The National Research Council (NRC) released a study today about the quality of more than 5,000 doctoral programs at 212 universities in the United States. The NRC created this assessment to provide a comprehensive analysis of doctoral programs. This is the third time that the NRC has conducted an assessment and that the first time that NDSU has been included in the study.
“The NRC rankings validate our graduate programs at North Dakota State University. Many of our programs are ranked among the best research institutions in the nation,” said Dr. David Wittrock, dean of the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Thirteen doctoral programs at NDSU were included in the assessment. Programs were ranked on overall quality and specific rankings were conducted on research activities, student support, and program diversity. NDSU programs were ranked near institutions such as Iowa State University, Washington State University, Texas A & M University and Purdue University.
The study consists of data submitted by universities, doctoral programs, faculty, and advanced doctoral students, as well as data from the National Science Foundation, the Institute for Scientific Information, and scholarly and honorary societies. The rankings provide a benchmark for universities and illustrate the need for graduate education and high quality doctoral programs.
“U.S. graduate schools prepare the highly skilled workforce necessary to participate and remain competitive in today’s knowledge-based economy. This NRC assessment provides important information about the quality of doctoral education which is so critical to our future,” said Debra W. Stewart, president of the Council of Graduate Schools.
Prospective graduate students will have access to this study information. The results provide an additional source for students in selecting doctoral programs that are most appropriate for their academic and individual needs.
For more information, please contact Sonya Goergen, marketing, recruitment and public relations coordinator at North Dakota State University at (218) 329-1599 or sonya.goergen@ndsu.edu.
The North Dakota State University Graduate School in Fargo, N.D. offers master’s, doctoral and certificate programs in eight colleges. The NDSU Graduate School is proud of its recent growth including enrollment of over 2,000 students, over 500 graduate faculty members and research expenditures exceeding $100 million. For more information about graduate degree programs at NDSU, please visit www.ndsu.edu/gradschool or call (701) 231-7033.