The University's Environment and Mission

Boise State University is the largest institution of higher learning in Idaho. It is located in the middle of one of the most vibrant and liveable cities in America and the governmental and commercial center of the Gem State. Boise State has been long been heralded as an institution devoted to excellence in classroom teaching, but a new dimension to its mission is emerging - that of a metropolitan research university of distinction.

As the Boise economy has changed into a dynamic marketplace of ideas and products - especially with its highly sophisticated technology sector - and as the city became the heart of a major metropolitan region, it is a natural transition for the city's university to expand from a traditional comprehensive higher education institution with a strong teaching mission to become a metropolitan research institution.

Although there are other institutions of higher education in the region, Boise State University is the only "full-service," comprehensive state university in the region. As defined by the Idaho State Board of Education, it is Boise State's role and mission to be a "comprehensive, urban university serving a diverse population through undergraduate and graduate programs, research, and state and regional public service."

Today, the breadth of programs and services Boise State offers and its unique location makes it one of the nation's best places to live and learn. Boise State has academic programs in seven colleges - Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Public Affairs, and Graduate Studies - with a full-time faculty of more than 600.

The University's Vision and Strategic Plan

Boise State University's vision is to become a Metropolitan Research University of Distinction. This quest is the natural outcome of the interaction of our role in our state system of education and the environment in which we are located.

The achievement of this vision is guided by our strategic plan, Charting the Course. The plan captures the meaning of the phrase "Metropolitan Research University of Distinction" as defined by faculty members, staff members, students, and community members:

Academic Excellence - high quality, student-focused programs that integrate theory and practice, engage students in community based learning, and are informed by meaningful assessment.
Public Engagement - the University's academic mission is linked with its community partners to address issues of mutual benefit.
Vibrant Culture - embraces and fosters innovation, responsiveness, inclusiveness, accessibility, diversity, and effective stewardship.
Exceptional Research - progressive scholarship and creative activity, and graduate programs that have groundbreaking applications locally, regionally, and globally.

Charting the Course also establishes a set of ten goals to guide our actions in the five areas identified as being critical to our progress: resources, infrastructure, people, connections, and culture.

Academic Structure of the University

Boise State University is organized into seven colleges. The colleges that make up Boise State University offer the opportunity to pursue your education in over 180 major fields of interest. Within these major fields of interest, the university awards a wide variety of degrees and certificates. (See Chapter 11 - Summary of Programs and Courses for a complete list of degrees, majors, minors, certificates, and transfer programs offered at Boise State University.)

Academic Organization of Boise State University
College	Departments
College of Arts and Sciences	Art; Biological Sciences; Chemistry and Biochemistry; English; Geosciences; Mathematics; Modern Languages and Literatures; Music; Philosophy; Physics; Theatre Arts
College of Business and Economics	Accountancy; Economics; Information Technology and Supply Chain Management; Management; Marketing and Finance
College of Education	Bilingual Education; Counselor Education; Curriculum, Instruction, and Foundational Studies; Educational Technology; Kinesiology; Literacy; Special Education and Early Childhood Studies
College of Engineering	Civil Engineering; Computer Science; Construction Management; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Instructional and Performance Technology; Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering
College of Health Sciences	Community and Environmental Health; Nursing; Radiologic Sciences; Respiratory Care
College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs	Anthropology; Communication; Criminal Justice; History; Military Science; Political Science; Psychology; Public Policy and Administration; Social Work; Sociology
Graduate College	Coordinates the graduate programs of the respective colleges and departments