FAQs
Why should I study Indigenous Health at UND?
The Indigenous Health Ph.D. program is the first of its kind in the world, in which students will gain skills and knowledge from our program faculty who combine for nearly 100 years of public and community health experience.
Our program will prepare you for a career as a health researcher, health program evaluator, health policy analyst, university or tribal college faculty, tribal health director, health program administrator, Indigenous health consultant, nonprofit administrator, and public health officer, among other careers.
The number of students admitted each year varies based on available program capacity and faculty mentoring resources. Typically, between 6 and 14 students are admitted annually. Admission to the Indigenous Health Ph.D. program is competitive and meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Yes, graduate students can complete the program part-time.
The curriculum is available online using live, interactive video. Lectures are given in a synchronous format. We have two one-week campus visits required.
Yes, a student may transfer Ph.D.-level coursework towards the Ph.D. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All course syllabi are required for review.
Academic Track: Traditional Dissertation
The School of Graduate Studies at the University of North Dakota requires completion of a dissertation for all doctoral degrees. Because dissertations serve as scholarly resources for researchers and practitioners, the School of Graduate Studies has established institution-wide formatting and submission guidelines to ensure consistency across programs. Students completing the Academic Track must follow the University of North Dakota Graduate School Thesis and Dissertation Style Guide.
Within this framework, the Department of Indigenous Health permits two academic dissertation formats:
- Traditional Dissertation: A single, comprehensive research study with integrated chapters (e.g., introduction, background, methods, results, discussion).
- Three-Article Dissertation: A dissertation composed of three publishable, thematically linked manuscripts, framed by an introductory and concluding chapter.
Both formats must demonstrate methodological rigor, theoretical grounding, and relevance to Indigenous health. Common elements of each format are outlined in Table 1.
Applied Track: Portfolio, Dissertation in Practice
Students pursuing the Applied Track will complete a dissertation in practice, consisting of a portfolio of three products. One product must be a manuscript, and the remaining two products must be selected from an approved list, with prior approval from the advisor (Chair of the dissertation committee). Students are expected to identify and discuss proposed portfolio deliverables early in their academic planning. The advisor and dissertation committee will support the student in refining the scope and focus of the portfolio products. When needed, the advisor may consult with additional faculty in the Department of Indigenous Health to ensure that proposed deliverables meet departmental standards for rigor, relevance, and contribution to Indigenous health practice or policy. The three products should have topic coherence.
Portfolio Product Options:
- Manuscript (required)
- Grant application
- Policy paper
- Indigenous health framework
- Community or program strategic plan
- Comprehensive evaluation plan
- Evaluation report or product
Other products with departmental approval
Well-qualified students can apply for scholarships at the following links:
Canadian students can apply for scholarships at the following:
Yes, a limited number of graduate teaching and research assistantships are available.
The priority deadline is December 1. The final deadline is February 1. Applications open on May 1.
In addition to the Master's degree requirement, applicants must have completed three-credit graduate-level courses in both epidemiology and biostatistics within the past 5 years with a grade of "B" or better. General admission requirements can be found here.
Prospective students can choose to take the courses at a CEPH accredited university or UND offers both of the prerequisite courses in the Master of Public Health program that can be taken as a non-degree student this coming fall and/or spring. Epidemiology is offered in the spring and Biostatistics is offered in the fall or spring.
If interested, here is the process for applying as a non-degree graduate student at UND:
1. Complete the online admissions Graduate application.
2. Select “Graduate” "Non-Degree" as your Admit Type.
3. Non-degree students are not required to submit transcripts or tests scores to be admitted.
Email the UND Public Health program once you are admitted to obtain a permission number.
The following documents are required to be considered a complete applicant:
- Three letters of recommendation
- A curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Indigenous research statement
- Writing sample
- Official transcripts sent to the UND School of Graduate Studies.
All supporting documents are due by the application deadline. Further information can be found here, or you can contact the School of Graduate Studies at und.gradschooladmissions@UND.edu with further questions.
The GRE is not required for admission.
Yes, international students are welcome to apply. All non-native speakers of English must meet the School of Graduate Studies requirements regarding fluency in written and spoken English. The program is not offered on campus so students would not be eligible for a student visa. Please refer to the School of Graduate Studies website.
Applicants who apply by the February 1 deadline can expect to receive a decision no later than April 15.
- Laptop or desktop computer capable of running and staying up to date with the latest versions of Windows or MacOS as they are released.
- High speed, reliable internet connection capable of supporting online live class sessions and for taking exams and quizzes.
Yes, students can request to move their admission to the next academic year. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
We'd be happy to help, contact us here.