The institution's mission is to discover, create, and transmit knowledge through teaching, research, and service . The institution offers baccalaureate programs, advanced professional training, and graduate education of national significance and prominence at the master's and doctoral levels, with a strong emphasis on research to complement the important teaching role . National accreditation is a goal for all programs for which this accreditation is available. High priority is given to research and professional programs which make scholarly and creative contributions to the various disciplines and which support master's and doctoral programs of excellence. High priority is also given to research which results in the development and application of new technology and processes with commercial potential.
Graduate study is a distinct organizational element within the institution.
Students are admitted on the basis of their projected ability to succeed at the institution. Projected ability to succeed is based primarily on past performance, e.g., grade point average, and standardized test scores. Satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses and work experience may also be factors. The institution provides library services, support services, equipment, and other resources to support undergraduate and graduate programs, and student and faculty research. The institution offers associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs and selected professional master's programs.