St. Cloud State University: Courses, Admission, Cost

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, St. Cloud State University (SCSU) is a non-profit institution of higher education and research in the state of Minnesota, United States. The institution was originally set up as Third State Normal School in 1869. It began operating in a renovated hotel building with classrooms on the first floor, model school on the second floor and women's dormitory on the third. Back then, it had just 53 students and 5 faculty members on the roll. It started offering a junior college curriculum in 1898 and authorized a name change in 1921. In 1975, it transformed into a university. It has academic affiliation from Minnesota State System and is approved by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

St. Cloud State University has a beautiful 100-acre residential campus that consists of well-maintained buildings that house administrative offices, academic and support facilities. Atwood Memorial Center houses an art gallery, theatre, convenience store, copy centre, two banks, meeting rooms, offices and computer labs. Kiehle Visual Arts Center has facilities like a public art gallery, studio art space and several classrooms. There are many research and learning spaces in ISELF that opened in 2013. James W. Miller Learning Resources Center or the central library has a high-tech auditorium, coffee shop, seven electronic classrooms and 16 study rooms. Other facilities on the campus include a bookstore, studio theatre, rehearsal hall, recital hall and private practice studios.

The campus features state-of-the-art athletic and recreation facilities including a fitness centre, swimming pool, hockey centre, boathouse, climbing wall and martial art studios. With sports affiliation from National Collegiate Athletic Association, SCSU maintains 19 varsity teams that participate in the national-level championships as Huskies. The university provides on-campus accommodation in its six residence halls and two apartment plazas. SCSU promotes the use of cycle on the campus. Free Metrobus services are available to students for commuting around the city.

SCSU has six schools and two colleges that offer over 200 academic programs at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. It extends programs in various disciplines of arts, science, engineering, liberal arts, business, health, education, public affairs and human services. At present, SCSU has more than 14,000 students on the roll, which includes over 1000 international students from 90 different countries of the world. The university has about 783 academic affiliates and 773 administrative staff members, who are highly knowledgeable and experienced.

St. Cloud State University possesses a comprehensive alumni list comprising the names of 110,000 graduates across the globe. Some notable names in the list are John Stumpf (Retail Banker and Business Executive), Jessica Kresa (Professional Wrestler), Warren Limmer (Minnesota Politician), Leo Kottke (Acoustic Guitarist), Haley Baylee Kalil (American Model), Terrence "Lee" Zehrer (Entrepreneur and Internet Pioneer), Bonnie Henrickson (Basketball Coach), Grayce Uyehara (Social Worker and Activist) and Jodi Huisentruit (TV News Anchor)