海角社区 has transitioned to a new academic structure to prepare students for successful careers, meaningful lives, and active citizenship in an integrated, constantly evolving world.听
As of the 2024鈥�25 school year, Augsburg鈥檚 academic programs are organized into five schools focused on the arts, business, health, humanities and social sciences, and natural sciences. Each school is led by a faculty director. Previously, the academic programs were grouped into two large divisions focused on professional studies and liberal arts and sciences.听
鈥淭his is an exciting new chapter in Augsburg鈥檚 long tradition of academic excellence and our evolution as a student-centered university,鈥� said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow. 鈥淭he five-school model leverages our unique strengths while creating new ways for students, faculty, and staff to collaborate and build community.鈥澛�
The move to a schools-based model is designed to foster collaboration, encourage innovation, and facilitate interdisciplinary exchange. It does not change the curriculum, the admissions process, or degrees granted by Augsburg, nor does it involve any changes to campus facilities at this time.听
鈥淯ltimately, a schools-based model better aligns Augsburg鈥檚 organizational structure with who we are, how we work today, and how we want to work in the future,鈥� said Paula O鈥橪oughlin, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs. 鈥淭he schools serve as smaller academic neighborhoods where students have closer ties with peers and mentors, greater support for career exploration, and a deeper sense of belonging鈥攁ll of which empowers them to succeed in their professional lives and as leaders in their communities.鈥�
John N. Schwartz 鈥�67 School of the Arts
The John N. Schwartz 鈥�67 School of the Arts (Christopher Houltberg, director) houses the narrative, performing, and visual arts at Augsburg. Drawing together Augsburg鈥檚 strength across the arts, the Schwartz School is home to 10 undergraduate majors, two graduate programs, five performing ensembles, three art galleries, multiple annual theater productions, and the Design & Agency trans-disciplinary design studio. With linkages throughout the vibrant Twin Cities arts community and an intentional focus on building collaborative skills, Schwartz School students graduate with ready-made professional networks and enhanced job opportunities across diverse creative fields.听
School of Business
The School of Business (Jeanne Boeh, director) cultivates experiential learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship to equip students for successful careers. Close ties with the corporate community provide a wealth of practical expertise and career opportunities for students at the undergraduate and graduate level. The school offers 12 undergraduate majors, two graduate programs, and signature hands-on learning experiences like the Augsburg Entrepreneurship Cup and the Innovation Scholars program.
School of Health
The School of Health (Vanessa Bester, director) unites the strengths of Augsburg鈥檚 nationally accredited nursing, physician assistant, clinical psychology, and social work programs to develop graduates who meet the diverse health and wellness needs of local and global communities. Students prepare to practice in a range of professional environments through community-based experiential learning with an emphasis on social justice, clinical excellence, and inter-professional collaboration. With two undergraduate majors and seven graduate programs, the School of Health builds on Augsburg’s strength as a regional leader in healthcare education and workforce development.听聽
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Lori Brandt Hale, director) advances Augsburg鈥檚 rich tradition of liberal arts education to equip students for full participation in a diverse and complex world. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences carries the heart of Augsburg鈥檚 mission-based commitments to cultural awareness and engagement with community into the curriculum through 36 undergraduate majors, two graduate programs, and a host of experiential learning opportunities on campus, in the neighborhood, and around the world. Graduates pursue careers in law, primary and secondary education, higher education, government, non-profit agencies, public policy, religious leadership, publishing, and more.听
School of Natural Sciences
The School of Natural Sciences (Ben Stottrup, director) prepares students to excel in STEM-related fields and graduate education. State-of-the-art classrooms, equipment, and labs in the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion facilitate interdisciplinary learning in 14 undergraduate majors and across the curriculum. The School of Natural Sciences is a hub for student research through programs like PRISM Scholars, TRIO McNair Scholars, and Zyzzogeton, Augsburg鈥檚 annual student research symposium. Working closely with natural sciences faculty, students develop a growth mindset and explore professional opportunities, preparing for careers that exist today and those that will be created in the future.
Muhiyadin “Mo” Aden ’24 MSPAS worked his way up from a starting position as a casual Somali interpreter to head of Hennepin County Medical Center’s interpreter department before deciding he could make a bigger impact with a medical degree. After graduating from Augsburg’s Master of Science in Physican Assistant Studies program, he returned to HCMC鈥攖his time as a provider in the emergency department.
