Admission Policies & Procedures

• Application Procedures
• Undergraduate Admission Requirements
  • Freshman Admission
  • Transfer Students
  • Former Students
  • Non-High School Graduates
  • Home Schooled or Non-Accredited High School Students
  • Non-Traditional Students
  • Non-Degree Seeking Students
  • High School Students
• Regental Policy for Transfer of Credit
  • Transfer of Courses to Meet Degree Requirements
  • Transfer of General Education Coursework
  • Transfer of Credit from Accredited United States Colleges, Universities & Technical Institutes
  • Graduate Transfer Courses Received from Accredited United States Colleges and Universities
  • Credits Received from United States Colleges or Universities Located Outside the United States or Not Accredited
  • Credit Received Through Validation Methods & Prior Learning Assessment
• Transfer between Regental Universities
• Articulation Agreements
• Correspondence Credit
• Admission with Advanced Standing
• Admission of International Students on Nonimmigrant Visas
• Policy for Transfer of International Undergraduate Credit
• Non-Native Speakers of English
• Residency Requirements

This section outlines admissions policies and procedures at South Dakota State University. The South Dakota State University Policy and Procedure Manual is the definitive source for the most current South Dakota State University policies.  Policies duplicated on other websites or in print may not be the most current version. All policies documented on the site are official and supersede policies located elsewhere. South Dakota State University is governed by state and federal law, administrative regulations, and policies of the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) and the State of South Dakota.

Application Procedures

The SDSU Admissions Office processes applications on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply well in advance (six to ten months) of the semester they wish to attend in order to arrange housing, apply for financial assistance, and to attend new student orientation/early registration programs.

All applicants must submit the following to be considered for admission:

• Admission Application
• $20 Application Fee
  If you have previously attended SDSU or another South Dakota public university as a degree-seeking student within one year prior to the term of application or have been called into active duty with the military, you are not required to pay the application fee to SDSU.
• Official High School Transcript

SDSU is a test optional institution meaning that ACT or SAT scores are not required as part of the admission process. However, we do encourage students to submit scores if they have completed either test to be used in instances of conditional admission decisions and course placement where test scores may benefit a student.

In addition, all transfer applicants must provide:

• Official Post-Secondary Transcript(s)
  You must request official transcripts from all non-South Dakota Board of Regents schools you have previously attended. You do not need to have transcripts sent from other SD Regental universities. All transcripts should be sent from the issuing institution directly to the SDSU Admissions Office. If you are currently enrolled at another institution, you may send partial transcripts and be considered for provisional admission until the final transcript arrives.

Upon admission to the University and prior to enrolling for classes, all new applicants are required to provide proof of the Board of Regents required immunizations. This form will be given to students prior to their enrolling at SDSU.

Questions regarding admission can be sent to:

South Dakota State University
Office of Admissions
Enrollment Services Center
1175 Medary Avenue, Box 511
Brookings, SD 57007
605-688-4121 or 1-800-952-3541 (Toll Free)

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

(SDBOR Policy 2:3)

SDSU offers all educational programs, material, and service to all people without discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Freshman Admission

Baccalaureate Degree Admissions

For admission to a baccalaureate degree program, high school graduates must either meet the Smarter Balanced or Curriculum requirements outlined below:

1. Smarter Balanced

Achieve a Level 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced Assessments

Curriculum

Graduate in the top 60% of their high school graduating class;

OR

Earn a high school cumulative GPA of at least a 2.6 on a 4.0 scale.

OR

Achieve an ACT composite score or superscore of 18 or SAT Math and Reading/Writing subscore total of 970 or higher.

AND

2. Complete the following minimum course requirements with a cumulative grade point average of a “C” or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or demonstrate appropriate competencies in discipline areas where course requirements have not been met:

4 years of English
or ACT English sub-test score of 18 or above
or AP Language and Composition or Literature and Composition score of 3 or above

3 years of Advanced Mathematics ¹
or ACT Math sub-test score of 20 or above
or AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC score of 3 or above

3 years of Laboratory Science ²
or ACT Science Reasoning sub-test score of 17 or above
or AP Biology, Chemistry or Physics B score of 3 or above

3 years of Social Science
or ACT Social Studies/Reading sub-test score of 17 or above
or AP Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Comparative or US Government and Policies, European or US History or Psychology score of 3 or above

1 year of Fine Arts
or AP History of Art, Studio Art drawing or general art portfolio or Music Theory score of 3 or above

For students graduating from high schools in states that do not require completion of courses in fine arts for graduation, high school level non-credit fine arts activity will be accepted.

¹ Algebra, geometry, trigonometry or other advanced mathematics including accelerated or honors mathematics (algebra) provided at the 8th grade level; not included are arithmetic, business, consumer or general mathematics or other similar courses.
² Laboratory science includes biology, chemistry, physics, or other approved science courses in which there is a weekly lab period scheduled. Accelerated or honors science (biology, physics or chemistry) provided in the 8th grade shall be accepted.

Applications from students with deficiencies are reviewed on an individual basis.

Associate Degree Admissions

Admission to associate degree (two-year) programs is granted if you meet one of the following criteria:

1. Rank in the top 60% of your high school graduating class;

OR

Earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale.

OR

Achieve an ACT composite score or superscore of 18 or SAT Math and Reading/Writing subscore total of 970 or higher.

Students enrolled in the two-year programs who have not met the minimum high school course requirements may enter a bachelor’s program only after they have satisfactorily completed:

1. At least 15 credit hours of the system general education requirements with a 2.0 GPA;

AND

Meet university minimum progression standards.

Transfer Students

You are considered a transfer student if you have college credits from an accredited institution and are six or more months beyond high school graduation. If you are currently enrolled at another institution, you can send partial transcripts and be considered for provisional admission until the final, official transcript arrives.

Students transferring from a degree seeking program at one Regental university to a degree-seeking program at another Regental university will be required to apply for admission.

Students who have been admitted to a degree-seeking or special program at one Regental university may register for courses at any Regental university without submitting another application.

Students who Transfer to Baccalaureate Programs

1. Transfer students who have completed 24 or more semester credits are eligible for admission if they meet the following requirements:

• Have a 2.0 (“C”) or higher cumulative grade point average. Students entering the professional program in Education must have a 2.5 GPA. Admission to the professional programs in Nursing or Pharmacy is on a competitive basis.
• Are in good standing with their most recently attended school.

2. Students with less than a cumulative 2.0 grade point average may be admitted on probation, but each applicant is considered on an individual basis.

• For information on academic standing for incoming students with transfer credit, refer to SDBOR Policy 2.3, section 9.7.

3. Transfer students under age 24 who have earned fewer than 24 semester college credits must also meet the Freshman admission requirements as outlined above.

Students who Transfer to Associate Programs

Students under 24 years of age transferring into associate degree programs with fewer than 12 transfer credit hours must meet the associate degree admission requirements. Students with 12 or more transfer credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 may transfer into associate degree programs at the discretion of the University.

Former Students

Former SDSU students who want to reapply for admission must submit official transcripts from all colleges attended since leaving SDSU. In addition, former students must submit another admission application if he or she has interrupted attendance by one or more semesters. Approval of admission is required by the dean of the appropriate college and the director of admissions.

Non-High School Graduates

Applicants who did not graduate from high school must:

1. Be 18 years or older to meet the compulsory school attendance requirement in South Dakota;

AND

2. Complete the General Educational Development (GED) test credential with the following minimum test scores:
   1. Scores earned since 2014: Earn a score of at least 145 on each subject and a total score of 580 or higher across all four subjects;
   2. Scores earned from 2002 to 2013: Earn a score of at least 410 on each subject and a total score of 2250 or higher across all five subjects (i.e., an average score of 450 across all five subjects);
   3. Scores earned from 1997 to 2001: Earn a score of at least 40 on each subject and a total score of 225 across all five subjects (i.e., an average score of 45 across all five subjects);
   4. Scores earned from 1981 to 1996: Earn a score of at least 40 on each subject or a total score of 225 across all five subjects (i.e., an average score of 45 across all five subjects);
   5. Scores earned from 1943 to 1980: Earn a score of at least 35 on each subject or a total score of 225 across all five subjects (i.e., an average score of45 across all five subjects)

OR

Complete the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) and obtain a minimum score of 15 on each of the five subsections;

OR

Complete the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) and obtained a minimum score of 500 on each of the five subtest categories;

Home Schooled or Non-Accredited High School Students

Students who are home-schooled or who attend a non-accredited high school must submit an official transcript (in a semester format) for review from either an accredited regional authority or home school provider in conjunction with state requirements:

Baccalaureate Degree Program

For admission to baccalaureate degree programs, home school graduates must:

1. Meet the minimum course requirements established in the Freshman Admission section with an average grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or demonstrate appropriate competencies in discipline areas listed in the Freshman Admissions section where course requirements have not been met.

OR

2. Obtain an ACT composite score or superscore of 18; or SAT Math and Reading/Writing subscore total of 970 or higher; or complete an Accuplacer exam meeting designated scores determined by the institution. Please inquire with SDSU Office of Admissions for more information.

Associate Degree Program

For admission to associate degree programs, home school graduates must:

1. Meet Baccalaureate admissions requirements depicted in the Freshman Admissions section

OR

Complete at least 15 credit hours of the system general education requirement with a 2.0 GPA;

AND

2. Meet university minimum progression standards.

Non-Traditional Students

Applicants who are at least 24 years of age or older and who have not previously attended college will be admitted in good standing if they have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the GED with scores as indicated above.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Students who wish to enroll with a partial load or who do not plan to work toward a degree may be admitted as a non-degree seeking student. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.  Traditional aged students, as defined by SDBOR policy, are recommended to apply as a degree-seeking student. Non-degree seeking students must be a high school graduate or meet non-high school graduate requirements as defined above.

High School Students

High school juniors and seniors may be admitted to SDSU as a South Dakota High School Dual Credit student or a concurrent high school student once you submit the appropriate admissions application complete with documentation of high school and parent approval and a current high school transcript.

Regental Policy for Transfer of Credit

(SDBOR Policy 2:5)

The purpose of the policy is to establish the framework for the consistent transfer of credit among Regental institutions, and by students earning credit external to the six institutions managed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Additionally, guidance is provided for the accepting credit through approved validation methods.

Transfer of Courses to Meet Degree Requirements

1. Academic courses will be transferred as meeting graduation requirements if the courses parallel the scope and depth requirements for the degree or if the courses meet electives required for the degree. Credit will not be given for duplication of courses.
2. Undergraduate courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution. When a university evaluates and accepts the transfer of undergraduate credit under the provisions of this policy, these courses will be recorded and equivalencies granted using the following guidelines:

• If there are specific undergraduate courses at the university evaluating the credit, these specific courses should be used when granting equivalencies.
• If the academic discipline is available at the university evaluating the credit, but there is no discipline equivalent course, use the discipline prefix and the appropriate course level (100 for Freshman level, 200 for Sophomore level, 300 for Junior level, and 400 for Senior level).
• If the academic discipline is not available at the university evaluating the credit, use the ELEC prefix and the appropriate course level (100 for Freshman level, 200 for Sophomore level, 300 for Junior level, and 400 for Senior level).

3. Total Transfer of Credit Limit

• Total transfer credit for work at a two-year technical or community college may not exceed one-half of the hours required for completion of the baccalaureate degree at the accepting institution unless an approved program-specific waiver exists.
• The System Vice President for Academic Affairs may approve program- specific waivers of up to seventy-five (75) total transfer credit hours at the accepting institution.
• Board of Regents approval is required:
  • For baccalaureate program-specific waivers of seventy-six (76) total transfer credit hours up to a maximum of ninety (90) total transfer credit hours at the accepting institution.
  • For graduate accelerated program-specific waivers of thirteen (13) total transfer credit hours up to a maximum of twenty-five (25) total transfer credit hours at the accepting institution.
• Students who have completed more than the acceptable semester hours of junior, community or technical college work may apply completed, transferable courses to specific course requirements and thereby may not be required to repeat the courses. The semester hours of credit for those additional courses may not be applied toward the minimum credit hours required for the degree.

4. Student Appeals for Transfer of Credit Decisions

• Each institution will develop and maintain a procedure for the appeal of transfer credit decisions.

Transfer of General Education Coursework

Internal Transfer of General Education Coursework

1. A student who has completed the general education requirements outlined in Policy 2:7 and 2:26 at the sending Regental institution will have completed the equivalent degree level requirements at the receiving institution regardless of the course distributions or approved course lists. In any subsequent evaluation of any transfer or non-course work, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed.
2. A student who has not completed all general education requirements at the sending institution will be required to complete additional coursework consistent with the course requirements at the receiving South Dakota Regental institution.

External Block Transfer of General Education Coursework

1. A student who has completed General Education requirements that are consistent with the six (6) goals and credit hour requirements outlined in Policy 2:7 and 2:26 will enter the Regental system having fulfilled the General Education program requirements. Students will be expected to meet all degree program requirements including course prerequisites.
2. When considering whether undergraduate transfer of academic courses received from non-Regental accredited institutions shall qualify to meet the System General Education credit hour requirements outlined in Policy 2:7 and 2:26, a Regental institution shall:

• Evaluate the general education goals and student learning outcomes rather than specific course equivalencies;
• Ensure that a minimum of three (3) credit hours of coursework is required for each of the six general education goals and that a total of at least twenty-four (24) credit hours of general education coursework are required by the sending institution for associate degree students and thirty (30) for bachelor’s degree students.
• Request a general education transfer agreement be approved for students entering from the institution.

3. When it is determined that the goals and credit hour requirements from a non-Regental accredited institution do not align with Policy 2:7 and 2:26, a Regental institution may request a partial general education transfer agreement be approved where goal consistency does exist.

Transfer of Credit from Accredited United States Colleges, Universities & Technical Institutes

1. General Requirements

• All grades transferred will be calculated into grade point averages according to the Regental grade scheme, and recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
• Transfer grades not existing in the Regental grading scheme will be equated to the Regental grading system. (Refer to SDBOR Policy 2:10, Use of Grade Point Averages).
• The university-specific degree or plan of study requirements determine if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
• Except for the conditions outlined for graduate transfer, during any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. In subsequent evaluations, grades previously recorded cannot be changed.

2. Undergraduate Transfer

• All undergraduate transfer courses and all transfer grades (whether the grades are passing or not passing) must be recorded and an equivalency specified by the Regental university.
• Courses of a vocational/technical nature are generally not transferable. However, if such work is judged to be pertinent to the needs of a particular curriculum or program, credit will be granted upon the recommendation of the department offering the course.
• Remedial courses (as identified on the sending institution’s transcript) received in transfer are recorded, transcribed, and assigned an equivalency at the receiving university but do not calculate into grade point averages.
• Orientation, Life Experience, an approved high school equivalency examination, and high school level courses are not recorded in Colleague as transfer credit nor are they granted equivalent credit.
• High school courses for which students received college credit will not be entered as transfer credit, or given equivalent credit, unless one of the following conditions are met:
  • Validated by an Advanced Placement or CLEP score that meets Board of Regents guidelines for acceptance of credit;
  • The college credit is granted by a university with which the Board has a dual credit agreement; or
  • The college credit is granted by an institution meeting the accreditation standards of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).

3. Technical Course Transfer from Colleges and Universities

• University discretion is permitted in acceptance of courses. Courses considered for transfer are subject to all SDBOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.
• When the courses are accepted for transfer, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript but the grade earned at the technical institute is not recorded or calculated into the grade point averages.

4. Course Transfer from Technical Colleges

• South Dakota Technical Colleges
  • Transfer of academic courses from South Dakota postsecondary technical colleges is governed by SDBOR Policies 2:25, 2:26, 2:27, and 2:31.
  • Transfer of technical course credit hours from South Dakota postsecondary technical colleges occurs as part of a program to program articulation agreement or specific program approved by the Board of Regents and South Dakota Board of Education Standards, unless an institution determines a course equivalency consistent with the process outlined in this policy.
  • The transfer of technical course credit hours occurs as a block of credit hours upon completion of requirements for the university articulated program for which a CR grade will be assigned.
  • Academic courses taken under articulation agreements in effect between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2005 will be transferred according to those agreements.
• Other Technical Colleges
  • University discretion is permitted in acceptance of academic courses. Academic courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.
  • Transfer of technical course credit hours from non-South Dakota postsecondary technical colleges occurs as part of a program to program articulation agreement or specific program approved by the Board of Regents.
  • The transfer of technical course credit hours occurs as a block of credit hours upon completion of requirements for the university articulated program.
  • When the academic courses are accepted for transfer, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript.

Graduate Transfer Courses Received from Accredited United States Colleges and Universities

1. All graduate transfer courses and transfer grades judged to be acceptable by the evaluating university, are recorded and evaluated by the Regental university, calculated into grade point averages according to the Regental grade scheme, and recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
2. If transfer credits are judged acceptable; these courses will be recorded, and equivalencies granted, using the following guidelines:

• If there are specific equivalent graduate courses at the university evaluating the credit, these specific courses should be used when granting equivalencies.
• If there are no equivalent graduate courses at the university evaluating the credit, these courses will be recorded, and equivalencies granted, using the following guidelines:
  • If the academic discipline is available at the university evaluating the credit, but there is no discipline equivalent course, use the discipline prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for master’s programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
  • If the academic discipline is not available at the university evaluating the credit, use the ELEC prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for master’s programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).

3. Transfer grades not existing in the Regental grading scheme will be equated to the Regental grading system.
4. In subsequent evaluation, all equivalencies may be re-evaluated, inactivated, or changed. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated. In subsequent evaluations, grades previously recorded cannot be changed.
5. The university-specific plan of study requirements determines if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.

Credits Received from United States Colleges or Universities Located Outside the United States or Not Accredited

1. General Requirements

• University discretion is permitted in acceptance of courses. Courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.
• In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated.
• The university-specific degree requirements determine if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
• When the courses are accepted for transfer, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript but the grade earned at the institution is not recorded or calculated into the grade point averages using the following guidelines:
  • If there are specific equivalent courses at the university evaluating the credit, these specific courses should be used when granting equivalencies.
  • If there are no equivalent courses at the university evaluating the credit, these courses will be recorded, and equivalencies granted, using the following guidelines:
    • If the academic discipline is available at the university evaluating the credit, but there is no discipline equivalent course, use the discipline prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for master’s programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
    • If the academic discipline is not available at the university evaluating the credit, use the ELEC prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for master’s programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).

2. Postsecondary Institutions Outside the United States

• At the discretion of the institution’s chief academic officer, grades may be recorded and used to determine the transfer and cumulative GPAs.

3. Technical College

• Courses submitted in transfer from postsecondary technical colleges that are not accredited will not be accepted.

Credit Received Through Validation Methods & Prior Learning Assessment

1. Credit earned through validation methods other than nationally recognized examinations is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees and fifteen (15) hours of credit for associate degrees. Credits may be earned through established procedures for prior learning assessment, including but not limited to assessment of military training and education. Each campus may determine appropriate course equivalencies as warranted and consult equivalencies established by the American Council on Education (ACE) when making final decisions.

• Validation of military credit is limited to an additional thirty (30) hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees and an additional fifteen (15) hours of credit for associate degrees.
• University discretion is permitted in acceptance of validated military credit for graduate programs, limited to a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours.

2. Credit for college level courses granted through nationally recognized examinations such as CLEP, AP, DSST, etc., will be evaluated and accepted for transfer if equivalent to Regental courses and the scores are consistent with Regental policies. Such credits are only valid if transcripted by a university within five years of the student taking the examination. Regental institutions shall honor credits from nationally recognized examinations transcripted to meet degree requirements at a non-Regental institution.

• If credit received through validation is applied as elective credit, it may only be applied at the 100 or 200 level.
• Credit received through validation may apply to System General Education Requirements.

3. When validation credits are accepted, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript but are not calculated into the grade point averages.
4. In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated.
5. The university-specific degree requirements determine if the validation credits accepted also are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university.

Transfer between Regental Universities

Transfer between any of the six South Dakota Board of Regents universities has been further facilitated by the recent revision of the common course numbering system and the 2003 merging of the six South Dakota public universities into one database. Most general education courses at all six universities now have the same prefix, course number, and title. This will help transferring students understand how their courses will most likely transfer. Please be aware that majors and colleges have specific program requirements that must be met. These can include a minimum grade for transfer, a course sequence, or a more advanced course.

Articulation Agreements

Technical Institute courses are designed to prepare students to enter the workforce for careers requiring less than a baccalaureate degree. Acceptance of these courses for credit at the South Dakota public universities is strictly the function of the receiving institution. Students who wish to transfer credits to a South Dakota public university for programs should contact the Admissions Office of that desired university for an evaluation of their program objectives and technical institute transcript. An individual evaluation of course credits will be made by the receiving public university in accordance with institutional and Board of Regents policy.

South Dakota State University has established articulation plans with a number of technical institute programs. Articulation agreements also have been established with tribal colleges, regional community colleges, other colleges and universities, and selected international educational institutions. College Deans assist students in determining the status of articulated courses.

Correspondence Credit

South Dakota State University will grant credit for correspondence courses from other colleges under the following circumstances: Limited credit for correspondence work may be applied toward a degree. Such credit will not be approved if the work is done while the student is enrolled in the University, unless arrangements have been made in advance with the dean of your college. Maximum acceptable credit by correspondence may be limited by the dean of the college you are entering. No credit will be given for correspondence courses in ENGL 101, 201, or 379 unless such courses are taken from a South Dakota Board of Regents institution.

A person not enrolled at SDSU who wants to earn credits by correspondence and apply them toward a degree at SDSU should consult with the appropriate college dean.

Admission with Advanced Standing

Students may be qualified to enter college at a level above the average freshman. Students may receive this advanced standing and/or credit through a variety of testing programs (see “Examination for University Credit”). The final decision in granting advanced standing and/or credit rests with the head of the department in which the credit is sought.

Admission of International Students on Nonimmigrant Visas

SDSU is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students from abroad and has traditionally enrolled students from over 80 different countries.

To be considered for admission, an international student must submit:

• International Student Application.
• Official academic transcripts for all secondary and postsecondary education.
• Official report of academic English language proficiency.
• Application fee of US $20.00.

International students generally need to have a minimum secondary grade point average of 2.6 (on a 4.00 grading scale) or have the equivalent of a B average in the U.S. System, or college transfer grade point average of a 2.0 or higher. Transfer students from academic programs at other U.S. institutions must have completed at least 24 consecutive semester credits (36 quarter credits) at a single institution. SDSU requires a minimum score submission from non-native English speakers of 61 TOEFL iBT (500 PBT), 44 Pearson PTE, 5.5 IELTS, or 90 Duolingo. SDSU also provides a list of waiver countries that are considered to be native English speakers and a comprehensive list of acceptable proof of language proficiency.

International students who have been offered admission will need to provide a Financial Certification Form and supporting financial documentation to allow SDSU to issue Form I-20 for the visa application process.

International students not meeting minimum requirements for full admission may opt for the degree pathway program in SDSU’s English Language and Culture Institute.

International students are required to purchase and maintain university approved health insurance for themselves and their dependents for the duration of their enrollment at SDSU.

SDSU regrets that it is unable to offer financial aid such as tuition waivers to international students. Applicants must, therefore, show clear evidence of adequate resources for financing their program of study.

SDSU reserves the right to require advance deposits of estimated tuition, fees, and living expenses when warranted by prevailing foreign exchange difficulties.

International Students have a separate application packet. Applicants outside of the U.S. must complete applications and submit documentation by June 15 to be considered for fall admission and November 15 for spring admission. Applications not meeting the deadline requirement for one semester will remain active and considered for the following semester when completed. Contact the International Student Affairs Office for the application packet and further information: International Student Affairs, Briggs Library, Suite 119; Box 2115, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: 605-688-4122; e-mail or fax 605-688-6540.

Policy for Transfer of International Undergraduate Credit

College level and advanced secondary level courses taken at international institutions will be evaluated for transfer consideration by an independent credential evaluation service. Students who have been accepted to South Dakota State University and have attended colleges or universities outside the United States must provide South Dakota State University with a course-by-course evaluation and official university transcript. South Dakota State University considers evaluations from World Educations Services, Inc (WES) to be more accurate than other evaluation services.  We also recommend the WES International Credential Advantage (ICAP) package, as the included transcripts are considered official.  Course-by-course evaluations submitted from other NACES member approved evaluation service will be accepted at the discretion of SDSU.  A syllabus from the international institution is required to determine equivalency. No English or Speech course will be accepted for credit from an international institution unless English is the official language of the country. For those international institutions that have an articulation agreement with SDSU, the agreement determines the courses that transfer full credit.

SDSU reviews courses with consideration to institution type and vocational or academic program.  Vocational/technical credit transfer is limited to 30 credits.  Technical credit will not be entered in the cumulative or semester grade point averages, but will be entered on the SDSU transcript as “CR” (credit) grades. Academic transfer credits are recorded as semester credits and are incorporated into the cumulative and semester grade point average. 

The only exception to the above-stated policy will be if the student earns credit through participation in programs sponsored by universities and member organizations with which SDSU has a South Dakota Board of Regents-approved agreement. Students earning such credit through an approved program will have the option of electing either the satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) or letter grade option, provided the transcript, or its equivalent, as supplied by the partner university or membership organization, has letter grades recorded on it. The student and the student’s advisor, or department head or the International Affairs Director, depending upon the course/courses in question, will determine before the exchange takes place whether the S/U or letter grade option will be used. Such an agreement must be made in writing, with a copy sent to the SDSU Office of International Affairs for the student’s file.

Non-Native Speakers of English

All international non-native English speaking (NNES) undergraduate students entering South Dakota State University will have the opportunity to take the Accuplacer Exam for placement into the appropriate English writing courses.

1. In accordance with policies mandated for domestic students, international NNES undergraduate students will have the opportunity to take the Accuplacer exams to enter ENGL 101.
2. All international NNES undergraduate students who do not meet minimum Accuplacer scores (86) required for ENGL 101 will enroll in ENGL 013 English as a Second Language: More Complex Structural Patterns and Advanced Composition or ENGL 039 English as a Second Language (Advanced ESL remedial writing 2).
3. In the event that an International NNES student has not taken or does not wish to take the Accuplacer exams, the student’s equivalent TOEFL/IELTS score can be used to place students into ENGL 013 (TOEFL average ≤22 or IELTS average ≤6.0) or ENGL 039 (TOEFL average 22-23 or IELTS Average =6.5) only.
4. No student shall enter ENGL 101 without successful completion of ENGL 039 or required Accuplacer scores, regardless of scores on TOEFL and IELTS exams.

Testing will be conducted prior to enrollment. Results will be used to determine whether a student needs to complete one or more support courses in English as a Second Language in addition to regular academic classes. The courses are designed to better prepare students for their academic program in general as well as for the English core curricula required of all entering students.

Further information regarding English proficiency requirements may be obtained from the English Language and Culture Institute, Briggs Library, Suite 119, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, Phone: 605-688-4122.

Residency Requirements

In accordance with South Dakota Codified Law and Board of Regents Policy, establishment of resident status hinges on the following criteria:

• Location of permanent residence within the borders of South Dakota
• Purpose for reasons other than pursuit of higher education
• Time span of 12 or more consecutive months which immediately precedes the first scheduled day of classes for the first term of post-secondary study

Qualifications for residency for tuition purposes may be obtained by visiting the University website (keywords: residency requirements) or by contacting the SDSU Admissions Office at 605-688-4121.