North Dakota State University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that will help you meet your career goals.
Online student applicants follow the same admission processes and requirements for all students entering the university.
Below is a list of degree programs offered fully online. Additional courses in other degree programs may also be offered through online or hybrid delivery.
Business Administration
The business administration program has evolved to meet the needs of students by providing broad knowledge base in accounting, finance, management, marketing, entrepreneurship, management information systems, and business law – with a blend of theory and practice. NDSU graduates are employed in business and non-profit organizations, pursue their own businesses and graduate studies, and enhance their abilities to manage business operations, analyze business opportunities/challenges, work as a team, and make sound decisions.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineering deals with both hardware and software aspects of computer systems. Students take both essential electrical and computer engineering classes along with core classes specific to computer engineering design. Demand for computer engineers is strong due to the growing use of computers in all aspects of products and the need for engineers competent in computing practices. Fundamental topics included in the program are embedded systems, computer architecture, digital systems, embedded machine learning, algorithms and operating systems. In addition, the program includes core subjects that are common to all engineering disciplines and basic university studies in humanities and social sciences. Technical specialization areas within computer engineering include the following: Computer Architecture/Digital VLSI, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Embedded Systems, and Computer Systems.
Contact Information
Benjamin Braaten
Chair/Head
Electrical and Computer Engineer
ECE 101B
(701) 231-7608
benjamin.braaten@ndsu.edu
Cybersecurity
The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is offered by the Department of Computer Science. The curriculum includes courses in topics including defensive network security, networking, ethical hacking, malware analysis, programming, and cybersecurity law and policy. It also provides a background in general education areas such as mathematics and communications.
Cybersecurity seeks to prevent and provides the tools to respond to attacks against computing systems and organizations. It is a field that spans numerous areas, ranging from the highly technical aspects of securing and testing the security of IT systems to preventing manual data theft by organization members. Cybersecurity practitioners protect important private information in all areas of society – ranging from healthcare to banks to government – and secure systems that are critical to everyone’s day-to-day lives.
Contact Information
Simone Ludwig, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Chair
QBB 258 A22
(701) 231-8197
Simone.Ludwig@ndsu.edu
Jeremy Straub, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
QBB 424A
(701) 231-8196
Jeremy.Straub@ndsu.edu
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers design systems and solve problems relating to all aspects of electricity for power and communication- from production and storage to transmission to use in computer systems. The profession is broad, encompassing products valued by society in many technical specialties. NDSU electrical engineering graduates are working all over the world in a variety of exciting jobs at excellent salaries. They work in research, design, sales, manufacturing, testing, installation, development and teaching. Technical areas within the field include the following: Biomedical Engineering, Communication and Signal Processing, Control Engineering, Electromagnetics, Electronics and Microelectronics, Nanotechnology, Optical Engineering, and Power Systems.
Contact Information
Benjamin Braaten
Chair/Head
Electrical and Computer Engineer
ECE 101B
(701) 231-7608
benjamin.braaten@ndsu.edu
Human Development and Family Science
Human Development and Family Science majors are prepared to work in a variety of areas related to children, aging adults, and families. Employment opportunities include parent and family life educators, extension agents, child protection service professionals, financial counselors, nursing home activity directors, credit specialists, and directors of child care licensing.
Marketing
The NDSU marketing program is carefully designed to ensure students have understanding of how to successfully manage products, price, place and promotion, and have analytical and interpersonal skills. The curriculum blends general education, pre-professional course work, fundamental business knowledge (accounting, finance, management, marketing, and information systems), international exposure, and in-depth marketing-specific courses. Students in the Marketing major can also choose the Supply Chain Management track and/or pursue the Certificate in Professional Selling to advance their field-specific skills and knowledge.
Nursing: LPN to BSN, RN to BSN
LPN to BSN: NDSU's nursing program provides an opportunity for nurses to earn a bachelor's degree primarily online. The sequence of nursing courses is six semesters (including summers) in length. Clinical experiences are completed in the Fargo/Moorhead community. The length of the clinical experience varies but is primarily in the summer.
RN to BSN: NDSU has a well-established school of nursing with a long history of educating successful nurses. This 100 percent online RN to BSN program joins the other nursing programs as a high-quality, meaningful way to earn your BSN.
Software Engineering
The Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering is offered jointly by the Departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering. The curriculum includes courses in software engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, along with the relevant mathematics background.
Software Engineering is the design and application of systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to the development and conservation of software, software systems and related computing hardware. The Systems Programming track focuses on embedded systems while the Applications Development track centers on methodologies, techniques, and tools to manage the software development life cycle.
Contact Information
Benjamin Braaten
Chair/Head
Electrical and Computer Engineer
ECE 101B
(701) 231-7608
benjamin.braaten@ndsu.edu
Simone Ludwig, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Chair
QBB 258 A22
(701) 231-8197
Simone.Ludwig@ndsu.edu
University Studies
The Bachelor of University Studies degree is designed to provide a unique, nontraditional and interdisciplinary program for students whose goals and objectives cannot be met via a traditionally established academic major or minor. Students completing the degree may plan careers in a wide variety of fields, including government, healthcare, business and continuing education.
Contact Information
Jessie Bauer
Assistant Director, Student Success Initiatives
Career and Advising Center
Ceres 306
(701) 231-6313
jessica.m.bauer@ndsu.edu
Certificate Programs
Aging Studies certificate
The Aging Studies undergraduate certificate enables students to learn more about current issues that affect adults as they age. Students will learn foundational information, as well as how to apply it in real-world contexts to improve quality of life for older adults and their families.
Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design certificate
The certificate program in apparel, retail merchandising, and design enables students to become problem solvers and leaders, equipped to create and oversee diverse aspects within the global marketplace. Students are not only taught how to develop and sell products but also gain valuable insights into managing successful businesses. The courses offered encompass a wide spectrum of subjects, ranging from the development, design, and marketing of materials and products within the market and industry to the essential skills of sourcing, buying, merchandising, promotion, and understanding consumer behavior.
Department of Computer Science
- Computer Science Foundations certificate
The Computer Science Foundations certificate completes the list of courses recommended for the first 2-3 semesters in the Computer Science B.S. major. Prerequisites for this certificate can be met in one of two ways: Students who have completed the Fundamentals of Computing and Security certificate can proceed with the remaining courses in the Python sequence (CSCI 228/229). Students without programming background can take the Java sequence (CSCI 160/161), provided they pass the Math placement test at Trigonometry or Precalculus level. This certificate moreover provides fluency in the use of the Unix operating system (CSCI 277), which is important in all of our majors. - Fundamentals of Computing and Security certificate
The Fundamentals of Computing and Security certificate provides thorough coverage of more advanced concepts in languages and systems. Students with a baccalaureate degree in a non-STEM discipline who wish to do graduate studies in Computer Science would be able to demonstrate advanced quantitative skills through this certificate. Programming knowledge equivalent to the Computer Science Foundations certificate is expected. - Cybersecurity certificate
The Cybersecurity certificate draws from the set of courses that are specific to the B.S. in Cybersecurity and the Cybersecurity track of B.S. in Computer Science degrees. It can be of interest to professionals with computer science degrees who wish to expand their expertise in the area of cybersecurity. It is also targeted at current students who complete a different track of the B.S. in Computer Science and wish to cover more than one specialization.
CERTIFICATES in COMP SCI that are not currently online
Core Computer Science Competencies certificate
The Core Computer Science Competencies certificate is comprised of those courses that anyone without a Computer Science degree may need for advanced course work or professions in computer science. Discrete Mathematics (CSCI 222) includes an introduction into Boolean algebra and other mathematical concepts that form the basis of computer algorithms. Database Systems (CSCI 366) addresses the theory and practice of relational database systems that underly the vast majority of commercial software applications. Comparative Programming Languages (CSCI 372) discusses concepts of some of the most important languages as well as similarities and differences between them. Programming knowledge equivalent to the Computer Science Foundations certificate is expected.
Data Science certificate
The Data Science certificate draws from the set of courses that are specific to the Data Science track of the B.S. in Computer Science degree. It can be of interest to professionals with computer science degrees who wish to expand their expertise in the area of data science. It is also targeted at current students who complete a different track or program and wish to cover more than one specialization.
Fundamentals of Computing and Security certificate
The Fundamentals of Computing and Security certificate provides an easy entry point for students who are interested in computing and security and may lack prerequisites for our more theoretical computer science courses. CSCI 227 is the first course in a three-course Python-based computing sequence that satisfies programming requirements in our Computer Science and Cybersecurity degrees.
Software Development certificate
The Software Development certificate is intended for students who wish to build their development expertise. This certificate can be useful for students in other majors who are interested in a software development career. It is also suitable for students who previously completed a degree in a different major and wish to apply to our graduate programs, but do not yet have software development experience. Programming knowledge equivalent to the Computer Science Foundations certificate is expected.
Software Engineering certificate
The Software Engineering certificate draws from the set of courses that are specific to the B.S. in Software Engineering and the Software Engineering track of our B.S. in Computer Science degree. It can be of interest to professionals with computer science degrees who wish to expand their expertise in the area of software engineering. It is also targeted at current students who complete a different track or program and wish to cover more than one specialization.
Contact Information
Simone Ludwig, Ph.D.
Professor and Department Chair
QBB 258 A22
(701) 231-8197
Simone.Ludwig@ndsu.edu
Anne Denton, Ph.D.
Professor, Undergraduate Coordinator
QBB 258 A28
(701) 231-6748
Anne.Denton@ndsu.edu
Entrepreneurship certificate
The entrepreneurship programs serve the needs of and is accessible to all NDSU students, regardless of major. The certificate provides students with tools and capabilities that would allow them to address the intricacies of starting and managing a new venture, whether that venture be a new startup or a spin-off from an existing company.
Family Financial Planning certificate
The Family Financial Planning undergraduate certificate is designed for students who want to help individuals and families with financial challenges work toward long-term financial well-being. Students will learn foundational information as well as how to apply it in practice with both individuals and families. Completion of the certificate makes students eligible to take the Accredited Financial Counseling exam, the first step in becoming an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) ©.
For more information on any of these programs, contact:
Carolina Pettus
(701) 231-8075
carolina.pettus.2@ndsu.edu
International applicants with questions about applying for the programs or certificates listed on this page, please contact:
International Undergraduate Admissions Team
Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services
NDSU.intl.admissions@ndsu.edu
ndsu.edu/international/apply/undergraduate/