Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) offers strong job opportunity potential across faculty, administrative, and staff roles. Openings include positions such as Assistant Professors in fields like Finance, Art, Social Work, Special Education, and Management. Staff roles include positions in financial aid, development, and IT support. SMSU also frequently hires adjunct faculty and student workers. The Social Work program is expanding with new faculty appointments starting Fall 2025, including online and remote teaching opportunities.

Applications are processed through the SMSU Career Site (Workday) or the PeopleAdmin portal. Required documents typically include a CV, cover letter, transcripts, and references. Recruitment timelines can take several weeks to months, so timely application and follow-ups are recommended.

Employee reviews rate SMSU positively for its supportive culture, stable work environment, and good benefits. Some drawbacks include limited pay growth and communication challenges in management. Overall, SMSU provides a balanced and student-focused workplace, making it a good option for professionals seeking academic or administrative careers in higher education.

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

Master of Business Administration requires a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or a GMAT score of 450 or higher.
M.S. in Education requires a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA.
M.S. in Special Education requires a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA.
M.S. in Physical Education requires a bachelor's degree with a 2.5 GPA.
M.S. in Cybersecurity requires a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA.
M.S. in Nursing, Nurse Educator requires a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA.
Educational Administration & Leadership requires a master's degree with a 3.0 GPA.
Licensure &  Certificates require a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

• Applicants must earn a score of 550 or better for paper based tests (PBT)
• Applicants must earn a score of 213 or better for computer based tests (CBT)
• Applicants must earn a score of 79 or better for internet based tests (iBT)
• SMSU school code for TOEFL is 6703

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

• Applicants must earn a score of 6.5 or higher

Pearson English Learning Proficiency Test

• Applicants must earn a score of 58 or higher 

Duolingo English Test

• Applicants must earn a score of 105 or higher

A successful completion of Level 109 at an English Language School