MSUM Mission Statement

The mission of Minnesota State University Moorhead is to foster excellence in teaching and learning. The University strives to provide an educational environment that supports intellectual development, that welcomes diversity, and that develops the skills and talents of women and men so that they have the capacity to live usefully, act responsibly, and be learners all their lives. The academic programs at the University are founded upon a common liberal studies experience and emphasize developing the unique talents of each person. The University provides baccalaureate-level programs in the liberal arts, natural and social sciences, teacher education, business and technology, the fine arts, and professional areas. It provides selected graduate programs in response to regional needs.

The University encourages scholarly and creative endeavors that promote a commitment by faculty and students to their disciplines, to continuing professional development, and to excellence in learning.

The University enhances the quality of life in the region with the professional, cultural, and recreational services offered by its students, faculty, and staff.

Minnesota State University Moorhead is one of seven comprehensive Minnesota state universities established to provide the citizens of Minnesota access to quality educational programs at moderate cost. Minnesota State University Moorhead’s primary responsibility is to provide baccalaureate programs to residents of northwest and west central Minnesota. Through tuition reciprocity agreements, the University also provides educational services to residents of several regional states and one province.

MSU Moorhead
Aims

To give the highest priority to continuous improvement in learning and teaching.

To provide instruction at all levels that stimulates and promotes commitment to life-long learning and to open inquiry, that promotes development of higher order thinking skills and of multicultural, global and international perspectives. Further, to provide instruction that encourages and empowers students to contribute as educated, compassionate, and responsible citizens within their communities, states, nations and the world.

To provide a strong liberal studies foundation for all undergraduate programs.

To incorporate instruction in all majors that provides breadth and depth in the discipline as well as recognition of the ethical bases of that discipline.

To provide instruction in graduate level programs that promotes increased depth in disciplinary or interdisciplinary studies and professional specialization.

To ensure that academic programs are accessible to our diverse constituencies at moderate cost.

To ensure a campus climate that embraces diversity and bases relationships on civility and tolerance and that acknowledges the perspectives of women, minorities and non-western cultures.

To provide higher education opportunities with appropriate support and encouragement for all students including international, nontraditional and traditionally under-represented groups.

To provide support and encouragement for faculty development including scholarship, creative activity, research and public service that enriches the individual and the institution, and that promotes the educational and economic development of the service region.

To provide support personnel, facilities, and resources that enhance and complement the academic experience.

To provide students a range of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities as well as opportunities related to community service and leadership as a means of developing social awareness and enhancing the quality of their lives and developing their potential to thrive in a changing world.

To provide service to the region in the form of professional, academic and recreational activities, and, especially, to be a center of cultural activity for the region.