Northeastern State University
About Northeastern State University
Location and Physical Facilities
Northeastern State University is located in a place like no other, where the Ozark Mountains, famous for their beauty, roll gently across the land, offering a panorama of natural scenery filled with pines, oaks, dogwoods, and redbuds that blossom each spring. Nearby runs the Illinois River, cool and clear, feeding into Lake Tenkiller, a lake of deep crystal green with a shoreline of beautiful forest and spectacular rock bluffs. The countryside, river, and lake create an ideal area for a wide variety of favorite outdoor activities including backpacking, camping, horseback riding, fishing, boating, scuba diving, water skiing and many others. Within this natural setting is the city of Tahlequah, capital of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, where the tribe’s western migration ended in 1839. Having rebuilt their civilization after their relocation, the Cherokees established a progressive system of tribal government and public education. A history so unique makes for a rich and active heritage celebrated with Native American art, crafts, and drama of the “Trail of Tears” performed in an outdoor amphitheater at the Tsa La Gi complex which also houses the Cherokee Village and Cherokee Heritage Center.
And in the midst of this city and surrounding countryside resides NSU with its 200-acre campus of beautiful lawns and large shade trees. NSU, founded in 1909 on the grounds of the Cherokee National Female Seminary, is a university that offers students and townspeople not only a tradition of excellent teaching, but also Broadway productions, concerts, and guest lecturers of international fame and both serious drama and fun-filled entertainment at the NSU Playhouse. NSU, Tahlequah and Tulsa metroplex, just an hour away, offer a little bit of Eden west of the Mississippi.
History
Northeastern State University had its beginning in 1846 when the Cherokee National Council authorized establishment of a National Male Seminary and National Female Seminary to fulfill the stipulation in the Treaty of 1835 between the United States and the Cherokee Nation that public and higher education be provided for the Cherokees. Erection of the buildings for the two seminaries began in 1847 and the Cherokee National Male Seminary opened on May 6, 1851. The Cherokee National Female Seminary opened the following day. With the exception of a period between the end of the fall semester 1856 and the beginning of the fall semester 1871, these institutions were in continuous operation until 1909.
On March 6, 1909, the State Legislature of Oklahoma passed an act providing for the creation and location of Northeastern State Normal School at Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and for the purchase from the Cherokee Tribal Government of the building, land, and equipment of the Cherokee Female Seminary. The educational program of the normal school consisted of four years of high school and two years of college level study.
As previously authorized by an act of the Legislature, the State Board of Education then the governing board of the college, took action in 1919 to change the normal school to Northeastern State Teachers College and to provide for a four-year curriculum leading to the bachelor’s degree. The Oklahoma legislature authorized that the name of the institution be changed to Northeastern State College in 1939. A constitutional amendment adopted in 1941 created The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, of which Northeastern State University and all other state-supported institutions of higher education are integral parts. The system is coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
In the 1950’s, Northeastern emerged as a comprehensive state college, broadening its
curriculum at the baccalaureate level to encompass liberal arts subjects and adding a fifth-
year program designed to prepare master teachers for elementary and secondary schools. By the early 1970’s the functions of the institution had been broadened to include degree programs in liberal arts, business, and selected service areas. The approval of several new
certificate and degree programs in non-teaching areas added a significant dimension to the
role of Northeastern. The Oklahoma Legislature authorized that the name of the institution be changed to Northeastern Oklahoma State University in 1974. The Northeastern State
University College of Optometry opened in 1979 and made history when its first doctoral
graduates received their degree in the spring of 1983.
The official name of the University was changed by act of the Oklahoma Legislature in
1985 to Northeastern State University.
Mission Statement
Founded on the rich educational heritage of the Cherokee Nation, the campuses of Northeastern State University provide our diverse communities a broad array of lifelong learning, undergraduate, graduate, and professional doctoral degree programs. Through quality teaching, research and scholarly activities, service to local and professional communities, and high expectations, our dedicated faculty and staff provide a friendly learning environment where students are prepared to achieve socially responsible career and personal goals for success in a challenging global society.
Vision Statement
Northeastern State University endeavors to prepare students to succeed as global citizens by providing exceptional undergraduate graduate, and selected doctoral degree programs.
Accreditation
Northeastern State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 800-621-7440), the National Council for Accreditation
of Teacher Education, (2010 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036-1023, 202-466-7496), and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation (4545
N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 275, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, 405-525-2612). All programs offered by the University are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (655 Research Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-225-9100) and by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (4900 Richmond Square, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, 405-848-3373).
The Master of Science program in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Northeastern State University's College of Optometry Professional Degree Program has full accreditation by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), 243 N. Lindberg Blvd., St Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100.
The Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration programs offered through the College of Business and Technology are fully accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (7007 College Blvd, Suite 420, Overland Park, KS 66211, 913-339-9356).
Boards Of Control
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is a constitutional board of nine members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate, with one member’s term expiring each year. This Board issues all degrees earned, determines the curricula and courses of study, prescribes academic standards, establishes student fees, and allocates funds to each institution for operation and maintenance from the legislative appropriations which are made to the board.
The Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma is a constitutional board of nine members, eight of whom are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. The ninth member is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Members of the Board serve a nine-year appointment with one member’s term expiring each year. The duties and powers of this Board are to make rules and regulations governing the University, to employ all persons in the service of the University, to construct all buildings, and to authorize the purchase of equipment and supplies.
University Administration
The University is under the direction of the President who is subject to the supervision of the two boards of regents. As chief executive officer, it is the responsibility of the President to determine and to provide for the execution of all University policies and regulations. In the discharge of these duties, he is regularly assisted by the other officers and by administrators and representatives of the staff and faculty.
© Northeastern State University
Graduate College Office | 601 N. Grand Ave. | Tahlequah, OK 74464 | USA
Phone: 918-458-2093 | Fax: 918-444-2295