First stage approved for DSU to offer graduate courses

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The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education approved Dickinson State University’s stage I request for limited graduate credit authority in teacher education at its Thursday morning meeting held in Bottineau.

“This should be seen as something very positive for teachers in this area,” said Dr. Daniel Conner,

chairman of the department of teacher education at DSU.

A stage I request is the first step in a two step process of trying to get approval from the State Board of Higher Education to allow the university to offer limited graduate credit, said Dr. Jon L. Brudvig, interim vice president for academic affairs at DSU.

The approval of DSU’s stage I request will allow the university to begin drafting a stage II proposal including research and documentation that outlines the specific educational needs in our area, Brudvig said.

If both stages are approved DSU will be able to offer limited graduate credit to area teachers, Brudvig said.

Limited graduate credit is graduate study above the baccalaureate level without offering a full masters degree, Brudvig said.

The university may not offer more than five classes or 20 credit hours per calendar year, according to a request document provided by the State Board of Higher Education.

“DSU began seeking approval to offer limited graduate credit because we were hearing that our area teachers needed graduate credit to advance in their careers,” Brudvig said.

Offering limited graduate credits enables the university to be responsive to area teachers who need graduate credit in order to advance their careers, Brudvig said.

At this time DSU does not have plans to offer master’s degrees, but they are not ruling out the possibility of a master’s program in the future, Brudvig said.

“Most education classes transfer easily but the ultimate decision on whether or not the credits gained through taking these classes will be transferrable is really up to the college the student wants to transfer to,” Brudvig said.

Research done during stage II would reveal what classes are needed to fulfill the needs of area teachers.

There is no timeline set as to when stage II will be complete, and because stage II can still be denied there is no set timeframe of when classes will begin, Brudvig said.

Mayville State University, Mayville, is also seeking approval to offer limited graduate credit.

Continuing education is something that is valued and encouraged in our area, Conner said.

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