Funding your graduate education in certainly a challenge and may at times seem impossible. Obtaining an advanced education is not cheap, however, graduate education at NDSU is very affordable when compared to other regional universities. Career Outlook 2004-2005 reported that an individual with a bachelors degree can expect to earn approximately $450 per week more than someone with a high school degree; and with a master's degree, he or she can expect to earn approximately $500 more per week. So, even though graduate education seems expensive, in the long term it is a very wise investment.
Currently, graduate tuition per semester for ND residents is $213.34 per credit hour for 1 through 11 credits and $2,560.00 for more than 12 credits. For MN residents the cost is $265.71 per credit hour for 1 through 11 credits and $3,188.56 for more than 12 credits. Please contact the Business Office for tuition rates for residents of other states and countries.
HNES offers graduate teaching assistantships for both master's and doctoral level students. Graduate teaching assistants are considered half-time employees and are required to work approximately 20 hours per week. Graduate assistants are placed in a number of different areas. Graduate assistants in athletic training teach first aid/CPR courses and work with university sports teams. Other on-campus graduate assistants teach general education fitness and wellness courses. Graduate assistants in the doctoral program will be assigned teaching responsibilities based on background and experience.
We also have Agreements of Understanding with Concordia College, Mayville State University, and Valley State University for the placement of athletic training and coaching graduate assistants. Graduate assistants placed at Blue Cross/Blue Shield work with wellness programming.
All graduate assistants receive a monetary stipend for their work. Master's students on-campus at NDSU and at Concordia College currently receive $6,500 for fall and spring semesters while doctoral students receive $8,000. Stipends for students placed at Mayville State University and Valley City State University are slightly less than for those students on-campus.
Master's level graduate assistantships are typically for two years while doctoral graduate assistantships are for three years. Assistantships can be extended beyond those limits under certain circumstances.
To be considered as a graduate teaching assistant in HNES you must fulfill the following:
All graduate assistants in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences will receive a tuition waiver for fall, spring, and summer semesters. A tuition waiver is valued at approximately $5,000 per year.
A complete listing of scholarships offered through the College of Human Development and Education can be found under student resources/scholarships on the college web site.
The ND Board of Higher Education Scholarship consists of a waiver of tuition. Selection is based upon need, graduate record, residence, and recommendation of the faculty advisor. Awards are generally made to students who have completed at least 10 graduate credits, are in full-standing status, and have an approved plan of study. Scholarship information can be found on the Graduate School web site.
Off-campus housing is plentiful in Fargo. However, graduate students may live on-campus in a Residence Hall, the Living Learning Center, or the Bison Court if they desire. Costs for any residence hall or the Living Learning Center is the same for undergraduate and graduate students; with the cost slightly higher for the Living Learning Center.
University Village is an apartment complex that offers numerous options. A one-bedroom unfurnished apartment costs $355 while a two-bedroom unfurnished costs $415. In both instances the university pays heat, water, and garbage. A two-bedroom, one-bath furnished costs $525 while a two-bedroom, two-bath, furnished costs $630. With the furnished apartment the university pays heat, water, and garbage. In all instances, students will pay own electricity, parking permit, telephone, and high-speed internet service.
Bison Court, a new apartment complex, provides studio and 1 and 2 bedroom unfinished apartments. A studio costs $350, a one-bedroom apartment costs $475 and a two-bedroom apartment costs $650.
If you are interested in living on-campus you should contact Residence Life under the Division of Student Affairs.