Introduction

Graduates of The University of South Dakota or of other institutions having similar requirements for a Bachelors Degree are eligible to seek admission to a program of graduate studies.

Application materials may be obtained from the Division of Educational Administration and Leadership by emailing the Division Chair, Dr. Mark Baron: mbaron@usd.edu You can also refer to the Graduate Admissions website at www.usd.edu/gradsch

All students who desire to take graduate level courses must register through the Office of Research and

Graduate Education at The University of South Dakota.

Students seeking admission to graduate programs must display evidence of academic aptitude, achievement, and motivation. Additionally, previous behaviors contrary to or in violation of ethical or professional standards of the degree program being sought may be cause for denial of admission by the Dean of Research and Graduate Education.

Dr. Mark Baron, Chair
School of Education
University of South Dakota
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069-2390

Completed Application Form

Application forms may be obtained from Division of Educational Administration and Leadership or through the Office of Research and Graduate Education. The application form must be signed and dated. A $35.00 non-refundable fee should accompany the application form.

Checks must be made out to The University of South Dakota. The fee cannot be waived and application packets will not be processed until the University has received the $35.00 fee.

Three Letters of Recommendation

The applicant must complete the first section of the form and sign in the designated area. The person writing the recommendation must complete the form, seal the form in the envelope, and write his/her name across the flap on the back of the envelope.

The sealed envelope is to be returned to the applicant and enclosed along with the application materials. Alternatively, the recommendation forms can be sent directly to the program to which the student is applying.

Two Official Transcripts

Two official transcripts of all previous degrees must accompany an application. Official transcripts may be sent directly from the issuing institution to the applicant for inclusion in their packet. Applicants who have received their baccalaureate degree from USD may submit unofficial transcripts.

Applicants who apply before receiving their baccalaureate degree will be required to submit a final transcript, in their first semester of graduate studies, showing that the degree has been conferred.

Official Test Score Results

Standardized test scores should be sent directly to the department from the testing center. The student may wish to include a copy of the test scores in the packet. More information about the Graduate Record Examination can be obtained by visiting http://www.gre.org/ Students wishing to take the GRE may register directly with the University's Statewide Education Services at (605) 677-6240.

The only test that is offered is the general written test. More information about the Millers Analogy Test can be obtained by visiting  http://www.tpcweb.com/mat/mat2001/index.html You can also contact the Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Education (605) 677-5451 for registration and test date information.

Application Packets should be sent to the Division of Educational Administration and Leadership by the program's application deadline. Once a packet is received, it becomes property of The University of South Dakota Graduate School.

Application Requirements for International Students: Before a foreign applicant's file can be evaluated, the following items must be submitted to the Division of Educational Administration and Leadership. Please note that this is only a brief list of admission requirements. For a more thorough explanation, please see the  International Graduate Admission Checklist.

1) Completed application form and non-refundable application fee of $35.00 US dollars.

2) Three completed recommendation forms.

3) Two official transcripts of academic work at the undergraduate level (with English translation stating a 2.7 or better undergraduate GPA based on a 4.0 point scale).

4) Scores on GRE or MAT, and TOEFL (minimum 550) if English is not first language. Students who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an American college or university are not required to submit a TOEFL score.

5) Statement of Finance Form and certified bank statement or sponsor's letter showing that the student is financially self-supported.

Admission Procedures to Graduate School

When the Division of Educational Administration and Leadership receives the application packet, the division will then recommend the admission status of the applicant to the Dean of Research and Graduate Education, who will make the final decision as to the admission status. Students may be accepted to The University of South Dakota Graduate School with either full admission or provisional admission.

The division will also recommend if an applicant is to be denied admission to the degree program.

When the materials have been forwarded to the Office of Research and Graduate Education from the division, the applicant will then be notified of the action taken on the applicant.

Admission Classification:

Full Admission: Students must meet these requirements -

1) Baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree.

2) A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or a graduate GPA of a 3.0 or better on a 4.0 point scale.

3) GRE score of 1000 with a minimum of 500 on the verbal section or 50 on the MAT.

Provisional Admission: This may be granted to applicants who do not meet the conditions for full admission but who gives evidence that he/she may be capable of graduate level work. Reasons might include, but are not limited to:

1) Baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution not having full regional accreditation for that degree.

2) An undergraduate GPA of less than 2.7 or a graduate GPA of less than 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale.

3) GRE score of 800 with a minimum of 300 on the verbal section or 40 on the MAT.

In order to gain full admission status, the student must demonstrate to the divisional faculty that he/she is capable of keeping a GPA of 3.0 or better during the first semester of study. Once this has been proven, the student will work with his/her advisor to move to full admission status.

Special Student-Graduate Admission

Students who are granted this status are not graduate students. Students with this status are not admitted to a graduate degree program. The special student applicant is not required to furnish transcripts or recommendations and there is no minimum GPA requirement. A student in this classification must complete s Special Student-Graduate application and meet prerequisite conditions, as determined by the instructor, for admission into specific courses.

A student who is designated as a Special Student-Graduate, has only been given permission to enroll in graduate courses. Should a special student wish to work toward a graduate degree later, he/she will be required to apply for admission into the program. Only 6 graduate credit hours earned while the student has been enrolled as a special student may apply toward a degree once the student has been accepted.

Advisor and Committee Assignment

At the time of admission to the graduate program, a temporary advisor will be assigned to each student. This faculty member will serve as the student's advisor until such time that a permanent advisor is agreed upon. Once a permanent advisor is established, an advisory committee will need to be made. See the Faculty link for a list of current faculty in the Division of Educational Administration and Leadership.

An advisory committee will consist of three or more graduate faculty members.

This committee must include the student's major advisor and two other graduate faculty members, one of whom must be from another academic discipline outside the Division of Educational Administration and leadership. The advisory committee will approve the student's program of study, administer written and/or oral examinations, approve the thesis or dissertation where applicable, and certify to the Graduate School that the candidate has satisfactorily met all requirements for an advanced degree.

Full-Time Status

A full time graduate student course load is 9-12 credit hours per semester. The normal maximum registration per semester is 12 credit hours. Students on assistantships must enroll for at least 9 credit hours during the academic year, and at least one credit hour during a summer session.