The University of Mary is a private, Catholic University. Mary is the only College of Distinction in North Dakota and is endorsed by the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. The main campus is located in Bismarck, and satellite campuses offer courses in Fargo, Watford City, and Grand Forks North Dakota, as well as Minnesota, Montana, Kansas, and Arizona. Tuition rates are among the most affordable for private universities in the country, and 99 percent of students are recipients of some form of financial aid. Many scholarships are also available based on need and merit to further offset the cost of attending college. The Gary Tharaldson School of Business carries accreditation with the IACBE and is a recipient of the 2019-2020 Business Colleges of Distinction. The business school is named after Gary Tharaldson, the richest businessman in the state of North Dakota. Tharaldson built his wealth from building and operating hotels. He frequently presents lectures at the business school, and UM recently published a book titled Open Secrets of Success: The Gary Tharaldson Story.
Education
Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in the areas of Accounting, Business Administration, Business Education, Business Management, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Financial Services and Banking, Healthcare Administration, Information Technology Management, Marketing, and Sport and Leisure Management. An accelerated year-round campus option allows students to earn their bachelor’s degree in just over two and a half years. Graduate students admitted into the Masters of Business Administration program can specialize in Catholic Philanthropy, Healthcare, Public Administration, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Virtuous Leadership, and Business Operations. The Master of Science in Business and Master of Project Management feature the same set of specializations, with the addition of Managerial Leadership. Students who attend year-round can complete the program in just under one and a half years.
Student Life
The Emerging Leaders Academy is open to all business students and focuses on developing students’ leadership skills through a one-on-one mentorship program with local business leaders. Students in this program will also receive leadership training and participate in experiential and service-learning opportunities. The University of Mary Investment Club affords students the valuable experience of managing a live investment portfolio. Students in this club take field trips to the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board of Trade, and the Federal Reserve. Participation in this exciting club also includes an invitation to the Global Asset Management Game Forum, networking events, and access to the A. Kirk Lanterman Financial Center. Students in this club are also eligible to earn a certificate in fund management. Students can also join the Marauders on Business student organization. Study abroad programs are available in Rome and Peru. Internships and work-study programs on campus provide practical employment experience for students, increasing their marketability upon graduation. Within six months of graduation, 96% of students are employed full-time or pursuing graduate school.
Online Programs
The same MBA, MS in Business, and MPM degrees and specializations are offered fully online. These programs help students balance the everyday demands of life, such as career and family, while still advancing their education.