Housing & Residential Life

MSUM Moorhead Living Learning Communities

2010 MSUM Living Learning Communities Program!

Living Learning Communities provide an opportunity for incoming first year students to join a community supporting their academic success and transition to college life, as well as encouraging students to become involved in all that MSUM has to offer outside the classroom! Join one of our communities now!

How they work
Students participating in our Living Learning Communities program will take at least three of their fall semester classes together as well as live together on the same residence hall floor. This connection provides an opportunity to develop relationships with other students interested in the same academic program, further explore your academic major, and get to know faculty within your major.  Living Learning Communities are also designed to assist students in setting academic goals, developing positive study skills, and accessing outside of the classroom leadership opportunities. 

  • Enriching Friendships: Closer relationships with fellow first-year students by sharing classes and living spaces.
  • Strengthened Learning: Through shared in-class and out-of-classroom experiences with fellow first year students
  • Unique Connections: Connections to your faculty and integration of courses for a comprehensive learning experience.
  • Mentored Relationships: In addition to your Resident Assistant, another upperclassman-your Dragon Mentor-living on your floor to provide specific academic support programs and help you succeed.
  • Increased Success: Research shows that Living Learning Community students have higher GPAs, are more likely to return their sophomore year, and are more likely to get involved in University programs and leadership opportunities.


Living Learning Communities (LLCs) available for next fall are:

Art & Art Education Living Learning Community
This LLC is for students majoring in Art or Art education. This LLC is located in East Snarr Hall. 


Biosciences Living Learning Community
This LLC is for students interested in bioscience majors such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology. This LLC is located in East Snarr Hall.


Corrick Center Living Learning Community
This LLC is for students who have been admitted into the Corrick Center program. This LLC is located in South Snarr Hall.


Dragon Core Emerging Leadership Living Learning Community
This LLC is designed for student interested in a variety of majors here at MSUM. This LLC is structured around our general education curriculum, the Dragon Core. All students are required to complete the Dragon Core, as well as their major coursework, in order to graduate. This makes the Dragon Core Emerging Leadership LLC a great choice for students majoring in any program within the University. This LLC is located in Grantham Hall. 


Dragon Core Exploration Living Learning Community
This LLC is designed for students who have not yet decided on an academic major and are eager to explore a variety of majors that MSUM has to offer. This LLC is structured around our general education curriculum, the Dragon Core. All students are required to complete the Dragon Core, as well as their major coursework, in order to graduate. This makes the Dragon Core LLC a great choice for undeclared students. This LLC is located in Grantham Hall.

Education Living Learning Community
This LLC is specifically for students majoring in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and/or Special Education. This LLC is located in East Snarr Hall.

Film and Theatre Living Learning Community
This LLC is designed for students interested in either majoring in Film or Theatre. This LLC is located in East Snarr Hall.  

Gikendaaso Living Learning Community
This LLC is designed for Native American students. This LLC is structured around our general education curriculum, the Dragon Core. All students are required to complete the Dragon Core, as well as their major coursework, in order to graduate. This makes the Dragon Core Emerging Leadership LLC a great choice for students majoring in any program within the University.  This LLC is located in West Snarr Hall.

Honors Living Learning Community
This LLC is designed for students who have been accepted into the University Honors Program. This LLC is located in West Snarr Hall.

STEM Living Learning Community
This LLC is designed for students majoring in Computer Sciences, Pre-Engineering, Physics and Math. This LLC is located in South Snarr Hall. 


What you need to do to join a Living Learning Community



After you have completed the above steps, you are ready to be assigned a space in our Living Learning Communities!

What’s next?
When you come for your Dragon Registration Day, you will be pre-registered for your LLC and will need to register for additional classes in order to maintain full time status at MSUM. Our goal is to have you registered for at least 12 credit hours for fall semester. We look forward to helping you create a schedule that puts you on track for graduation from MSUM!

Living Learning Community FAQs

Can I sign up for a Living Learning Community before I make a housing reservation?
You will not be accepted into a LLC until you complete your housing reservation and sign up for a Dragon Day. You can complete your housing reservation online at http://www.mnstate.edu/housing and sign up for your Dragon Day at http://www.mnstate.edu/admissions/dragondays.cfm


If I’m in a Living Learning Community, do I have to live in the Residence Halls on that floor?
All first year Learning Communities are “residential”, meaning that students are required to live in the Residence Halls on the assigned floor with the Learning Community.

Does it cost extra to be in a Living Learning Community?
There is no additional fee to participate in a Living Learning Community for the 2010-2011 academic year. Living Learning Community students pay the same pre-payment and fees associated with living in the residence halls.

What if I already took a course that’s a part of the Living Learning Community I’m interested in? Can I still be a part of it?
If you have college level credit (through PSEO, AP/IB/CLEP, College in the Schools, etc) for a course that is offered through a Learning Community, you are welcome to still participate. You just have to let the Orientation and Transition office knows and you won’t be enrolled in that class.

What if I change my mind about my major?
If you choose to change your major after the first semester, that is alright with us. MSUM has many services here to help you explore and select the major that is best for you!

What happens spring semester?
Although you will continue to live in the same place with your fall semester Living Learning Community members, you will not be co-enrolled for spring semester courses.  This means that you will go through the typical registration process for spring semester classes with your academic advisor.

Still have questions or to sign up?
Please feel free to contact the Orientation and Transition office locally at 218-477-2777 or toll free at 800-593-7246, and then select option 3, then 1.