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<\/p>\nBemidji State University continues to reimagine its curricular offerings in response to student interest and regional workforce demands, launching new degree programs this year with several more on track for a fall start.<\/p>\n
Programs include new majors in data science and statistics, a revised computer science program, several reimagined design degrees, a degree-completion program in forestry, and certificates in outdoor leadership. BSU is also developing a new Ojibwe language instruction program and a financial planning emphasis for its bachelor’s degree in business administration.<\/p>\n
BSU’s new offerings this year include a collaborative degree-completion opportunity for forestry managers, an innovative re-imagining of its computer science program and a flexible certificate in outdoor leadership that can be completed at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.<\/p>\n
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BSU debuted a rebooted computer science program<\/a> in Fall 2025 that layers digital design coursework on top of a traditional computer science foundation. BSU is now one of only two undergraduate programs in the nation offering a degree program that combines computer science and design.<\/p>\n The re-imagined program builds on a 30-credit traditional computer science core, which includes foundational programming, database and coding courses. From that foundation, students can build their degree on multiple paths: traditional computer science, or one of three new specialties in computer science & design, web design & user experience, or 3-D design & user experience. The revised program also has expanded opportunities for students who wish to pursue online coursework.<\/p>\n BSU also launched a new bachelor’s degree program in forest management<\/a> this year. The program, developed in partnership with Minnesota North College, offers a bachelor’s degree pathway for two-year associate of applied science graduates from Minnesota North’s Itasca (forest resources program) or Vermillion (forestry\/wildlife program) campuses.<\/p>\n In addition to a core of biology and geography courses, forest management majors take courses on community & tribal forestry, forest biometry, hydrology and health, integrated forest management and applied forest ecology. Electives can include ecosystem ecology, natural resource management, environmental justice & sustainability and cartography.<\/p>\n This fall, BSU’s forestry program received candidate status from the Society of American Foresters, a national accrediting body for forestry and forest management programs. BSU will remain in candidate status until the 2028–29 academic year, when it can apply for full accreditation.<\/p>\n BSU’s 15-credit outdoor leadership certificate<\/a> combines outdoor skills with leadership and environmental understanding. Coursework includes wilderness first aid, outdoor leadership, map use and Indigenous perspectives on sustainability and land stewardship.<\/p>\n Students gain skills in outdoor courses like environmental field skills and adventure programming, where they plan and lead outdoor trips. These experiences not only build technical knowledge but also foster teamwork, confidence and resilience.<\/p>\n The outdoor leadership certificate, which can be completed as either an undergraduate or graduate certificate, is supported by a $110,000 Minnesota State Industry Sector Fund grant that provides funding for new academic programs and equipment purchases.<\/p>\n The School of Mathematics & Physical Sciences is launching new, in-demand majors in data science<\/a> and statistics<\/a> in Fall 2026. Both programs build on BSU’s existing mathematics programs with opportunities for specialized study. Both professions are projecting significant increases in available jobs by 2032, with more than 30 percent growth in available positions for both fields, and can lead to jobs with well above-average salaries.<\/p>\n Data science, which teaches students how to use large datasets to draw conclusions and make predictions, provides applied skills that can lead to employment in rapidly expanding “big-data” fields such as artificial intelligence. Data scientists will study data structures and analysis, algorithms, data mining, modeling and visualization, and applications of machine learning in addition to foundational mathematics courses.<\/p>\n Statistics, which has broad application in a variety of non-mathematical fields such as environmental studies, sociology, biology, psychology and economics, provides applied and theoretical backgrounds that can prepare students for graduate-level work. In addition to the mathematics core, statistics majors explore advanced probability and calculus courses and can choose electives on predictive analytics, spatial analysis, mathematical modeling and time-series analysis.<\/p>\n BSU’s School of Business is developing a new emphasis area in financial planning<\/a>. The emphasis will include coursework on financial planning foundation, tax planning, retirement readiness, legacy planning and a financial planning capstone project, on top of the existing 43-credit business administration core.<\/p>\n The financial planning emphasis further diversifies BSU’s bachelor’s degree in business administration, which allows students to focus their studies in business analytics information systems, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources management, Indigenous business, management, marketing or professional selling.<\/p>\n BSU is launching the financial planning emphasis with support from the BSU Foundation’s Alvin J. and Shirley K. Larson Legacy Fund and plans to have coursework in place for Fall 2026.<\/p>\n BSU’s School of Technology, Art & Design continues to innovate its offerings to increase opportunity for students and align its programs to constantly evolving industry needs.<\/p>\n The school’s bachelor’s degree in design<\/a> is adding flexibility, allowing students to customize their studies by selecting courses from several of the program’s emphasis areas: computer science & design, digital illustration & animation, event design & planning, exhibit & experience design, graphic design and interactive media design. Students can also pursue a general design degree that does not require them to take the school’s junior and senior culmination track — which includes portfolio reviews and internship and career guidance — and choose courses from any of the school’s diverse programs.<\/p>\nForest Management<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nOutdoor Leadership<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nNew programs coming in Fall 2026<\/h2>\n
Data Science & Statistics<\/h3>\n
Financial Planning<\/h3>\n
Technology, Art & Design<\/h3>\n