Starting Aug. 25, Twin Cities residents need travel no farther than Edina to complete Minnesota State University, Mankato bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
That’s when Minnesota State Mankato opens its new 7700 France site, becoming the only state university to offer full programs in multiple disciplines in the suburban Twin Cities.
Students at 7700 France initially will be able to get Minnesota State Mankato undergraduate degrees in speech communication, creative writing, elementary education, special education and secondary education (mathematics), and graduate degrees in public administration, corrections, human services administration, special education and community health.
In addition, Minnesota State Mankato at 7700 France will offer American Sign Language as an undergraduate course, and nursing and teaching and learning as graduate courses. In future years officials plan to add an MBA program, adult degree-completion programs and other courses.
The classes, intended to fit the busy schedules of working professionals, will be offered primarily in the afternoon and evening. Though the classes are for nontraditional students, full university support and services will be available.
The 7700 France site will provide 10-12 classrooms, meeting rooms, office spaces, common spaces for breakout sessions and study groups, an arboretum-style cafeteria, wireless Internet access and plentiful free parking. The site also is on a Metro Transit bus route, is five minutes from Normandale Community College, and offers quick access to and from I-494.
“This new site makes it much more convenient for Twin Cities residents to get degrees from one of Minnesota’s finest state universities,” said Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport. “We look forward to the start of classes this fall in Edina. This will be just the beginning of a bright future for Minnesota State Mankato in the Twin Cities as we expand our baccalaureate and graduate degree offerings at 7700 France.”
“We are grateful to Mayor James Hovland and other officials of the city of Edina for their cooperation as we embark on this exciting new initiative,” Davenport added.
Officials in Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Extended Learning have worked for more than a year to finalize leases, classroom equipment, faculty, staff and other resources for the site.
“We know that many of our students will be working professionals, so we’ll offer classes at convenient times – in the evening and on Saturdays,” said Patricia Lipetzky, dean of Extended Learning at Minnesota State Mankato. “7700 France, just two blocks north of 494, is one of the most easily accessed sites in the southwest Twin Cities. It has ample free parking; it’s close to restaurants, office buildings and malls; and it’s on a major bus route.”
Another advantage is 7700 France’s close proximity to Normandale Community College. More Minnesota State Mankato transfer students come from Normandale than from any other two-year institution, and two of the 7700 France programs – undergraduate special education and secondary education (math) – will be in conjunction with Normandale.
“The 7700 France site in Edina will enhance the Normandale degree by providing our graduates with upper-level courses that are only five minutes from our campus,” said Joe Opatz, president of Normandale. “Many of our students seek to convert their Associate’s Degrees into bachelor’s degrees, and our reciprocity agreement with Minnesota State Mankato lets them do that seamlessly.”
Classes at 7700 France will be taught by Minnesota State Mankato faculty from the colleges of Education, Social & Behavioral Sciences and Arts & Humanities, and the School of Nursing.
Students will be able to take all courses necessary for baccalaureate degree majors in communications, creative writing and elementary education, and for master’s degrees in public administration, corrections, human services, special education and community health.
Participants in the 7700 France programs will be full-fledged Minnesota State Mankato students, with complete access to the university’s online library, email and other services, and access to programs and services offered at the Mankato campus.
Those who want more information about Minnesota State Mankato’s 7700 France programs may call 1-800-722-0544, Ext. 9, or go to http://www.mnsu.edu/7700france/. Registration information also is available at the Web site.
Minnesota State Mankato, founded in 1868, has 14,500 students, 1,700 faculty and staff and more than 106,000 alumni. The university’s six academic colleges offer 160 undergraduate and 80 graduate programs of study, including doctoral degrees in nursing and education.
Minnesota State Mankato is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which comprises 32 state universities, community colleges, technical colleges and combined community and technical colleges located on 53 campuses across the state.
Email this article | Permanent link | Topstories news | Topstories news archives
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
