Frequently Asked Questions for New Graduate Students in the College of Sciences and Education
Congratulations! You have been admitted to a graduate program in the College of Human Sciences and Education (HSE) at North Dakota State University. You are a part of HSE because your graduate program is in a department housed in this College, a College of “programs that focus on people”. The purpose of these frequently asked questions is to help you as a new graduate student get quick access to key information that will help you get started at NDSU. Your program adviser is the best source of information about your specific graduate program. These frequently asked questions focus on the broader questions related to the campus, community, and your experience as a graduate student.
Recently, we surveyed our graduate students to learn what was most helpful for them to learn and what they wished they had known as a new graduate student at NDSU. Their responses helped us to develop these Frequently Asked Questions.
The NDSU Graduate School also has information for first year graduate students at https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/prospective_students and a list of Frequently Asked Question at https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/admitted_students/faq. This document is intended to complement information at those sites. The Graduate School pages include general information on what to expect in graduate school and the role of both the graduate school and your adviser/department. Look especially at the information under The Role of the Department and Adviser on “Things to do before you arrive on campus”. We hope you will find the FAQs below helpful.
WHERE DO I GET A STUDENT ID?
The NDSU ID Card (student ID) must be obtained on or before your first day of classes. The card can be obtained in the Memorial Union on Campus through the NDSU Card Center. The card is required for many NDSU services. Look online at http://www.ndsu.edu/bisoncard/ for more information on obtaining a card and the various uses of the card.
HOW DO I FIND A PLACE TO LIVE WHEN ATTENDING NDSU?
On-campus housing for graduate students can be found at http://www.ndsu.edu/reslife/general_apartment_information/. There is not a specific graduate residence hall but graduate students can live in the University apartments. The application for University apartments is at http://www.ndsu.edu/reslife/apartment_applications/
Off-campus housing can be found through a variety of searches.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY IS NEEDED FOR BEING A GRADUATE STUDENT?
Information Technology Services has a site at http://www.ndsu.edu/its/get_started/ to help you set up an NDSU account. This will allow you to then get an email account, get started on Blackboard (online learning system) and get information on Internet access, technology training, etc. (through this same site). You will be allowed to set up your account, email, etc. as soon as you receive a letter from the graduate school indicating that you have been admitted.
I AM FROM OUT OF TOWN BUT WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES BEFORE COMING TO FARGO. HOW CAN I REGISTER?
Registration can be done online. Instructions for registering can be found at http://www.ndsu.edu/registrar/registration/registering/ It is crucial that you visit with an advisor prior to registering. Incoming students can register for classes as soon as they see the term on Campus Connection. Students can find more information about their appointment time at the following link. http://www.ndsu.edu/bisonconnection/connect/appointments/ If you have questions about registering, contact the
Office of Registration and Records
NDSU Dept. 5210 / P.O. Box 6050 / Fargo, ND 58108-6050
701-231-7981 (local) / 800-608-NDSU (toll free) /
ndsu.registration.records@ndsu.edu
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR FINANCIAL AID AND ASSISTANTSHIPS?
Financial support for graduate students includes assistantships, scholarships/fellowships, grants, and loans. Students can apply for grants, loans, and some scholarships through the NDSU Student Financial Services at http://www.ndsu.edu/bisonconnection/finaid/. Some scholarships are also available through the College of Human Development and Education and these can be found at: https://www.ndsu.edu/hde/hde_scholarships/. Some scholarships can be applied for through companies and organizations not directly tied to NDSU. Fellowships are available through some foundations, federal agencies, etc. A number of fellowships are listed on the Graduate School website at: http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/current_students/fellowships_and_awards/.
Teaching and research assistantships through the student’s program are excellent experiences and include a stipend and tuition support. Contact your advisor or program coordinator to learn how to apply. Incoming students should indicate the desire for an assistantship during the application process or as soon as possible after being admitted.
LEARNING MY WAY AROUND CAMPUS AND THE COMMUNITY
Links to general information about the campus and services available to graduate students are listed at http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/prospective_students/domestic_applicants/
These links include health services, information technology services, NDSU Libraries, etc.
Community information can be found at http://www.fargomoorhead.org/
Campus maps and office locations are at http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/maps/CampusMap_2pg.pdf
HOW CAN I FIND CHILDCARE IN FARGO?
On campus child care option is available for graduate students.
The Wellness Center Child Care Service provides drop-off child care for a fee (see http://www.ndsu.edu/wellness/information/).
Information on community child care can be located through the North Dakota Child Care Resource and Referral (http://www.ndchildcare.org/welcome.html).
WHAT SUPPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ETHNIC AND DIVERSE GRAD STUDENTS?
NDSU is committed to supporting diversity among students and faculty/staff. Education, training, and support are available through the NDSU Equity and Diversity office <http://www.ndsu.edu/diversity/> this office supports multicultural programs <http://www.ndsu.edu/multicultural/>, LGBTQ programs <http://www.ndsu.edu/lgbtq/>, Tribal College Partnerships <http://www.ndsu.edu/diversity/tribal_college_partnerships/>, and other activities to encourage campus diversity.
HOW DO I GET A PARKING PERMIT AND WHERE CAN I PARK ON CAMPUS?
The Parking and Transportation Services website (http://www.ndsu.edu/parking/ ) provides maps of parking lots on campus and has a guide for how students can purchase parking permits. Permits can be ordered online but students must be registered for classes 24 hours or more prior to online registration.
DO I NEED A CAR?
A car is not essential for attending NDSU. Metropolitan Area Transit System (MATBUS) is free to NDSU students and runs between main and downtown campuses and throughout the community. https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/prospective_students/life_at_ndsu/community_information/#c312917
MATBUS transit guide http://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/parking/docs/NDSUTransitGuide.pdf
WHAT IS PROPER ATTIRE FOR WINTER AND HOW DO I MANAGE IN THE WINTER?
Winter in Fargo can be beautiful and also hazardous. Being prepared for bad weather is important. The following sites can help you stay safe:
Winter survival equipment: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/winterstorm/winter-storm-information-family-1/survival-equipment-dont-be-without-it
WHAT ADDITIONAL THINGS SHOULD I DO BEFORE I COME TO CAMPUS?
Take a tour of the library website: http://library.ndsu.edu/
Learn about the Graduate Center for Writers: https://www.ndsu.edu/centers/graduate_writers/
Learn more about your program and department. All programs within the College of Human Development and Education can be linked through: https://www.ndsu.edu/hde/graduate_studies/
Visit with your assigned advisor. Contact information for faculty members in each department is available on the department/school website. See the departments under http://www.ndsu.edu/hde/
HOW DO I FIND HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN FARGO?
You can search for doctors in Fargo at:
http://doctor.webmd.com/local/north-dakota/fargo.htm
http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Doctors/S-ND/T-Fargo/
http://fargond.areaconnect.com/Doctors/
On campus, the Student Health Service is located at the Wallman Wellness Center, 18th Street and Centennial Boulevard, Fargo, ND 58105. Phone: 701-231-7331. Services are described at http://www.ndsu.edu/studenthealthservice/ .
And dentists at:
http://www.yellowpages.com/fargo-nd/dentists
http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Dentists/S-ND/T-Fargo/
WHAT SUPPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO MILITARY AND VETERANS?
NDSU Military and Veterans Services are administered by the Office of Registration and Records. Please call and visit a VA representative at http://www.ndsu.edu/veterans/contacts/ . Look for the “Customer Account Services” in Ceres Hall building on the campus map https://www.ndsu.edu/alphaindex/buildings/Building::240
WHAT SUPPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?
The Office of International Programs at NDSU offers a variety of services and information on topics ranging from health insurance to employment opportunities. The office staff can advise potential students on immigration requirements. For further information, please see: http://www.ndsu.edu/international/
WHAT SUPPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS?
NDSU is committed to supporting diversity among students and faculty/staff. Education, training, and support are available through the NDSU Equity and Diversity office <http://www.ndsu.edu/diversity/> This office supports multicultural programs <http://www.ndsu.edu/multicultural/>, LGBTQ programs <http://www.ndsu.edu/lgbtq/>, Tribal College Partnerships <http://www.ndsu.edu/diversity/tribal_college_partnerships/>, and other activities to encourage campus diversity.