Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College: Programs and Opportunities

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) is a public tribal land-grant community college located in Cloquet, Minnesota, within the Twin Ports area of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. As Minnesota's first tribal college, FDLTCC is a member of Minnesota State, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium. The college is committed to providing higher education opportunities in a welcoming, culturally diverse environment.

History and Accreditation

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians recognized the importance of post-secondary education in 1979 and began holding classes at the Tribal Ojibwe School on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation through Mesabi Community College in 1985. The Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee unified tribal, state, and community support for a community college, leading to the creation of the Fond du Lac Community College Center in 1987, an extension of Mesabi Range Community College. In 1989, the State of Minnesota appropriated funds for the founding of FDLTCC, and a new campus opened in 1992.

FDLTCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, ensuring that the college meets nationally accepted standards for academic content and rigor. Credits earned at FDLTCC will transfer to other accredited institutions. The Criminal Justice / Peace Officer program is certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. The Nursing Program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and is working with the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission. The Anishinaabeg Gikendaasowinan programs are accredited by the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC). The Business degree program is in candidate status with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Degree Programs

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College offers a complete schedule of courses across a wide range of programs and areas of concentration. Students can work toward a two-year Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. Students may also complete credits for transfer to another college as specified in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Short-term diploma and certificate programs are also available. Degrees and credits earned at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College transfer to most other colleges and universities.

Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree

The Associate of Arts degree is awarded for successful completion of programs primarily intended to provide a broad liberal arts and sciences background and to constitute the first two years of four-year programs. Associate of Arts degree requirements include the completion of 60 semester credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, including a minimum of 40 credits in general education courses as defined by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) Degree

The Associate of Fine Arts degree provides the opportunity for students to study fine arts curricula while pursuing educational requirements necessary for transfer to accredited four-year degree programs in visual arts. The Associate of Fine Arts degree requires 60 semester credits, including 24 semester credits in general education courses as defined by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum.

Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree

The Associate of Science degree is awarded for successful completion of programs which have highly structured professional level technical requirements. Recipients of this degree shall be prepared for transfer to baccalaureate majors in the same field.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded to students who complete the requirements in approved occupational programs. The Associate of Applied Science degree requires 60 semester credits, including 15 semester credits in general education courses as defined by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. A.A.S. degree programs are designed to lead directly into a position in that field.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Transfer Programs

Students planning to transfer to another institution to complete a four-year college degree can begin their program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College by completing an Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.), or an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. Students who are planning to transfer to another institution should keep in mind the requirements of that institution when selecting courses in the area that they may plan on majoring in at the transfer institution. Unless the students are in a program they do not declare a major while attending Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Students who are unsure of what area they may ultimately select at their transfer institution will receive a well-rounded foundation for future courses by completing the general requirements for graduating with an Associate of Arts degree.

The mission of the liberal arts and sciences program is:

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To prepare students for the future by promoting cultural diversity within a global perspective
To expose students to a broad spectrum of knowledge and an open exchange of ideas
To promote an understanding of the human experience and the inter-relation of the personal, social, and historical dimensions of human life.
To promote scholarship and academic excellence.
To promote respect for individuals, the community, and the environment.

The liberal arts and sciences curriculum provides an excellent background in general education and will transfer to a wide variety of colleges and universities.

Foundation courses are offered as part of an A.A., A.F.A., or A.S. degree in the following disciplines and should transfer to most other institutions. Students attending Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College may consider the following areas of concentration:

Accounting
American Indian Studies
Art
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Child Development
Corrections
Criminology/Criminal Justice
Education
Early Childhood
Elementary
Secondary
Electric Utility Technology
English
Environmental Science
Geography
Health Sciences
History
Human Services
Criminal Justice / Peace Officer
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Mathematics
Music
Nursing
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Social Work
Sociology
Speech/Communication

Career and Technical Education Programs

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree may also be awarded to students who complete the requirements in approved career and technical education programs. A.A.S. degree programs are designed to lead directly into a position in that field. A.S. degree programs may lead to a position in their chosen career area but will also transfer to a four-year institution and provide a solid educational foundation for students seeking advanced training or a four-year degree.

A student taking classes at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College may select from the following career and technical education programs:

Business
- Business/Financial Services (A.S.)
- Small Business Entrepreneurship (A.A.S.)
Child Development (A.S., A.A.S.)
Elementary Education (B.S.)
Geographic Information Systems
- Geographic Information Systems and Visualization (A.A.S.)
Human Services (A.A.S.)
Criminal Justice / Peace Officer
- Criminal Justice (A.A.S.)
- Law Enforcement (A.S.)
Nursing (A.S.)
Science
- Broad Field Health Science (A.S.)
- Environmental Science (A.S.)

Certificate Programs

Students who are interested in a specific area, require training in a specialized area, or just want to see if college is the best educational path for them may begin their college experience by taking courses toward the completion of a certificate or diploma. Certificates and diplomas are designed to be completed in a short period of time and may be used as a starting point to future educational opportunities. Additional certificates may be developed. Some of the certificates have prerequisites that must be completed before the student can enroll in the certificate courses. Please contact an advisor or program coordinator of the certificate you are interested in before registering.

American Indian Studies
Anishinaabe Language
Business
Small Business/Entrepreneurship
Child Development
Geographic Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems and Visualization
Human Services
Chemical Dependency
Criminal Justice / Peace Officer
Criminal Justice / Peace Officer Skills
Nursing
Nursing Assistant

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

The public colleges and universities in Minnesota have a common liberal education curriculum called the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MTC). The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum requires at least 40 semester credits to complete and consists of lower division general education requirements. The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum is transferable to any state college and university in Minnesota (excluding most private colleges).

Educational Partnerships

Students have the opportunity to complete bachelor's-level degrees via cooperative programs established through partnerships between Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and several regional colleges and universities. In some cases, all courses needed to complete the bachelor's degree are offered on campus in Cloquet, or via an online class format. Some programs require attendance in courses on the partnering campus. These cooperative programs have specific requirements for completion prior to being accepted into the upper division courses. Students should consult with an advisor/counselor when considering participation in one of the articulated programs.

The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Human Services program has written transfer agreements with the College of St. Scholastica (CSS) and the University of Wisconsin, Superior.

Additional Programs and Resources

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in partnership ed2go, provides access to hundreds of highly interactive, non-credit courses and advanced career training programs. Students have the option to choose the course method that works best for them. Options include ed2go instructor lead 6-week courses or self-paced courses.

Examples of courses include:

Mastering Office Management
Speed Spanish
American Sign Language
Business Writing
Microsoft Excel
Computer and Digital Literacy
Mastering Online Learning

The college also offers a Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Exam Preparation Course.

Student Life

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is also a member of the NJCAA, Division III and offers football, womenâs fastpitch softball, menâs and womenâs basketball, womenâs volleyball, and baseball.

Testimonials

"It is awesome here at the FDLTCC Education Program because it is like a family here, if you need help or are struggling with anything, you have quite a few people who will help you out." - Jordan Paulson
"My favorite thing about FDLTCC is the people. Iâve met fantastic students, faculty, and staff who go above and beyond what I expected." - Dominic Smith
"I chose FDLTCC because of its size and the curriculum. When I first came here, I was just looking for what I needed to volunteer, perhaps in a crisis shelter."

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