Online Ph.D. Environmental Engineering

UND's online Ph.D. programs in environmental engineering are affordable and highly credible.

PhD students are expected to perform cutting edge research and must be selected by a research faculty member to join their research group or act as advisor. Most of these students will be required to complete research work in person, or possibly at research facilities at your own location, which will depend on the project, thesis topic and faculty advisor to determine how much of the program can be completed online.

You can earn your doctoral degree in engineering from the University of North Dakota while you continue to live and work in your own community. Your transcript and diploma will look the same as for a student who graduated from UND by taking traditional on-campus courses.

You’ll receive the convenience of online learning with the personal contact and connection of being with faculty and classmates through online tools.

Campus Visit

For students completing the program by online delivery, a minimum of three campus visits are required and you'll need to make a presentation during each visit. One of these presentations can be the oral presentation for the qualifying exam. Additionally, a Ph.D. candidate should be present for the Ph.D. dissertation defense.

Online Engineering Courses

UND’s online engineering courses mirror those offered on campus. As an online doctoral student, you’ll follow the same curriculum, watch the same lectures and have the same deadlines for completing lessons and exams as a student on campus. Depending on the professor you may:

• Access course materials, assignments and recorded lectures.
• Communicate with engineering faculty and classmates.
• Use UND’s student support services such as online tutoring, digital library, tech support and advising services.
• Take supervised (proctored) exams using ProctorU.

Affordable Online Colleges

UND is one of the most affordable online colleges in the region. For this program, we offer in-state tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Asynchronous Classes

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

• Lesson modules
• Streaming video content
• Virtual libraries
• Posted lectures
• Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

All engineering online courses follow the UND semester-based schedule noted in the academic calendar. Some online courses may have optional opportunities for live Zoom class lectures instead of watching pre-recorded lecture videos which all online courses have available.

Leaders in Online Education

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on-campus student.

• Same degree. All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
• Same classes. You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
• Real interaction. You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
• Your own academic advisor. As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
• Free online tutoring. We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
• Unlimited academic coaching. Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
• Full online access. Dig into virtual research from the Chester Fritz Library. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
• 24/7 technical support. UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.

Best Online Colleges

Reportedly high alumni salaries and job placement rates, coupled with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other non-profit universities in the upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

• Affordability
• Student satisfaction (retention rate)
• Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
• Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Paysacle.com)