New Student Orientation
Warrior Success Center
Third Floor, Maxwell Hall (507.457.5878)
To assist new students in their transition into the University, WSU offers an orientation course, OR 100 - Intro to Higher Education , for incoming first-year students during fall semester. This course introduces students to services, activities, expectations, and opportunities at WSU and provides them with the means to network with other students, faculty, and staff. Incoming students register during New Student Registration. The course begins with academic and social activities the week prior to the start of fall semester.
123 Gildemeister Hall (507.457.5465)
The TRIO Program, which offers Student Support Services and Student Ability Services, is a federally funded program dedicated to providing individualized academic and personal support to facilitate lifelong learning and development. Student Support Services is designed to help eligible students reach their goal of college graduation and gain a lifetime of confidence. The program provides a community of support for students who are first-generation college students, who have low income, or who have disabilities. Services include tutoring, academic advising, counseling, student leadership opportunities, and help in choosing a major.
Warrior Success Center
314 Maxwell Hall (507.457.5878)
Conveniently located one floor above the Warrior Hub, the Warrior Success Center is a one-stop resource for students seeking academic and career advice as well as other academic support services. Call or visit for an appointment. Hours: 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday during the academic year and 7:30 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday in the summer.
Access Services for Students with Disabilities
Third Floor, Maxwell Hall (507.457.5878) Fax: 507.457.2957
In accordance with Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Winona State University shall make academic adjustments in its policies, practices, services, and facilities to ensure equal opportunity for qualified persons with disabilities to participate in all educational programs and activities. A person with a disability is defined as:
- A person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes care for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.
- A person who has a disability, has a record of the disability, or is regarded as having the disability.
A student requiring academic accommodation or auxiliary aids must apply for such assistance through Access Services for Students with Disabilities. Proof of disability from a competent authority will be required, as well as information regarding specific limitations for which accommodation is requested. Academic accommodations are the services that are necessary to provide equal access in an academic setting. Examples of possible accommodations may include testing accommodations, interpreter services, recorded lectures, assistive technology, writing/scribing assistance, lab assistance, adaptive equipment, priority registration, or alternative format textbooks.
An eligible student is one who has a disability and who meets the essential academic eligibility requirements for the WSU program or activity in which the student seeks to participate. In order to receive academic accommodations, the student must identify/self-disclose his/her educational needs.
- Approval of accommodations is based on adequate supporting documentation of a disability.
- Qualified students with disabilities must meet the same academic requirements as all students on campus.
- An accommodation cannot compromise the essential elements of a course or lowers academic standards.
- A request may be denied if it fundamentally alters a course or program or is an undue hardship for WSU.
- Some of the auxiliary aids may be provided by another agency such as Learning Ally, State Services for the Blind, and the National Library Service.
- Certain accommodations, such as course modifications or substitutions, may take up to one semester to be provided.
- The ADA Coordinator will respond to concerns about the inequality of access or opportunity.
More information is available in the Access Services Student Handbook or the Access Services Faculty Handbook.
Third Floor, Maxwell Hall (507.457.5878)
WSU’s academic advising system is designed to help students make well-informed decisions. Students are ultimately responsible for being aware of the policies and requirements that affect their academic progress and for making appropriate decisions about choosing courses and a major, as well as other academic matters. Because this is a vital responsibility, the University offers the guidance of experienced professionals, through whom students learn about University objectives, requirements, support services, activities, and policies. As a result of advising, students should understand themselves better and learn to use resources to meet their specific educational needs.
Each student is assigned an advisor. Students who have declared a major are assigned an advisor in the department of their declared major. New students who have not declared a major are assigned to their orientation instructor for advising. Prior to each registration, the student must meet with the advisor to discuss course selection and obtain an access code for web registration. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisors at other times as well to discuss academic and career goals.
To get the greatest benefit from advising, each student should maintain a file of documents related to his or her academic progress and should bring the file to advising appointments. At a minimum, the file should include a copy of the student’s current schedule, electronic Degree Audit, and unofficial academic record. These documents are available to the student through the web registration system. Students will find the name of their advisor printed on their course schedule and on the Degree Audit. If no advisor is listed, the student should contact the department offering his/her major to request an advisor. Students who have not declared a major should report to the Warrior Success Center for assistance.
Third Floor, Maxwell Hall (507.457.5878)
Career Services assists students seeking career direction, major selection, part-time employment on and off campus, work-study positions, summer opportunities, internships, and full-time employment. Individual career advising appointments may be scheduled. Students are encouraged to visit Career Services and set up their Handshake account to take full advantage of the broad range of services offered through Career Services. Alumni are also eligible to register for assistance in their search for full-time employment or career direction.
Career Services provides opportunities for students to interact with employers through job fairs, on-campus interviews and through partnership programs. Employers have access to students’ resumes when students upload and publish them directly through Handshake. Additionally, students can access job openings or update their resumes via the Internet 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Handshake system. Employment information, career information, and graduate follow-up results are available the Career Services website. Career Services also administers several career assessments including the Strong Interest Inventory (SII), Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Focus 2 and StrengthsQuest.
220 Darrell W. Krueger Library (507.457.2486)
Tutoring Services offers free tutoring and the Supplement to Instruction (S2I) program. Peer tutors integrate study skills and content tutoring and model realistic strategies for academic success. S2I sessions are regularly scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, and develop organizational and study tools under the guidance of a student who has already excelled in the course. Full program details, including the searchable tutor schedule and the S2I schedule are available on the program website.
Civic Engagement & Service Learning
Charissa Eaton, Faculty Liaison
267 Maxwell Hall (507.457.5563)
Undergraduate and graduate sections and courses now have a searchable Engaged Course Designation of either Civic Engagement or Service-Learning. The designation is voluntary and may apply to a course or to a specific section of a course in a given semester. Requests for both designations are reviewed by the Engaged Course Designations (ECD) faculty committee to determine if they meet the criteria outlined below. A course may be assigned either designation but not both. Civic Engagement and Service Learning courses are identified in the catalog with a ✪ symbol.
Civic Engagement (CE) designated courses or sections include an engagement component outside the classroom that contributes to the public good. Civic Engagement courses include service, reflection, and evaluation of the students’ learning. The engagement component of the course must account for some portion of the students’ learning.
For a course or section to bear the Service-Learning (SL) designated, community service must be integral to the academic learning in order to enhance both and result in civic learning for the student. Service Learning courses include preparation for service, service, reflection, integration between service and academic content, and evaluation of the students’ learning. The engagement component of the course must account for a significant portion of the students’ learning.
Minnesota State University Common Market Program
Maxwell Hall (507.457.2800)
Under the Student Exchange Program, a WSU student may attend another Minnesota state university for one semester per institution up to a total of three semesters at three different institutions. By doing so, students may take advantage of curriculum and program specialties as well as different intellectual and social climates. The home university considers credits earned under the program as “resident credit.”
When students apply, they list the courses they want to take and usually include several alternate choices. The Common Market Director at the receiving institution notifies the student whether or not his/her request can be met. The student indicates his/her choice of housing on the application form, and the request is referred to the housing office at the receiving university. The student also receives assistance with transferring financial aid if necessary.
To participate in the Common Market Program, students must be fully matriculated, must have attended WSU for at least two consecutive semesters, and must have at least a 2.00 GPA. Application forms are available at the Warrior Hub.
Adult & Continuing Education (ACE)
209 Somsen Hall (Winona); SS 303 (Rochester)
507.457.5080 (Winona); 507.285.7139 (Rochester)
Adult & Continuing Education (ACE) serves as a major hub for a broad network of academic and community partners, learners, and businesses, with offices in both Winona and Rochester. ACE offers a variety of opportunities for adult learners and coordinates programs that strengthen the University’s links within its service regions. Areas of responsibility include the following:
- Coordination of Undergraduate onboarding for the Adult Entry Process
- Advising and coordination for the Individualized Studies Degree Program - Majors and Minor
- Marketing coordination and student support and onboarding for the Healthcare Leadership & Administration degree options
- Support for growth and success in distance learning initiatives
- Co-coordination of the Counselor Education Professional Development Workshop series
- Summer Session coordination
- Winter Session coordination
- Business and industry outreach & Customized Training
- Registration management for non-credit offerings
- Verification of non-credit learning through the awarding of Continuing Education Units (CEU) and other non-credit credentials
ACE also actively seeks and creates opportunities for WSU to be a significant contributor to the business and economic development of our service regions.
Adult Entry Process for Undergraduate Admission
The Adult Entry Process for undergraduate students serves the educational needs of adult learners starting or returning to college. The process offers adults who want to pursue an Associate in Arts or a baccalaureate degree alternative admission criteria. The process is designed for applicants with a high school diploma or GED who have been out of high school for a minimum of four years. If the student has attended a post-secondary school, there must be a minimum of one year since their last enrollment. For more information, contact Adult & Continuing Education or Admissions.
Individualized Studies Degree Program - Major and Minor
Individualized Studies allows students to create an interdisciplinary major or minor to meet their unique educational goals. Advising is available on both the Winona and Rochester campuses.
Professional Development Workshop Series
The Professional Development Workshop Series is designed to meet the needs and interests of a diverse audience. Issues from contemporary society serve as the foundation of these timely topic offerings for undergraduate/graduate students and working professionals. Workshops can be taken for credit or non-credit (CEU).
Summer Session Coordination
ACE coordinates marketing and communications regarding WSU Summer Session. Students with questions about Summer Session should contact the Warrior Hub or visit the Summer Session website.
Business and Industry Outreach & Customized Training
WSU works closely with the business community including schools, industries, and nonprofit agencies to provide continuing education for their employees. Specialized programs and individual courses are designed to meet the needs of the company or organization and can be delivered on-site at the business or on campus. Courses may be offered for credit or non-credit. For more information regarding business solutions, contact Adult & Continuing Education.
Non-Credit Offering Management
WSU hosts educational outreach events and multi-day, multi-session educational conferences throughout the year at its Winona and Rochester campuses. ACE partners with departments, affiliated agencies and organizations, to support events and conferences with services including budget planning and financial administration, program development, marketing and promotion, registration, logistics and onsite management. For more information, contact Adult & Continuing Education.
Non-Credit and Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Offerings
WSU offers continuing education courses, seminars, workshops and conferences for non-credit and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Non-credit/CEU offerings are taught by WSU faculty, community resource persons, or visiting experts. Non-credit/CEU offerings frequently fulfill specialized learning needs identified by licensing agencies, businesses and organizations. Non-credit/CEU offerings can be viewed on the Continuing Education website.
Contact ACE to get detailed information about non-credit/CEU classes, workshops and conferences, or to discuss how ACE can work with your department or organization to develop and manage non-credit/CEU programs.
The CEU provides a standard measure for non-credit learning (1 CEU = 10 contact class hours). CEU transcripts serve as verification of participation in continuing education activities, but does not fulfill the requirements for an academic degree.
WSU offers credit and non-credit certificate programs in a variety of subject areas based on workforce and community needs. Contact ACE for more information about available certificate programs and how they may meet your professional development needs.
Study Abroad Programs
105 Maxwell Hall (507.457.5081)
A variety of credit-bearing off-campus study opportunities are available for students who are interested in broadening their university experience and enhancing their resume. Options include a short-term experience (typically 2-4 weeks), led by a WSU faculty member and generally taught during summer or winter breaks. Or students may choose a semester or academic year program from an approved program list that is available on the study abroad website. Credits transfer back and can apply to major, minor, or graduation requirements. Programs vary in location, length, cost, admission requirements, application deadlines, and focus; therefore, it is important to request the most recent and detailed information from the Study Abroad office. See Scholarships section for more information on scholarships for studying abroad.