MSU Graduate Catalog 2008-2010
Introduction to the MSU Graduate School

History
In 1964, the first Master of Science degrees were offered at Minot State University in the areas of Education and Speech and Hearing. In 1973, the State Board of Higher Education authorized graduate programs in Learning Disabilities and Mental Retardation. The Board also separated the singular area of Speech and Hearing into two programs, Speech Pathology and Audiology. The Special Education graduate program with an emphasis in Severely Multi-Handicapped was added in 1977. In 1983, the graduate program in Elementary Education began and in 1985 an Infant/Toddler emphasis was created in the Special Education master’s program.

In 1986, the scope of graduate education at Minot State University was enlarged by the State Board of Higher Education with the approval of a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with a major in Mathematics. The Board further expanded with the graduate offerings to include a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice in the Fall of 1990. A Master of Arts in Teaching Science and a Master of Music Education degree were added in the Summer of 1991. A Master of Science in School Psychology was authorized in May of 1993 (later upgraded to an Education Specialist degree Fall of 1995.) A Master of Science in Management program was approved in September of 1995. The Master of Education program was approved in 2001, replacing the Master of Science in Elementary Education degree. Concentrations for the Master of Education program are added each year. In 2002 MSU entered into a cooperative doctoral program in criminal justice with the University of North Dakota. The most recent addition to the MSU Graduate School offerings is the Master of Science in Information Systems degree, added in 2004.

Purpose
The Graduate School was developed to administer, support, and evaluate the graduate programs at Minot State University. This process includes assisting potential and enrolled graduate students as they pursue their degrees. Support is also provided to departmental faculty who develop and run their graduate programs.

Mission and Vision Statement
The Mission of the Minot State University Graduate School is to provide a scholarly environment that promotes professional growth characterized by critical inquiry, creativity, discovery, and leadership. Specifically, the MSU Graduate Programs are designed to:

• Enhance skills of critical analysis, synthesis, and evaluation through research and discovery;
• Engage students in the application of knowledge for the purpose of improving practice;
• Provide meaningful experiences that actively engage students in reflective study;
• Prepare leaders to be catalysts for meaningful change;
• Promote diversity, tolerance, and respect for others.

Approved by the Graduate Council, November 26, 2003

Graduate School Staff
Dean of the Graduate School and Research/Sponsored Programs: Dr. Linda Cresap
Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School: Dr. Margaret Coxwell
Graduate School Administrative Assistant: Brenda Anderson

Contact Information
The Graduate School is located in Memorial Hall, Room 200. Staff may be contacted by calling toll-free 1-800-777-0750 or locally at 858-3250. The fax number is 701-858-4286. The mailing address for the Graduate School is 500 University Avenue West, Minot State University, Minot, ND 58707. See our website at www.minotstateu.edu/graduate for more information.

About Minot State University

History
Minot State University is a comprehensive public university whose purpose is to foster the intellectual, personal, and social development of its students, and to promote the public good through excellence in teaching, research, scholarly activity, and public service. Minot State is an integral part of the state and region it serves, and its mission and purposes are linked inextricably to the needs, aspirations, and commonweal of the people of North Dakota.

Since its founding in 1913, Minot State University has evolved steadily in fulfilling its commitment to serving North Dakota and creating opportunities for its citizens. Today the University offers a wide array of undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and the professions, and graduate education in eight master’s programs and one specialist program.

Originally established as a two-year normal school devoted to preparing teachers for service in the prairie schools of northwestern North Dakota, the institution soon expanded its offerings in response to the needs of the region, a pattern that has been repeated many times in Minot State’s subsequent history. Those who governed the institution recognized the need to add teacher preparation programs in the fine arts, liberal arts and sciences, and professional fields.

In 1924 the institution was given authority to offer the baccalaureate degree, and programs in the liberal arts began at Minot State. Programs in the sciences, humanities, fine arts, and social sciences were developed. Later, programs in special education, speech pathology, business, and nursing were added. In 1964 the school’s name was changed to Minot State College, and its mission expanded to include graduate education at the master’s level. In 1987 the institution’s name was changed to Minot State University, and today the University offers master’s degrees in communication disorders, criminal justice, education, management, mathematics, music, science, and special education. The University offers one specialist degree in school psychology.

Vision 2013: The Future of the University

Core Values and Purpose
Core values are deeply imbedded in the minds of the people who serve and sustain the institution and are readily recognized and appreciated by those served by the institution. Planning for the future depends on the affirmation of Minot State University’s core values and core purpose. Minot State University is built upon a core commitment to students, learning, service, and cooperation, and upon a respect for people and place.

Core Values
MSU cares deeply about its students, their learning, and their growth. The University is proud of its values and longterm commitment to:

• Teaching and learning with excellence, integrity, and engagement
• Serving students and others respectfully and responsibly
• Following high ethical and moral principles
• Supporting the values of community and place, where all community members are valued and respected for their work, contributions and freedom of expression.

Core Purpose
Minot State University helps people appreciate life and learning and contribute meaningfully to the lives of others.

Mission Minot State University is a regional, public institution located in the northwest region of North Dakota, serving students from Minot, the region, state, nation, and other countries. Undergraduate and graduate courses and programs are offered on campus and at a distance, through face-to-face, online, and alternative modes of delivery. Non-credit and professional training and experiences are offered to students and community members.

Committed to high academic standards and professional support for students, the university is dedicated to student success, engaged and life-long learning, advancement of knowledge, effective student service, and development of students of character. These commitments are grounded in effective and motivated teaching and learning, scholarship, and service. General studies and a variety of programs are offered in the arts and sciences, business, and education and health sciences. A wide range of student support services is provided to on-campus and off-campus students.

The University values critical and creative thinking, vitality of communities and cultures, stewardship of place, and multicultural and global environment. The University honors and supports the dignity and rights of diverse individuals, freedom of expression, academic freedom, ethical and moral behavior, integrity, fairness, and honesty.

Minot State University is first and foremost devoted to the success of all students, their growth and development as educated citizens, their confidence, and their life-long devotion to the common good and welfare of others.

Strategic Goal and Vision 2013
The University will serve students and others so that they can grow through continued learning, and make a difference in the world for others. To do that requires not only advancing knowledge but engaging and motivating others purposefully in the best of what we know for the betterment of others. Achieving this goal depends on a powerful and distinctive vision focused on service to students, place, and learning.

Goal
Minot State University will achieve national distinction as one of the premier public, regional universities in the "great" Great Plains.

Vision
The University of the future will achieve a national reputation as an institution of place and engagement that is dedicated to high-quality student learning within an inclusive community, to student growth, character, and success, to diversity and multiculturalism, to valuing and supporting faculty and staff, and to a life-long commitment to the common good.

Concomitantly, the MSU graduate of the future will be known for vision, creativity, compassion, tolerance, character, sound judgment, and commitment to the life of the community and the common good. Confident, insightful, and learned, and devoted to life-long learning, the MSU graduate will be well prepared for the future, and capable of realizing positive achievements and accomplishments in career, life, and service to others.

Strategies and Priorities: Achieving the Distinctive Goal

STRATEGY ONE: Creating a Distinctive Mission Focused on Engagement and Place
Create and promote a distinctive mission, vision and premier institutional character based on curricula and services known for high quality, engagement, relationship to place, and the integration of knowledge, theory and practice.

STRATEGY TWO: Fostering Engaged Learning and Place for the Benefit of Students
Raise academic standards and expectations exceptionally high for quality teaching and engaged learning; create and sustain a dynamic place and engaged campus atmosphere and design conducive to high-quality learning and student support.

STRATEGY THREE : Valuing Faculty and Staff Within an Engaged Community
Recruit, retain, and support well-qualified faculty and staff as valued members of an inclusive community, dedicated and devoted to the institutional mission, to engaged learning, and to student support and success.

STRATEGY FOUR : Building a Diverse and Multicultural University Climate
Develop and support a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive campus community.

STRATEGY FIVE: Focusing on Student Success and Future Achievements
Provide students with a strong and engaging academic experience for intellectual and personal growth, formation of sound character, and development of abilities and skills required for success in future careers and endeavors.

STRATEGY SIX: Creating a Commitment to Civic Engagement, Service, and the Common Good
Enhance and strengthen the University’s mission and purview to include civic engagement, experiential learning, and activities focused on collaboration, partnerships, community relations and involvement; complementing the institution’s educational function through a concerted and deliberate effort to connect higher education and the common good.

STRATEGY SEVEN: Ensuring Future Institutional
Viability, Vitality, and Growth Ensure MSU’s future viability, the vitality of its campus proper, and its success and competitiveness.

Campus and Region
The University’s tree-lined campus provides students a friendly and personal atmosphere. The campus includes five residence halls, seven classroom buildings, the Student Center, library, domed athletic facility, a concert hall, two theaters, and an art gallery.

The University is located in Minot, North Dakota, a city of over 35,000 that serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial center of a region which includes western North Dakota, eastern Montana, and southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Minot is known for its beautiful residential areas, spacious parks, and busy commercial districts. Here students find many of the cultural advantages usually associated with larger cities, including a symphony orchestra, an opera company, two theatre companies, three art galleries, a fine arts center, numerous choral groups, and a city band. Minot International Airport is served by Northwest Airlines. The city is also served by Amtrak. Minot is situated in one of the finest agricultural, industrial, and commercial areas in the state. The city is near the great Garrison Dam on the Missouri River which offers world-class outdoor recreational opportunities in fishing, boating, sailing, hunting and camping.