The mission of the College of Graduate Studies and Research is to promote, support, and advance an inclusive community of scholars and learners who participate in high quality graduate programs. The College's functional units work with faculty and staff from across the university to create the highest quality academic programs and foster innovative efforts in the areas of discovery, creativity, and scholarship. The College is committed to serving students through responsive, student-centered support programs and advocating for excellence in all graduate degree and certificate programs. To this end the College will be responsive and inventive in developing policies, procedures, and activities that support graduate education and research at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
In our one hundred and thirty-nine years as an institution of higher education, there has never been a more exciting time for graduate education at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The advent of doctoral programs–and, with them, the transformation to an entirely new caliber of institution–will bring Minnesota State Mankato one step closer to realizing its destiny as a world-class university. At the same time, the applied focus of our initial doctoral programs will strengthen our role as an active participant in solving the problems facing our local and regional communities.
As we continue to build on our foundation of quality and prepare to realize our promise as a doctoral institution, our goal is to make Minnesota State Mankato a leading provider of graduate education, both regionally and nationally. The addition of doctoral programs will enhance our position as a leader in graduate education and augment our current array of quality graduate programs, many of which enjoy national and international reputations. Alumni from our graduate programs regularly receive state and national acclaim as teachers, professionals, scholars and artists.
The mission of the College of Graduate Studies and Research is to promote, support and advance an inclusive community of scholars and learners who participate in our high quality graduate programs. Each of the four units in the College–Graduate Studies, the McNair Achievement Program, Research and Sponsored Programs, and the Center for Excellence in Scholarship and Research–plays an integral role in achieving this mission. The College also contributes to the learning and development of undergraduate students by hosting the Undergraduate Research Conference. Both the Undergraduate Research Conference and the McNair Achievement Program represent investments in the future of graduate education by providing talented undergraduates with resources, mentoring and opportunities for discovery and innovation.
In addition to advancing the quality of graduate education, the College is integral to the attainment of another key institutional priority: enhancing the scholarly and creative accomplishments of Minnesota State Mankato faculty and students. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs assists members of the campus community in obtaining external funding for their scholarship. Services include the identification of appropriate potential sponsors, interpretation of proposal guidelines, assistance in proposal development, facilitation of the campus approval process and assistance with the submission process. The Center for Excellence in Scholarship and Research provides support for faculty scholarship by developing and nurturing communities of scholars, promoting and supporting faculty scholarship and publication, providing faculty with assistance in research design and data analysis, developing and promoting forums for faculty and students to showcase scholarly work, and providing recognition for the scholarly accomplishments of faculty and students. Finally, the Office of Graduate Studies provides financial support for thesis research projects and funds travel to present the results of student research.
Together, the various units within the College embody the mutually reinforcing relationship between graduate education and research. They also provide clear evidence of the University's commitment to creating a community in which meaningful scholarship flourishes as our faculty and students combine knowledge with the passion to achieve great things.
Anne E. Blackhurst
Dean
Graduate Studies and Research
With nearly 100% of graduate students being placed in jobs within their field or pursuing other educational opportunities, Minnesota State Mankato graduate students have an edge. Whatever your professional or personal goals, obtaining your degree from a program that is nationally and internationally recognized will help you achieve your aspirations.
Our faculty are nominated and selected by their peers to teach graduate level courses. Our more than 50 graduate programs are accredited by regional and national accrediting agencies.
Approximately one quarter of our 1,700 graduate students are awarded graduate assistantships, which often cover the full cost of attending graduate school. Our tuition rates make us one of the best educational values in the country.
At Minnesota State Mankato, students conduct their own research while working closely with faculty in research centers that rival those at doctoral research institutions.
Located in a picturesque river valley, Mankato (approximately 50,000 residents) offers students a safe, vibrant community and easy access to all that a major metropolitan area has to offer.
