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.
Saint 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.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Saint Cloud State University.
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.
Saint Cloud State University
Admissions
The SCSU admissions policy dictates that the University will consider a combination of high school class rank, high school grade point average, courses completed, standardized test scores, and other indicators of academic potential or merit. As long as space is available, students who graduate in the top half of their high school class or who score 25 on the ACT or 1140 on the SAT can be assured of admission in the St. Cloud State. The Admissions Committee must review the applications from those students who were home schooled or who are applying with a GED rather than a high school diploma. SCSU admissions policy requires that students have an ACT evaluation sent directly to SCSU Admissions from the administering institution, as well as an official high school transcript sent directly from the applicant’s graduating high school. Students who have not met the required collection of high school coursework may be required to make that coursework up or in some other way demonstrate their level of skill or competency in those areas. The St. Cloud State admissions webpage offers students a valuable timeline for making the decisions necessary to be successful in the college application process. Checkpoints include making a list of one’s interests, exploring different education levels and universities, and completing the FAFSA for financial aid, which is a requirement of nearly every university in the United States.
St. Cloud State University has an undergraduate admissions deadline of May 1 for the fall semester but may still enroll students if space is available after that. The application fee is $20. Applications can be submitted on-line. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts and an ACT college assessment sent after graduation to the Admissions Office.
As part of their application, students should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Students should have completed high school courses as follows: English, mathematics through algebra and geometry, history and social studies (including one year of American history and one year of geography), science (including biology, a physical science, and laboratory work), two units of a foreign language, and one year of electives. Students must generally meet the following minimum requirements: class rank in the upper 50% or an ACT of 27 (SAT 1140). Courses taken and GPA are also factors.
Transfer students and international students will have varying requirements depending upon their prior educational background.
Students applying to the graduate programs at St. Cloud State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying. Applications can be submitted on-line, and the application fee is $35. General requirements include the GRE or other appropriate test scores (such as the GMAT), three letters of recommendation, and a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 2.75. The graduate application deadline varies with the department.
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.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Saint Cloud State University 1749th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Minnesota scholarships and financial aid
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.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Saint Cloud State University?
The St. Cloud State Huskies compete in the NCAA Division I (for men’s and women’s hockey) and Division II (all other sports), the North Central Conference (NCC), and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The Huskies offer teams in baseball, football, golf, Nordic skiing, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, wrestling, and men’s and women’s basketball and hockey. The St. Cloud University Athletics Department is home to some high quality athletic facilities, including National Hockey Center, Halenback Hall (basketball, volleyball, wrestling), Husky Stadium (football, soccer, winter sports), and Selke and Putz Fields (softball and baseball). The Husky Athletic Department also offers sporting opportunities for the average student through intramural opportunities, sports equipment rental, Outdoor Endeavors, the Husky Challenge Course, or the Mountain Dew Xtreme Climbing Wall. The Huskies’ new Yellow Bike Project provides community-use bicycles for everyone on campus, free of charge or maintenance worries, provided participants do not damage the bike, obey all bicycle laws, and always wear a helmet.
St. Cloud State University is an NCAA Division II School. Teams compete in the North Central Conference. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and wrestling. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, hockey, Nordic ski, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The sports teams are supported by a spirit squad, which includes a cheer team and a dance team. The team nick-name is the Huskies.
Athletic facilities at St. Cloud State University include a hockey center, the Halenbeck Hall for basketball, volleyball, and wrestling, a fieldhouse, a stadium with a dome for winter usage for football and soccer, softball and baseball fields, an aquatic center, tennis courts, and ski trails (located off-campus approximately a mile away).
Student athletes receive academic support from the university in the form of tutoring, advising, and other activities as part of the Athletes for Success in the Classroom program.
Saint 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.
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.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4498
Surrounding community
Small city (inside urban area, pop. under 100,000)
Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Saint Cloud State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
almost 2 years agoColleen Olson-Paul kokocat04 ((at)) gmail dot com
My name is Colleen and I attended Riverview Elementary from 1949-1957. I loved Riverview. To this day I think about the students and teachers often and wonder where they are. If anyone out there reads this and also attended the school close to this time please contact me. I also would like to know where I can get a booklet or newspaper on Riverview. I did not know about the April celebration. Thanks, Colleen Olson
almost 4 years agomarlene gottfried marsgot ((at)) hotmail dot com
I attended the Riverview Laboratory School on the St. Cloud University campus from about 1949 - 1958. Is there any historical information about this school available? I'm especially interested in learning whether grades 10 -12 were ever offered at this school (grades K - 9 were offered when I attended).
This website and associated pages are not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Saint Cloud State University. StateUniversity.com has no official or unofficial affiliation with Saint Cloud State University.
kokocat04 ((at)) gmail dot com
My name is Colleen and I attended Riverview Elementary from 1949-1957. I loved Riverview. To this day I think about the students and teachers often and wonder where they are. If anyone out there reads this and also attended the school close to this time please contact me. I also would like to know where I can get a booklet or newspaper on Riverview. I did not know about the April celebration. Thanks, Colleen Olson