Beginning February 1, 2002 please send all application materials to the Office of Research & Graduate Education, University of South Dakota, 107 Slagle Hall, 414 East Clark, Vermillion, SD 57069.

School of Education applicants must send their materials to the University of South Dakota School of Education, Attn: Student Services, 114 Delzell Education Center, 414 East Clark, Vermillion, SD 57069.. 

Applications to the School of Law and to the School of Medicine are to be submitted directly to those schools. 

Applications to the Occupational Therapy Program and to the Physical Therapy Program are to be submitted directly to those departments.

Late applicants may be required to register on special student status. 

Once submitted, the USD Graduate School application, letters of recommendation and transcripts become the property of the Graduate School. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The application packet should include: 

1. Application Form:  The application form is available here Application forms in a pdf writable format. Once you have the form completed and printed be sure it is signed and dated. A $35.00 non-refundable fee should accompany the application form. Checks should be made out to the University of South Dakota. The fee cannot be waived. 
   
   
2. Recommendations: For most of the programs, three recommendation forms are required of all applicants to a graduate degree program. The person writing the reference must complete the form, seal the form in an 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 for inclusion in the packet of application materials, which is sent to the Graduate Office or, when appropriate,  to the School of Education.
   
   Please note that the doctorate programs in the Division of Counseling & Psychology require 5 letters of recommendation and the MBA program requires 2 letters.
   
   
3. Transcripts:  Two official transcripts of all previous work 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 copies. 
   
   
4. Official Test Score Results:  If test scores are required by a department or degree program, standardized test scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Office from the testing center. The student may wish to include a copy of the test scores in the application packet. 
   
   
5. Personal Statements. (Write on a separate sheet and attach it to the application.  Your statement should include your purpose in pursuing graduate education, any research you wish to pursue, and your future career goals.

Upon final decision of the Dean of the Graduate School, the Graduate School will notify in writing each applicant as to his/her admission status. 

Applicants not wishing to work for an advanced degree need only submit the Special Student Application form to take courses. 

MINIMUM ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for admission to the Graduate School are established by the Graduate Council. These requirements are minimum as individual programs may at times exceed the stated minimums to fulfill accrediting requirements or restrict enrollments due to limited program capabilities. Prospective students are urged to check with the program director in the area of interest. 

CLASSIFICATION OF GRADUATE STUDENTS

The designation 'graduate student' shall apply only to those meeting minimum standards for admission, recommended by a department, and with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School for one of the categories listed below. All other students holding a baccalaureate level degree and wishing to take course work in the University will be designated special students - post-graduate, not admitted to a graduate degree program. 

Full Admission to a graduate degree program is granted when the applicant satisfactorily meets all of the following requirements: 

1. Baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree. 
2. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.7. 
3. All academic unit requirements of the area of the major are fully met. Such requirements are detailed in the Graduate School Catalog under the departmental listings. 

1. Baccalaureate degree from a n institution not having full regional accreditation. 
2. An undergraduate grade point average of less than 2.7. 
3. Deficiencies in departmental requirements for undergraduate education or other prerequisites for study toward a graduate degree in that academic unit. 

Special students wishing to apply again for a degree program will be permitted to do so by following the regular admission procedures. In considering this application, the department should review any courses taken as a special student (which may be counted toward the masters degree only upon the specific recommendation of the department chairperson and approval of the Dean of the Graduate School). It is recommended, however, that students who have been previously denied admission on the basis of a poor undergraduate record be required to complete additional courses beyond the 30 or 32 hours normally required for the masters degree. 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION

For checklist of international graduate requirements please see our International Graduate Admissions Checklist. 

For more help with the application process, please contact the International Student Advisor.