Graduate Admission Policies
1. Graduate Admission Policies
1.3. Accelerated Program Applicants
1.1 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 recipients of baccalaureate degrees. The following minimum qualifications are required of all students seeking an advanced degree:
1.1.1. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
- An applicant still completing a baccalaureate degree may apply (assuming they will have completed the degree prior to enrolling in a graduate program).
- NDSU undergraduate students applying to an NDSU accelerated program must have completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher. Some accelerated programs do require a higher cumulative GPA for participation.
- The applicant’s baccalaureate degree must be equivalent to a four-year baccalaureate degree from the United States.
1.1.2. The applicant must have adequate preparation in the chosen field of study and must show potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.
1.1.3. At the baccalaureate level, an applicant must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (or equivalent) as reflected on the transcript from the institution where the baccalaureate degree was conferred or is expected to be conferred. Applicants whose most recent degree completed is a graduate degree may be admitted in full standing if the final GPA of that degree is at least 3.0 or equivalent.
1.1.4. Each program may set higher qualifications and may require the submission of additional evidence of academic performance. Admission is not guaranteed.
1.2. Application Requirements
All degree seeking applicants must submit the following to complete the application process. Additional application requirements are found on the Graduate College website:
- Online Application for Graduate Admission
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- $35 application fee
- Original official transcripts 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.
- Recommendations (if applicable)
- Other materials/test scores (if required by the program)
- English proficiency language scores (if applicable)
1.3 Accelerated Program Applicants
In addition to the application materials, the Accelerated Degree Program Declaration Form must be submitted.
See Degrees Offered and Accelerated Degree Programs for more information regarding accelerated programs.
1.4 Certificate Applicants
Current NDSU graduate students adding an NDSU graduate certificate must submit the Request to Add a Certificate to a Graduate Degree form and $35 application fee to apply.
Please see the Application Requirements if you are a new student.
1.5. Non-Degree Applicants
Non-degree seeking applicants must submit the following to complete the application process:
- Online Application for Graduate Admission
- $35 application fee
- English proficiency language scores if applicable
1.6. Applying to Multiple Graduate Degree Programs
To apply for additional programs, a separate application and additional $35 fee is required. Previously submitted documents may be used for additional applications; please email ndsu.grad.school@ndsu.edu to confirm if your materials are still valid.
1.7. English Language Proficiency
All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship or residency, must demonstrate proficiency with the English language before they will be considered for admission to a graduate program.*
This requirement may be met by applicants who have:
- Been raised in a recognized country where English is the only official language
- Earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution in a recognized country where English is the only official language (Some programs may require a language score even if an applicant meets this requirement)
- Achieved a satisfactory TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), Duolingo score (see details below) or PTE (Academic) – Pearson Test of English (Academic)
*Applicants meeting either of the first two criteria listed above may need to contact the Graduate School (at ndsu.grad.schooL@ndsu.edu) to ensure that the test of English proficiency requirement is waived.
English Language Proficiency Tests
Minimum score requirements:
TOEFL: 4 (internet based); 71 on tests taken prior to January 21, 2026
IELTS: 6.0 (academic version)
Duolingo: 105 (internet-based)
PTE Academic: 50 (academic version)
Some programs require higher minimum scores. Refer to the table at the bottom of the page for more information.
How to Submit Test Scores
The Graduate School must receive your official scores before your application will be considered.
- Official TOEFL test scores must be sent electronically to NDSU (institution code 6474). A specific department code is not required.
- We do not accept MyBest Scores or TOEFL Essentials.
- Official IELTS test scores must be sent from the testing center by mail or electronically to North Dakota State University.
- The academic version is required. The general training version and One Skill Retakes are not accepted for admission.
- Official Duolingo test scores must be sent electronically to North Dakota State University - Graduate.
- Official PTE test scores must be sent electronically to North Dakota State University – Graduate.
The language test date must be within two years of the date of application to the Graduate School.
Countries Exempt from the English Proficiency Examination Requirement
| Antigua and Barbuda | Mauritius |
| Australia | Micronesia (Federated States of) |
| Bahamas | New Zealand |
| Barbados | Nigeria |
| Bermuda | Saint Lucia |
| Canada (except Quebec) | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Dominica | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Gambia | Sierra Leone |
| Ghana | Solomon Islands |
| Grenada | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Guyana | United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) |
| Ireland | Zambia |
| Jamaica | Zimbabwe |
| Liberia |
English Language Test Score Requirements for Graduate Teaching Assistants
Programs that Require Higher Test Score Minimums for Admission
| Graduate Program | Minimum Required Scores |
|---|---|
| Accountancy | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Agribusiness and Applied Economics | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Applied Statistics | TOEFL ibt 79/4.5; IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 115 |
| Architecture | TOEFL ibt 79/4.5; IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 115 |
| Athletic Training | TOEFL ibt 100/5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 125 |
| Biochemistry | TOEFL iBT 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Chemistry | TOEFL iBT 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Coatings and Polymeric Materials | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Communication | TOEFL ibt 100/5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 130 |
| Computer Science | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Construction Management - M.S. | TOEFL ibT: 81/4, IELTS: 7, Duolingo 120 |
| Construction Management - M.C.M. | TOEFL ibt 79/4.5; IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 115 |
| Criminal Justice | TOEFL ibT 100/5, IELTS 7, Duolingo 130; to qualify for assistantship TOEFL ibT 114/6, IELTS 8, Duolingo 135 |
| Data Science | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Developmental Science | TOEFL ibT 100/5 (subscores of at least 24 for speaking and 21 for writing); IELTS 7; Duolingo 125 |
| Education | TOEFL iBT 88/4.5, IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 120 |
| Educational Leadership | TOEFL iBT 88/4.5, IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 120 |
| English | TOEFL iBT 100/5 IELTS 7; Duolingo 130 |
| Environmental and Conservation Sciences | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Exercise and Nutrition Science | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP) | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| History | TOEFL iBT 100/5 IELTS 7; Duolingo 130 |
| Human Development and Family Science | TOEFL ibT 100/5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 125 |
| International Agribusiness | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Landscape Architecture | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Microbiology | TOEFL iBT 81/4.5 (Speaking 23, Writing 21); IELTS 7 (Speaking 6, Writing 6); Duolingo 115 |
| Music | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | TOEFL ibT 91/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 120 |
| Plant Pathology | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Psychology | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Rhetoric, Theory and Culture | TOEFL iBT 100/5 IELTS 7; Duolingo 130 |
| Software Engineering | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Software and Security Engineering | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |
| Statistics | TOEFL ibt 81/4.5; IELTS 7; Duolingo 115 |