Minerva University: Preparing Students for Success in a Changing World

The global job market is poised for significant disruptions in the next five years, driven by economic downturns and rapid technology adoption by companies. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report, employers anticipate a substantial turnover of 23 percent of jobs during this period. Therefore, educational institutions must adapt swiftly to these market shifts. Minerva University exemplifies such adaptation and is dedicated to cultivating problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders worldwide. In this blog, Josh Sadagursky, Enrollment and Partnership Manager of Minerva University, reveals everything you need to know about this trailblazing institution. 

What makes Minerva University unique?

In San Francisco, California, Minerva University has been recognised as the world’s #1 most innovative university by the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) for three consecutive years. The institution nurtures problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, and leaders from across the globe. With students hailing from over 100 countries and territories, Minerva offers a unique educational experience that spans multiple culturally rich cities worldwide over four years. This diverse cohort of future leaders shares a common goal: contributing to a safer, more just, and more sustainable world. Here are three distinct ways in which Minerva University stands out as a futuristic institution:

1) Global Rotation: 

Minerva University’s Global Rotation model offers a unique learning experience. It operates without a traditional campus, and students study in various global cities during their undergraduate and postgraduate courses alongside a diverse group of peers. Current cities include San Francisco, where students spend their first academic, followed by Berlin, Buenos Aires, Seoul, and Taipei. Beginning Fall 2025, Minerva will add Tokyo to its Global Rotation Program. Over time, these cities are subject to change to enhance learning experiences and provide the best educational opportunities. Students typically live in residence halls strategically located within rotation cities. The location of the residence halls in our global rotation cities may vary depending on the size of each cohort and building availability. The San Francisco residence halls are in the mid-Market and Nob Hill neighbourhoods.

Minerva’s Global Rotation Program stands out due to its extensive network of partner institutions and the breadth of its geographical coverage. With partnerships in over 20 countries, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a variety of cultural and professional environments. This exposure enhances their academic learning and fosters a deep understanding of global issues.

2) Active learning:

Minerva University employs an innovative approach called Active Learning, emphasising active engagement over passive lectures. This pedagogy integrates decades of cognitive and behavioural research, focusing on interactive, discussion-based classes that promote deep comprehension and retention. The curriculum includes Socratic discussions, role-playing, and project-based assignments, ensuring students are actively involved in learning. This method enhances individual outcomes and equips students with practical skills for real-world challenges, providing a dynamic and immersive educational experience. According to Minerva University’s internal study, active learning leads to at least a percent improvement in student learning over three years. In contrast, traditional lecture-based methods can result in a 92 percent loss of knowledge retention within six months.

3) Skill-focused curriculum: 

Minerva University’s curriculum focuses on building practical skills through continuous and detailed feedback. This approach helps students improve critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. It uses real-world applications and personalised assessments to prepare students for future challenges and ever-changing careers. 

4) Experiential learning:

Minerva University integrates experiential learning into its curriculum by immersing students in real-world environments across various global cities. The programme includes Minerva University Labs, hosted events, city experiences, and community-based projects, allowing students to engage directly with local cultures and challenges. This approach ensures students apply their classroom knowledge to practical situations, enhancing their understanding and skills. Students participate in projects that address real-world problems, gaining valuable insights and experience. Minerva University projects have included a Sustainability Lab in Limón, Costa Rica, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab in Tokyo, Japan, and a Music, Health & Wellness Lab research and design project in San Francisco, US. This immersive, hands-on learning fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. 

5) Seminar-style teaching:

Minerva University’s seminar-style classes are conducted virtually with around 20 students, encouraging active participation and in-depth discussions. The small class size allows for personalised interaction and frequent feedback from professors, who provide detailed evaluations and support. The learning experience includes breakout groups, quizzes, polls, and collaborative files to enhance engagement and understanding. This approach ensures that students receive individual attention and have access to resources like class recordings and open office hours for additional support.

6) Career Development:

From day one, students are matched with a Career and Talent Development (CTD) coach and receive personalised mentorship throughout their educational journey and after graduation. Through 1:1 and group coaching and workshops, the CTD team guides students on networking, storytelling, and career exploration, helping them to identify and pursue their career goals effectively. Minerva University boasts a high success rate, with 91 percent of graduates pursuing careers of interest, whether enrolled in advanced degree programmes or employed full-time. Additionally, 12 percent of graduates have founded or co-founded their current organisations and secured start-up funding, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit fostered at Minerva.

The university’s alumni network is extensive, with 15 percent continuing their education in master’s programmes, doctorates, or academic fellowships. Furthermore, 97 percent of the alumni held an internship role before graduation and currently work with companies like Google, McKinsey & Company, The World Bank, Amazon, IBM, and the United Nations. Leveraging this network, the university provides work-study programmes, offering valuable professional experience while students earn an income. These positions are available to those with financial need and are manageable alongside academic responsibilities. Additionally, Minerva facilitates summer internships, allowing students to gain hands-on experience.

Overview of the undergraduate programme at Minerva University

The four-year undergraduate programme at Minerva University challenges students by providing a broad understanding and deep expertise across disciplines. Each semester builds on the previous one, and every course covers subjects that interconnect and span across disciplines. The first year is the foundational year, where students complete cornerstone courses, including:

• Formal Analyses: Focus on critical thinking and logic.
• Multimodal Communications: Develop communication skills.
• Empirical Analyses: Foster creative thinking and scientific inquiry.
• Complex Systems: Study human interactions and systems.

These courses lay the groundwork for the second year, where students choose their major and begin specialised core courses. The five available majors—Arts & Humanities, Business, Computational Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences—offer a broad foundation and allow students to explore various concentrations within their chosen field. Additionally, students can tailor their education by selecting minors in disciplines outside their major. 

The third year focuses on deepening expertise within the major through concentration courses and starting a Capstone Project, a significant research or practical project related to the student’s interests and career goals.

Students complete their Capstone Project in the final year, integrating their accumulated knowledge and skills. This project can take many forms, such as a business plan, a research paper, or a creative work. It is presented during Manifest, a month-long semester in San Francisco that marks the culmination of their undergraduate experience.

Overview of the graduate programme at Minerva University

Minerva University offers two innovative and part-time graduate programmes with interactive online classes:  

The Master of Science in Decision Analysis (MDA)

The MDA course equips current and future leaders with essential decision-making skills. The curriculum is divided into three main components: six practical courses to develop creative, critical thinking, and communication skills; two analytical courses focusing on data analysis and research design; and an independently completed thesis with the guidance of a thesis advisor.

Students can choose from three specialisation tracks: Education Innovation, Global Sustainability Solutions, and General. Each track includes specialised electives, focused case studies, and a thesis project. While most students complete the programme in 21 months, there are options to extend the duration up to four years. 

Certificate in Decision Analysis (CDA)

The CDA course at Minerva University comprises four online courses designed to enhance problem-solving and leadership skills:

• Formal Methods for Analysis and Decision Making: Focuses on mathematical and logical approaches to problem-solving.
• Decision Making in Complex Social Systems: Enhances leadership and negotiation skills through global case studies.
• Critical Analysis of Consequential Decisions: Develops strategies for effective decision-making in complex scenarios.
• Frameworks for Evidence-Based Decision Making: Teaches data-driven problem-solving and cognitive bias elimination.

Upon completion, students earn 24 academic credits and a certificate, demonstrating their readiness to lead effectively. 75 percent of CDA students who wish to transfer to the Master of Science in Decision Analysis (MDA) Program have succeeded.

What kind of students is Minerva University looking for?

Minerva seeks students who want to step out of their comfort zones and embrace academic and professional challenges. Ideal candidates are passionate, driven, and high-achieving individuals who aim to impact the world positively. Other qualities Minerva students exemplify are:

• A broad interest in a variety of subjects
• Curiosity about the world and its people
• The continuous drive to excel
• A focus on community
• An inventive, entrepreneurial spirit
• The potential to lead
• The ability to collaborate.
  

Minerva University exemplifies the future of education by embracing a global, experiential, and skill-focused model. This innovative approach equips students to navigate an uncertain world and empowers them to lead and innovate. For admission inquiries, email admissions@minerva.edu. But if you need guidance with your undergraduate or postgraduate application, please contact The Red Pen today!