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Typically, students enrolled in the Ph.D. program will have successfully completed a M.S. degree in Animal Sciences or related field from NDSU or another reputable University. If enrolling in the Ph.D. program directly from a B.S. program, please refer to the Graduate School Catalog.

The minimum requirements for the Ph.D. degree are:

• Minimum of 90 graduate credits total
  • Thirty credits from a previously earned M.S. degree may be approved to fulfill 30 of the 90 doctoral program credits required. The previous M.S. degree must be in the same or a meaningfully related discipline.
  • Up to 15 transfer credits from another doctoral program in the same or a meaningfully related discipline from an accredited doctoral institution may be allowed in individual cases.
  • Minimum of 45 credits total completed at NDSU
• 15 credits must be 700-800 level didactic courses
  • Didactic courses are those courses approved for graduate credit numbered 601-689, 691; 700-789,791; 800-889, 891. Courses numbered 690, 692-699, 790, 792-799, 890, 892-899 are considered special or experimental courses and are not to be included as didactic courses on a Plan of Study.
  • 600 number courses are stacked undergraduate/graduate course, and 700 and 800 number courses are M.S. and Ph.D. level courses. Courses approved at the 600, 700 and 800 level may be taken for graduate credit and used to satisfy course requirements on the student's graduate Plan of Study.
• Departmental required courses
  • ANSC 790 (Graduate Seminar): 2 credits
  • ANSC 793 or 892 (Graduate Teaching Experience): 3 credits typically over 3 semesters of 1 credit each; required for students on assistantship)
• Suggested courses
  • Dependent on academic background and interests
  • Could include courses in ANSC, BIOC, STAT, BIOL, ENGL, etc.

Admission and Application Requirements

• Graduate School admission and application requirements are found on the Admission Information page.
• In addition, this program requires applicants to contact potential advisors in the department before formal application to the Graduate School. The applicant can determine if the faculty member is currently accepting new students and to determine if the faculty member(s) research program is an appropriate fit for both the student and faculty member(s). Official approval of admission does not occur until approval through the Graduate School and agreement of a faculty member(s) to accept the student as an advisee in their research program.