St. Scholastica launches Engineering Dual Degree Pathway in collaboration with Minnesota State Mankato

The College of St. Scholastica has officially signed a partnership agreement with Minnesota State University, Mankato, to launch the Engineering Dual Degree Pathway. This innovative program allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Engineering in just five years.

“Our founding Sisters were pioneers of their own in fields of science, medicine, the arts, and other esteemed disciplines as they paved the way for our learners to excel in responsible living and meaningful work,” St. Scholastica’s President Barbara McDonald said. “This marks a significant step forward in providing our students with innovative pathways to success in high-demand fields. We are proud to partner with Minnesota State University, Mankato, and together we will prepare graduates who are not only academically strong but also equipped with the practical skills employers seek.”

This dual degree program prepares students with a comprehensive education in natural sciences and engineering. Students will begin with 2.5 years of foundational coursework at St. Scholastica, focusing on prerequisites in physics, mathematics, and engineering. After completing the initial coursework, students will transition into the Iron Range Engineering (IRE) program offered by Minnesota State Mankato. The IRE program incorporates a unique model of learning: After one semester of on-site education in Virginia, MN, students will engage in 24 months of paid industry internships while finishing their remaining engineering coursework online. These paid internships provide students with hands-on experience and professional connections within the field to launch their engineering careers.

“This program offers students a unique and special experience that is immersive, one that addresses the needs of the community as well as the regional industry needs and economic forces to help make this a prosperous area,” Minnesota State Mankato’s President Edward Inch shared. “This engineering program came together as a partnership with Minnesota North College, and now St. Scholastica, to create something that would not only be special for this region, but has been recognized as one of the top innovative programs in the world because of the way that our faculty and staff engage students in a rich and adaptable experience designed to meet the needs of the region and beyond.”

Enrolled students will benefit from continued access to the extensive resources of The College of St. Scholastica, including financial aid, academic advising, career services, as well as the College’s wide array of extracurricular opportunities, while maintaining the flexibility to engage with their engineering studies through Minnesota State Mankato.

Ron Ulseth, founding director of IRE, understood students’ difficult decisions between a community-oriented private college like St. Scholastica and a strong engineering program and worked to create a path forward for students who wanted both: “We started up this current version of Iron Range Engineering called the Bell Program five or six years ago. We want students to have the opportunity to experience the IRE program while staying connected with their community at St. Scholastica and be able to walk across the stage at St. Scholastica’s commencement. So we started discussing and we came up with a dual degree. Now students can become engineers and do so in a way where they are still full members of this college community, and that’s what I’m excited about.”

The Engineering Dual Degree Pathway is a commitment from both institutions to foster a well-rounded, innovative educational experience for students eager to lead in the evolving field of engineering. For more information about the Engineering Dual Degree Pathway offered jointly through The College of St. Scholastica and Minnesota State University, Mankato, please visit the program page.