Graduate Admission Information

This is an archived copy of the 2022-23 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Graduate Degree and Certificate Application Requirements

Complete the Online Application. The application fee is $35.00. In addition, the application file is complete when all of these items are submitted:

  1. A Statement of Purpose introduces reasons for pursuing graduate study, specifies special interests within the chosen discipline and includes discussion of relevant skills and experience. Additional requirements may be listed on program catalog pages
  2. Submit one official transcript (statement of marks) from each college or university at which you have been enrolled or are currently enrolled. Include both undergraduate and graduate coursework, as well as continuing education credits (if applicable). Official original transcripts (statement of marks) are required to be sent from each institution attended, whether or not a degree was earned, and even if courses were transferred to another university. When a transcript is submitted in advance of completion of either undergraduate or graduate studies, an updated transcript showing all course credits, grades, and degree completions must be provided prior to initial registration at NDSU. For more information, visit https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/apply.

If applying to another program(s), submit a separate application, statement of purpose, and $35 application fee. Other previously submitted documents may be used for additional applications, please email ndsu.grad.school@ndsu.edu to notify our admissions team.

Current graduate students who wish to add a certificate to their degree program must submit the Request to Add a Certificate to a Graduate Degree form and $35 application fee to apply.

Graduate Application Deadline

Deadlines vary by program. Before starting your application, visit the program catalog page to find the application deadline. For admission consideration for your intended term, all application materials should be submitted before the deadline.

Action on Applications

Admission of all graduate students requires approval by the Graduate College. All applicants who have submitted the required application materials will receive notification of their admission decision by email.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies (Graduate College) is a selective process intended to identify applicants who are outstanding among those who have earned, or are working toward, a baccalaureate degree. Admission into one graduate program does not guarantee admission to or imply the waiver of any requirements for admission into another graduate program.

The following minimum qualifications are required of all students seeking an advanced degree:

  1. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing or be an NDSU undergraduate student pursuing an approved accelerated degree program.
    1. Applicants still completing a baccalaureate degree may apply.

    Each program may set higher qualifications and may require the submission of additional evidence of academic performance.

    English Language Proficiency

    English language proficiency must be demonstrated prior to admission by obtaining the listed minimum score in one of the following exams:

    Some programs require higher scores for admission to their degree programs. The test date must be within two years of the date of the application to the Graduate College. Information about these tests is available on our website.

    Applicants do not need to provide a foreign language examination score if they were raised in or have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution in one of the following countries:

    Please note that applicants meeting the criteria above may need to contact the Graduate College to ensure their exemption from the test of English proficiency requirement.

    Graduate students will be admitted under one of the following classifications:

    Full Graduate Standing

    These students have met all requirements for admission and have been accepted by a program leading to a graduate degree. A student must have full graduate standing to receive a graduate degree.

    Conditional Standing

    Students in conditional standing do not meet all requirements for admission or have deficiencies in prerequisite course work; however, they show potential for successful graduate study. Upon admission in conditional standing, the student’s program must specify conditions to be satisfied for a change in status to full graduate standing.

    Admitted students with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average (CGPA) below 3.0 at the time of admission will be placed in conditional standing by the Graduate College. The condition placed by the Graduate College requires the student to earn a CGPA of 3.0 or higher in their first nine graduate didactic credits; additional conditions may be placed by the student’s academic program.

    Students admitted under conditional status are automatically placed on academic warning until the conditions of admission are met (see Academic Standing).

    A student may not earn more than 12 semester hours of graduate credit while in conditional status.

    Non-Degree Enrollment

    This category is for individuals who desire to pursue study beyond the baccalaureate degree for personal growth and improvement of skills but not in order to work toward an advanced degree objective. Some courses may have prerequisites or other requirements, which may require consultation and permission to enroll from course instructors. In courses with limited enrollment, preference is given to degree-seeking students.

    Students enrolled with non-degree status are not eligible for graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, or federal title IV student financial assistance. Students in this category are affiliated with the Graduate College and not an academic program. Professional development graduate courses (numbered 600 or 2000), offered by NDSU Distance and Continuing Education, are not eligible to use toward a graduate degree.

    Non-degree students who wish to become degree-seeking students must complete the admission process through the Graduate College (including a new application and fee). No more than 10 credits earned as a non-degree student may be used toward a graduate degree, and must be approved by the student’s adviser, supervisory committee (if applicable) and the graduate program coordinator.