Minot State signs multiple MOUs in 2025-26

MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University's commitment to offer high-quality education where, when, and how it is needed to a diverse, multi-generational student population is evident in the University signing seven Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) in 2025-26.

The list included MOUs signed covering multiple academic disciplines and four with the MSU Department of Nursing offering guaranteed admission.

"Minot State takes seriously our role within the North Dakota University System to continue identifying new partnerships with other campuses," said Steven Shirley, Minot State president. "These articulations and enhanced cooperative efforts help ensure opportunities for students to complete degree programs in a range of academic areas. I appreciate the work our faculty and staff dedicate to these initiatives as we expand such relationships while benefiting current and future MSU students."

The most recent MOU was announced on April 20 between Minot State and Williston State. The strategic partnership will help address shortages in the region by extending course and program offerings to students who may not otherwise have access to them. The focus is to offer MSU's Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Corporate Fitness and Wellness Management, and Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation degree programs through in-person, synchronous online, or asynchronous online delivery.

Students seeking to earn psychology, addiction studies, or social work can remain in Williston to complete their degree programs. Students seeking to earn corporate fitness and wellness management or exercise science and rehabilitation will need to complete the final two years of the program in person at Minot State.

In March, Minot State collaborated with Bismarck State College to offer a dual degree program: BSC's Bachelor of Applied Science degree with a major in foundations of teaching paired with MSU's Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in special education or early childhood education.

"We are excited to partner with other institutions to provide additional opportunities for students," said Laurie Geller, MSU's vice president of academic affairs. "By building intentional partnerships with institutions across the region, MSU is expanding access to high-quality academic programs while responding directly to workforce and community needs."

Heading into the 2025-26 academic year, Minot State and Briercrest College and Seminary in Saskatchewan formed a partnership with the development of concurrent programs for students that will lead to degrees awarded by both MSU and BC. The 3+2 program structure in MSU's Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders pairs with Briercrest's Bachelor of Arts Psychology, with the final two years at Minot State.

Minot State's Department of Nursing has multiple MOUs to expand educational opportunities for nurses, bolstering their RN with MSU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. MSU signed agreements guaranteeing qualified two-year degree holders a clear and secure path to continued education through early admission, a seamless transition, easy credit transfer, and access to scholarship opportunities.

The four new agreements are with North Dakota State College of Science, Bismarck State College, and Williston State College, along with Northland Community Technical College in Minnesota. These are in addition to previous guaranteed admission agreements with Dakota College at Bottineau and Lake Region State.

In all, Minot State has over 50 articulation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and memoranda of agreements with 23 colleges, universities, and organizations in five countries, along with four degree offerings with the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) as part of the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC). For a list of offerings, see the Minot State Articulation Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding/Agreement website.