Minot State University offers options for Certificate and Certificate of Completion programs. Certificate of Completion must be less than nine credits and a Certificate is nine or more credits. Students who receive only a certificate do not walk in commencement unless they have earned a bachelor's degree at the same time. Once a student completes the required courses, a student must submit the certificate application for the certificate to be posted on the transcript.
Certificate in American Sign Language
Certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence
The undergraduate certificate in Applied Artificial Intelligence provides students with the knowledge, tools and ethical awareness necessary to understand and responsibly apply AI in academic, professional, and personal context.
This certificate is designed to be accessible to students of any major, with no prior AI or programming experience required. It will explore the fundamentals of AI, its diverse applications, and its implications across disciplines. Students will gain hands on experience with online tools, investigate its role in career and academic pathways, and develop a project tailored to their interests and career aspirations.
| AI 101 | AI Everywhere & For Everyone | 3 |
| AI 201 | AI for Personal and Professional Use | 3 |
| AI 301 | Projects in AI | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 |
Certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders
| CSD 320 | Introduction to Phonetics | 3 |
| CSD 321 | Language Development | 3 |
| CSD 322 | Speech Sound Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 324 | Techniques in Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 331 | Language Disorders in Children | 3 |
| CSD 341 | Speech and Hearing Science | 2 |
| CSD 342 | Introduction to Audiology | 4 |
| CSD 408 | Social and Pragmatic Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 412 | Neurology for Communication Disorders | 2 |
| CSD 413 | Anatomy and Physiology for Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 420 | Advanced Communication Disorders | 3 |
| CSD 427 | Aural Rehabilitation | 3 |
| Total Hours | 35 |
Certificate in Communication Sciences and Disorders Support
| 6 |
| Introduction to Communication Disorders | |
| Language Development | |
| 6 |
| Language Disorders in Children | |
| Anatomy and Physiology for Communication Disorders | |
| Advanced Communication Disorders | |
| Aural Rehabilitation | |
| Total Hours | 12 |
Certificate in Computer Programming
This certificate will confirm students’ mastery of knowledge and abilities at a level consistent with entry-level programming positions. The program will be of interest both to students who plan to pursue further work in a computing discipline and to students who wish to complement other interests with substantial knowledge of programming.
Certificate in Computer Science and Cybersecurity Education
The Computer Science and Cybersecurity Education certificate is designed to supply educators with knowledge of Technology Systems, Computational Thinking, Information Literacy, Computing in Society, and Digital Citizenship. These five topics are key to North Dakota's Computer Science and Cybersecurity Standards for K12 education.
| CIS 185 | Technology Management | 3 |
| CIS 244 | IT Security and Information Assurance | 3 |
| CIS 258 | IT Infrastructure | 3 |
| CSCI 111 | Introductory Programming and Big Data | 4 |
| CSCI 331 | Technology and Society | 4 |
| Total Hours | 17 |
Certificate in Cyber Defense
| CIS 185 | Fundamentals of IT and Security | 3 |
| CIS 258 | Networking Essentials | 3 |
| CIS 244 | IT Security and Information Assurance | 3 |
| CIS 445 | IT Audit Controls | 3 |
| CSCI 260 | UNIX and Linux Systems | 4 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
Certificate in Data Analytics
| CSCI 111 | Introductory Programming and Big Data | 4 |
| or CSCI 160 | Computer Science I |
| DATA 211 | Applied Statistics and Data Visualization | 4 |
| or MATH 210 | Elementary Statistics |
| DATA 347 | Data Analytics and Visualization | 3 |
| Total Hours | 11 |
The Data Analytics Program Certificate is an effort to equip our students with the necessary digital skills of gathering, analyzing, and utilizing data that can enhance not only traditional students’ careers, but careers of professionals who want to update or move into this vital and growing area of knowledge.
Certificate in Data Science
| CSCI 111 | Introductory Programming and Big Data | 4 |
| or CSCI 160 | Computer Science I |
| DATA 211 | Applied Statistics and Data Visualization | 4 |
| or MATH 210 | Elementary Statistics |
| DATA 240 | Programming for Data Science | 4 |
| CSCI 356 | Database Management | 4 |
| or CIS 454 | Data and Information Management |
| Total Hours | 16 |
The Data Science Program Certificate is an effort to equip our students with the necessary digital skills of gathering, analyzing, and utilizing data that can enhance not only traditional students’ careers, but careers of professionals who want to update or move into this vital and growing area of knowledge.
Certificate in Entrepreneurship
The Certificate of Entrepreneurship is a series of highly interactive classes designed to instill entrepreneurial thinking in students. The certificate will provide students with the knowledge of the entrepreneurial process and how to start, finance, plan, and launch a business. The certificate is focused on the entrepreneurial mindset and emphasizes an understanding of how to recognize business opportunities; attract, valuate, and manage resources; and transform business opportunities into value. The certificate program culminates with an experiential application of the skills acquired in the courses.
| ENTR 302 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENTR 304 | Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management | 3 |
| ENTR 470 | Projects in Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 |
Certificate in Geographic Information System
The Geographic Information System (GIS) certificate focuses on spatial analysis, spatial data management, and cartographic design. Students are also introduced to spatial statistics and programming using Python. This certificate prepares students for a career using GIS and typically can be completed within two to four semesters.
Certificate in Interdisciplinary Game Design and Development
The Interdisciplinary Game Design & Development Certificate will provide students with the opportunity to explore varied elements of game/software development, including core computer science courses, digital art design, rhetorical structures in game systems, and games as tools for cognition and learning. This advanced certificate will provide students with expertise in software development, including the languages for two of the most popular game development engines: Unity and Unreal. At the end of the Interdisciplinary Game Design & Development certificate, students will complete a capstone project in which they design, develop, and publish (in some form) a digital game. This certificate program will include coursework from Computer Science, English, Art, and Psychology, and will tie together basic and advanced programming coursework, an in-development rhetoric course focused on game systems, coursework providing experience with creating digital art, a new course focused on cognitive processes in gaming, and a capstone project. Together, this set of courses will help students develop a foundational set of skills and knowledge surrounding digital games, including critical analysis of narrative and rhetorical structures, effective use of empirical research in the design of games, familiarity with mixed reality applications, advanced skills with common programming language and structures, exposure to digital art creation, and experience developing and publishing a digital game.
Certificate in Introduction to Game Studies
The Introduction to Game Studies Certificate will provide students with the opportunity to explore varied elements of game/software development, including core computer science courses, rhetorical structures in game systems, and games as tools for cognition and learning. By the end of the Introduction to Game Studies certificate, students will be prepared to critically analyze existing game structures and design their own digital game. Together, the four certificate courses will help students develop a foundational set of skills and knowledge surrounding digital games, including critical analysis of narrative and rhetorical structures, effective use of empirical research in the design of games, familiarity with mixed reality applications, and skill with common programming language and structures.
Certificate in Leadership
| LEAD 101 | Introduction to Leadership | 3 |
| or HON 250H | Foundations of Leadership |
| LEAD 201 | Collaborative Leadership | 3 |
| LEAD 301 | Experiences in Leadership | 3 |
| or BUS 495 | Seminars in Leadership Development |
| Total Hours | 9 |
Certificate in Public History
The Certificate in Public History furnishes students with the skills and knowledge necessary to play an active role in researching and interpreting history in the public sphere. Most courses in the certificate program also may be applied to the History BA or BSE programs as core courses or electives.
The certificate includes HIST 251 Introduction to Public History as a required course, plus additional courses from the following list to reach a minimum of 12 credits.
| HIST 251 | Introduction to Public History | 3 |
| 9 |
| Practice and Method | |
| North Dakota History | |
| Digital History | |
| Internship | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Introduction to Museum Studies | |
| Total Hours | 12 |
Certificate in Sign Language Interpreter Training
The Sign Language Interpreter Training certificate provides students who possess strong skills in American Sign Language with a foundation in methods of professional sign language interpretation. Completion of the certificate is intended to prepare students wishing to pursue a career as a professional sign language interpreter in both educational and community settings.
Certificate in Substitute Teaching
| 9 |
| Managing the Learning Environment | |
| Educational Psychology | |
| Teaching Diverse Learners | |
| Child and Adolescent Psychology | |
| Introduction to Exceptional Children | |
| Diversity in America | |
| Total Hours | 9 |
Certificate in Writing in the Disciplines
| |
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| ENGL 315 | Profes and Tech Writing | 3 |
| 3 |
| Nursing Theory and Research | |
| Technology and Society | |
| Children's Literature | |
| Hispanic Cinema | |
| Psychomotor Development | |
| Total Hours | 12 |
The Writing in the Discipline Certificate (WID) housed within the English department intends to strengthen writing throughout the University. The WID includes dialogue among instructors and students about writing and how writing operates among the University disciplines. The primary audience of the WID is non-majors and non-minors in English who desire a transcriptable certificate when applying for employment or further educational opportunities. The WID includes 9 hours of English courses (English 110, English 120, and English 315) and an additional course designated as writing-intensive (WI) from within each discipline participating in the Certificate.
Certificate of Completion in French
Certificate of Completion in German
Certificate of Completion in Latin
Certificate of Completion in Spanish
Certificate of Completion in Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
The certificate of completion can be transcripted as stand alone recognition of completing a package of coursework in the field of IDD prior to entering a degree program in this field. Students may also choose to add this certificate of completion onto another field of study.
| SPED 101 | Introduction to Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services | 3 |
| 12 |
| Health Care in IDD I | |
| Health Care in Developmental Disabilities II | |
| Intro to Positive Behavior Supports | |
| Human Development | |
| Promoting Inclusive Opportunities | |
| Dual Diagnoses: ID and Mental Health Disorders | |
| Assisting People with Traumatic Brain Injury | |
| Developing Communicative Interactions | |
| Aging and IDD | |
| Field Experience in IDD | |
| Total Hours | 15 |
