The Minnesota State System was created in 1991 by the Minnesota legislature. The then-existing organizations—Minnesota State University System, Community College System, and Technical College System were combined into a single system. A Central Office was formed in 1997 and the higher education institutions within the system began to operate through centralized direction. Minnesota State consists of 26 colleges and 7 universities with 54 campuses throughout the state.

The Central Office includes a number of System Office Divisions and Offices:

• Academic and Student Affairs works with system institutions to identify and meet shared priorities to better serve their students and communities.
• Chancellor’s Office
• Equity and Inclusion provides faculty, staff, and students with a wide range of information and resources that support, protect, and encourage inclusive opportunity throughout the system.
• Finance is comprised of five major units providing oversight of all issues related to the financial stability and management of the system's colleges, universities, and the system office.
• Facilities
• Financial Planning and Analysis
• Financial Reporting
• Procurement
• Tax
• General Counsel provides legal advice, services, and training to the system.
• Government Relations tracks legislation, advocates on behalf of the system, and assists Minnesota State entities with political and legislative guidance.
• Human Resources supports the workforce needs of the Minnesota State system.
• Campus HR Resources
• System office employee HR resources
• Information Technology Services provides technological support for achieving success in learning enterprises, plus the full spectrum of system and campus technology needs.
• Internal Auditing provides independent and objective assurance and consulting services designed to add value and improve the Minnesota State system.
• Marketing and Communications is charged with increasing awareness and understanding of Minnesota State.
• Workforce and Economic Development works in partnership with industry, government and education partners to develop the diverse, multi-talented, learning-agile workforce needed to grow Minnesota's economy now and in the future

Examples of Innovations in Accelerating Student Progress Toward Degrees

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)—Academic credit can be awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. Advisors and many faculty play a role in helping students recognize and identify learning that might have potential for college-level assessment. While Minnesota State colleges and universities may have different guidelines and processes for granting credit for PLA, common approaches include:

• standardized CLEP examinations
• military training or service
• Advanced Placement exams
• International Baccalaureate diplomas
• college course credit by examinations
• individualized assessments
• portfolio reviews
• competence demonstrations

Veterans Education Transfer System (VETS) shows how many academic credits an individual can receive for military occupations prior to admissions.

Concurrent (Dual) Enrollment—Students can complete college courses at their high school while fulfilling high school course requirements at the same time. To be eligible for either of the following programs, high school juniors must be in the upper one-third of their class or earn a score at or above the 70th percentile on a test such as the ACT or SAT. Seniors must be in the upper one-half of their class or earn a score at or above the 50th percentile on a test such as the ACT or SAT. Students who do not meet these requirements may be eligible if they meet other college readiness standards determined by the college or university. Students in 9th or 10th grade may be eligible to take PSEO or concurrent enrollment courses if they rank in the upper one-tenth of their class or attain a score at or above the 90th percentile on a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test, or if they have a favorable recommendation from designated high school officials. All high school students enrolling in PSEO or concurrent enrollment, regardless of grade level, must meet all college course prerequisites.

• Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) — College courses offered to high school students. Courses are taught by college or university faculty and allow students to earn both high school and college credit for successfully completing the course.
• Technical Course Options— Students in 10th grade may take one technical college-level course taught on a college campus. Students must be enrolled in a public school and meet requirements for reading proficiency and other assessments related to the course they wish to enroll.

Resources

Career Planning Information: Adult Learners; International Students; LGBTQIA+ Students; Military Connected; People Impacted by the Justice System

Interactive Map of Campuses/Programs: https://www.minnstate.edu/campusesprograms/index.html

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Veterans Education Transfer System (VETS)

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)