This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Admission Information

Admission Requirements

North Dakota State University is fully committed to equal opportunity in employment decisions and educational programs and activities, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and including appropriate affirmative action efforts. NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Admission to the 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. The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
  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.
  3. At the baccalaureate level, the applicant must have earned a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, or equivalent, to attain full standing in a graduate degree program. Applicants whose last 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.
  4. Each program may set higher qualifications and may require the submission of additional evidence of academic performance.

A student shall be permitted to register for graduate study only after formal admission. Programs make recommendations on all applications, but the final admission decision is the responsibility of the Dean of the Graduate College.

Application Requirements

Complete the Online Application . The application fee is $35. You will be prompted to pay the fee when you have completed all of the required fields in the online application. If you choose to apply to more than one graduate program, you must submit a separate application using a new email address, statement of purpose, and $35 application fee. If you would like to use any other previously submitted documents, please email us at ndsu.grad.school@ndsu.edu .

A Statement of Purpose is required for certificate and degree programs. State your reasons for pursuing graduate study, specifying your special interests within your chosen discipline and including your background preparation in that area. Mention any relevant skills or experience that you have acquired. Some programs may have other specific requirements. Refer to your intended program for more information.

Official transcripts (transcripts in a sealed, stamped envelope from the granting institution and signed by the school official responsible for issuing such records, i.e. Registrar or Controller of Examinations) of all previous undergraduate and graduate records must be received by the Graduate College before the application file is considered complete. 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.

Online letters of recommendation are required before action is taken on any application. Three recommendations are required unless otherwise noted. We do not accept paper, emailed, or faxed letters.

Programs requiring or recommending Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are indicated on their information pages. Minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores by program are also listed on English Language Test Score Requirements .

Application Deadline

All application materials are due at least one month before registration for U.S. applicants; several programs have earlier deadlines. (See program sections within the Graduate Bulletin for details.)

For international students, the completed application and all required documents and test scores must be received by the Graduate College prior to May 1 for fall semester and prior to August 1 for spring semester unless the department has other posted deadlines.This deadline applies to students matriculating from abroad because of the time required to obtain current financial information, determine student status, and issue the appropriate immigration form.

Action on Applications

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