Updates

MBA is On It's Way - Fall 2014!

Bemidji State University has worked to create an online MBA, which has been approved is expected to be launched Spring 2014.  Students should be able to register for the program Fall 2014. Continue to watch our website for updates.

Graduate Advising Webinar for MS/M.Ed. in Education Graduate Students

This is an optional opportunity for new and current students to ask advising questions or seek clarification. Joan Miller from the School of Graduate Studies and Dr. Michael Urban from the Department of Professional Education, will be present to respond to questions.

The Webinar is only for graduate students who are interested in or have been admitted into the MS/MEd in Education and not Special Education.

Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Time: 4:00 pm, Central Standard Time

To access the webinar, refer to these instructions.

2nd Call for Graduate Student Mini Grants 2012-2013

The College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Health Sciences & Human Ecology; the College of Business, Technology, & Communication; the Center for Extended Learning, Library & Library Services; the Office of Student Development & Enrollment; and the School of Graduate Studies have joined hands to offer the following opportunity for graduate students.

Awards of up to $400 each are available to graduate students who are in good standing, are fully matriculated (see mini-grant cover sheet), and are ready to pursue research (if conducting research for their thesis/research paper). 

Deadline: March 1, 2013.  Please see guidelines/application for more information.

SPED Licensure Webinar, November 6, 4 p.m.

The requirements for special education licensure are changing.  If you are currently working towards special education licensure under the current requirements, you must complete all course work, pass the MTLE tests and apply for licensure by August 30, 2014.

IF you do not already have a standard teaching license that qualifies you to teach at the K-12 level or have not completed a teaching degree, you also have to take the Standard of Effective Practice courses and student teach before you can apply for a SPED license.

Please listen to the information linked below about the impact the changes in licensure may have on you.

Special Education Licensure Information  (taped Webinar)

On Tuesday, November 6^th at 4 PM, BSU special education faculty will be available via a webinar to answer questions you may have about the changes to the requirements for special education licensure.  To access the Webinar, refer to these instructions: Webinar information.

1st Call for Graduate Student Mini Grants 2012-2013

The College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Health Sciences & Human Ecology; the College of Business, Technology, & Communication; the Center for Extended Learning, Library & Library Services; the Office of Student Development & Enrollment; and the School of Graduate Studies have joined hands to offer the following opportunity for graduate students.

Awards of up to $400 each are available to graduate students who are in good standing, are fully matriculated (see mini-grant cover sheet), and are ready to pursue research (if conducting research for their thesis/research paper). 

Deadline: Wednesday, November 21, 2012.  Fill out application here.

Alert! Major Changes Coming to the BSU Special Education Licensure Program!

The MN Board of Teaching (BOT) has approved new standards for special education licensure and has directed all teaching institutions that offer special education teacher licensure programs to revise their programs to include the new standards by January 1, 2013. Any courses taken towards licensure after that date will have the new standards embedded. 

If you are working towards special education licensure, these changes will impact your program.  If you are enrolled in the BSU Special Education Licensure program, you should apply for licensure under the current standards.  That means you must be done with all coursework by the end of Summer Session 2014 so that you can apply for licensure before the deadline of September 1, 2014.  If you are not able to apply for your license by August 31, 2014 (this includes having passed the MTLE sp ed  test), you will have to retake all coursework to meet the new standards. Applications will be accepted by BOT for special education licensure under the current standards up until September 1, 2014.

For questions or clarifications about this alert, please call BSU Professional Education Department at 218-755-3734.

Changes to Financial Aid - No More Subsidized Loans for Graduate Students!

We have been informed that, as of July 1, 2012, the federal government will no longer provide Subsidized Student Loans to graduate students. Unsubsidized loans will still be made available to eligible graduate students.  We realize that this may significantly affect some students' abilities to cover their education costs; therefore, we are providing links to sources of additional information.  The following will also outline other changes made to federal aid as of July 1, 2012.

http://studentaid.ed.gov/about/announcements/recent-changes

http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/GEN1204.pdf

For additional questions, please contact the Financial Aid office (218-755-2034).

NEW Department of Technology, Art and Design - Merger of Tech Studies and Visual Arts Depts.

As of March 26th, I am pleased to announce the new Department of Technology, Art and Design. The department combines the old Departments of Technological Studies and Visual Arts, and will be housed in the College of Business, Technology and Communications.  Faculty offices will be located in Bridgeman Hall, and classes will continue to meet in both Bridgeman Hall and the Education Art Building.

Dr. James McCracken, Chair
Department of Technology, Art and Design
248 Bridgeman Hall #34

Mandatory Health Insurance Information

Health Insurance coverage is now required for all students enrolled in six or more credits taking on-campus classes at Bemidji State University. This includes graduate students completing course work on campus. Please go to the portal and enter the name of your insurance carrier.   
 
If you do not indicate insurance coverage, the fee for the United Healthcare Student Resources will be placed on your statement.  Coverage will go into effect when the fee is paid in full.  For more information about the plan, see www.uhcsr.com/mnscu, click on “Find My Schools Plan” link and follow the online instructions or call 888-251-6243.  For questions or to enroll in the plan, contact the Student Center for Health & Counseling (SCHC) Insurance Office at 218-755-4013, or go to: www.bemidjistate.edu/students/services/health_counseling/access/insurance

By requiring students to have health plan coverage, the University ensures all students have access to medical and mental health care and can maintain good health, which is essential for academic success.

The following insurance companies are on the list of those that can be billed through the SCHC:  BCBS, Medica, Preferred One, Health Partners, United Healthcare StudentResources, Prime West, UCare and MN Care.  Any charges not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the student incurring the charge.

BSU No Longer Provides GRE Computer-Based Testing

Due to the recalibration taking place at Bemidji State University, we are no longer able to provide computer-based testing for the GRE on campus.  Students may sign up for the GRE at www.ets.org and may also look up available testing sites. For information please contact Kelly Knapp (kknapp@bemidjistate.edu, 218-755-2075).

Billing for Counseling Services

Beginning August 2011, the Student Center for Health and Counseling
(SCHC) will begin billing for services provided including counseling and
mental health services. While charges for health services have been
billed for the over 25 years, counseling has not been billed.

Students will be required to carry health insurance.  The following
insurance companies are on the list of those that can be billed through
the SCHC: BCBS, Medica, Preferred One, Health Partners, Student
Resources/Student Insurance, Prime West, UCare, and MNCare. Any charges
not covered by insurance will be the responsibility of the student
incurring the charge. There is also an optional plan available through
the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities called Student
Resources/Student Insurance. Information about this optional policy is
available at the SCHC or accessed on line at www.uhcsr.com. The intent
of the required coverage policy is to allow the students to continue to
have affordable health care.  Students can sign up for the MNSCU plan by
completing a form available at the SCHC or the Cashiers office and
paying the fee at the cashier’s office.

Also new this year, first year students will complete the required
Responsible Men Responsible Women program through D2L.  Faculty academic
advisors please note, students who have not completed the online RMRW
program by October 1, 2011, will have a registration hold that will
prevent them from registering for Spring semester classes.   For
questions about RMRW contact Jay Passa. 

If you can questions, contact the SCHC at:
(218)755-2053
(218)755-2024