Dickinson State University is a regional four-year institution within the North Dakota University System, whose primary role is to contribute to intellectual, social, economic and cultural development, especially to Southwestern North Dakota. The University’s mission is to provide high-quality, accessible programs, to promote excellence in teaching and learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the economy health and quality of life of the citizens of the State of North Dakota.

To achieve this mission, the University will provide to:

• Students
  • Selected baccalaureate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, the fine arts, nursing, teacher education, business and technology, stressing scholarship and the habit of critical inquiry in fields of major interests. The institution offers a limited number of programs of less than four years. The liberal arts and sciences provide a sound curricular base as a foundation for the intellectual, cultural and professional development of the student. The professional, technical and occupational programs will continue to evolve to meet the needs of society.
  • A philosophy which transmits a global awareness and creates a sensitivity to the values of a diverse society in a multi-cultural world.
  • Assessment and response to their special needs through effective advising; counseling; cultural; recreational; and co-curricular programs.
  • Educational opportunity and resources to accommodate diverse student characteristics and backgrounds by offering alternative methods of learning which are consistent with the high academic standards of the institution.
• Faculty  
  • The opportunity, encouragement, and resources for professional development, and scholarly and creative activities.
  • The resources necessary to meet goals and objectives consistent with the institution’s mission for its students.
  • An atmosphere that is dedicated to academic freedom and the pursuit of excellence in scholarship, teaching and learning.
• The Region  
  • The intellectual, recreational and cultural services which assist in meeting the needs of the people served by the University.
  • Promotion of educational opportunities at both the undergraduate and graduate level to meet the needs of elementary and secondary educators.
  • Opportunities for applied research and service relationships with governmental units, school districts, health care institutions, post-secondary institutions, and industry.
  • A leadership role in the development of businesses, health care and employment opportunities through consulting and cooperative arrangements and by providing access to information technology systems.