Valley City State University

What is the history of Valley City State University?

Valley City State University began in 1890 as Valley City State Normal School, established to prepare teachers for North Dakota schools. Its teacher-training origins remain visible in its education programs, although the university now offers degrees across a wider range of fields.

The institution later operated as Valley City State Teachers College and Valley City State College before taking its current university name. Those changes reflect its expansion beyond teacher preparation into undergraduate liberal arts and professional programs, as well as graduate study.

What are the faculties and departments at Valley City State University?

Valley City State University offers associate, bachelor's, and graduate-level study, with teacher education a longstanding emphasis. Students can also explore fields such as business, computer and information sciences, biology, mathematics, communication, music, and wildlife-related studies.

Academic options span both classroom-based and applied work. A prospective education major should compare licensure pathways and student-teaching requirements, while a student considering a science or technology major should check the current catalog for required laboratories, course sequences, and delivery formats. Program availability and degree requirements can change independently of the university's overall admissions policy.

What is the location of Valley City State University?

Valley City State University is in Valley City, North Dakota, a smaller community west of Fargo. Its setting offers a different daily experience from a campus in a large metropolitan area: local amenities are relatively close, but travel to a broader range of employers and services may require a car.

Valley City is accessible from Interstate 94. Hector International Airport in Fargo is a regional air-travel option, though students should plan for ground transportation between the airport and campus. Commuting is also part of the university's enrollment pattern; reported figures indicate that most students live off campus.

What is the mission and vision of Valley City State University?

Valley City State University presents its educational purpose around student learning, preparation for work and further study, and service to its region. Its roots in teacher education remain part of that identity, alongside programs in other academic and professional fields.

Prospective students can assess those stated priorities through concrete questions: whether their intended major has the courses and experiential requirements they need, how advising works, and whether the available campus or online format fits their circumstances. A mission statement describes institutional aims; it does not by itself establish an individual student's outcome.