University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota is the largest public university in the state of North Dakota. Located in Grand Forks, the university offers 3,000 courses as well as 40 online programs for students to take part in. The school is renowned across the United States for the rigor of its research programs, and it is considered to be one of the top 100 research universities for doctoral programs in America. Students who enroll at the University of North Dakota are treated to an affordable education as well as a diverse student life.

University of North Dakota Accreditation Details

The University of North Dakota is accredited by several learning bodies. The entire school has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The school is also accredited by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board as well as the Council on Social Work Education.

University of North Dakota Application Requirements

To apply to enter the graduate school at the University of North Dakota, all applicants will be required to meet the minimum requirement of holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. They must also have attained a 2.75 GPA in all of their courses taken during the third and fourth year of their undergraduate degree. To apply for the Masters in Counseling degree at the University of North Dakota, students should have a background in a related field including education, psychology, child development or social work. Students will also be required to submit proof of having completed at least 20 credits worth of undergraduate training in the a relevant field. For the Master of Arts in Counseling degree, applicants should have completed the following courses at an undergraduate level:

• Statistics
• Educational Psychology
• Instructional Methods
• Classroom Management

With their application, students must submit the official transcripts from their previous institutions as well as a three-page personal statement and three recommendation letters from previous teachers or supervisors. The application process will be completed with a phone interview, which is required for admission into the program.

If choosing to apply to complete an online degree, students will also need to meet the minimum requirements for technology in order to be able to participate fully in the program. These requirements include regular access to a computer connected to the Internet as well as an active email address. Some classes may require the use of a microphone or webcam.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students who choose to complete degrees online at the University of North Dakota are charged the same rate as students who are residents of the state of North Dakota. This means that graduate students will pay the fee of $342.72 per credit with an additional online fee of $125 per credit. The total cost per credit for an online degree is $467.72. This includes all of the mandatory fees that all students are assessed.

The University of North Dakota accepts the following forms of payment and financial aid for all online degrees:

• FAFSA
• Military and Veteran Tuition Assistance
• Employer Tuition Assistance
• Scholarships (the Ben and Ruth Gustafson Continuing Education Endowment at UND)
• FAFSA
• Private Loans
• Grants

Online Degrees

Master of Arts in Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling degree at the University of North Dakota is designed for students who have a background in education or social work who wish to become counselors in a community role such as schools, clinics, rehabilitation agencies or family service organizations. This program provides an emphasis in counseling within a K-12 setting. The program requires candidates to complete 50 credits of core and focus courses over a period of 2.5 years, when studying full time. This program is offered in an online setting though it does require a minimum of two separate four-day visits to the Grand Forks campus in June and July.

Students will complete a variety of online programs as well as individual research. This research experience is an integral part of the program. The project usually begins early in the degree program. It requires the completion of a research product that will be completed under the direction of an academic advisor.

Students must complete ten credits of the counseling program before enrolling in the school counseling practicum. The practicum is the first of two steps in hands-on learning for each student. After the practicum is completed and successfully assessed, students will then take part in a two-semester internship at either an elementary school or secondary school. The internship is usually completed during the last year of the program. Students will work together with the School Counseling Coordinator to find a suitable placement.

When the coursework, research project, practicum and internship are successfully completed, a student will pass into the candidacy stage of the program. When they reach this stage, they can sit for the examination required for the completion of the program as well as graduation.

The intended learning outcomes of the program include:

• The ability to work with children between the ages of 5 and 18 years old in a school counseling setting
• The ability to work together with parents to support the educational, emotional and social needs of a student
• The ability to be able to successfully evaluate a student's strengths to help them down the optimal academic and career path
• The ability to use diagnostic and research methods to find the best method of helping an individual student
• To help develop a broad counseling program that suits the needs of the larger student body
• To help students who have unique academic or social needs
• To provide support in teaching students how to deal with problems by developing life skills

An online degree is a great way for students with a background in education or child development to follow a career path in counseling. The University of North Dakota provides an online program that is designed for those who have experience in education, and it provides both a graduate degree in counseling and the specific training required for students who wish to become a counselor in a school setting. This helps education professionals take the next step in their careers.