NE North Dakota News

The University of North Dakota (UND) has announced the addition of three degree programs in response to the growing economic needs of North Dakota. These programs aim to bridge the gap between education and employment in fields seeing significant job growth.

Following the achievement of a Carnegie R1 designation, UND has introduced a Ph.D. program in Artificial Intelligence. According to Ryan Adams, interim dean of the College of Engineering & Mines, "The new PhD program in AI is an exciting opportunity for the College of Engineering & Mines to prepare students for research in this new and dynamic discipline." Adams emphasized the program's unique position as it combines technological and human perspectives in AI. He noted that "Artificial Intelligence is the topic of research in greatest demand among our prospective students," and this program intends to prepare students for the high demand in the workforce.

Additionally, UND has developed a Master of Science in Athletic Administration & Coaching. Mark Rerick, assistant professor of Kinesiology, stated, "This program uses our existing framework and courses to lead to a very specialized degree that signals expertise to future employers of our students." Offered online, this 30-credit program is designed to equip future leaders in athletic departments, focusing specifically on leadership within the academic mission.

The third program, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering, addresses the national priority of protecting digital infrastructure. Prakash Ranganathan, director of the Center for Cyber Security Research, noted, "Cybersecurity engineering is now a national priority, with increasing threats targeting everything from personal data to power grids." The program, available both online and on-campus, seeks to equip students with practical skills to meet workforce demands.

These programs signify UND's commitment to adapting its offerings to meet real-world challenges and bolster North Dakota’s workforce development.