NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY serves more than 2200 students representing 36 states and 20 foreign countries. A challenging, multifaceted curriculum offers 38 majors, 42 minors, 6 associate, 8 preprofessional and 9 graduate degree areas. Courses are taught by 120 full-time, dedicated faculty, more than 85 percent of whom have the highest degree possible in their academic field. A student-faculty ratio of 19-to-1 ensures that students have access to their professors, and a student-to- computer ratio of 4.7-to-1 is one of the best access-to-technology ratios in the nation. 

Academic Degrees
Northern offers pre-professional and professional programs leading to the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of science in education and bachelor of music education degrees. The school also provides undergraduate and graduate professional programs in education for the preparation of teachers, guidance counselors and principals. These programs culminate in bachelor of science in education, master of science in education and master of arts in teaching degrees. Two-year-programs are provided in specialized areas; they lead to associate of arts and associate of science degrees. Northern offers the only international business program in South Dakota.

(More in the Academics section.)

Activities and Programs
More than a hundred clubs and activity groups help students pursue their talents and interests and develop their leadership skills. Northern State is home of the Wolves, who are affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association on the national level and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference on the regional level. Northern also boasts Marching Wolves, the only marching band in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Extracurricular activities include a wide variety of entertainment and cultural events weekly. Among student organizations there are social and professional groups, community service and religious groups, and student-run publications and campus government.

(More in the Athletics and Student Life sections.)

Origins and History
Northern Normal and Industrial School was established by the South Dakota Legislature in 1901 in response to the need for an institution of higher education to serve northern South Dakota. The original curriculum emphasized the industrial arts and teacher preparation, but as the school grew, the curriculum gradually evolved in other directions to fulfil the changing needs of the community. In 1964, the institution became Northern State College, the new name reflecting the school's expansion and diversification, and in 1989 the name was changed to Northern State University. For a fuller account of NSU's past and some historic photographs see A Brief History of NSU.