NDSU partners with Sisseton Whapeton College to provide educational opportunities for American Indian students

(Fargo, ND) -- The Presidents from North Dakota State University and Sisseton Wahpeton College signed an agreement Wednesday, which the campus leaders say is aimed at strengthening the ability of both institutions to meet the needs of American Indian students. 

The agreement creates a Social Science Career Pathway between the two institutions. The program is expected to provide an easy pathway for American Indian students from SWC to earn a four-year degree in emergency management, criminal justice, sociology or political science at NDSU.

Students who receive their Associate of Science degree in Behavioral Science at SWC will meet the criteria for the major at NDSU and are eligible to apply for enrollment. Those students will be accepted into the program without further review. 

"Our goal is to provide a high quality, low cost education and cultural experience with the intention of having students graduate with little to no debt,” said Sisseton Wahpeton College President Lane Azure.

The agreement includes collaboration and coordination between the NDSU and SWC to promote the program to students who may be interested. 

“This agreement provides opportunity and access for American Indian students to easily transfer to NDSU and continue their learning in social sciences to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said NDSU President David Cook. “As a land-grant institution, we are always looking for additional opportunities to expand access to education. I look forward to seeing the impacts made by the partnership we’ve created here today with Sisseton Wahpeton College.”