Program Finder Audit

We need your help to update the Program Finder.

UND's Program Finder is the #1 place prospective students go to learn about our academic offerings, attracting over 2 million external visitors in 2022. It's critical this content is accurate and up-to-date.

Annual data on specific program performance is provided to UND Administration, Deans, Chairs, and all Marketing Council members. Please contact your Marketing Council representative if you did not receive this information.

How to Complete The Audit

Marketing is conducting an annual Program Finder audit. Every page must be reviewed by the respective academic department/program/college by May 15, 2023. To ensure page accuracy, programs must work together to consolidate feedback and complete one form per program. 

1. Review program list spreadsheet to identify program pages needing review. This spreadsheet is organized by college in the bottom tabs and includes URLs/links to all program pages. The spreadsheet is updated weekly throughout the audit process.
2. Follow links to review your Program Finder page content. This includes the program's index/homepage, how to apply, how online works, tuition etc.
3. Complete one Program Finder Audit Form for each program you are reviewing. This form must be completed even if you are not requesting changes so that we know the content was reviewed. 

When reviewing program pages, please look for inaccuracies. Pages will not be completely rewritten. Marketing will begin making changes to Program Finder pages after May 15.

AUDIT Form

Admissions Application Program List

In addition to reviewing program pages,  Admissions would like programs and Colleges to review the list of programs on the UND application to ensure accuracy. 

How to Review Application

1. Create an account to view the UND application from the student prospective. Please use an email account other than your UND email. It is also recommended to use the word "Test" in your first and last name so Admissions can ensure this is a test account.
2. Please review the list or programs, plans, and sub plans associated with your department as well as delivery method. Once you’ve started an application please review all the requirements that are currently being asked of the student. 
3. Do not submit your application. If there are any inaccuracies with the UND application program list, please contact Lisa Panzer, Associate Director of University Admissions.

Things to Watch For

Program pages are built in similar fashion. Content is written specifically for prospective students with selling points they are most interested in. 

Program Homepage Standard Content

Each index/homepage includes:

• Why Study at UND
  • Unique tracks/offerings/specializations, combined programs
  • Accredidations
  • Application deadlines
• Program Highlights
  • Clubs/organizations
  • Hands-on learning opportunities
  • Research opportunities
  • Collaboration with other programs or organizations
• Career Outcomes
  • Job placement rates
  • National career outlook
  • Where alumni work
  • Future careers (job titles)
• National Rankings & Accreditation (if applicable)
• Courses You Could Take
  • Highlight up to six courses
  • Course descriptions are pulled from the academic catalog (CourseLeaf)
• Videos/Stories
• Footer
  • Link to college (undergraduate program)
  • Link to program or department (graduate program)
  • Link to faculty listing (graduate program)
  • Program contact (graduate programs only, undergraduate programs are directed to Admissions)
  • Link to related programs

Headings and Program Names

Have you noticed the program name and page headings were adjusted? This was done on purpose.

We performed advanced search engine optimization (SEO) work on all Program Finder pages to get them to rank higher in search (i.e. Google) resulting in a 16.5% increase in organic search traffic.

Using national search data, we learned many of our program names are not doing us any favors in search. We are targeting what people are searching for – which isn’t always the program’s full name. However, we do make sure the full program name is spelled out on the page in non-SEO critical locations.

If you do not want your program to use SEO, we will revert the pages back to the full program name. Please be aware reverting back to full names will result in:

1. Removal of SEO tracking for that program.
2. Removal of digital ads that may be going to that page.
3. Elimination of the program from planned SEO work with an external vendor.

About Program Finder SEO

Requirements 

Undergraduate and graduate programs have degree/admission requirements for the current term. Plans are auto-pulled from the academic catalog (CourseLeaf) and edits cannot be made by the Web Team. If you have edits to your program’s academic catalog content, you must make changes in CourseLeaf. Once changes have been made with the Registrar's office, edits will be reflected on your requirements page.

Some graduate programs have specific degree requirements that are not published in the catalog. In these instances, page content can be edited by the Web Team.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fees for current and next term are auto populated by the Quick Cost Estimator. The Web Team works with Student Finance to ensure accuracy. 

How to Apply

The purpose of the How to Apply page is to instruct prospective students how to take the next step in the recruitment funnel and apply to UND. How to Apply pages contain general application information and is typically standard for all programs.

Application deadlines are on the program homepage. 

How Online Programs Work

Online programs have different course formats. 'How Online Programs Work' page content explains the type of online format for particular program. Please make sure the following is clearly explained:

• 100% online courses (if applicable)
• Online asynchronous or synchronous format
• Online with campus visit(s) (if required)

Request a New Program

If your department is launching a new program, submit a Marketing Request Form to request a new program page be added to the Program Finder. The page will not launch until approve by the Registrar's office to market.

What is the Program Finder?

UND’s Program Finder provides prospective students a central location to explore all academic programs offered at UND. Program Finder pages are built to be a prospective student’s front door to UND when researching online.

The number one goal of Program Finder pages is for prospective students to complete the Request More Information form. Capturing contact information allows Marketing and Admissions to communicate with prospective students and encourage them to take the next step of applying to UND.