New Partnership Brings St. Cloud State Graduate Programs to Brooklyn Park

Local professionals looking to advance their careers in medical technology or counseling will soon have an option to do so in Brooklyn Park.

North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) has officially partnered with St. Cloud State University (SCSU) to host several of the university’s graduate programs directly on the Brooklyn Park campus starting Aug. 3.

The three-year agreement is expected to bring up to 280 graduate students to the NHCC campus.

Students will be able to pursue advanced degrees in several specialized fields, including:

• Applied clinical research
• Medical technology quality
• Master of engineering management
• Regulatory affairs and services
• Clinical mental health counseling
• School counseling

These programs were previously housed at St. Cloud State’s satellite location in Plymouth. However, with that lease expiring, university leadership saw an opportunity to transition the programs to Brooklyn Park.

At NHCC, the SCSU graduate students will have access to amenities such as dining options, a fitness and recreation center, community and study spaces, library services, and a food cupboard, along with on-site staff who can connect them to tutoring and mental health support.

Students enrolled in State Cloud State University’s Twin Cities programs can take graduate courses at North Hennepin Community College starting this fall.

A “One-Stop” Campus Experience

For NHCC leadership, the partnership represents a major milestone in providing continuous educational pathways for students without forcing them to relocate or travel long distances.

“You don’t ever have to leave our campus,” said Julio Vargas-Essex, NHCC’s vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “You can stay here, complete your bachelor’s—if you’re interested, complete your graduate degree. That’s a really big deal for us.”

To accommodate adult learners, the majority of the graduate courses will be offered during evenings and weekends.

The initial contract between North Hennepin Community College and St. Cloud State University runs for three years, with classes officially launching late this summer.

Related: SCSU’s Plymouth Campus Aims to Serve Working Adults

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