Ph.D. Ed.D. in Education

The Education Doctoral Programs prepare scholars who advance education research and practice and maintain the integrity and vitality of the profession. Our graduates are stewards of the discipline, individuals entrusted with preserving, creating, and applying knowledge in education and with communicating educational knowledge to others.

North Dakota State University offers both the Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees in Education, with an emphasis in Adult and Community Education, Institutional Effectiveness, or Organizational Learning and Leadership. The Ph.D. emphasizes the study and synthesis of theory and research. The purpose of the Ph.D. is to produce dedicated scholar-researchers committed to the advancement of knowledge and scholarship in the field and scholar-practitioners with a strong depth in research preparation for practice. The Ed.D. degree focuses on translating theory and research into practice and has the larger goal of preparing scholar-practitioners who will be well-informed, credible leaders in the field.

Adult and Community Education

The Adult and Community Education curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and experiences required for advancing the nature, function, and scope of adult learning in all educational settings. This program prepares graduates to be leaders in profit and non-profit industries. Graduates become professors of adult or community education, leaders of non-profit organizations, and consultants for training development programs.

Institutional Effectiveness

The Institutional Effectiveness curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed for understanding institutional performance in all educational settings. This program focuses on the role of assessment, evaluation, and other analysis techniques needed to support institutional planning, policy formation, and decision-making. Graduates become assessment directors at post-secondary institutions and education consultants.

Organizational Learning and Leadership

The Organizational Learning and Leadership curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for promoting organizational change in all educational settings. This program equips graduates to become effective leaders in educational contexts by integrating leadership theory with practice. Graduates become administrators in K-12 and postsecondary schools, museums, and youth development organizations.

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student-focused, land-grant, research university.

NDSU is ranked 94 among public research universities based on NDSU’s research expenditures reported to the National Science Foundation. In addition, NDSU is listed in the National Science Foundation’s top 100 in several areas, including agricultural sciences; business management and business; communications; computer sciences; natural resources and conservation science; political science and government; social sciences; sociology, demography, and population studies; and visual and performing arts.

The main campus is in Fargo, North Dakota, with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the state.

Mission, Vision, Core Values

Mission

With energy and momentum, North Dakota State University addresses the needs and aspirations of people in a changing world by building on our land-grant foundation.

Vision

We envision a vibrant university that will be globally identified as a contemporary metropolitan land-grant institution.

Core Values

NDSU is guided by the following key values and principles:

Land-Grant

We reflect and serve geographically and culturally diverse populations. We share institutional success across the university. We anticipate and welcome growth and service that will occur in ways yet to be conceived. We embrace our unique complexities as a land-grant university on the Northern Great Plains. We remain committed to serving people globally.

People

We derive strength and vitality from each other and from the diverse communities we serve. We envision an academic and social environment that is conducive to intellectual and personal development by promoting the safety and welfare of all members of the university community. We promote excellence through individuals participating in decisions and value cooperation for the common good.

Teaching and Learning

We provide a superior teaching and learning environment within and outside the traditional classroom. We promote and value liberal, graduate, and professional education in a collegial environment where divergent ideas can be shared. We foster an environment that promotes life-long learning with individually defined goals.

Ethics

We maintain our integrity through principled action and ethical decision-making.

Culture

We will be the land-grant university that we want to be by welcoming and respecting differences in people and ideas. We support the goals of the North Dakota University System and value collaboration with colleges and universities around the world. We foster accessibility to our programs and services.

Accountability

We have a special relationship with and are accountable to, the people of North Dakota. We actively strive to contribute to our region's economic prosperity and to improve the quality of life.