The Indians into Psychology Doctoral Education (INPSYDE) program was established (Senate Bill 2412) in 1992. This legislation also established the Quentin N. Burdick Indian Health Programs at UND, which now consist of the INMED (Indians into Medicine), RAIN (Recruitment/retention of American Indians into Nursing), and the INPSYDE Program. The primary goals of the INPSYDE program are to: a) increase the number of American Indians with doctoral degrees in psychology; and, b) enhance the cross-cultural understanding and competence of non-Indians about Indian Psychology. The University of North Dakota was chosen as the optimal site for development of the first INPSYDE program by APA. The UND INPSYDE Program is currently in the eleventh year of funding support through IHS in July of 2007.

The INPSYDE Program addresses four major problem areas:

1. Too few mental health professionals in Native American communities
2. Too few Native American mental health professionals.
3. Substandard availability of quality mental health services in Native American communities within the immediate five-state area.
4. Insufficient cross-cultural training in mainstream psychology.

Given these areas, the INPSYDE Program objectives are to:

• increase awareness of, interest in, and motivation for training and careers in mental health at all levels;
• build and maintain affiliations between tribal colleges, reservation high schools, IHS service units and the University of North Dakota;
• recruit American Indian students in psychology undergraduate and graduate programs;
• provide academic, administrative, personal, and cultural support to assist in successful academic and career achievement;
• provide psychological services to underserved Indian communities by:
  • establishing training oppurtunites for psychology graduate students in Native communities
  • placing Native American mental professionals in Native communities.

The Psychology Department at UND currently dedicates two slots each year to incoming Native American graduate students. The INPSYDE Program provides services including academic assistance, financial assistance when possible, career preparation and support, personal support, and social/cultural support to Native American undergraduate and graduate students. These services are available from INPSYDE or through cooperative agreements with other Native American support programs at UND. In addition, the INPSYDE office helps the department develop guidelines that will aid in the selection and retention of qualified Native American Students.

Interested Native American students are encouraged to apply. Here are the eligibility requirements:

1. Enrollment or descendency from a Federally recognized tribe.
2. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology. Undergraduates must be working toward a degree in Psychology with interests in graduate study. (Master's degrees in other fields do not count towards the doctoral program of study)
3. Must take or have taken the GRE exams (general and subject) with scores available by February 1st.

If you are interested please follow the links above to the Graduate School, or please feel free to contact us for more information.