St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University Summary

St. Cloud State University is a four year university and part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River. It has since grown and now awards bachelors degrees in over 60 programs, including anthropology, aviation, biology, business, chemistry, computer engineering, computer science, criminal justice, computer engineering, education, electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, social science, and theatre. The university, along with Minnesota State University-Mankato, will be the first state university to offer PhD programs.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

St. Cloud State University History

St. Cloud State University was founded in 1869 as a normal school and received university status in 1975. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Its mission statement says in part that the university “is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and service, fostering scholarship and enhancing collaborative relationships in a global community.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute. Today it is the largest campus in the Minnesota Colleges and Universities System.

St. Cloud State University Academics

St. Cloud State offers more than 175 majors, minors, and pre-professional degree programs. All students receive a firm grounding in the liberal arts and a student-centered education, with a focus on individual attention and small class sizes. SCSU holds every possible accreditation for every degree program offered. Seventy-five percent of faculty hold the terminal degree in their field, and classes are taught personally by professors and not teachers assistants (TAs). The schools of business and education are nationally recognized as particularly outstanding programs. The five most popular undergraduate degrees are elementary education, psychology, mass communications, business computer information systems, and biology.

St. Cloud State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 5 colleges: the G.R. Herberger College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Humanities, the College of Science and Engineering, and the College of Social Sciences. There is also a Graduate School, a Center for Continuing Studies, and a Center for International Studies.

Majors and minors are offered in 175 program areas within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as anthropology, aviation, biology, broadcasting, hydrology, international business, mass communications, meteorology, nuclear medicine technology, science, education, travel and tourism, wildlife management, and French. Minors are offered in many of the majors and in nearly 30 other areas, including American Indian studies, heritage preservation, film studies, optics, private security, and technology studies.

Graduate programs are offered in many areas. These include master’s level programs in applied statistics, business, counseling education, English, exercise science, geography, public history, information media, social responsibility, and music. There are also licensure and certificate programs, largely in education but also including gerontology, chemical dependency, geography, and marriage and family therapy. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered through the College of Education in educational administration and leadership. The university is developing a master’s program in nursing.

St. Cloud State University Unique Programs

St. Cloud State’s Herberger College of Business is one of only three colleges of business in the state of Minnesota to have both its undergraduate and graduate business programs nationally accredited.

The SCSU education program is the top producer of new educators in the country. Sixteen different subject areas are accredited for new educators to specialize in. SCSU was the first in the nation to meet standards set by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE 2000), and to conduct website visits and totally open exit interviews for NCATE accreditation teams to report to faculty and administration.

St. Cloud State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: be in the top 10% of their graduating class, have good writing ability and test scores, and be involved in community and school activities. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will take smaller courses, have priority registration, be able to live in the Honors dorm if they wish, and have the opportunities for study abroad and formal research presentation at Honors Conferences. There is a special program at Oxford University in England.

Distance learning programs are offered in some undergraduate and graduate programs through the various interactive technologies and through membership in the Minnesota Online program. There are also evening and weekend programs for working adults.

Some of the other unique opportunities available at St. Cloud State University include the Engage Academic Opportunity Program, which helps with the retention ands academic success of American Indian students.

Students can also participate in study-abroad programs in 13 different countries, depending upon the program they are interested in.

St. Cloud State University Financial Aid

St. Cloud State helps fund nearly 10,000 students’ educations each year. The Financial Aid office reminds all applicants that applying for admission and applying for financial aid are two separate processes. However, SCSU applicants need not be already admitted to qualify for financial aid. SCSU offers institutional aid for both merit-based and need-based applicants. The Financial Aid office determines total need by subtracting the cost of attendance from the applicants’ expected family contribution. SCSU does offer several loan options, including Federal Stafford Loans and Minnesota State Loans. All borrowers must complete SCSU Entrance Counseling as a condition of their loan.

Tuition at St. Cloud State University is $2,655 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Students from Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, or Nebraska pay reduced out-of state tuition rates.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for students with demonstrated need, and other students can obtain regular part-time employment on campus. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.

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. There are several university wide scholarships for graduate students, and 12 departments also offer departmental scholarships.

St. Cloud State University Students

St. Cloud State is home to more than 200 student organizations. The Center for Student Organizations and Leadership Development coordinates all student organizations, and also provides leadership development services and oversees operations of all Greek organizations. The SCSU campus is home to more than 3100 residential students in eight different residence halls and the Stateview Apartments.

Student life at St. Cloud State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious organizations, political groups, cultural organization, and special interest groups such as the Dramatic Action group or the Bowling Club. There is a student radio station and a student television station, as well as a student newspaper.

The Atwood Memorial Center on campus has evening entertainment. There is a Repertory Dance Theatre and an annual film series. There is also an art gallery with exhibits, guest lectures, and workshops.

St. Cloud State University Traditions

St. Cloud State University has been through half a dozen name changes. The Husky nickname originated in the late 1930s with the University’s football team. While the football coach at the time most likely originated the name, another theory claims it was also begun by a local journalist.

St. Cloud State University Local Community

St. Cloud State University is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, which has a population of approximately 59,000; neighboring cities bring the area population to 133,000. It is located on the Mississippi River, 70 mile northwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Near-by attractions include a history museum, a restored theater, hiking, biking, ski trails, and gardens along the river.

St. Cloud is an active town on the Mississippi River that offers a good deal of shopping, culture, and entertainment for an area its size. The town has a number of beautifully manicured public gardens and parks, along with the Stearns History Museum. The Paramount Theater offers drama, music, and other forms of entertainment for the town. And the St. Cloud River Bats are a summer league baseball team that offers all the historical enjoyment of the game.