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UND’s Indigenous Health PhD grows; department asks for student support and assistantships
Summary
University of North Dakota officials described a rapid expansion of the online, cohort‑based PhD in Indigenous Health, reported strong retention and high demand, and asked for funding to provide graduate assistantships and cover campus‑visit costs for tribal students.
A University of North Dakota representative told the committee that the university’s Department of Indigenous Health — an online, cohort‑based PhD program launched in 2020 — has grown to 57 students and produces graduates who fill research, policy and program leadership roles serving tribal communities.
Dr. Dave Wilson, associate vice president for health research at UND and chair of the Department of Indigenous Health, presented program data: enrollment rose from 14 students at launch to 57; 63% of the current cohort identify as American Indian or Alaska Native; retention is high (reported at 97%); and students have produced policy work and research used by state and tribal agencies. He highlighted an example: a student policy brief that contributed to a “feather alert” policy recently activated in the state.
Wilson asked the committee to consider supporting North Dakota students via assistantships and travel support. He said a full academic year of study — if a student were to stop full‑time work and focus on the degree — costs roughly $36,000, and that the program requires two on‑campus residency weeks (first and second years) that currently cost each student about $2,600 in travel and lodging because the department lacks a dedicated travel fund.
The Department of Indigenous Health is primarily online and designed to let students remain in community while working toward a terminal degree. Wilson said graduates are in demand: alumni work at Johns Hopkins, Indian Health Service regional offices, tribal health authorities and universities. Because North Dakota’s tribal health workforce needs locally trained researchers and program managers, the program leader urged legislators to consider graduate support so more North Dakotans can enroll and complete the PhD while remaining employed locally.
Wilson also summarized public‑health data that motivated the program: Native populations in North Dakota face higher rates of injury, cirrhosis and diabetes compared with state averages and national cohorts; strengthening the indigenous health research workforce will support evidence‑based policy and program design.
The committee thanked Wilson and acknowledged the program’s contribution to tribal capacity. There was no immediate funding decision; legislators invited the department to provide follow‑up materials about specific scholarship or assistantship models for consideration in interim budget work.
