Online Degrees Available at MSU

Minot State University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Computer Science Online.

On Blackboard Learn, the Center for Extended Learning at Minot State University makes 24/7 asynchronous courses available in one associate, eight baccalaureate, and five master’s degrees. Six graduate certificates, including Knowledge Management, Special Education Strategist, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education, are also conferred.

The U.S. News & World Report states that MSU’s online programs have 62 full-time faculty for an average class size of 17 and maximum cohorts of 40. Ranked 44th for student engagement nationally, Minot offers free Office 365 ProPlus software, an online bookstore, IT support, SmarThinking tutoring, Gordon B. Olson Library services, and some virtual clubs like Beavers on Business. Two sample online Minot State University programs are:

Chaired by Dr. Deanna Klein, Minot’s B.S. in Marketing mimics corporate-style boardrooms for IACBE-accredited Department of Business Administration majors to learn the latest media strategies to attract consumer attention. The 120-credit, four-year curriculum integrates online courses, such as Channel Management and Survey Research, with optional internships at top firms like Fleishman Hillard, Ketchum, Deloitte Digital, or Acxiom and a consulting project.

Launched in Summer 2018, the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Assessment suits Minot post-grads with 2+ years of certified experience who are committed to ensuring content mastery in PK-12 classrooms for high scholastic achievement. The 30-credit master’s overseen by Dr. Terry Eckmann coaches teachers through eight-week, CAEP-accredited courses like Dynamics of Managing Learning and Integrating Technology into Learning to the thesis research.

Other online offerings at Minot State University include the Associate of Science in Human Services: Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion, Bachelor of Science in International Business, Bachelor of General Studies, Master of Science in Sports Management, and Master of Science in Information Systems.

About Minot State University

Minot State University was founded as a two-year State Normal School in 1913 using $200,000 in funds appropriated to Arthur G. Crane by the North Dakota Legislature. Twelve years later, the Red & Green reported that Minot earned collegiate status for diplomas and degrees. Victorious in its first-ever NAIA national championship in 2002, Minot State University has become the third-largest public, civic-engaged NDSU constituent worth $18.3 million. MSU occupies a 102-acre, tree-lined Mouse River Valley campus in Ward County just 60 miles south of Manitoba crossings. Current enrollment is 3,216 Beavers, including 531 degree-seeking online students, with 70 percent retention. Linked to 9,029 LinkedIn alumni, Minot State University has trained Josh Duhamel, Gen. David Jones, Mary Sherman Morgan, and others.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Minot State the Midwest’s 126th best school with the 75th best online graduate management and 215th top online bachelor’s study nationally. On Niche, MSU is America’s 24th best online college, 278th best public university, and 361st top small school. Washington Monthly recognized Minot State University for the 170th best financial aid and 221st highest Ph.D. completion rate. On College Factual, MSU was applauded for the 229th best value, 92nd most popular international business courses, and 333rd highest paid teaching graduates countrywide. PayScale reported a 20-year net ROI of $136,000 for Minot State Beavers. Minot’s North Dakota University System was also placed in the top 800 by Times Higher Education.

Minot State University Accreditation Details

In October 2017, Minot State University had its Level V accreditation reaffirmed without sanctions by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) under president Steven Shirley. Headquartered in Chicago, this is one of six regional bodies recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to cover each of Minot’s 58 bachelor’s, seven master’s, and 16 certificate programs. Certain online degrees also feature programmatic approval from the following:

  • International Accreditation Council for Business Education
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Minot State University Application Requirements

Studying online through Minot State University means passing the “selective” admission process that had Fall 2016 acceptance of 60 percent. First-year Beavers with a high school graduation date of 1993 to present must have completed 13 college-prep credits, including four units of English. Unconditional freshmen admission requires a minimum GPA of 2.75, 17 ACT score, or 930 New SAT score. Undergraduate transfers can carry 24-75 credits from accredited institutions with cumulative GPAs above 2.0. The Online BSN Completion raises the average to 2.75 for RNs who’ve completed prerequisites like Professional Nursing I. Graduate programs online need a four-year baccalaureate earned with an upper-division 2.75 GPA. Please note the M.S. in Management Online seeks “B” averages or qualifying GMAT scores above 500.

Minot State University established a rolling admission policy, but freshmen traditionally apply before April 1st for Fall starts. International students have until June 1st for Fall and October 15th for Spring entrance. The Center for Extended Learning has varying graduate deadlines like July 30th for the M.S. in Information Systems and November 1st for the M.Ed. in Special Education. The MSU Application is submitted online with extra materials mailed to 500 University Avenue West in Minot, ND 58707 if needed. Aspiring online learners should attach these:

  • One-time $35 application fees
  • Certified high school/college transcripts
  • Official college entrance tests
  • Résumé or CV of experience
  • Typed, one-year personal statement
  • One to three recommendation letters

Tuition and Financial Aid

At Minot State, annual undergrad tuition and fees currently cost $6,809. Room and board in North Dakota adds $2,246 and $3,904 respectively for a sum price of $12,959 yearly. Luckily, online programs like the B.S. in Human Services or B.A.S. in Applied Information Technology will request just $283 per credit. This means a 120-credit online bachelor’s would bill $33,960 total. Graduate online learners, including M.S. in Early Childhood Special Education and M.S. in Management majors, are charged $356 per credit for costs below the $14,700 Minot average.

According to the NCES College Navigator, 58 percent of full-time MSU Beavers share $16.4 million in annual financial assistance for roughly $3,973 apiece. Online students often qualify for institutional awards, such as the Boyd Smith Scholarship, Native American Scholarship, Staff Senate Scholarship, Alumni Association Scholarship, Olga Petersen Scholarship, Elsie May Deeter Hearing Impaired Scholarship, and Robert Torgerson Scholarship. Filing the FAFSA form via code 002994 might unlock Federal Pell, FSEOG, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant money. Peace Garden State natives can claim the North Dakota State Grant, Tribal Higher Education Grant, or Janet Monroe Wendschlag Scholarship. For $50, online Minot State University students can enroll in no-interest monthly payment plans. After borrowing Grad PLUS or William D. Ford Federal Direct funds, some may even become eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.