School of Graduate Studies Information

Mission

The School of Graduate Studies has responsibility for all graduate work at the University except for that leading to the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Juris Doctorate (J.D.). It is the purpose of the School of Graduate Studies to provide opportunity for advanced study beyond the limits of undergraduate courses, to make available the resources of the University in such combinations as will meet the occupational, intellectual, and cultural needs of qualified post-baccalaureate students, and to encourage original investigation and creative scholarship. The University of North Dakota offers the largest and most diversified graduate school in the region. A number of unique facilities and support resources augment the instructional and research program. 

The School of Graduate Studies: General Information

The School of Graduate Studies provides qualified post-baccalaureate students with the opportunity for advanced study toward a graduate degree or certificate. The School of Graduate Studies promotes excellence in scholarship and creativity, and encourages original research and competency in technical and professional fields. The School of Graduate Studies is responsible for general supervision of all graduate activity in the departments, schools, and colleges of the University.

Graduate level programs and courses are offered through various delivery modes. Opportunities for on-campus, online, and combinations of on-campus/online study exist for many programs. Students should consult with individual programs or the School of Graduate Studies for information regarding on-campus and online programming. Students wishing to enroll in distance courses and programs must follow all School of Graduate Studies policies and procedures.

The School of Graduate Studies is a member of the Western Association of Graduate Schools, the Association for Graduate Enrollment Management, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the Midwestern Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals. The School of Graduate Studies is one of the one hundred charter members of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States.

The Dean is the chief administrative officer of the School of Graduate Studies. School of Graduate Studies policy is set by the Graduate Faculty which is made up of the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and members of the University faculty who have been approved for membership on the Graduate Faculty. A full listing of the Graduate Faculty is available on the School of Graduate Studies website: http://UND.edu/academics/graduate-school. Only members of the Graduate Faculty normally may serve on Faculty Advisory Committees and serve as advisors for graduate students.

School of Graduate Studies: Academic Programs

Graduate degrees are offered within seven Colleges or Schools as listed below:

College of Arts & Sciences: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Criminal Justice, English, Forensic Psychology, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physics & Astrophysics, and Psychology

College of Business and Public Administration: Accountancy, Applied Economics & Predictive Analytics, Business Administration, and Public Administration

College of Education and Human Development: Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Educational Foundations & Research, Educational Leadership, Educational Practice & Leadership, Educational Studies, Elementary Education, Higher Education, Instructional Design & Technology, Kinesiology, Reading Education, Special Education, Teaching & Leadership, Teaching & Learning, and TESOL.

College of Engineering and Mines: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Energy/Energy Systems Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Systems Engineering.

College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines: Nurse Anesthesia, Adult Gerontology NP, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nursing Practice, Nutrition, Psychiatric and Mental Health NP, and Social Work.

John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences: Aerospace Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Aviation, Earth System Science & Policy, and Space Studies

School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Biomedical Sciences, Clinical & Translational Science, Indigenous Health, Medical Lab Science, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, Public Health

The Graduate Committee

The Graduate Committee is the executive council of the Graduate Faculty. In this capacity it is advisory to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and serves as the School of Graduate Studies Curriculum Committee. The Graduate Committee is responsible for hearing appeals of decisions on student academic matters rendered by the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. The voting membership of the Graduate Committee consists of thirteen full members of the Graduate Faculty. These thirteen members of the Graduate Committee are elected by those members of the Graduate Faculty from each of thirteen academic areas, with each person elected to serve a three-year term. Non-voting ex officio members of the Graduate Committee include the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, any Associate Dean(s), and the appointed graduate student member. The graduate student member must be enrolled in the School of Graduate Studies and will serve a one-year term. The membership roster of the Graduate Committee is available from the School of Graduate Studies and is posted on the School of Graduate Studies website.

Assessment

As an institution of higher education, the university is committed to ongoing assessment of student learning at all levels and in all programs. Assessment of student learning is essential in order for the University to improve educational programs and the experiences of students. Students and faculty are encouraged to respond when asked to participate in surveys and other assessment activities. Students are also encouraged to collaborate in the planning and development of assessment activities and to make suggestions for improvements.

Degrees Granted

The degrees conferred for graduate work are the Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Engineering (M.Engr.), Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Master of Music (M.M.), Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), Master of Science in Applied Economics (M.S.A.E.), Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Doctor of Arts (D.A.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.). The Specialist Diploma is offered in Educational Leadership.

Student Responsibility 

It is the responsibility of the student to become informed and to observe all regulations and procedures required by the University, the School of Graduate Studies Catalog and the program in which she or he is enrolled. The student is responsible for reading the Graduate Catalog, all contracts for employment, the terms and conditions of any awards and correspondence from the various offices of the University. The student is responsible for knowing his or her academic standing and grade-point average. While the School of Graduate Studies attempts to notify students regarding any problems in the student’s progress toward a degree, the student alone is responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic standing and progress.

The School of Graduate Studies expects all students and faculty to be aware of its policies and procedures. Ignorance of a rule does not constitute a basis for waiving that rule.

Petitions and Appeals

Students who wish to be excused from School of Graduate Studies requirements must petition the Dean on a petition form available on the School of Graduate Studies Web page. The forms require the written endorsement of the advisor, instructor (if appropriate), and department chairperson or graduate program director. The student should state clearly and concisely: 1) the nature of the petition; 2) the basis for the petition, including any supporting documentation; and 3) the outcome they are seeking. Petitions should be used only for exceptional circumstances. Failure to follow policies and procedures usually does not qualify as an exceptional circumstance. Graduate students or members of the Graduate Faculty may appeal decisions of the dean to the Graduate Committee.

Prohibited Acts

Section II of the UND Code of Student Life defines prohibited acts as those that would include violation of civil or criminal laws, acts of dishonesty, acts against other persons, disruptive activity or disorderly conduct, possession of prohibited property, acts involving property, and misuse of the campus judicial system. Graduate students involved in any prohibited activities will be subject to University discipline sanctions.

Additional Information

For detailed information students should consult the School of Graduate Studies Section of this Catalog or go to the School of Graduate Studies website at: https://und.edu/academics/graduate-school/. Address inquiries to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, 264 Centennial Drive, Mail Stop 8178, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202; Telephone (701) 777-2784; or 1-800-CALL-UND; or email at: gradschool@und.edu.