Exchange Students
Students participating through a formal exchange agreement pay tuition and fees to their home institution rather than MSUM.
Study at Minnesota State Moorhead as an Exchange Student
Spend a semester or academic year in Minnesota while earning credits toward your degree at your home university. Discover a welcoming campus community, small class sizes, and an affordable Midwestern U.S. experience.
Why Choose Minnesota State Moorhead
130+ Academic Programs
Choose from a wide range of courses and disciplines.
Affordable Midwest Living
Lower living costs than many major U.S. cities.
Fargo-Moorhead Community
A metro area of approximately 270,000 residents with arts, sports, restaurants, and entertainment.
Free Student Transit
MSUM students ride MATBUS free through the U-Pass program.
Your Exchange Student Journey
Get
Nominated
Nominated
Submit Your
Application
Application
Plan Your
Courses
Courses
Prepare for
Arrival
Arrival
Become a
Dragon
Dragon
Work with your home university and MSUM staff every step of the way, from nomination through course selection, housing, and arrival on campus.
Academics
Course Selection
Minnesota State Moorhead offers more than 130 majors, minors, and emphases, providing exchange students with a wide selection of courses.
Before arrival, you'll work with an MSUM coordinator and your home institution to confirm eligibility and approve course selections so credits transfer smoothly.
Useful Links
Credit Conversion
Minnesota State Moorhead operates on the semester hour. One semester credit equals 50 minutes of class time per week over a 16-week term, including finals.
| US Credits | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 Credit | ≈ 1 Japanese Credit |
| 1 Credit | ≈ 2 ECTS Credits |
| 1 Credit | ≈ 4 UK Credits |
Important Dates & Deadlines
Additional dates can be found in the Academic Calendar.
Fall Semester
- Nomination Deadline: April 15
- Application Deadline: May 1
Spring Semester
- Nomination Deadline: September 15
- Application Deadline: October 1
Housing & Dining
All new incoming exchange students are required to live on campus. It's a cost-effective and convenient way to settle in quickly and connect with other students right away. Residence halls sit just steps from classrooms, dining, and campus activities, and each hall includes study lounges, laundry rooms, kitchenettes, and Wi-Fi.
Meals are centered around Kise Commons, the university's main dining hall, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a rotating variety of stations to fit different tastes and dietary needs. Campus dining also includes options like the Dragon Café, Starbucks, and a convenience store, giving you flexibility for grabbing food between classes or on the go.
Small-Town Comfort, Big-City Amenities
Moorhead sits directly across the Red River from Fargo, ND, part of a metro area of approximately 270,000 people. Enjoy a college-town feel with big-city amenities: an active arts scene, hundreds of restaurants, and free public transit for students.
Downtown Fargo and downtown Moorhead are both within minutes of campus and packed with things to do. You’ll find an active arts scene and community events year-round. From festivals and concerts to frequent sporting events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in and around Moorhead.
Getting around is easy too. Minnesota State Moorhead students ride MATBUS for free through the U-Pass program, and the airport, bike trails, and hundreds of restaurants are all within a short journey of campus.
Tuition & Fees
Non-Exchange Students
Students studying through a fee-paying option pay MSUM tuition and fees directly.
Questions? We're Here to Help.
Connect with our team for guidance and support.
Lee Gambara
(He/Him/His)
International Student Support Coordinator
Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Global Engagement
Kerri Spiering,
Ph.D.
Interim Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Engagement
Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Global Engagement
CU 120