Winona State was founded in 1858 for the purpose of educating teachers. The University has gone through four name changes, and adopted the current name of Winona State University in 1976. Winona State is not affiliated with the University of Minnesota. Notable alumni include congressmen John Blatnik and Tim Penny.
Winona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Its mission statement identifies the university’s mission as “to educate and enlighten our citizenry at a distinctive institution: a community of learners dedicated to improving our world.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.
Winona State University
Academics
Winona State offers more than 80 major programs of study and 10 pre-professional programs. In addition to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, Winona offers four Special Licensure Programs. The University includes five colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Science & Engineering, and Nursing & Health Sciences. The average class size at Winona State is 24, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1. Winona was one of the first institutions in the country to offer a laptop computer program wherein students can lease either a Macintosh or Gateway laptop directly from the institution, illustrating the University’s commitment to the latest instructional technology.
Winona State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 5 colleges: the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the College of Science and Engineering.
Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Study at the bachelor’s level can be done in such areas as history of art, allied health, chemistry, inter-cultural communication, cytotechnology, exercise science, finance, hydrogeology, statistics, therapeutic recreation, photojournalism, and dance. There are also pre-professional programs in engineering, law, mortuary science, and medical fields.
Master’s level programs are offered in English, counselor education, other fields of education, and nursing. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered in educational leadership, with concentrations in K-12 principal or in superintendent. There are advanced licensure programs in 7 areas, a post-master’s certificate in nursing, and a certificate in outdoor education/adventure based leadership.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Winona State University.
The Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program in the Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences field (ERCR) is an exercise physiology major. Primarily, students are prepared to care for individuals with heart problems by implementing exercise programs and reducing risk. Students are encouraged to obtain their certification from the American College of Sports Medicine after graduation. Students are required to participate in clinical practice experience in their junior year and a capstone internship after the coursework is completed.
The Medical Technology major offered by the Biology Department prepares students for work in clinics and laboratories as technicians or technologists.
Winona State University has a study abroad program, with opportunities in Australia, China, Japan, Spain, and South Korea. There are short term programs in Canada, England and Bangladesh for students in the human services.
The university has a required lap top program with a two year exchange cycle. Both Mac and PC platforms are available. The fee is $500.00 per semester.
Winona State University
Admissions
Applicants to Winona State must have completed a set of core preparatory courses prior to attending the University, including four years of English, three years each of Mathematics, Sciences, and Social Studies, two years of a World Language, and one year of specified electives. In addition to those curriculum requirements, applicants must also have an ACT score of 21 or better, or, if an applicant graduates in the top 50% of his or her high school graduating class, must have an ACT score of 18 or better. Applicants may submit their applications online via the Winona State website or via a paper application in the mail. Winona State is increasingly popular as a first-choice institution, meaning that admissions and enrollment capacities fill up more rapidly and the University attracts higher-caliber students. Ninety-five percent of entering freshmen in 2004 graduated in the top half of their class, and 60% were in the top quarter, demonstrating an average ACT score of 23. The top eighth of the freshman class scored an average 26 on the ACT. The recipients of Winona’s prestigious institutional scholarships scored 32 or more. Nearly every freshman, regardless of geographic location, participates in New Student Orientation, which includes one academic credit applied toward their degree program.
Winona State University accepts undergraduate applications until it meets its enrollment capacity; students who are applying shortly before a term may be wait-listed. The application fee is $20. Applications can be submitted on-line. Students who are enrolled in high school at the time of application will need to have their official final high school transcripts sent after graduation to the Admissions Office.
As part of their application, students should submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT test scores. Students should have completed high school courses as follows: 4 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 3 units of history and social studies, 3 units of science, 2 units of a foreign language (American Sign Language is accepted), and 1 year of electives. Students must generally meet the following minimum requirements: ACT score of 21 or higher, or ACT score of 18 and class rank in the top 50%. A decision is usually made within 10 days.
Transfer students and international students will have varying requirements depending upon their prior educational background.
Students applying to the graduate programs at Winona State University should consult the individual department and/or school to which they are applying. Applications can be submitted on-line, and the application fee is $20. General requirements include the GRE or other appropriate test scores (such as the GMAT) and a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of 2.5. The graduate application deadline varies with the program.
Financial Aid
According to Winona State, students must submit the FAFSA 14 days prior to the beginning for the term. Winona State uses satisfactory academic progress to determine which students are maintaining their eligibility for financial aid awards. This satisfactory academic progress is defined as a grade point average above 2.0, completion of at least 67% of credit hours attempted, and good standing status with the University on all financial matters. Students cannot exceed 192 credits attempted for a bachelor’s degree. Those students working toward a second bachelor’s degree are granted an additional 64 credit hours in which to complete their study.
Tuition and mandatory fees (including the laptop program) at Winona State University are $3,162.54 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Students from Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, or Nebraska are eligible for reduced out-of-state tuition.
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for eligible students on campus or at non-profit organizations. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Undergraduate students with children may be able to receive a grant to help defray child care expenses.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Winona State University 1302nd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Minnesota scholarships and financial aid
Student life at Winona State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious organizations, cultural organizations, political groups, and special interest groups such as the Chess Club, the Madrigal Singers, and Writer’s Bloc. There is a campus radio station, a newspaper, and other publications. Intramural athletics include aerobics, badminton, and weight training; there is also a ski club, a cricket club, and a water polo club.
Winona State is home to approximately 2,500 campus-based students who take advantage of the University’s seven different residence halls. The Winona Student Union is home to Student Activity offices, meeting spaces, eating and shopping, the bookstore, and the Student Answer Center. For students more interested in playing sports than watching them, Winona’s Student Activity department offers a number of intramural sports and recreational athletic facilities.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Winona State University?
The Winona State Warriors compete in the NCAA and in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Intercollegiate teams include women’s basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball; and men’s baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, and tennis. In the 2004-2005 year, Winona State won conference championships in women’s cross country, football, golf, soccer, men’s basketball, women’s indoor track, softball, women’s outdoor track, and women’s tennis. Due to that successful record, the Warriors were awarded the 2004-2005 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference All-Sports Award. The Winona State Warriors football team has been conference champions sixteen years in their history, including 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004.
Winona State University is an NCAA Division II School. Teams compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The gymnastics team competes in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Division III. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross county, football, golf, and tennis. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The sports teams are supported by a spirit squad, which includes a co-educational cheer squad and a dance team. The team nick-name is the Warriors.
Among the championships and awards that Winona State University has received are the Conference All-Sports Award for 2004-2005, a national championship appearance in gymnastics in 2005, regional conference tournament play in tennis, and various individual All-American and All-Academic awards.
Local Community
Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota, which has a population of approximately 27,000, and is on the banks of the Mississippi River. There is an annual Shakespeare Festival and “Steamboat Days” festival. It is an approximately 2 ½ hour drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Winona is a tightly knit community with access to great outdoor recreation and unique cultural experiences. Visitors and residents can attend the Great River Shakespeare Festival every summer, as well as the Winona County Fair, Huck Finn Days, and visit local river boats. The Winona Farmer’s Market offers locally grown produce and other goods fresh from vendor’s gardens at a reasonable price. Sitting between the great Mississippi River and the Minnesota bluffs, Winona is a beautiful and culturally rich retreat.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Winona, MN 55987-5838
Surrounding community
Distant town (between 10 to 35 mi. away from an urban cluster)
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