Five higher education institutions – Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, North Dakota State College of Science, North Dakota State University, and Minnesota State Community and Technical College – came together Wednesday to enter into the Metro College Alliance course exchange agreement to benefit students. 

A signing ceremony was held at M State, with presidents and additional representatives from each institution in attendance. Speakers included M State President Carrie Brimhall, NDSU President David Cook, Tri-College Provost Tim Flakoll, and MSUM nursing student Carley Berg. The agreement, effective January 1, 2025, will allow degree-seeking students at any of the member institutions to enroll in undergraduate courses at the other institutions without undergoing separate admission procedures. 

The Metro College Alliance course exchange agreement replaces the previous Tri-College University consortium, which has facilitated cross-institutional course enrollment since 1970. The new agreement is designed to adapt to the evolving higher education landscape, ensuring that students continue to benefit from the collaborative spirit of the member institutions. 

Key highlights of the agreement include seamless course enrollment and enhanced academic flexibility. Students can register for courses at any of the member institutions through a streamlined process, broadening their educational opportunities and keeping them local. The agreement supports students in completing their degrees by providing access to courses that may not be available at their home institution, especially in their final academic year or for specific program requirements. 

“This agreement exemplifies our commitment to providing flexible and comprehensive educational opportunities for our students. By collaborating, we can offer a richer academic experience and support our students in achieving their educational goals,” said M State President Carrie Brimhall.

Photo caption: Student speaker Carley Berg speaks at the podium with (seated, left to right) Tri-College Provost Tim Flakoll, M State President Carrie Brimhall, MSUM President Timothy Downs, NDSCS President Rod Flanigan, Concordia College President Colin Irvine and NDSU President David Cook.