Interviews with Department Heads

Interview with Brian Slator – Head of the Computer Science Department

 

One of NDSU’s most popular graduate programs is in Computer Science.  Students can receive a master or PH. D. after gaining their undergraduate degree.  Currently there are roughly 200 graduate students.  Brian Slator, Head of the Computer Science Department, credits the success of the program to the fact that it is a full service program, which allows students to overlap between the technical and business side of computers with the cooperation of NDSU’s MBA program. Most grad students are from out of state or from another country and Slator believes that having Microsoft offices here in Fargo is a great pull to the area as well.  When asked why he thought having a masters degree would be beneficial in the area of computer science he replied, “The undergrads do the work, the masters call the shots.”

Interview with Connie Jadrny – Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator of Distancing and Continuing Education 

 

NDSU currently offers more than 20 graduate degrees online, including mass communication, construction management and software engineering.  Students are able to earn these degrees from anywhere in the world.  They will pay instate tuition and be taught by NDSU instructors.  Most people who take advantage of these opportunities are those currently working in their field and are looking to advance their careers but don’t have the abilities to come back to school full time.

There is also a newer program being offered, the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance or Great Plains IDEA which is a multi-institution degree program. You apply, and are admitted at one university where you take all of your classes and receive your degree.  However, your online courses are taught by the best faculty in the discipline from several universities. For more information regarding the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) contact Karen Murie by email at karen.murie@ndsu.edu or NDSU Distance & Continuing Education at 1-800-726-1724 or 701-231-7015.

Interview with Dr. Paul Nelson – Head of Communication Department

Although he knows that you don’t need to go to grad school to get a good job after graduation he knows there are two main reasons students go on to obtain these higher degrees; the economy is bad and students use it as time to defer loans and have more qualifications when they do go look for jobs, or they are looking to earn a Doctorate degree.

The communication department is a pioneer in graduate programs at NDSU.  The Department was one of the first here at NDSU and over 40 people have earned doctorate degrees.  He credits the success of the program to the use of practical application in so many courses along with the tough requirements of those attempting to earn their Ph. D., requiring those people to teach, research and be published.

His advice for those interested in applying to grad school would be to have each person writing you a letter of recommendation write on a different skill you have.  That makes you stand out and highlights a variety of your abilities.