About NDSCS

History

In 1903, NDSCS was provided for in the Constitution of the State of North Dakota and began actual operation, making it one of the oldest public two-year colleges in the United States.

In 1905, the Arts and Science Division was the first division to be organized, and the Business Division began operation shortly after.

In 1922, the first trade and technical programs were offered, and since that time, NDSCS has become widely accepted by employers from across the United States. Since 1922, NDSCS has followed the basic principles of the Babcock Plan and the North Dakota Plan. The original plan of four interacting curriculum divisions was the result of a survey conducted in 1921 by Dean Earl J. Babcock of the School of Mines of the University of North Dakota. In 1922, the North Dakota State College of Science was named the central trade and technical institution for the state of North Dakota. Under the North Dakota Plan, all trade-technical training in the state for many years was centralized in this institution — a method which proved very satisfactory in a state with sparse population and where agriculture continues to be the primary industry.

Since 1922 when these plans became operative, the North Dakota State College of Science has provided practical, hands-on education for thousands of students who, upon graduation, became available to meet business, professional, and industrial needs.

In 1987, North Dakota State School of Science changed its name to North Dakota State College of Science, and converted from the quarter system to the semester system in 1992 as part of a North Dakota University System initiative.

In 1997, NDSCS established the Skills and Technology Training Center (STTC) as a regional workforce training center located in Fargo.

For more than 100 years, NDSCS has provided a wide range of education for thousands of students who, upon graduation, become available to meet business, professional and industrial needs. Today, we continue our mission as a comprehensive college encompassing liberal arts transfer programs, career and technical education and workforce training.

A Full College Environment

For over a century, NDSCS has maintained a unique blend of academic programs and campus life. Beyond the wide variety of career and technical education and liberal arts transfer programs, NDSCS has extensive facilities and organizations for a wide range of student activities. This blended atmosphere of instruction and extracurricular activities prepares the student for more than a specific field of study, providing lifelong learning and leadership experiences. Participation in student government, clubs, music, drama, intercollegiate and intramural athletics, professional and occupational organizations and campus social events can make NDSCS an exciting experience.

College Organization

The institution is state-assisted and is organized to provide for statewide comprehensive education and training programs of fewer than four years. The North Dakota State College of Science is organized to support academic affairs, administrative/business affairs and student support services.

• Major curriculum divisions are the Arts, Science and Business Division and the Technologies and Services Division. Students may enroll for a specific program in one division and also take applicable courses in the other division, allowing each student to obtain general and specific educational programs for transfer and/or occupational needs.
  
  
• The Arts, Science and Business Division offers courses and programs in liberal arts, pre-professional and general education for transfer to bachelor degree-granting colleges and universities. The ASB Division also offers highly-regarded programs in agriculture, allied health, business, computer information systems and other related careers which prepare students for immediate employment.
  
  
• The Technologies and Services Division provides learning experiences through theory, laboratory and shop curriculum practices in various fields of training. Students are provided technical and trade competencies, as well as preparation for life in this increasingly technological age. While credit is recorded for these courses, they are not intended for transfer. However, should students, upon completion of trade or technical programs, desire to pursue additional training at other colleges, they may have their transcripts evaluated by those colleges and universities.
  
  
• The College Outreach Division is responsible for courses and programs provided through Workforce Training, Related Study, Connections and the Skills and Technology Training Center. The primary purpose of College Outreach is to ensure that the services of NDSCS are made available to individuals, businesses and other groups who have educational or training needs that typically cannot be met through regular instructional schedule or course offerings.