Joseph N. Benoit, Dean

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL MISSION

The Graduate School 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 Graduate School 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.

Each year approximately 650 new students enroll for degrees in the Graduate School, and approximately 500 students receive master’s degrees and 50 students receive doctoral degrees. In addition, the Graduate School offers extensive off-campus program offerings through the Division of Continuing Education.

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL: GENERAL INFORMATION

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

The majority of the graduate courses are offered on the Grand Forks campus; however, each semester some graduate courses are offered off campus through cooperative agreements between the Graduate School and the UND Division of Continuing Education. A number of distance degree programs are offered throughout the state of North Dakota. Students wishing to enroll in distance courses and programs must follow all graduate school policies and procedures.

The Graduate School is a member of the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools, the Western Association of Graduate Schools, the American Indian Professional Association, and the Center for Academic Integrity. The Graduate School 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 Graduate School. Graduate School policy is set by the Graduate Faculty which is made up of the President, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of the Graduate School, and members of the University faculty who have been approved for membership on the Graduate Faculty. Approximately 525 faculty are members of the Graduate Faculty. A full listing of the Graduate Faculty is available on the Graduate School web site.

The Graduate Committee is the executive body of the Graduate Faculty. It is composed of the Graduate Dean, the Associate Dean, thirteen faculty members, that are elected by the Graduate Faculty to represent each of the academic areas, and one student member. The Committee formulates Graduate School policy, monitors program development on behalf of the Graduate Faculty, and serves as an appeal board for student petitions. Only members of the Graduate Faculty normally may serve on Faculty Advisory Committees and serve as advisors for graduate students.

GRADUATE SCHOOL ACADEMIC AREAS

The Graduate School is organized into thirteen academic areas. These areas and the programs or departments that comprise them are listed below.

Aerospace Sciences: Atmospheric Sciences, Aviation, Earth Systems Science & Policy, Space Studies

Basic Medical Sciences: Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Pharmacology, Physiology & Therapeutics

Business: Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Industrial Technology, Information Systems & Business Education, Management, Marketing

Education: Educational Foundations & Research, Educational Leadership, Instructional Design & Technology, Teaching & Learning

Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Fine Arts: Art, Music, Theatre Arts

Health Professions: Clinical Laboratory Science, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant

Human Development: Communication Sciences & Disorders, Counseling, Physical Education, Exercise Science & Wellness, Social Work

Humanities: History, Indian Studies, Philosophy & Religion

Mathematics and Natural Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology & Geological Engineering, Mathematics, Physics

Nursing: Family & Community Nursing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Practice & Role Development (Nursing)

Social Sciences: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Geography, Political Science, Public Administration, Psychology, Sociology

Speech and Language: Communication, English, Languages, Linguistics

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 Graduate School and serves as the Graduate School Curriculum Committee. The Graduate Committee is responsible for hearing appeals of decisions on student academic matters rendered by the Dean of the Graduate School. 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 Graduate School, any Associate Dean(s), and the appointed graduate student member. The graduate student member must be enrolled in the Graduate School and will serve a one-year term. The membership roster of the Graduate Committee is available from the Graduate School and is posted on the Graduate School web site.