Central ND News

Dickinson State University (DSU) has received $1 million from the North Dakota Workforce Innovation Education Funds to develop two new academic programs: a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (BS-CSAI). The funding will be used for faculty recruitment, equipment, and program accreditation.

The university expects both programs to enroll their first students during the 2026–27 academic year. These initiatives are aimed at meeting workforce needs in health care, education, and technology across North Dakota.

“This funding represents a major investment in both the future of our students and the workforce needs of North Dakota,” said Scott Molander, president of Dickinson State University. “By building programs that respond directly to industry demand, we’re not just educating—we’re fueling the economic and community vitality of our region.”

The MSAT program is designed to address a shortage of certified athletic trainers in North Dakota. Each year, more than 200 positions remain unfilled, especially in rural areas. Graduates will be qualified to work in schools, clinics, hospitals, and sports organizations.

“Students are eager for an athletic training education program in western North Dakota,” said Ann Wittkopp, program director for athletic training education. “By offering this program at DSU, we will make this career path accessible to students who might not otherwise pursue it—and that means more skilled athletic trainers serving in our communities.”

The BS-CSAI program will offer instruction in network security, ethical hacking, AI programming, and threat detection. Students will train using specialized facilities such as an air-gapped cybersecurity lab with RF shielding to provide practical experience with security and AI tools.

“Cybersecurity and AI aren’t just the future—they’re the present, and the demand for trained professionals is skyrocketing,” said Md Miah, newly hired computer science faculty member. “Our graduates will be ready to protect digital systems, deploy AI responsibly, and innovate in industries from health care to agriculture.”

Both programs are being developed with input from local employers including hospitals, clinics, IT firms, and public agencies. These partners will help shape curriculum content as well as provide internships and clinical placements.

“Collaboration with industry partners is at the heart of these initiatives,” said Liz Freedman, dean of applied sciences. “Whether in health care or technology, our students will graduate with direct experience, making them career-ready on day one.”

“These programs reflect DSU’s mission to serve as a driver of workforce development in western North Dakota,” said Holly Gruhlke, vice president for academic affairs/provost. “They also open the door to meaningful careers for our students while addressing critical shortages in our state’s workforce.”

With these additions to its offerings through its School of Applied Sciences and health sciences division respectively, DSU aims to contribute further toward developing talent needed by employers throughout the region.