Frequently Asked Questions
- I am a first-time student, what are The U's undergraduate admission requirements?
- I am a transfer student, what are The U's undergraduate admission requirements?
- What are The U's graduate admission requirements?
- How do I apply for undergraduate admission to The U?
- How do I apply for graduate admission to The U?
- How do I register for online classes?
- How much will it cost for to take online classes?
- Can I just take one online course?
- Do I have to be on a computer everyday for my online course?
- What is the myU student portal?
- How do I access myU portal?
- What is Webadvisor?
- How do I obtain a Webadvisor ID and password?
- How do I order books for an online course?
- What is a proctor form?
- How do I purchase books for my correspondence course?
Q. I am a first-time student, what are The U's undergraduate admission requirements?
A. 1) For automatic admittance to a baccalaureate degree program, first-time college or university students, under the age of 21, must submit 1) an official high school transcript or GED and 2) ACT or SAT scores and 3) meet one of the following criteria in each section (Section A and B):
Section A - must meet one of the following:
- Earned an overall GPA of "C" or higher in certain required high school courses
- Completed the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) with a combined score of at least 2250 and a minimum of 400 on each test
- Met state requirements for the high school equivalency certificate
Section B - must meet one of the following:
- Ranked in the top 50 percent of high school graduating class
- ACT composite score of 21 or higher, must submit 1) an official high school transcript or GED and 2) ACT or SAT scores, if test was taken within the last five years, and 3) meet the following criteria: 1) Received a high school diploma or GED
Please Note: Applicants not meeting the above criteria may be admitted to USD at the associate's degree level if they submit 1) an official high school transcript or GED and 2) ACT or SAT scores, if test was taken within the last five years, and 3) meet one of the following requirements:
- Ranked in the top 60 percent of high school graduating class
- ACT composite score of 18 or higher on the enhanced ACT or SAT score of 870 or higher or the SAT Reasoning Test Math and Critical Reading subscore total 870 or higher
- Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale) in high school
- Completed the GED with a combined score of at least 2250 and a minimum score of 400 on each test
Associate degree pursuant students who are successful with university coursework (C or above) may declare a bachelor's degree through the appropriate university process.
Q. I am a transfer student, what are The U's undergraduate admission requirements?
A. Students will be admitted to The U if they have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 grading scale) for previous college or university coursework (official transcripts are required). Some programs may require a transfer GPA higher than the minimum. The dean of the school or college to which you are applying will evaluate applicants with a GPA under 2.0.
In addition to the documentation outlined above, transfer applicants, who have not previously earned an associate's or baccalaureate degree must submit high school transcripts of GED, and SAT or SAT scores (if applicant is over the age of 21, scores only required if test was taken in the last five years).
Q. What are The U's graduate admission requirements?
A. Graduate admission requirements vary depending on the program you are beginning. Here are the graduate admission requirements broken down by each school:
The School of Education
To be eligible for an online master's education program, applicants must:
- Possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent (2.5 for provisional admission)
- GRE Score = 900 (Verbal + Quantitative, 700 for provisional admission) OR Miller Analogies Test = 45 (35 for provisional admission)
- Provide official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning
- Provide three letters of recommendation
- Provide a statement of purpose
- Provide a valid teaching certificate for licensure, this is not required for the Adult & Higher Education Specialization
To be eligible for an online doctoral education program, applicants must:
- Possess a valid teaching certificate for licensure
- Possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent (2.5 for provisional admission)
- Possess a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent
- GRE score = 900 (Verbal + Quantitative, 700 for provisional admission) OR Miller Analogies Test = 45 (35 for provisional admission)
- Provide official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning
- Provide three letters of recommendation
- Provide a statement of purpose
Additionally, International Students must submit:
- An evaluation of the foreign transcript to US equivalency done by ECE or WES
- Official copy of TOEFL or IELTS scores
-
- Required TOEFL score is 550 (paper version), 213 (computer version) or 79 (IBT)
- Required IELTS score is 6.0. USD TOEFL code is 6881, Dept. Code 02. USD IELTS code is 4564.
Beacom School of Business:
The admission requirements for the online MBA program are as follows:
- Students must submit one official transcript of all prior academic work showing undergraduate degree earned. A Baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree is required.
- Students must submit letters of recommendation from two individuals who can evaluate your accomplishments, your communication and interpersonal skills, and your leadership potential. Each letter should be in a sealed envelope and signed.
- Students must submit an official copy of GMAT scores; a current, satisfactory score is necessary.
- Students must submit a resume outlining your education, work experience, and other activities.
- Students must submit a personal statement of goals, challenges and experiences.
Additionally, International Students must submit:
- An evaluation of the foreign transcript to US equivalency done by ECE or WES
- Official copy of TOEFL or IELTS scores
-
- Required TOEFL score is 550 (paper version), 213 (computer version) or 79 (IBT)
- Required IELTS score is 6.0. USD TOEFL code is 6881, Dept. Code 02. USD IELTS code is 4564
School of Health Sciences
Admission to an Undergraduate Certificate program requires:
- A statement of purpose
- A criminal background check before the second class
- Official high school transcript or GED
- ACT or SAT scores (if applicant is over the age of 24, scores only required if test was taken within last five years)
- One of the following:
-
- Ranked in the top 60 percent of high school graduating class
- ACT composite score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 870 or higher on the SAT Reasoning Test Math and Critical Reading subscores total 870 or higher
- Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale) in high school
- Completed the GED with a combined score of at least 2250 and a minimum score of 400 on each test
Admission Requirements of Transfer Students to an Undergraduate Certificate program are as follows:
- Student will be admitted if they have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for previous college or university coursework (official transcripts required)
- Some programs may require a transfer GPA higher than the minimum
- The dean of the school or college to which you are applying will evaluate applicants with a GPA under 2.0
The undergraduate admission requirements are required for admission to an undergraduate program in the School of Health Sciences.
Admission to a Graduate Certificate program requires:
- Successful completion of a bachelor's degree as verified by official transcripts
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
- Statement of purpose
- A criminal background check is required before your second class
College of Arts and Sciences:
To be eligible for a Master of Science in Administrative Studies program, applicants must meet the following minimum admission requirements:
- Baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.7
- Three years administrative experience
- Three years since receiving an undergraduate degree
Q. How do I apply for undergraduate admission to The U?
A. You can apply two different ways for undergraduate admission to The U:
If you are a First-Time or Transfer student you can Apply Online, or you can print off this Application Form and return it to The U. Please note that you will also need to include all supplemental materials (i.e., high school transcript, ACT scores) with your application.
If you are a former USD student, you will need to complete the Undergraduate Automatic Reentry Form.
Q. How do I apply for graduate admission to The U?
A. Students can apply for graduate admission to The U using the Online Graduate School Application. The application must be completed and supplemental information (i.e., Letters of Recommendation, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, etc.) must be submitted to the Graduate School. For more information, visit the Graduate School.
Q. How do I register for online classes?
A. How you register depends on your enrollment status and the type of class you want to take.
If you are a current student, you will register for your classes through Webadvisor.
New students (degree pursuant or non-degree pursuant) can register for classes using this Online Form. Degree-pursuant students must be admitted to The U before registering. Prospective undergraduates apply through the Admissions Office. Prospective graduate students apply through the Graduate School: Apply Online or use this Printable Form.
Current and new students registering for 350-day correspondence courses and any student registering for Digital Dakota Network courses delivered to sites outside of Rapid City, Sioux City, or Sioux Falls, register using this Online Form.
Q. How much will it cost for to take online classes?
A. An online education at USD is very affordable. Currently, the cost per credit hour is $253.95 for undergraduate level courses and $337.05 for graduate level courses. For more information, visit Tuition and Fees.
Q. Can I just take one online course?
A. Yes, students can simply take one online course or complete their entire program online. For a complete list of online courses, visit Online Courses. To register for one course, use this Online Form.
Q. Do I have to be on a computer everyday for my online course?
A. You must log in regularly and as requested by the instructor. It is not required that you log into the course everyday.
Q. What is the myU student portal?
A. The student portal, called myU Portal, is a campus portal, which enables convenient and effective communications among University members and provides a single point of entry to e-mail, Desire2Learn, personal calendar, and other university-wide network communications and functions.
Q. How do I access myU portal?
To access myU portal, browse to https://myu.usd.edu or follow the "current student" link from the USD homepage. Enter your USD username and password, and then click on the button labeled "Login."
Q. What is Webadvisor?
A. Webadvisor provides registration, SDePay, course listings, grades, program evaluation information for all USD faculty, students and their advisors. For more information, visit Webadvisor.
Q. How do I obtain a Webadvisor ID and password?
A. To obtain a Webadvisor ID and password:
- Login to the myU.Portal and click on the "Academics" tab.
- Find the Webadvisor channel, and click on "Access Webadvisor".
- Click "I'm New to Webadvisor".
- Follow the instructions provided. Webadvisor will send you a temporary ID via E-Mail.
Q. How do I order books for an online course?
A. There are many different ways you can order books for your online courses. Most instructors teaching online classes list book information here: CDE Courses.
The quickest and easiest way to order books is through the myU portal. By using the portal, the required textbooks for all of your registered courses will automatically be placed into your shopping cart, thus eliminating the need to search for them. To access the Barnes and Noble in the portal, simply log into the myU portal > Academics > Course Registration > Barnes & Noble Book Ordering Information. To buy your USD books online through Barnes and Noble at USD visit USD Barnes and Noble. Additionally, you can order your books online, by phone, fax, mail or e-mail:
Phone: (605) 677-6291
Fax: (605) 677-3176
Mail: The University of South Dakota Bookstore
414 East Clark Street
Muenster University Center
Vermillion, SD 57069
E-Mail: bn@usd.edu
Website: http://usd.bkstore.com
Q. What is a proctor form?A. A proctor form is required if a student needs to take an exam and cannot complete the exam at one of CDE's testing centers. Typically, students propose a proctor that is the superintendent or principal of the local school, the county superintendent of schools, a librarian, a member of the clergy, the registrar or dean of a college or university or any professional. All proposed proctors must be approved by the Division of Continuing & Distance Education.
Q. How do I purchase books for my correspondence course?A. Books and course guides may be purchased from the Vermillion Barnes and Noble at 605-677-6291. Materials may also be purchased by visiting: Barnes & Noble.