Learning Communities for 2012-2013

MSU Moorhead’s nine Learning Communities provide an outstanding way to increase your academic success. In fact, research shows that students who join Learning Communities attain higher GPAs, are more likely to earn a college degree and get more heavily involved in university programs and leadership opportunities.

Other benefits of joining a Learning Community at MSU Moorhead include:

• A close connection to faculty. Benefit from unique opportunities to interact with, learn from and even perform research alongside dedicated faculty members—a rarity for freshmen students.
• Expert guidance and mentoring. Enjoy exclusive access to a dedicated Dragon Mentor, an upperclass-student who shares your major, lives on your floor and can answer questions, provide advice, set up study groups and ensure you have the resources you need to succeed.
• Priority access to classes. Receive priority when registering for your Learning Community classes, which can help you get into classes you wouldn’t normally be able to take as a freshman.
• Hands-on learning. Take advantage of shared in-class and out-of-classroom experiences with fellow first-year students to develop your knowledge and hone your skills.
• Strengthened friendships. Develop close and beneficial relationships with fellow first-year students by sharing classes, study activities and living spaces.

Available Learning Communities at MSU Moorhead

We offer nine Learning Communities. Most require you to have declared a major that is consistent with the focus of the Learning Community.

• Art & Art Education Learning Community. If you’re an Art & Art Education major, join this community to strengthen your skills as an artist, build critical artwork analysis skills and learn from our dedicated, award-winning faculty.
• Biosciences Learning Community. Exclusively for students majoring in Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biotechnology, this community provides opportunities to participate in hands-on labs with fellow students and faculty and develop a solid foundation to succeed in a science- or health-related career.
• Diversity and Inclusion Learning Community. Open to students of any major, this community is ideal for students who have an interest in understanding the problems, issues, benefits and contributions of human diversity and social justice.
• Education Learning Community. As a student majoring in Early Childhood, Elementary or Special Education, join this community to take classes and share experiences with others who share your passion for education.
• Exploration Learning Community. Struggling to choose a major? This community helps Undeclared students like you discover your strengths and passions and choose the major that best fits your talents.
• Film & Theatre Learning Community. If you’re a Film & Theatre major, join this community to work together on challenging classroom projects and hone your skills under the guidance of our award-winning faculty.
• Honors Learning Community. Exclusively for students admitted to the University Honors program, this community helps foster learning, leadership and service, while challenging you to perform at the highest level.
• Leadership. Open to students of any major, this community provides a unique opportunity for you to explore various elements of leadership and ultimately discover your own personal leadership style.
• Technology Learning Community. Exclusively for students majoring in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems and Computer Information Technology, this community provides outstanding preparation for careers in these fields.

The deadline for applying for a Learning Community for the 2012-2013 academic year is April 1, 2012. You can sign up for one on your Housing and Residential Life contract. For more information, please contact First Year Programs at 218-477-2601 or julia.roland@mnstate.edu.