Graduate Admission Policies
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:
- The applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an educational institution of recognized standing.
- Applicants still completing a baccalaureate degree may apply.
- 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.
- 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.
Each program may set higher qualifications and may require the submission of additional evidence of academic performance.
Application Requirements
All degree and certificate seeking applicants must submit the following to complete the application process. Additional application requirements are found on the Graduate College website: https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/apply.
- Online Application for Graduate Admission
- Current graduate students adding a graduate certificate must submit the Request to Add a Certificate to a Graduate Degree form and $35 application fee to apply.
- $35 application fee
- Official transcripts
- Non-degree applicants are not required to submit transcripts.
- 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.
Applying to Multiple Programs
To apply for additional programs, a separate application and $35 fee are required for each. Other previously submitted documents may be used for additional applications, please email ndsu.grad.school@ndsu.edu to notify our admissions team.
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. A list of exempt counties is found on the Graduate College website.
- Earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution in a recognized country where English is the only official language.
- Achieved a satisfactory TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or Duolingo score. The test date must be within two years of the date of the application to the Graduate College. Minimum scores required:
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.
Admission Status
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).
Students admitted conditionally to a graduate program cannot earn more than 12 graduate credits. However, an exception to this policy allows students admitted to an accelerated degree program to earn up to 15 graduate credits while in conditional standing.
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.