Augustana University

What is the history of Augustana University?

Augustana University is a private university in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with roots in Lutheran higher education dating to 1860. Its present-day identity reflects both that history and its development into a university offering undergraduate and graduate programs.

The institution traces its beginnings to a school established by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants. Augustana's history includes moves and organizational changes before it took shape in Sioux Falls, including a merger with the Lutheran Normal School. It was known as Augustana College for much of its history and adopted the name Augustana University in 2015. The name change reflected an expanded range of academic programs; it did not mark the founding of a new institution.

What are the faculties and departments at Augustana University?

Augustana University offers a liberal arts-centered undergraduate education alongside professional and graduate study. Its academic offerings span the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, nursing, music and other fields.

Prospective undergraduates can investigate majors such as biology, computer science, English, accounting, psychology and political science. Nursing and teacher preparation have additional professional requirements, so admission to the university should not be assumed to mean unrestricted entry into every stage of those programs. Augustana also offers graduate-level study; applicants should use the current academic catalog to confirm a program's credential, prerequisites and delivery format rather than assume that every subject is available at every degree level.

A student comparing majors should look beyond the program name to its required courses, clinical or field placements, and sequencing. Those details can affect how easily a transfer student changes majors or how long it takes to finish a degree.

What is the location of Augustana University?

Augustana University's campus is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city. Its location offers access to an urban employment and health-care market while retaining a predominantly residential campus setting.

Sioux Falls can be relevant to students seeking internships, clinical experience, school placements or part-time work. Those opportunities depend on the student's program, qualifications and transportation. Students may park a car on campus beginning in their first year, although parking rules and permit costs should be checked separately. Sioux Falls Regional Airport is the nearest major air-travel option for students coming from farther away.

What is the mission and vision of Augustana University?

Augustana describes its educational mission as providing an education of enduring worth that challenges the intellect, fosters integrity, and connects faith with learning and service. The university identifies its Lutheran heritage as an influence on that mission.

That affiliation is part of the institution's identity, not a substitute for examining its academic requirements or campus practices. Prospective students who want to understand how the mission affects daily experience can review the current curriculum, worship and service opportunities, and policies for participation in religious activities.