Minnesota State University Mankato

Minnesota State University Mankato first opened in 1868 as the Mankato Normal School with an inaugural class of 27. In 1872, it became the United States' first public college headed by a woman.

MNSU's rich history as Minnesota's second oldest public, four-year institution has produced over 115,000 alumni. Each year, more than 17,900 students enroll on its 303-acre campus overlooking the Blue Earth River just 75 miles south of the Twin Cities. Endowed for $50 million, MSU-Mankato is ranked the 225th top public school nationally by Forbes.

The U.S. News honored MNSU as the Midwest's 75th best college, 21st best public university, and 58th best school for veterans.

Minnesota State University Mankato Accreditation Details

Reaffirmed in 2016, Minnesota State University Mankato is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS). This 10-year accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Other discipline-specific approvals include:

• Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Minnesota State University Mankato Application Requirements

Admissions review at Minnesota State University Mankato is competitive with an acceptance rate of 66 percent. First-year applicants must be graduates of accredited high schools or hold GED certificates. College preparation standards require four years of English and three years of science. Guaranteed admission to MNSU is extended for students ranking in the top 50 percent of their class. Freshmen should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and/or composite ACT score above 21. Transfer students with 24+ college credits from accredited colleges need to have a 2.0 GPA.

Degree-seeking graduates will need an accredited four-year bachelor's before studying psychology or counseling. Those educated outside the United States may need to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 61 or IELTS score of 5.5. Academic major isn't pre-determined, but curriculum prerequisites like introductory psychology, statistics, and abnormal psychology must be fulfilled. Admission committees expect transcripts to present a minimum 3.0 GPA. Taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is typically mandated if GPA is below 2.75.

The Admissions Office at Minnesota State University Mankato has final deadlines of August 10th and December 23rd. Interested students should submit the online application with:

• Payment for the one-time $20 fee
• Official academic transcripts
• College entrance exam scores
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Personal statement of purpose
• At least letters of reference

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduates from Minnesota are charged $3,452 per semester. Non-resident undergrad learners enrolled full-time pay $7,324 each term. Part-time undergraduates are billed $271 (in-state) and $584 (out-of-state) per credit. Mandatory student fees equal $477. Standard room and board is estimated to add $2,725 and $1,412 respectively each semester. Total annual cost of attendance is $19,106 (in-state) and $26,850 (out-of-state). Master's students will pay $420 per credit regardless of state residence. Doctoral programs are slightly more expensive at $592 per credit.

The NCES reports that 86 percent of Mankato students earn assistance. On average, financial aid packages gift $4,844. Institutional awards like the Alliss Scholarship, Dempsey Scholarship, Meredith Scholar Award, and Transfer Student Maverick Scholarship are abundant. Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans are limited to $20,500 per year. Free gift aid is available with the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. In-state residents may earn the Minnesota State Grant or Minnesota Academic Excellence Scholarship. Child care assistance is offered for $2,800 per eligible dependent annually. Federal Work-Study (FWS) can provide part-time employment for 10-20 hours. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides military service benefits.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

Housed in Armstrong Hall, the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences allows MNSU students to choose from seven psychology and counseling degrees. Doctoral faculty teach 99 percent of courses, rather than teaching assistants. Each major requires fulfilling a Diverse Cultures requirement, which could include studying abroad to Ghana or Germany. Available degrees are:

B.A./B.S. in Psychology

Undergraduates in the B.A./B.S. in Psychology program begin learning the experimentation techniques used for the scientific study of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Students with at least 32 credits can be admitted to the 40-credit major. Outside the classroom, opportunities include joining the Psychology Club, presenting at the Owatonna Conference, participating in MNSU Community Engagement, and pledging Psi Chi.

M.A. in Clinical Psychology

Following a "Junior Colleague" training model, the M.A. in Clinical Psychology program equips MNSU students with the therapeutic skills required to facilitate behavioral change. Most utilize the two-year, full-time program as a stepping stone into doctoral study. Consisting of 50 credits, the applied curriculum requires thesis research and 300 hours of practicum at placements like the Munroe-Meyer Rehabilitation Institute.

M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

MNSU Mankato's M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology degree takes a scientist-practitioner approach to instill knowledge on factors affecting employee performance and workplace culture. The 44-credit program includes real-world consulting projects through the Organizational Effectiveness Research Group (OERG). While becoming SIOP members, students also complete a three-month internship and capstone thesis.

M.S. in Mental Health Counseling

Satisfying LPCC and LMFT licensing qualifications, the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling gives Mankato graduates the clinical foundation for treating maladaptive behaviors in individuals across the lifespan. The 60-credit curriculum includes diverse courses like play therapy, group counseling, career development, crisis intervention, and intellectual assessment. Along with two semesters of internship, students work in the CSP Counseling Clinical Laboratory.

M.S. in Professional School Counseling

The CACREP-accredited M.S. in Professional School Counseling program produces Minnesota licensed K-12 school counselors to serve as behavior specialists for children, teachers, and parents. The 50-credit curriculum can be completed full-time or part-time at the Mankato and Edina locations before the capstone internship placement. The program has produced five MSCA "Future School Counselor of the Year" recipients.

Ed.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision

Small cohorts are admitted into MNSU's Ed.D. in Counselor & Supervision program to promote advancement opportunities in higher education and clinical practice leadership. Aligned with CACREP standards, the 108-credit curriculum builds practice and research expertise by integrating field practicum with laboratory seminars and the dissertation. Full-time graduate assistantships can minimize the tuition paid.

Psy.D. in School Psychology

Fully approved by the NASP, the Psy.D. in School Psychology program contains 106 credits to prepare doctoral candidates for designing interventions that improve outcomes in multicultural K-12 school environments. Over five years full-time, the rigorous training fulfills certification requirements with four practica, dissertation research, and a year-long internship. Minnesota State University Mankato also has an on-site Assessment Clinic for learning disabled youth.

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