The Mustang Pathway Program is an alternate entry program to allow more students to earn their degree at SMSU. We understand that not everyone has access to the same college prep work. We also know that grades and test scores may not reflect a student’s potential. The Mustang Pathway Program meets students where they are and helps them get on track to a degree.
For more information contact Jeet Sausen at Jeet.Sausen@smsu.edu
Students in the Mustang Pathway Program participate in a free five-week summer bridge to strengthen English, math and study skills in an engaging and supportive environment. The Mustang Pathway Program helps students transition to the university with focused coursework before the start of the academic term. Students who successfully complete the Mustang Pathway Program are admitted to SMSU, and are required to join the Pathway Scholars, a first-year student cohort.
SUMMER PROGRAM
Required Online Orientation:
July 15- July 18, 2025
Move to Campus:
July 20, 2025
Classes Start:
July 21- August 15, 2025
Mission
In line with Minnesota State’s 2030 Goal to “eliminate the educational equity gaps,” the Mustang Pathway Program is an adaptive entry program with transition points that meets students where they are. The program is designed to help students achieve growth, success, perseverance and resiliency to matriculate to graduation. As reflective of MinnState FY2020 and Beyond Strategic Repositioning, the Mustang Pathway Program plans to eliminate “the educational equity gaps across racial/ethnic groups, socio-economic classes, rural and urban divides, and historically marginalized segments of the population” (MinnState 2019, p.2).
How to Apply
Students are referred to the Mustang Pathway Program by the Office of Admission if their application package does not meet the requirements for direct admission to SMSU. Following their referral, students are contacted directly by Mustang Pathway Program staff and invited to begin their Mustang Pathway Program onboarding process. By participating in the Mustang Pathway Program, students have another route to completing their degree at SMSU with no additional time added to their chosen degree program.