Programs

The Automotive Engineering Program provides a Bachelor of Science degree for students who are interested in pursuing their passion for vehicles of all kinds, not just automobiles. Students have the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art vehicle research laboratories and on government agency projects to gain real world experience. Students will also compete in the Society of Automotive Engineers various design competitions during the year.

The Civil Engineering program provides students the opportunity to work on real problems and real solutions. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks this program among the nation’s best. The program’s students have maintained a 100% passing rate in Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and have a 100% job placement rate, due to the program’s close ties to the industry.

Mankato also offers an accelerated option in Nursing, for those students who wish to add it as a second major to their current course of study.

Minnesota State University, Mankato has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: high school class rank in top 10%, or ACT of 26, or a high school class rank in the top quarter and an ACT score of 24. Students who fall into the latter category need to further explain their potential for success. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will be able to take special seminars and interdisciplinary courses, and participate in community based activities.

p. First year students can join a learning community, where they take some of their fall classes together with each other and may live in the same residence hall.

p. MSU has several sturdy abroad programs, ranging from two weeks to a full year. There are also study-tours to various countries during semester breaks, and special programs in France, Finland, Sweden, Mexico, Ecuador, and Spain.

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Minnesota State University-Mankato Financial Aid

MSU Mankato has numerous private donors who support their scholarship programs and who have establish a number of scholarship opportunities for special students. In 2003-2004 there were 208 scholarships available to Mankato students. The FAFSA must be completed prior to applying for scholarships, and new students are advised to contact the Admissions Office to learn about particular opportunities. Each College also has particular scholarships for its students, and new students should inquire with their particular department of interest about what scholarships are available. Among the more common scholarships are the Dempsey and University scholarships, which are awarded to qualified students upon completion of the FAFSA. The Financial Aid website at Mankato offers many links to other, outside scholarship opportunities, and students are encouraged to pursue those in addition to private scholarships offered by the University. In 2003-2004 there was over $70 million in financial aid awarded to students.

Tuition at Minnesota State University, Mankato is $2,188 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time (12-18 credits). Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Students from Wisconsin, North Dakota or South Dakota, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, or the province of Manitoba are eligible for reduced out-of-state tuition.

p. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available some-students. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.

p. Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

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Minnesota State University-Mankato Students

The MSU Mankato student life officer provides various activities such as art exhibitions, athletics, films, concerts, and theatrical performances year-round. There are more than 170 student organizations, intramural teams, and fraternities and sororities for students to join. For the culturally minded there is an Intercultural Student Center, LGBT Center, and Women’s Center. MSU Mankato also hosts the annual International Festival and the Pan-African Conference, and the world’s Third-Largest Science Fair.

Student life at Minnesota State University, Mankato includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious groups, multicultural and international organizations, sport and activity groups, and special interest clubs such as the Chess Club, the Mankato Aspiring Authors Group, and Students for Sustainability. Intramural recreation includes activities such as aerobics, table tennis, bowling, and sand volleyball.

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Minnesota State University-Mankato Local Community

Minnesota State University, Mankato is located in Mankato, and is 85 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul. The campus is located on a bluff overlooking the Minnesota River. Annual activities include the Mdewakanton PowWow, the October Historyfest, a symphony orchestra performance in a quarry, and other festivals. There is a 39 mile long paved trail for bicycling and numerous other trails, many parks, and lakes for fishing. The area is home to two other colleges, many art and cultural venues, and several museums.

Mankato is a city of more than 32,000 located on the Minnesota River. The city’s main entertainment venue is the Midwest Wireless Civic Center, which hosts numerous concerts and performances every year. The city has its own marching band and youth symphony. For history buffs there is the Blue Earth County Historical Society. Mankato is also a home of the 80s television program “Little House on the Prairie.”

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