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The University of Minnesota (U of M) is a public research institution and Minnesota’s flagship land grant university. U of M’s main campus is located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, with additional campuses scattered throughout Minnesota in Crookston, Morris, Duluth, and Rochester. Established in 1851, U of M’s mission is to change lives through research, education, and outreach. Ranked among the Best Educational Employers in the nation by Forbes, U of M’s faculty includes members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine, as well as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, among other bodies. Current and former faculty members have won the Guggenheim Fellowships, MacArther Fellowships, and Nobel Prizes, as well as other significant honors. Notable alumni include former Vice President Walter Mondale, Norman Borlaug (Nobel Peace Prize-winning agronomist), and Super Bowl championship coach Tony Dungy.
Academic Programs
Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the University of Minnesota offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university is made up of several colleges and schools, including the Carlson School of Management; College of Liberal Arts; College of Science and Engineering; College of Food Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; College of Education and Human Development; College of Design; College of Continuing Education; Graduate School; School of Public Health; College of Veterinary Medicine; Medical School; School of Nursing; College of Pharmacy; the Humphrey School of Public Affairs; Law School; and the College of Biological Sciences.With study options ranging from liberal arts to science and engineering programs, U of M prides itself on cultivating an environment that ”prepare[s] students to be leaders, innovators, and global citizens” through its classrooms, research opportunities, and community engagement experiences. Opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate research projects abound, including summer research projects, partnerships with professors, and involvement in the community through service learning, volunteering, and leadership opportunities. U of M also boasts one of the highest percentages of students who study abroad with over 2,500 students participating in international learning each year.
Student Life
The University of Minnesota is made up of over 50,000 students, nearly 35,000 of which are undergraduate students. U of M’s student body also boasts approximately 7,000 international students, hailing from more than 130 foreign nations. The vast majority of first-year students choose to live on campus and the U of M offers a variety of student housing options. U of M is home to an active Fraternity and Sorority community and more than 800 student groups exist on campus, ranging from the Alpine Ski Team and the Black Student Union, to the Bass Fishing Team and the Capoeira Club.The U of M campus features several facilities and museums including Northrop, the Weisman Art Museum, the Bell Museum of Natural History, the Goldstein Museum of Design and the West Banks Arts Quarter. The Twin Cities campus also includes 10,000 trees, miles of bike paths with the Mississippi National River and Recreation area located in the heart of the campus and state-of-the-art recreation and wellness centers. An NCAA Division I-A School, U of M is a member of the Big Ten Conference.