In June 1995, the MnSCU Board of Trustees adopted the following statement of mission:
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities provides accessible high quality, future-oriented education and community service through technical, pre-baccalaureate, baccalaureate, master's, occupational and continuing education programs.
Each state college and university has a distinct mission that is consistent with and supportive of the overall mission of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities provides high quality programs comprising:
- Technical education programs, delivered principally by technical colleges, which prepare students for skilled occupations that do not require a baccalaureate degree.
- Pre-baccalaureate programs, delivered principally by community colleges, which offer lower division instruction in academic programs, occupational programs in which all credits earned will be accepted for transfer to a baccalaureate degree in the same field of study, and remedial studies.
- Baccalaureate and graduate programs, delivered principally by state universities, which offer undergraduate and graduate instruction through the master's degree, including specialist certificates, in the liberal arts and sciences and professional education.
