 On behalf of our campus community, welcome to Northern State University! I’m thrilled that you’ve chosen Northern as your college home.
Northern is recognized for excellence in the liberal arts which will prepare you with 21st Century critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills that are valued by employers and in the workforce.
You will work with faculty scholars who are committed to teaching, personalized and individualized attention and mentoring you in experiential learning opportunities including undergraduate research and internships in your field of study.
And you will be supported by faculty and staff to guide you to the ultimate goal of graduation and pursuing a successful career and life as an engaged citizen and leader.
We also want you to take advantage of a full college experience in an environment committed to your success in athletics, fine and performing arts, student organizations and intramurals and by participating in a vibrant schedule of events on campus, study abroad opportunities and engaging in the wonderful community of Aberdeen.
The more deeply you engage, the more you will fuel a passion for lifelong learning and community engagement and expand your worldview and develop friendships that will last a lifetime.
Again, welcome to Northern - this is the perfect place to unleash your potential, and I’m proud to have you as part of our pack. Have a great year in Wolves Country!
Sincerely,
President Schnoor
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a premier residential institution characterized by outstanding instruction, extraordinary community relations, and unparalleled extracurricular opportunities.
Since 2007 NSU has been consistently named by US News and World Report as one of the best undergraduate public institutions in the Midwest. For more information about NSU, visit our web site at www.northern.edu.
Mission Statement
A. PURPOSE
To comply with provision of Board Policy 1:10 regarding the Northern State University mission statement to include the legislatively established purpose of the institution and the programs authorized by the Board to implement that purpose.
B. DEFINITIONS
- Statutory Mission: The institutional mission defined under South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL).
C. POLICY
- Statutory Mission
The legislature established the statutory mission of Northern State University under 13-59-1 as:
The primary purpose of Northern State University, at Aberdeen in Brown County … is the preparation of elementary and secondary teachers and a secondary purpose is to offer preprofessional, one-year and two-year terminal and junior college programs. Four-year degrees other than in education and graduate work may be authorized by the Board of Regents.
- Board of Regents Implementation of Statutory Mission
The Board recognizes Northern State University’s mission as:
NSU will be a nationally-recognized student-centered institution committed to academic and extracurricular excellence, and global learning opportunities in a beautiful Midwestern setting.
The institution is also charged with promoting excellence in teaching and learning, supporting research, scholarly and creative activities, and providing service to the State of South Dakota, the region, and beyond.
The Board approved a special emphasis on E-learning in the university curriculum and service. Northern State University is a member of the South Dakota System of Higher Education.
Northern State University is approved to offer programs and courses online through the Internet.
3. Curriculum
The following curriculum is approved for the university:
3.1 Undergraduate Major Level Curriculum
Business, Education, Entrepreneurship, Exercise Science, Fine and Performing Arts, General Studies, Humanities, Information Systems (in accords with SDCL 13-59-2.2), Liberal Arts, Mathematics, Physical/Biological/Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, and Sport Media and Administration.
3.2 Master’s Level Curriculum
Banking and Financial Services, Counseling, E-learning, and Education.
- Authorized Degrees
4.1 Undergraduate Degrees
Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.). Certificates in related fields.
4.2 Graduate Degrees
Master of Arts (M.A.), Master Music Education (M.M.E.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.). Certificates in related fields.
Campus of Distinction
A Framework for Strategic Action
Mission
Northern State University will provide diverse academic, civic, social and cultural opportunities that prepare students through the liberal arts, professional education and E-learning for their future endeavors, while also enriching the local and regional community.
Vision
Northern State University will be regionally recognized as a student-centered, diverse community dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, creativity and civic and global awareness.
Values
Northern State University’s students, faculty, and staff are committed to the following values:
Community:
- Building a culture of inclusion, belonging and collegiality that respects diversity in knowledge, culture and world view.
Discovery:
- Pursuing rigor and excellence in education, inquiry and engagement for the benefit of our students, state and region.
Integrity:
- Adhering to the highest standards of honesty, fairness and transparency with a commitment to responsible stewardship of resources.
Strategic Planning Priorities
Distinctive Learning
Experiential, innovative, interdisciplinary, relevant
Distinctive Culture
Diverse, engaged, inclusive, welcoming
Distinctive Partnerships
Collaborative, entrepreneurial, supportive, sustainable
Distinctive Leadership
Accountable, ethical, responsive, transparent
Academic Freedom and Responsibility
Board of Regents Policy 1:11
- Academic freedom is guaranteed to faculty members subject only to accepted standards of professional responsibility including, but not limited to, those herein set forth:
- The importance of academic freedom to teaching and learning is recognized and accepted. Academic freedom includes the right to study, discuss, investigate, teach and publish. Academic freedom applies to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of students to freedom in learning. It includes the freedom to perform one’s professional duties and to present differing and sometimes controversial points of view, free from reprisal. The faculty member is entitled to freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the performing of other assigned academic duties.
- Faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in the discussion of their subject. They have the freedom to include the presentation of various scholarly views.
- The concept of freedom should be accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility. The faculty members are members of a learned profession. When they speak or write as citizens, they must be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As learned people and as educators, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others and should indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.
- To secure student freedom in learning, faculty members in the classroom and in seminar should encourage free and orderly discussion, inquiry and expression of the course subject matter. Student performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
- Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
- Each institution shall establish an academic appeals procedure to permit review of student allegations that an academic evaluation was tainted by prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards. These procedures shall prohibit retaliation against persons who initiate appeals or who participate in the review of appeals.
- Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled.
Freedom in Learning and Academic Freedom Statements
Freedom in Learning. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Student should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudice or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the academic dean administratively in charge of the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
Academic Freedom. The freedom of faculty to teach the knowledge encompassed by their academic disciplines is vital to successful education and thus must be defended. Under Board of Regents Policy 1:11, “Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of students to freedom in learning. It includes the freedom to perform one’s professional duties and to present differing and sometimes controversial points of view, free from reprisal.”
Affiliations
Northern State University is an accredited institutional member of
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
11520 West 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66213
Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs
1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
11250 Roger Bacon Drive Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248
National Association of Schools of Music
11250 Roger Bacon Drive Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036-1023
Higher Learning Commission
Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle Street Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
South Dakota Department of Education
800 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
Member of
Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
American Council of Learned Societies
American Council on Education
Association for Institutional Research
College and University Personnel Association
Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
National Association College Admissions Counselors
National Association of College and University Business Officers
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
National Association of Schools of Music
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Upper Midwest Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
Disclosure Statements are located on our website.
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