Bemidji State University

Bemidji State University Summary

Bemidji State University (BSU) is a public Minnesota state university in Bemidji, Minnesota on the shores of Lake Bemidji. The name was later changed to Bemidji State Teachers College, then shortened to Bemidji State College and finally Bemidji State University. During the 1998-1999 academic year, the University Board of Regents recommended changing the name of the university to Minnesota State University – Bemidji, just as Moorhead State University and Mankato State University had changed their names to Minnesota State University–Moorhead and Minnesota State University–Mankato, respectively. The board argued this would emphasize the fact that BSU was a Minnesota university and thus attract more students from both in-state (who would otherwise be unaware that it was located in Minnesota) and out-of-state (who saw Minnesota as a good state in which to attend university). Each year a professor from Liaoning University goes to BSU to teach Chinese and each summer BSU students participate in “Sino-Summer”, a month long visit to China with half of the time spent at Liaoning University and half touring other parts of China including Beijing, Xi’an and Guilin.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

Bemidji State University History

Bemidji State was founded in 1919 as Bemidji State Normal School. It was changed at one time to Bemidji State College and then to the name it has today, Bemidji State University. It was named for the lake that it borders, Lake Bemidji.

Bemidji State University is part of the state of Minnesota public university system. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. It is classed as a Master’s College and University II by the Carnegie Institute.

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Bemidji State University Academics

Bemidji State’s academic offerings are provide through three colleges—Arts & Letters, Professional Studies, and Social & Natural Sciences—and the School of Integrative Studies. There are 30 primary academic departments within the three Colleges as well as the Center for Environmental, Earth, and Space Studies. The University’s Honors Program is quite rigorous. It is for students who show particular promise and an outstanding ability to work independently and creatively. Honors students design their own programs of study in cooperation with a faculty advisor and are allowed to begin work in their major field of study much sooner than other students.

Bemidji State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 4 colleges: the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Professional Studies, the College of Social & Natural Sciences, and the School of Integrative Studies.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as accounting, geography, mathematics, foreign languages, nursing, biology, Indian studies, sports management, creative and professional writing, pre-professional programs, and teacher licensure. There are also specialized licensure programs in education, early childhood, middle school reading, and other related areas of education and child development. Minors are offered in many of the above majors and in other areas such as anthropology, Ojibwe, Peace & Justice studies, and space studies. There are two associate’s degree programs, including criminal justice.

Graduate programs are offered in 11 areas. These include an MA in English and an MS in biology, English, environmental studies, industrial technology, technology education, mathematics, science, special education, sport studies, and education with an emphasis area. There are no doctoral or professional degrees.

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Bemidji State University Unique Programs

The Center for Environmental, Earth and Space Studies (CEESS) offers a B.S. and a B.A. in Environmental Studies as well as a geology minor. Officials within the Center cite as their greatest concern “human stewardship of the earth.” For that reason, students are presented with a curriculum of both the natural sciences and the social sciences to better understand humanities role in and impact on the earth’s geological history. This study includes economics, politics, and other social sciences, and provides students with a foundation they can rely on to pursue endeavors other than scientific study or research.

The American Indian Resource Center is part of the School of Integrative Studies. It provides educational services to students, culturally focused services to Native Americans, and collaborative programs for both that aims to bring people together in a mutual understanding of the benefit and impact of the Native American population on our country and the world.

Bemidji State offers a Women’s Studies program that aims to celebrate women’s contributions to society and affirms women’s place in the modern world through an examination of history, social science, and religious studies.

Bemidji State University has an undergraduate Honors Program, housed in the School of Integrative Studies. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to have a 3.25 GPA (usually accompanied by class rank in the upper 10% and high test scores) and the ability to write well. Honors students design their own programs of study, enroll in special Honors courses, and work on a thesis.

Some of the other unique opportunities available at Bemidji State University include the American Indian Resource Center, which provides cultural event information and helpful resources for students or others of Native American descent. An Indian studies and Ojibwe language is an available academic program.

A distance learning program is available for some undergraduate and graduate programs, primarily in education and business.

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Bemidji State University Financial Aid

Bemidji State provides a comprehensive financial aid program for students that totals more than $18 million each year, including institutional scholarships, work study, and loans from federal and state sources. The FAFSA is obviously required for federal aid and should be completed as soon as possible. BSU offers athletic grants, academic scholarships and waivers, and welcomes outside scholarships. Also available are such unique opportunities as the Minnesota State Grant and the Est. Indian Grant, coordinated through the Tribal and State Indian Scholarship Offices.

Tuition at Bemidji State University was $2,472 per semester for the 2004-2005 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Reduced out-of-state tuition rates are available for students applying from North or South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Manitoba, and students from Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Nebraska pay 150% of the Minnesota student rate. Additional costs include books and living expenses.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for graduate and undergraduate students based upon need. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line and other forms as required for other forms of aid.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of graduate assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process.

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Bemidji State University Students

BSU is home to six residence halls and the Cedar Apartments, giving students a number of options for living accommodations. Student activities include a number of student clubs and organizations, as well as intramural sports, aerobics, fitness programs, a climbing wall, and an Outdoor Program Center.

Student life at Bemidji State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. Clubs and organizations include minority groups, political groups, academic groups, musical groups, arts groups, community volunteer groups, and other associations. The university has a radio station with student staff, and there are several student publications, including a weekly student newspaper. Student can participate in water aerobics, in fitness programs, or in intramural sports; a climbing wall is available as well.

Residential services include game rooms, computer labs, a weapons storage facility, and a room for cleaning wild game.

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Bemidji State University Local Community

The town of Bemidji has a population of approximately 12,000 and sits on the southwest shore of Lake Bemidji, the northernmost lake that feeds the Mississippi River. Historically, it was the first town on the Mississippi River, and is the home to Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. It is considered a progressive town, probably due to its link to the University. There are some strong presences from technology and artistic interests, though it maintains a small town atmosphere with a number of small shops and a laidback style.

Bemidji State University is located in Bemidji, Minnesota, which has a population of approximately 12,000. It is located in north-central Minnesota, on the shore of Lake Bemidji. Near-by attractions include outdoor recreation, statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox, a Scandinavian festival and other winter activities, a science center, a history center, and a playhouse.

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