UND Launches New Degree Programs, Expanding Opportunities in Nursing and Beyond

New bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs promise to fill positions vital to state’s workforce

Four new degree programs have been launched at UND, all with an eye to both improving the student experience at the University and boosting North Dakota’s workforce.

From aerospace to law to nursing, the new programs will provide students with the education and training required to fill in-demand positions.

Bachelor of Science in Helicopter Operations

This summer, UND launched its new Helicopter Operations degree – establishing a dedicated training program for helicopter flight training separate from the Commercial Aviation program. The new program will provide its students with both flight training and a liberal arts curriculum, while also providing specialized instruction unique to the challenges of piloting helicopters.

“For the past four decades, helicopter flight training at UND Aerospace fell under the broad umbrella of the Commercial Aviation degree program,” said Wesley Van Dell, helicopter chief flight instructor. “This new degree program adds tremendous flexibility for students already enrolled and, more critically, for those who are seeking a helicopter specific degree along with obtaining their pilot certificates.”

Students will also be able to take advantage of simulation technology available within the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, including the College’s spatial disorientation flight training device, to further their training.

“With continued advancements in helicopter education like the GAT-HELO full-motion helicopter spatial disorientation simulator and state-of-the-art R44 Cadet helicopters, the Helicopter Operations degree is the next step in a long history of innovation to provide world-class rotorcraft flight training at UND,” Van Dell added.

Joint M.S./J.D. in Criminal Justice Studies

The four-year accelerated program offers participants the chance to earn both a Juris Doctorate and Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Students – who must first apply for admission to UND’s School of Law – will concentrate on law for their first three semesters, before transitioning to Criminal Justice coursework.

The new degree will provide students with an economical opportunity to supplement their legal education with Criminal Justice, as several courses will dual-count as law credits, said Adam Matz, associate professor of Criminal Justice and the department’s graduate director.

“We’re really hoping this will provide some additional value for those students who are interested in law but also the social science side of criminal justice, including administration and program evaluation,” Matz said. “The joint program will allow some electives from each program to count for the other, saving costs overall as opposed to doing the two programs separately or elsewhere.”

Additionally, Matz hopes that the joint degree will help address an ongoing shortage of attorneys in rural areas of North Dakota.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

UND’s College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines has also added two degree programs in the field of gerontology care. Through a combination of classroom and clinical instruction, the master’s and doctorate of Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner will equip students to care for older adults experiencing complex, critical and life-threatening conditions.

Gerontology care is a critically important discipline within nursing, added Maridee Shogren, the College’s dean.

“The need for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners is rising due to an aging population that requires specialized acute care,” Shogren said. “AGACNPs address complex, acute and critical care needs of adults and older people. These nurse practitioners often work in acute settings like hospitals, emergency rooms, intensive care or specialty care units.”

Both programs offer its students the flexibility of online coursework, allowing currently registered nurses to continue practicing while furthering their education. Shogren said that this is especially important in a state already experiencing a shortage of nursing professionals – particularly in rural North Dakota.

“By working with North Dakota’s health care systems, we will offer strong clinical experiences in the curriculum that will not only bring these highly skilled practitioners into our rural health care systems but better prepare them to serve North Dakotans across our state,” she said.