5. Graduate Degrees Offered
North Dakota State University (NDSU) offers the following graduate degrees:
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Non-thesis master's programs (see Plan C Master's)
- Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
M.A. and M.S. students may opt for a Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Master’s Paper/Comprehensive Study) program. The Plan C (Culminating Experience) option is primarily intended for non-thesis degree programs; however, some M.S. programs do offer the Plan C option. Not all programs offer all three options. In addition, plans may differ in the composition of the student's supervisory committee and required submissions to the Graduate College for degree completion.
5.1. Plan A: Thesis Based Master's
5.2. Plan B: Master's Paper/Comprehensive Study-based Master's
5.3. Plan C: Culminating Experience-based Master's
5.4. Didactic Credit-based Doctoral Degrees
5.5. Outcomes-based Doctoral Degrees
5.1. Plan A Master's
The thesis typically includes a problem statement, a review of existing literature relevant to that problem, and the creation and presentation of new knowledge in providing a solution to the problem. Each student assembles a supervisory committee, as described on the next tab, and is required to pass a final oral defense in which the supervisory committee serves as the examining committee. Following a successful final defense, the student will submit an electronic copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for publication review.
5.2. Plan B Master's
The student will develop a thorough understanding of existing knowledge and the ability to apply that existing knowledge to a problem of interest. The individual creative component is defined by the program and could include a portfolio or integrated field experience.
Each student is required to pass a final oral defense in which the supervisory committee serves as the examining committee. Following a successful final defense, the student will submit an electronic copy of their master’s paper to the Graduate College for publication review.
*Not every program offers a Master's Plan B option.
5.3 Plan C Master's
The Plan C option allows each academic program to define a culminating experience such as a capstone course, a written examination, or some other approach to measure the student's understanding of the relevant material in the discipline.
Non-Thesis Master's Programs (Discipline-specific or course-based master's programs)
Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.)
Master of Agriculture (M.Ag.)
Master of Athletic Training (M.A.Trg.)
Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Master of Construction Management (M.C.M.)
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Master of Engineering (M.Engr.)
Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.)
Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.)
Master of Music (M.M.)
Master of Natural Resources Management (M.N.R.M.)
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Master of Public Health in Epidemiology (M.P.H.Epi)
Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.)
Master of Software Engineering (M.S.E.)
Master of Supply Chain Management (M.S.C.M.)
5.4. Didactic Credit-Based Doctoral Degrees
In didactic-credit based doctoral programs, students gain knowledge through coursework of which the majority are didactic.
5.5. Outcomes-Based Doctoral Degrees
Students in outcomes-based doctoral programs must meet Graduate Council and program specific outcomes through credit-based academic activity.
There are no didactic credit requirements for these programs, though 90 credits post-baccalaureate degree must be earned.
