Tri-College University

Tri-College University (TCU) is a consortium which includes North Dakota State University, Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, North Dakota State College of Science, and Minnesota State Community & Technical College. Students at the five schools may benefit from what each school offers individually and cooperatively through the consortium.

Information concerning the tri-college agreement, policies and procedures may be found HERE.

Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)

Air Force ROTC/Aerospace Studies

The Air Force Reserve Officer's Training Corps (AFROTC) program is an educational and training program designed to give men and women the opportunity to become Air Force officers while completing an undergraduate or graduate degree. In order to receive a commission, Air Force ROTC students must complete all requirements for a degree in accordance with University rules and regulations, as well as complete a variety of courses specified by the Air Force.

Program Description: The Aerospace Studies curriculum is divided into two courses of instruction: the General Military Course (GMC), which parallels the freshman and sophomore academic years, and the Professional Officer Course (POC), which parallels the junior and senior academic years. Students in the four-year program normally attend two weeks of field training at Maxwell AFB, AL during the summer between their sophomore and junior years.

Scholarships: Air Force ROTC can help you to overcome the financial hardships associated with college, and when you complete your degree, you have a guaranteed career after school. AFROTC college scholarships are awarded to the best-qualified students and range in length from one to five years. These grants cover the cadet's tuition, incidental lab fees and most textbooks. In addition, cadets receive a tiered monthly allowance. Incentive scholarships are also available for students not already on scholarship.

Contact Information: If you are interested in the AFROTC program through North Dakota State University, see the Registrar's Office for information on Tri-College registration. You may also contact the department of Aerospace Studies at NDSU at 701-231-8186 or visit www.ndsu.edu/afrotc/for more information.

Army ROTC/Military Studies

The Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (Army ROTC) prepares and commissions officers for the Active Army, Army National Guard, and the Army Reserves. ROTC is open to male and female students from Concordia College, North Dakota State University, and Minnesota State University Moorhead through the Tri-College program. Cadets must complete all degree requirements of their chosen major, in accordance with university rules and regulations, and complete required ROTC courses prior to commissioning as a Second Lieutenant. ROTC students also attend physical training and a hands-on leadership lab.

Program Description: The Army ROTC program consists of a two-year basic course (freshman and sophomore year) and a two-year advanced course (junior and senior year). During the basic course, there is no military obligation for non-contracted cadets and a student may withdraw at any time. Students, who have Active Duty military experience, are currently a member of the Army Reserve/National Guard, complete the Leader’s Training Course, or have taken Junior ROTC may receive credit for the Basic Course. Eligible students are allowed to enter the advanced course and must agree to complete ROTC to commission as a Second Lieutenant. Advanced Course students will also complete the 29-day Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) between their junior and senior years.

Scholarships: Two, three, and four year scholarships are available, which provide for payment of tuition and fees. Students receive $600 per semester for books and equipment, and an allowance of $350 to $500 per month for each year the scholarship is in effect. Generally, four-year scholarships are awarded to high school students who wish to compete during their senior year for a scholarship, but college freshmen also have been awarded this highly desirable scholarship.

Service Commitment: Students who decide to commission on Active Duty have an eight year service commitment after graduation; four years serving on Active Duty and the option of serving the remaining four years on Active Duty, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, or the Individual Ready Reserve. Army National Guard officers have an eight year commitment; six years in the National Guard with the option of serving the remaining two years in the Army National Guard or the Individual Ready Reserve. Army Reserve officers have an eight year service commitment after graduation.

Contact Information: For further information, call the Department of Military Science office at 701-231-7575 or visit the NDSU Army ROTC website at www.ndsuarmyrotc.com. The Department of Military Science is located on the North Dakota State University campus at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.

National Student Exchange

Minnesota State University Moorhead holds membership in the National Student Exchange, a cooperative relationship among more than 165 (NSE) colleges and universities in the United States and its territories. Through the NSE, students may spend up to one full year in residence at a participating college as an exchange student. MSUM students have recently been placed at California State University-San Bernardino, University of Oregon, University of Alaska, University of Northern Colorado, University of Guam, and the University of Hawaii. The largest single benefit of the NSE is the privilege of paying tuition at the in-state rather than out-of-state rates.

Students pursuing a professional/licensure degree need to consult with their advisor and plan their program carefully well before enrolling in National Student Exchange. Students wishing to participate in NSE should contact the NSE Coordinator. Information on the program can be found HERE.

Academic Service-Learning

Academic Service-Learning (AS-L) is a credit bearing, educational experience in which students participate in organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflects on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.

Service learning is increasingly becoming an avenue used to provide students with "real-life" experience by linking students with local communities and community service providers. Unlike traditional volunteering, service learning encourages the blending of both service and learning goals. Service learning fosters the academic, social, and personal development of students; enhances what is taught in schools by extending student learning beyond the classroom into the community; and helps students utilize newly acquired skills and knowledge in real-life situations in their own community.

Service learning has been integrated in disciplines across the MSUM campus including Communication Studies, Accounting, Education, Music, Nursing, Paralegal, Sociology, and Social Work. More information on Service learning can be found HERE.

Internship

An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. (National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2012.)  An additional objective of internships is to allow students to gain applied experience that would not otherwise be possible in the classroom and to reinforce the choice of one’s major field of study. 

Internships can be paid or unpaid, for credit or not. They vary in length, and may be full time or part time. Some academic programs require an internship to graduate and some do not. All students are also encouraged to visit the Career Development Center to explore internship options, and review the many posted opportunities through DragonJobs (www.mnstate.edu/dragonjobs).

Students who wish to or are required to complete an internship for academic credit must meet with the internship coordinator in the academic major of their choice. Some academic internship coordinators receive internship listings that are not posted on the MSUM Career Development Center website. Academic internship coordinators are the contacts who determine academic and credit expectations for internships.

Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Office coordinates a variety of opportunities for students to study abroad. Detailed planning is essential to ensure a successful experience. Students must consult with their faculty advisors if they wish to receive credit toward their major or minor. Financial Aid may be applicable toward these study programs.

In addition to semester and year-long study, faculty in various departments organize one-, two-, or three-week study tours for credit. Students wishing to study abroad should contact the Study Abroad Office or further information can be found HERE.

Senior Citizens

Residents of Minnesota age 62 or older before the beginning of the term may either (a) audit a class free without credit or (b) receive credit by payment of an administrative fee of $20.00 per credit, if space is available after all tuition paying students are enrolled. Senior citizens also must bear the cost of any laboratory or course fees, regardless of whether credit is earned or not. Contact the Registrar's Office for additional information.