Academic Standing

This is an archived copy of the 2023-24 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.

Dean's List

To be eligible for inclusion on the Dean’s List for any given semester, a student must have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.50 during that term while completing at least 12 semester hours (nine semester hours during the summer) in graded coursework.  Graded coursework includes the developmental course MATH 098.  MATH 098 does not satisfy graduation requirements and does not calculate into the cumulative grade-point average on the academic record, but it is factored into the overall attempted credits and honor points for Dean's List consideration. 

The Dean’s List is only maintained for undergraduate students and Pharm.D. students.  Credits taken simultaneously via transfer, accelerated graduate coursework, and collaborative or consortium registration are not included in the NDSU Dean’s List calculation and do not count toward the NDSU minimum credit requirement.  These courses are considered transfer credit (see transfer credit). No exceptions can be considered for Dean's List consideration.

NOTE: The Office of Registration and Record notifies University Relations of Dean's List honorees.

Academic Forgiveness

A former student who has not completed a baccalaureate degree and has not been in attendance at for six (6) or more years*, but who is presently enrolled and attending classes at NDSU may request to exclude from grade-point-average calculations all grades earned in selected full terms (quarters or semesters) completed at NDSU prior to the six-year absence.

The courses and grades for the terms selected will remain on the student's academic record, but credits, honor points, and grades will be excluded from grade-point average calculations. Excluded courses cannot be used to satisfy any academic requirements. A student may exercise this option only once so it is in the student's best interest to understand all implications and to work with a knowledgeable advisor to determine the outcome before submitting the request. Qualified students can expect the forgiveness to be processed on the academic record after the 50% refund deadline, which is approximately 10 weeks into the semester. If the request is received between semesters or during the summer, the request will be processed after the 50% refund deadline of the next full semester.  

A qualifying student wishing to request academic forgiveness should submit a letter addressed to the Office of Registration and Records, 110 Ceres Hall, NDSU Dept. 2801, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 (or by fax to 701-231-8959 or email to ndsu.registrar@ndsu.edu) that includes the following:

  • Student full name
  • Student ID number
  • Mailing address
  • NDSU email address
  • Prior full semesters you would like considered for forgiveness 

Notification of the request will be sent to the student's NDSU email account.

*Exception: Students who qualify for the Bachelor of University Studies general studies option may apply for academic forgiveness in accordance with the above policy with one exception; rather than a 6 year absence, students in this program qualify for forgiveness after a 2 year absence.