Metropolitan State University was founded in 1971 to offer advanced academic degrees to working adults. The campus relocated to its current position in 1990. In 1994 Metropolitan State welcomed its first freshman students and also celebrated its 10,000th graduate. Metropolitan State University is a four-year public University located in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, United States. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. The institute won the prestigious National Hesburgh Award for quality of teaching in 1995.
Metropolitan State University
Academics
Metropolitan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Commission on College Nursing Education and the Council on Social Work Education. It offers more than 65 major courses of study. The five most popular are individualized studies, accounting, business administration, psychology, and information & computer systems.
The most unique and most popular course of study at Metropolitan State is the Individualized Degree. This customizable major course of study allows the student to fashion his or her degree program for use in a specific industry, utilize a combination of learning strategies (i.e. internships, seminars, laboratory courses), and build on existing areas of academic expertise or experience. The requirements to graduate with an Individualized Degree are the same for any other degree at Metropolitan State: 124 total course hours completed and at least 40 course hours in upper division courses.
Schools and Colleges:
The University is composed of the following academic schools and colleges: College of Arts & Sciences, College of Management, College of Professional Studies, the School of Nursing, and the School of Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice. The “First College” is also available to students who may want to customize their degree program for a specific purpose or fashion a course of study that combines multiple fields. The First College offers collaborative degrees with other departments, a B.A.S. in technology management, and the University’s most popular major, individualized studies.
MSU Online:
Metropolitan State University is a leader in providing high-quality online courses and programs for the convenience of the students who are unable to attend a regular college due to several problems. This was the first state University with a completely online business degree. And currently, it offers more online programs than the rest of the state Universities combined. Some of the popular online programs and courses include Organizational Administration (BAS), Human Resource Management (BS), Individualized Studies (BA), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Metropolitan State University.
Freshman students seeking admission to Metropolitan State must send the completed application form and the official transcripts. Applicants are also required to send their ACT, PSAT, or SAT score. Getting a transfer to the University is also very easy. Transfer students must send the official transcripts from all previous institutes. International students are also encouraged to apply for admission. The International Student Organization (ISO) provides counseling and advice for the international students.
Financial Aid
Incoming students are advised to begin the financial aid application process as early as possible, as it takes three-to-six weeks to complete. Students are also advised that there are deadlines for tuition payment, and financial aid recipients must have received and submitted their payments by those same dates. All financial aid applicants must complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for aid. The institute offers financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. The different types of federal and state grants offered at the University are Pell Grant, Minnesota State Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and Minnesota Post-Secondary Child Care Grant.
Loans are the form of financial aid that must be returned with due interest. Some of the different types of loans include Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, and Private Educational Loans. Applicants are encouraged to take financial aid counseling that will help them get the right kind of assistance suiting their requirement.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Metropolitan State University 3844th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Minnesota scholarships and financial aid
Student life at Metropolitan State University is vibrant and fun. The campus is home to over 20 different student organizations, which include groups focused on ethnic backgrounds, political affiliations, specific majors, and extracurricular interests. The Student Senate provides students with official representation at the Metropolitan State University. It is composed of 15 degree-seeking students, each serving for one year. The students who do not find a group that meets their interests or needs are encouraged to establish a new student organization. The institutes serve nearly 10,000 students annually, the majority of whom are females. The University offers a total of five different campuses for convenience and easy access.
There is a Disability Services Center that helps students with documented disabilities get started acquiring any necessary accommodations and other assistance. There is a testing center and an academic advising center in the campus. Students can on-campus access the library that houses a range of books, magazines, journals, and other publications. There is always a librarian available to help students. The advising and counseling center at the campus provides the necessary academic and career counseling services to students.
Media and Publications:
The Metropolitan, is the award-winning student newspaper serves as an independent student voice informing students, faculty and staff of events and issues related to the University.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Metropolitan State University?
Metropolitan State is a young University with a non-traditional student base. However, it has a rich tradition of community involvement, student-centered instruction, and creating lasting relationships between its students.
Local Community
Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, and it is adjoined by the state’s capital, St. Paul. Together they are known as “the Twin Cities.” There are a total of three million residents in the area, making it the nation’s fifteenth largest metropolitan area. Because of its geographic location, Minneapolis-St. Paul residents take pride in being “halfway to the North Pole.”
Alumni
Char Samuelson, former MN state Representative
Martin Musatov, eminent Screenwriter
Leo Foley, Minnesota state Senator
Sandy Pappas, Minnesota state Senator
Bibliography
Metropolitan State University. 2011.
Snider, Mark D. How to Get Money for College 2011: Financing Your Future Beyond Federal Aid. Peterson’s, 2010. Print.
Familiar with this school? We would love to hear about your experience. Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding Metropolitan State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
This website and associated pages are not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Metropolitan State University. StateUniversity.com has no official or unofficial affiliation with Metropolitan State University.
Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000
p. 651-793-1212
w. www.metrostate.edu