MSU President's Newspaper Column
October 21, 2023
Addressing the state’s workforce needs is paramount
A top priority of Mayville State University is to help fill the workforce needs of North Dakota. We have been working hard, putting our ideas together and identifying opportunities that fall within our mission and that we can carry forward to make a difference for our state. Producing graduates who are qualified to fill positions where people with the right skills and educational background are needed is paramount.
North Dakota’s in-demand occupations list is extensive, but it’s easy to pick out several areas where Mayville State has the potential to make an impact, including teachers of all kinds, accountants and auditors, financial managers, management analysts, tax preparers, sales managers, public relations specialists, marketing specialists, childcare teachers and workers, nurses, social workers, and more. Mayville State has several initiatives underway or under development that are aimed at addressing North Dakota’s workforce needs.
An early childhood certificate will launch in the spring semester of 2024. The certificate is designed to prepare students with specialized skills and experiences to provide care and ideal learning experiences for infants and toddlers. The certificate is in response to the workforce need for pre-kindergarten teachers.
A new certificate in biotechnology has been developed for students with a high school transcript or GED. It provides them with qualifications for many entry-level positions, either in a medical hospital/clinic setting or biotechnology-based industries. Our first students in the program completed the certificate requirements in the summer of 2023.
Mayville State’s new accounting major has grown during the past three years. The program is designed to prepare students academically for Certified Public Accountancy licensure exams in North Dakota. So far, six Mayville State students have graduated from the program and there are 20 currently enrolled.
Mayville State’s Bachelor of Science degree in Allied Health program is addressing the need for healthcare professionals. The program saw its first graduates in the spring of 2023. There are currently 31 Mayville State students enrolled in the new Allied Health program.
Our Division of Education faculty are constantly working to accommodate the need for teachers of all kinds in our state. They are actively seeking and exploring new ways to advance this objective. One such option is a Master of Education degree that provides teaching professionals with opportunities to advance their education. The online program that features eight-week block programming allows currently licensed teachers to complete a Master of Education degree in as little as one year. The flexibility of the program makes it possible for teachers to remain in the workforce while enhancing their education.
Mayville State’s Master of Arts in Teaching degree is designed to help people with non-teaching bachelor’s degrees enter the teaching professional with a master’s degree. The program is fully online, offering adults flexible and affordable advancement.
The RN-to-BSN and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are helping to address the need for nursing professionals. The online and block-style course delivery offer flexibility so those who enroll can continue to work in the healthcare settings where they are in high demand. Beginning in the fall of 2024, a third track is being added to Mayville State’s MSN program. The health care informatics track will prepare nurses for this advanced role in healthcare occupations.
Mayville State’s agribusiness bachelor’s degree program provides coursework and career field experience that prepare students for careers in agriculture and business-related fields. The program is delivered in traditional methods, as well as online and hybrid modalities, accommodating people who are place-bound. This allows us to serve the western part of the state as well.
A Bachelor of Science degree program in criminal justice is proposed for the fall of 2024, addressing the need for professionals in one of the highest demand career paths nationwide. The program will be offered through traditional, online, and hybrid modalities. The proposed plan includes partnerships with Lake Region State College and Minot State University.
I commend our faculty and staff who have stepped up and are making great things happen, not only for our university, but also for the state of North Dakota. It is our privilege to educate people who are not only making their lives better, but who are also making a difference for our state and society in general. Comets continue to shine brightly, and faculty and staff are doing great things to help the state workforce! Learn more at www.mayvillestate.edu.