School Details
Minnesota State Community and Technical College (“M State”) is a two-year public institution of higher education, located in the city of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Students can enroll in courses at M State’s campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena. The Fergus Falls campus has a liberal arts focus, and about 75 percent of its students transfer to four-year colleges and universities after they attend M State.
M State offers associate’s degree and certificate programs. Many students at M State choose to complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree by earning a University Transfer degree at any of the or online through eCampus. M State’s eCampus offers many programs and majors that can be completed entirely online. M State also offers zero textbook cost degrees for students.
Accreditation & Licensing
Minnesota State Community and Technical College is accredited by:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
This online AAS in Individualized Studies from M State is intended for students who do not plan on acquiring their bachelor’s degree. You’ll tailor your coursework to a specific career path, while updating your skillset. Coursework can pull from any number of areas, as you build your knowledge in your own area of interest.
M State offers a transfer pathway to a bachelor’s degree with its online AA in History. You’ll take general education credits and introductory history classes to prepare you for higher level electives upon transfer to one of seven Minnesota colleges or universities. You’ll gain a broad understanding of the events, people and their diversity, through the past. History coursework includes:
- American History
- Western Civilization
M State’s online AA in Liberal Arts & Sciences is ideal for you to acquire your base education before transferring to a 4-year institution to complete your bachelor’s degree. Your curriculum focuses on general requirements of Minnesota universities and colleges. You can also choose to take relevant electives if you have a specific intended major.
M State offers a transfer pathway to a bachelor’s degree with this online AA in Political Science. You’ll take general education credits and introductory political science classes to prepare you for higher level electives upon transfer to one of seven Minnesota colleges or universities. You’ll gain a broad understanding of the events, people and policies of government. Specialized coursework includes:
- Global Politics
- Comparative Government
- State & Local Government
Business
The online Accounting Clerk Diploma program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform routine calculating, journalizing, posting, and verifying duties to maintain accounting records and to prepare payroll reports and individual state and federal tax returns. Graduates are prepared to:
- Utilize both manual and computerized accounting concepts and applications
- Apply accounting theory to service and merchandising organizations
- Prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
- Prepare payroll records and reports in compliance with state and federal requirements
- Apply the Internal Revenue Code as it relates to individual income taxes
The online Administrative Assistant Certificate program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College prepares students for entry-level administrative support positions in a variety of fields. Students choose one of the following focus areas based upon their personal interests and professional goals:
- Legal
- Human Resources
- Finance
The online Administrative Support Diploma program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College prepares students to perform a wide range of office tasks for a variety of entry-level positions in the business office setting. Graduates possess skills in:
- Communication
- Software Applications
- Office Procedures
- Bookkeeping
- Filing
- Document Processing
The online Accounting AAS degree program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College introduces students to computerized accounting concepts and provides them with the knowledge and skills needed to examine, analyze, interpret, and correct accounting data. Graduates are equipped to prepare:
- Financial Statements
- Budgets
- Forecast Accounting Reports
- Payroll Reports
- Individual State & Federal Income Tax Returns
The online Business Management, Marketing & Sales AAS degree program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College provides students with a broad background designed to prepare them for careers in the sales, marketing, and management fields. The curriculum emphasizes the development of skills in management decision making, communication, problem solving, and technology, including instruction areas such as:
- Sales
- Marketing
- Research
- Customer Service
- Small Business Planning
The online Human Resources AAS degree program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College prepares students to provide support to companies and individual employees in the field of human resources. Typical career duties include:
- Communication with employees
- Employee data record-keeping
- Policies and administration
- Employer and labor relations
- Employee recruitment, selection and employment
- Training and development
- Wage, salary and benefit administration
The online Accounting AS degree program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College is designed for both the student who wants to enter the workforce immediately after graduation and the student who plans to transfer to a four-year institution. The curriculum offers a balance of general education courses as well as courses specific to an accounting career, such as:
- Financial & Managerial Accounting
- Computerized Accounting Applications
- Principles of Marketing
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
The online AS in Business degree program is designed for both students who intend to enter the workforce immediately after graduation and for those who plan to continue their education at a four-year institution. The curriculum provides a foundation in general education courses as well as courses focusing on contemporary business practices, such as:
- Management
- Marketing
- Economics
- Accounting
- Technology
- Communication
The online Human Resources AS degree program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College is specifically designed for students hoping to transfer to a four-year institution for continued studies. In addition to providing a solid foundation in general education courses, the curriculum prepares students for typical human resources duties such as:
- Communication with employees
- Employee data record keeping
- Policies and administration
- Employer and labor relations
- Employee recruitment, selection and employment
- Training and development
- Wage, salary and benefit administration
The online Business Management, Marketing & Sales Diploma program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College prepares students for careers in marketing, merchandising, selling, retailing, and service businesses. Courses cover topics in:
- Computer Technology
- Selling Strategies
- Customer Service
- Telemarketing
- Retailing & Marketing Concepts
The online Payroll Specialist Diploma program from Minnesota State Community and Technical College provides students with the training to perform routine calculating, journalizing, posting, and verifying duties to maintain accounting records and to prepare payroll reports and returns and employee records. Graduates are prepared to:
- Apply accounting theory to service and merchandising organizations
- Prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
- Analyze and solve human resource-related problems and situations
- Use technology effectively
- Use a variety of software programs including integrated accounting software
- Apply federal, state, and local employment regulations and reporting and record-keeping requirements to payroll and HR functions
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrate ethical policies and procedures related to the payroll specialist responsibilities
Computer Science & IT
Whether it is app development, databases, systems or communications, this online AAS in Computer Programming can give you the skills to succeed. At Minnesota State Community & Technical College, you study languages, design, flow and processing. Classes where you’ll master at least one operating system, include:
- Database Integration
- Java Programming
- RPG Programming
An online AAS in IT from Minnesota State Community & Technical College can give you a foundation to work in almost any industry. You’ll gain specialized knowledge in networking, database and web technologies, alongside your general education. The information you learn can help you become a problem-solver for businesses and people. IT coursework may include:
- Microcomputer Maintenance
- CISCO 1
- Network Security
This online AAS specializes in Database Administration as a 2-year IT degree. You can become an in-demand professional that helps businesses manage their massive amount of data. At Minnesota State Community & Technical College, your education blends general coursework with specialized technical classes which would enable you to work in nearly any industry. Sample courses are:
- Linux II
- Database Report Generation
- Enterprise Network Technologies
Gain this professional certification in Cisco Networking from Minnesota State Community & Technical college. You’ll learn to install, maintain, and troubleshoot networks that keep people productive. You’ll be prepared to sit the industry-standard certification exams for CCNA and CompTIA++ upon completion of the curriculum.
Learn to design and upload content for internet users with this online Certificate in Web Design. At Minnesota State Community & Technical College, you’ll gain hands-on experience while accumulating knowledge to boost your current position, or to branch out in a new area. Curriculum covers facets of:
- Hardware
- Software
- Marketing
- Communications
Education
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate from M State can benefit entry-level workers, those caring for individuals with autism, and students interested in learning about ASD. This online special education certification gives students basic knowledge to understand the characteristics associated with autism.
Classes focus on current research and theories related to the communication and developmental needs of those with autism, as well as behavior and intervention strategies. Students will learn about diagnostic criteria, family-centered approaches to assessment and intervention, evidence-based research, technology benefiting those with disabilities, and the principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis.
Healthcare
The online AAS in Health Information Technology/Coding trains students to become important members of healthcare teams, preparing them to secure, analyze, integrate, and manage health information for patient care. Courses also teach students about planning, marketing, reimbursement, research, legal areas, verifying health information data and sources, using various coding systems, quality management, statistics, and reviewing external agencies. Students also learn to enforce patient confidentiality, maintain filing and retrieval systems, use departmental policies and procedures, show professionalism, and about the importance of the AHIMA Code of Ethics.
The online Medical Administrative Assistant associate’s program teaches students about the administrative duties involved in various medical facilities including private practices, hospitals, and clinics. Learn skills and knowledge needed in this expanded secretarial role such as medical office functions, communication, and other professional skills that allow students to offer excellent patient services and make sound decisions regarding patient outcomes. Students learn to understand and use the language of medicine, use technology for healthcare applications, manage and prepare health records, perform diagnosis and procedure coding, and understand bookkeeping, insurance, and telephone procedures while exhibiting ethical behavior within the healthcare setting.
The online Medical Coding and Insurance Diploma program teaches students the various procedures within the medical services billing area, so students learn about the various billing processes such as patient account management, diagnosis and procedure coding, and insurance claim completion and processing. The curriculum educates students on the claims processes of many insurance programs and plans including Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, profit and non-profit third-party payers, and disability coverage, and teaches nationally recognized coding systems to classify procedures and diagnoses related to treatment. Students will be able to understand and use the language of medicine, use technology for healthcare applications, interpret health records, perform diagnosis and procedure coding, perform bookkeeping and insurance procedures, and exhibit ethical behavior.
The online Medical Office Assistant Diploma program teaches students to become trained office specialists in order to work in medical offices, preparing them to be part of the coordination of medical office functions and to cover a variety of duties including patient scheduling, telephone assistance, record maintenance, medical transcription, and patient billing processes. Courses prepare students with excellent communication, organization, and critical thinking skills and to exemplify a high degree of professionalism and ethics. Students also learn how to use computers and other forms of technology for health care needs, manage and prepare health records, conduct diagnosis and procedure coding, bookkeeping and insurance procedures, and other medical administrative duties such as scheduling and telephone communication.
The online Medical Receptionist Diploma program teaches students to become productive members of medical office teams, performing a variety of duties within the office including greeting patients, arranging appointments, and providing information and support to patients. This curriculum helps students develop skills in medical technology, communication, medical terminology, anatomy, and other office procedures. Graduates should show excellent organizational, ethical, and business communication skills, as well as sound knowledge of the language of medicine and the various forms of technology used in the healthcare setting.
Psychology & Human Services
With an associate’s degree in Psychology from M State, your credits can transfer directly into a bachelor’s level Psychology program at all seven Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that graduates will enter their bachelor’s studies with junior-year status.
Online Psychology degrees help students understand basic research methods, ethical and social issues, communication needs, and psychological principles that can be applied to real world situations. Behavior and mental processes are studied through the lens of critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and a scientific approach.
Classes available to students include the following topics:
- Human interaction
- Positive psychology
- Lifespan development
- Behavior and environmental management
- Social research
- Cross-cultural psychology
Students thinking about a career in social work, human services or sociology can consider an online associate’s degree in Social Science from M State. This online sociology degree is designed to cover the first two years of a related bachelor’s level program.
With this degree, students gain an understanding of behaviors and interactions among individuals and groups. Classes will increase the student’s understanding of individual and group differences such as race, gender, class, and cultures. Two tracks are available to choose from, either Social Work or Sociology.
Classes within the curriculum include studies of:
- Lifespan development
- General psychology
- Sociology
- Biology of human concerns
- Social work and social welfare
This certificate program from M State allows students to enter the mental health field as a Mental Health Behavioral Aide II. Classes are run by psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and other professionals in the mental health field. The online psychology program allows certification for entry-level workers to provide direct patient care for children struggling with mental illness.
Students will learn about the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development that occurs throughout childhood and adolescence. Classes will explore diagnosis and treatment for psychological disorders, including psychotropic medications. Strategies for crisis management will be explored, such as de-escalation and redirection. Other classes will focus on topics like the effect of environmental factors, cultural differences, disabilities, and gender on mental illness.