A Brief History of MSU

Minot State University was founded in 1913 to serve the citizens of northwest North Dakota. It is located in Minot, a city with approximately 36,000 residents. The city is served by Northwest Airlines and Amtrak. Abundant outdoor activities are available, including hiking, boating, fishing and camping in the nearby Garrison Dam/Missouri River area, and the Turtle Mountain Region. The arts include two theatre companies, three art galleries, choral and instrumental groups, a full-scale symphony orchestra, and an opera company. A major U.S. Air Force Base is located in the greater Minot area. Minot State primarily serves North Dakota, Montana, and several contiguous Canadian provinces. Several Native American communities are located in our region and are represented in our students and faculty.

The University has evolved from a normal school to a Carnegie Master’s I institution. It is the third largest higher education institution in the state and the only non-doctoral university to grant master’s degrees. Three colleges comprise the university’s academic offerings: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education and Health Sciences. Nine master’s degrees and one education specialist degree are offered in such areas as communication disorders, management, and mathematics. There is a rich mix of liberal arts and professional programs offering more than 60 majors at the undergraduate level. Minot State University is a member of the North Dakota University System, which is comprised of 11 institutions representing doctoral, master, baccalaureate, and community colleges. The State Board of Higher Education consists of nine members and is the governing board of the System. Minot State University has a Board of Regents acting as an advisory board and champion for the institution.