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Starting Aug. 25, Twin Cities residents need travel no farther than Edina to complete Minnesota State University, Mankato bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
That’s when Minnesota State Mankato opens its new 7700 France site, becoming the only state university to offer full programs in multiple disciplines in the suburban Twin Cities.
Students at 7700 France initially will be able to get Minnesota State Mankato undergraduate degrees in speech communication, creative writing, elementary education, special education and secondary education (mathematics), and graduate degrees in public administration, corrections, human services administration, special education and community health.
In addition, Minnesota State Mankato at 7700 France will offer American Sign Language as an undergraduate course, and nursing and teaching and learning as graduate courses. In future years officials plan to add an MBA program, adult degree-completion programs and other courses.
The classes, intended to fit the busy schedules of working professionals, will be offered primarily in the afternoon and evening. Though the classes are for nontraditional students, full university support and services will be available.
The 7700 France site will provide 10-12 classrooms, meeting rooms, office spaces, common spaces for breakout sessions and study groups, an arboretum-style cafeteria, wireless Internet access and plentiful free parking. The site also is on a Metro Transit bus route, is five minutes from Normandale Community College, and offers quick access to and from I-494.
“This new site makes it much more convenient for Twin Cities residents to get degrees from one of Minnesota’s finest state universities,” said Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport. “We look forward to the start of classes this fall in Edina. This will be just the beginning of a bright future for Minnesota State Mankato in the Twin Cities as we expand our baccalaureate and graduate degree offerings at 7700 France.”
“We are grateful to Mayor James Hovland and other officials of the city of Edina for their cooperation as we embark on this exciting new initiative,” Davenport added.
Officials in Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Extended Learning have worked for more than a year to finalize leases, classroom equipment, faculty, staff and other resources for the site.
“We know that many of our students will be working professionals, so we’ll offer classes at convenient times – in the evening and on Saturdays,” said Patricia Lipetzky, dean of Extended Learning at Minnesota State Mankato. “7700 France, just two blocks north of 494, is one of the most easily accessed sites in the southwest Twin Cities. It has ample free parking; it’s close to restaurants, office buildings and malls; and it’s on a major bus route.”
Another advantage is 7700 France’s close proximity to Normandale Community College. More Minnesota State Mankato transfer students come from Normandale than from any other two-year institution, and two of the 7700 France programs – undergraduate special education and secondary education (math) – will be in conjunction with Normandale.
“The 7700 France site in Edina will enhance the Normandale degree by providing our graduates with upper-level courses that are only five minutes from our campus,” said Joe Opatz, president of Normandale. “Many of our students seek to convert their Associate’s Degrees into bachelor’s degrees, and our reciprocity agreement with Minnesota State Mankato lets them do that seamlessly.”
Classes at 7700 France will be taught by Minnesota State Mankato faculty from the colleges of Education, Social & Behavioral Sciences and Arts & Humanities, and the School of Nursing.
Students will be able to take all courses necessary for baccalaureate degree majors in communications, creative writing and elementary education, and for master’s degrees in public administration, corrections, human services, special education and community health.
Participants in the 7700 France programs will be full-fledged Minnesota State Mankato students, with complete access to the university’s online library, email and other services, and access to programs and services offered at the Mankato campus.
Those who want more information about Minnesota State Mankato’s 7700 France programs may call 1-800-722-0544, Ext. 9, or go to http://www.mnsu.edu/7700france/. Registration information also is available at the Web site.
Minnesota State Mankato, founded in 1868, has 14,500 students, 1,700 faculty and staff and more than 106,000 alumni. The university’s six academic colleges offer 160 undergraduate and 80 graduate programs of study, including doctoral degrees in nursing and education.
Minnesota State Mankato is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which comprises 32 state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and combined community and technical colleges located on 53 campuses across the state.
Minnesota State Mankato is pleased to announce a call for presenters for the "Teaching and Technology" conference scheduled for November 7, 2008. The conference will highlight "best practices" in teaching with technology. The conference will offer an opportunity for participants to discuss timely issues related to teaching and learning with technology.
We seek proposals no later than May 14, 2008 for 45 minute sessions related to teaching and learning with technology. Presenters may also submit proposals for dual-sessions for topics that may require more than 45 minutes. Sessions will be identified as Novice or Advanced. Student Panels are encouraged.
If you are interested in proposing a session please complete the attached form. Print the form and then submit it to the program committee by mail or email.
Minnesota State University, Mankato Extended Learning's concurrent enrollment program allows High School juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credits without leaving their high school. Minnesota State University, Mankato Extended Learning office reaches out to area high school teachers who hold a Master's degree and partner them with an MSU faculty person to develop courses in their area of expertise. Learn more about this great program and area high school administrators reactions to the program, in the 1-27-2008 edition of theMankato Mankato Free Press.
Some of the student's in Amanda Engstrom's Intro to Music Class will have the opportunity to compete at the Music Listening Contest State Finals to be held at Augsburg College on February 1, 2008. Amanda has partnered with Dr. Gerard Aloisio to offer her high school students a college level music course, yet it is taught by Engrstrom right at Belle Plaine High School.Way to go Belle Plaine and good luck at the State Finals!
Not sure you want to spend an entire semester studying abroad? Here's an opportunity of a lifetime. Spend 7 weeks studying on campus at Minnesota State University-Mankato and then spend 8 weeks learning about the culture and language of Tropea, Italy. Uncover cultural differences when you visit Sicily, Calabria, and Pompeii on class excursions. Trip dates are March 2, 2008 - April 27, 2008
Earn credits toward your Masters or undergraduate degree. Some of these 15 credits can fill general education/cultural diversity requirements and others can count as elective credits to fill in where you need them in your program. Please call 507-389-3220 for more information.
PLUS if this is your only class for Spring Semester you are done April 27, 2008 and able to find a summer job before other colleges and universities let out for summer break.
Did you know that Minnesota State University, Mankato offers a program for seniors? That is for anyone 55 years and over. MSU for Seniors welcomes those who wish to share the joys of learning and friendship in an academic setting with no prerequisites, examinations or grades. Special events and social activities provide an opportunity to enjoy time spent with old friends and the opportunity to make new friends.
Class sessions are planned for fall, winter, spring and summer. Classes are taught by experts from the membership, community and Minnesota State University faculty. Annual membership is $10 and tuition fees are $25 for each term. Additional information can be found at www.mnsu.edu/msus or call 507 389 2011.
In addition to MSU for Seniors, those age 62 or over may enroll for any course at Minnesota State University, Mankato free of charge on an audit basis. If academic credit is desired, an administrative fee of $20 per credit is charged. For assistance with this special opportunity and to register, contact the Office of the Registrar at www.mnsu.edu/registrar or call 507 389 6266.
A new academic year has begun at Minnesota State University, Mankato and it brings exciting news for Extended Learning. President Richard Davenport announced during his annual convocation to the university community that our unit will begin the process of becoming a college rather than a unit. A leadership group has been assigned to initiate the first steps to make the change.
The Dean of Extended Learning continues to make progress on the 169 Corridor project and it is anticipated that a facility for the partners will be open for operation in Fall 2008. Minnesota State Mankato has taken a lead role in planning and opening this facility. We already have a partnership with Normandale Community College through which we offer B.S. degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education at NCC.
Beginning in October we will be offering a five session program “Certificate in Strategic Human Resource Management” in New Prague. The program is delivered by Dr. Andi Lassiter, a faculty member in the nationally recognized Industrial/Organizational Psychology program. We plan to offer the program in other locations as well.
We continue to offer our radon workshops and the Financial Planning Certificate Program.
Passing the 10-hour Certified Financial Planner® Examination isn't easy, but Minnesota State University, Mankato students have done so with flying colors again this year.
Students in the Extended Learning and College of Business Financial Planning Certificate Program recently exceeded the rigorous national exam's pass rate for the fifth straight time. Students who pass the exam can receive the CFP® designation – the most highly recognized and respected professional certification among financial service professionals.
Minnesota State Mankato's Certificate Program students achieved a 77 percent pass rate on the March 2007 CFP® Examination. The national average pass rate was 61 percent.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that students in Minnesota State Mankato's Financial Planning Certificate Program have exceeded the national pass rate. The exam is offered in March, July and November of each year.
"Again this year our students have proven that the Minnesota State Mankato Financial Planning Certificate Program is one of the best in the country," said Stephen Larson, Ph.D., CFP® and program director. "Our pass rate is typically well above the national average thanks to our willing students and great instructors."
Established in 1998 as a way to meet the continuing education needs for financial planning professionals, the Minnesota State Mankato Financial Planning Certificate Program includes five separate courses. Course topics include Principles of Financial Planning and Insurance, Investment Planning, Tax Planning, Retirement Planning and Estate Planning. Students have the option of taking courses in any order and at locations in Bloomington, Minneapolis, Plymouth or Saint Paul.
Successful completion of the program meets the educational requirement to sit for the CFP® Certification Examination.
For more information about Minnesota State Mankato's Financial Planning Certificate Program, visit www.mnsu.edu/cfp or contact Jean Clarke at (507) 389-2572 or (800) 311-3142.
Minnesota State University, Mankato does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP registered logo, logo, certification marks. CFP certification is solely granted by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to those persons who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.
Scott County could be home to a new higher education facility in fall 2008. Population growth along the southern corridor of Highway 169 is a major reason Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) is looking to offer classes in the area.
"Four of the top 10 areas of recent metropolitan growth are in the southwest metro: Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Prior Lake and Chaska," said Melinda Voss, a MnSCU spokeswoman.
Plans are still preliminary, but MnSCU will likely lease space somewhere between Interstate Highway 494 and Mankato to offer classes from four schools within its system: Hennepin Technical College, Normandale Community College, South Central College and Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The colleges would combine services to offer an array of classes, fulfilling undergraduate, graduate and specialized training requirements. The colleges would likely share in funding the facility, but it's too early to determine the details, Voss said.
Demographic projections in Scott and Carver counties suggest that communities along the Highway 169 transportation corridor have a growing population of traditionally college-aged people, ages 18 to 24, and adult students who are 25 and older.
"There is also an increasing number of businesses locating in this region," Voss said. "So that could lead to an increased demand in customized training and continuing education."
Voss said MnSCU is looking at how best to meet the higher-education needs of communities in this area. MnSCU representatives will be meeting with local elected officials and economic developers to determine the best site for a higher education facility that can serve the highest number of students.
MnSCU would like to have doors open on a leased facility by August 2008.
Dave Unmacht, Scott County administrator, said the county has been discussing the need for a stronger higher-education presence for the last 12 to 18 months.
"We've been exploring options and ideas," he said.
Unmacht was surprised, however, to learn of MnSCU's plans.
But we have had formal and informal conversations with MnSCU and also other private schools," he said. "Everyone is saying it would be great."
Supporting higher education has been a County Board objective, he added, because demand and interest is so high.
"It's not county government services, but the County Board thinks spending staff time on this is value-added to everything in the community – Chambers, Rotary … " he said. "There are intangible benefits for the community with a higher-education presence. You can't put a dollar value on it."
State Sen. Claire Robling, R-Jordan, was also unaware of MnSCU seriously considering locating in Scott County, but thinks it is a good idea.
"There is a consortium, a group talking about it," she said. "Scott County is considered underserved. With our growing population, it'd be nice to have some services closer."
She noted that Shakopee does have the Minnesota School of Business, which is private, but she'd like to see MnSCU find a space to open a facility at least part-time, perhaps during the evening, if not during the day as well.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Scott County has the most highly educated population in the state, Robling said, but people want to continue learning and take courses for their jobs.
"People aren't as traditional anymore," she said. "They want to do more online learning and going to weekend courses."
Robling believes MnSCU could offer a more non-traditional approach, especially combining two-year, four-year and technical programs.
"I told them we have a good population base to support the services in Scott and Carver counties," she said.
The colleges haven't yet asked for additional funding from the state, either.
"MnSCU has a pretty large budget and can make their own decisions," Robling said.
Scott County Commissioner Jon Ulrich of Savage said nothing is eminent. The Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE) has an education subcommittee whose goal is to bring higher education to the county, but it's still exploring the possibilities with colleges, he said.
A fiber-optic system the county will install would be a key to opportunities educational facilities could offer the public, and city and county employees.
Belle Plaine is the only city so far that has expressed interest in having a higher-education facility locate there. City and school officials in Belle Plaine met with MnSCU representatives March 28 to discuss the possibility of locating in Belle Plaine at an old junior high building.
"That started the process," Belle Plaine school Superintendent Kelly Smith said. "We're still searching for the right mix of education programming."
Also involved with the SCALE higher education subcommittee, Smith agreed that having higher-education opportunities has been a priority for the group the last 18 months. It has been information-gathering so far.
Although Belle Plaine might be a little out of the way for many residents of Scott County, Smith said much of the county is dealing with space crunches and Belle Plaine is in the center of the area MnSCU is considering.
We're just excited MnSCU is looking at Scott County," he said, "and wherever they locate, it's going to be a benefit to our entire county."
