University of North Dakota

university of north dakota accreditation

University of North Dakota Degree Programs

The University of North Dakota appears in our ranking of the Top 30 Great Value Colleges for a Master of Science in Nursing

The University of North Dakota is continually ranked as one of the best universities in the country. The university challenges students to expand their curiosity in over 225 fields of study. The encouragement to explore creates an atmosphere where students choose not to limit themselves to a major area but are also encouraged to seek out and identify a minor field of study. Such expansion of the imagination results in graduates firmly equipped for the changes that will surely develop in the future. The University of North Dakota encourages both brick and mortar classroom attendance and online participation. Students pursuing graduate degrees find a mix of opportunities at The University of North Dakota.

Considering the vast number of fields of study that students can pursue, it is not surprising to find the undergraduate majors grouped into different schools to enhance a student’s experience. Those schools are:

  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business and Public Administration
  • College of Education & Human Development
  • College of Engineering & Mines
  • College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines
  • John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
  • School of Medicines and Health Sciences

Because of the structure of these schools within the University of North Dakota and the encouragement students receive to explore different avenues of study, it is not unusual for undergraduate students to pursue a major in one school and a minor in another. Instances of nursing students pursuing a minor in English persist as well as students looking for a major in aerospace who minor in engineering. Combinations of fields of study like these lend graduates a leg up on the competition when they enter the workforce.

At the University of North Dakota, there is a vast difference in the purpose and regimen between major and minor degrees. To achieve a major in English, a student must complete 15 credit hours per term with 90 of their total 120 hours in English over four years. To gain an English minor, a student must complete 30 hours of study in English with equal amounts of hours being elective and required.

The university offers three different paths for graduate students. Depending on what credentials a graduate student is pursuing, they can seek certification in a specific area, a master degree or a doctoral degree.

To complete a certification program usually requires the completion of 12 credit hours of study with an accumulative grade of 3.00 or better. A Certification in Environmental Engineering is a program that involves a limited amount of schooling to enhance the experience of environmental engineers already on the job. The program focuses on courses listed as classes in Environmental Engineering graduate-level studies. To attain a certification takes two semesters of study while master level degrees take two to four years.

A Master of Science in Elementary Education requires that the student finish at least 32 credit hours of courses with 50% being above the 500-level. Six to eight credit-hours is considered a full load. The student must complete authorship of a capstone or thesis project that is publishable in their selected field.

The University of North Dakota offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing that is exceptional the two ways. First, the degree requires a dissertation for which the student has produced a nationally competitive research grant to pursue the study. Their completed work must be submitted, accepted, and published at a reputable medical journal, and the student is required to attend and perform in regular research seminars. Second, the degree is entirely available online for students that are working and pursuing distance learning.

Online courses are available at every level of education at the University of North Dakota. A Bachelor of Arts in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nutrition, and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy are a few of those listed in the university catalog. Students can take degrees that are offered entirely online or with a few classes online. The purpose of the online connection is to allow students to work while enhancing their credentials through education.

About University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota harkens back to its origins in 1883—six years before North Dakota became a state. Indeed, the university fostered the name for the state at the time the Dakota territories separated to become North and South Dakota. The campus covers 550-acres with classrooms, administrative buildings and student dorms along with all the athletic facilities demanded of a Division 1 NCAA University.

The university is one of the premier research schools in the United States with a long list of accomplishments that make other research schools envious. The National Science Foundation rates the university as 151st in research schools.

With over 13,500 students attending classes either physically or through online, the university offers a diversified student body. Clubs and organizations cover every area of interest and welcome all students to join.

University of North Dakota Accreditation Details

The University of North Dakota is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Each school within the university is accredited by authoritative organizations within their fields. A few of those authorities include:

  •  The Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  •  The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
  •  The American Bar Association
  •  The Council on Social Work Education
  •  National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
  •  North Dakota Board of Nursing
  •  The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP)
  •  Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)

University of North Dakota Application Requirements

The University of North Dakota accepts all applications that meet or exceed their fundamental requirements. An applying student must have an accumulative GPA of 2.75 or better for first-year students. ACT or SAT scores must reach a certain level depending on the student’s GPA. Plus the student must have completed 14 units of high school courses, including:

  •  Four units of English
  •  Three units of mathematics of Algebra 1 or higher
  •  Three units of lab science
  •  Three units of social studies
  •  One-unit extra unit of any of the above categories or foreign language education

The application requirements for entrance into graduate studies vary widely school by school. Students need to check department websites to determine those requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time students pay a lower tuition rate at the University of North Dakota than any other university in the 11-state area. Those who take undergraduate courses pay a tuition of $9,737 when taking a full load of 12 credit hours. Graduate-level tuition comes in at $496 per-credit-hour meaning that a full graduate-level load of eight credit hours is $3,968 per semester. The cost of housing and meals runs at $9,544 per semester making online courses extremely attractive financially. Students can expect to pay another $1000 per semester for books and fees.

To apply for financial aid, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. There are several federal and state grants available for students of need, and Federal Student Loans are available to assist students with their initial education costs.

The University of North Dakota encourages all students who qualify to apply regardless of their financial need.