History
Winona State University was founded in 1858 when the first Minnesota State Legislature established normal schools “to prepare teachers for the common schools of the state.” The first tax-supported school west of the Mississippi River was established at Winona to train teachers for a new frontier. Citizens of Winona quickly supported the school with donations of more than $7,000 in money and land.
Education
The oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, Winona State offers more than 80 undergraduate, pre-professional, licensure, graduate, and doctorate programs on its three campuses: the original Main Campus in Winona, the West Campus in Winona, and Winona State University-Rochester.
Career
With information on finding jobs and internships to career outlook and top employers, the Winona State University-Rochester Career Services staff can help you move forward in your career.
Distance Learning Courses
Business & Management (3)
- Master Professional Accounting
- Master Strategic Communication
Social Sciences (2)
Applied Sciences & Professions (1)
Computer Science & IT (1)
- Master Performance Analytics
Medicine & Health (1)
- Master Healthcare Leadership
Natural Sciences & Mathematics (1)
- Master Professional Accounting
Student services
The International Services Office is the initial contact for all international students. They have the training and experience to help with the concerns and issues of international students.
The staff welcomes students to campus and assists them with the transition to life at an American university. Upon arrival at WSU, students visit the International Student Office to pick up an arrival packet. International students participate in an orientation program, where thy review immigration regulation, find answers to questions, get to the know the university and the community, receive registration information, and learn about the requirements of the Cross-Cultural Scholarship program.
Housing services
Community Engagement at Winona State University is about connecting students to purpose driven work that applies their learning from the classroom to the community they live in.
Winona State students answer the call to serve over and over again. Whether in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Rushford and Stockton after the floods of 2007, Moorhead after the Red River flood in 2008, or every year here in Winona raking leaves, being Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and supporting victims of domestic violence, our students are there to help.
Library services
Krueger Library has over 479,855 print and e-volumes, access to more than 100 databases and is a U.S. Federal Depository with more than 20,000 government resources in paper and 100,000 in microfilm formats.
Whether you have basic questions about research or need one-on-one assistance, the Krueger Library has the tools, resources and staff to help you successfully complete your project.
ICT services
Winona State University-Rochester uses the latest technology to bring digital resources and possibilities to each of our students. With the option to participate in the eWarrior Digital Life and Learning Program, students are outfitted with WSU-supported laptops and tablets.
Medical services
Nobody likes to be sick, so you can count on the physician, on-site lab technologist, and three nurse practitioners in Health Services to help you get well as soon as possible.
From injuries to illnesses to immunizations, the Health Services team has you covered from head to toe with both primary care and specialty services.
Campus life
Widely known for our stunning natural setting, the WSU Winona campus is nestled between picturesque bluffs and the Mississippi River – meaning that rock climbing, paddle boarding, hiking, kayaking (and more) are within a mile of campus.
Additionally, the city of Winona is home to a wide range of art, music and theater opportunities, as well as museums, local boutiques, and festivals galore.
Sports facilities
Staying healthy is important but that is often easier said than done as a student. The RCTC Sports Center Fieldhouse provides several opportunities to help you reach your health goals.
Student clubs
With nearly 180 student clubs at WSU, you’ll have lots of options to find your niche with like-minded people and expand your network with those of different perspectives.
Looking to volunteer? There are community-focused clubs for that. Wondering how you can practice your religion and celebrate your heritage? There are student organizations for that, too.
Want to nerd out with others in your major? There are plenty of academic clubs to choose from. Ready to hone in on a personal hobby? We have a club for that—from anime to frisbee golf to ballroom dance!
Winona State and its programs are accredited by the following organizations:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)
- Commission for Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
- National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)