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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 a South Dakota public university as a degree-seeking student within one year prior to the term of application, have been called into active duty with the military, or will be a non-degree seeking applicant, 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.
Prior to or during the first term of enrollment:
- Degree-seeking students, who do not have an associate or bachelor’s degree completed, must have a final official transcript on file showing the completion of a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Degree-seeking students, who have completed post-secondary coursework, must have final official* transcript(s) on file showing the completion of any courses taken prior to enrollment at SDSU.
* Official transcripts must be sent through a secured transcript exchange service used by your institution or by postal mail sent directly from your institution to 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 2.2.1)
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:
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.
Minimum Course Requirements
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:
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
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) completed prior to the high school 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) completed prior to the high school level 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:
- 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:
- 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 they were completed after the summer immediately following your 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
- 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.
- 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 2.2.1, section 9.7.
- 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 and do not have to meet the associate degree admission requirements.
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:
- Be 18 years or older to meet the compulsory school attendance requirement in South Dakota; AND
- Complete the General Educational Development (GED) test credential with the following minimum test scores:
- 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.
- 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);
- 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);
- 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);
- 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:
- 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 Admission section where course requirements have not been met; AND
- 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:
- Meet associate degree admissions requirements depicted in the Freshman Admission section
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:
- Complete at least 15 credit hours of the system general education requirement with a 2.0 GPA; AND
- 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, HiSET, or TASC 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 Seamless Transfer of Credit
(SDBOR Policy 2.2.2.1)
The purpose of the policy is to outline flexible pathways for students to transfer among institutions within and from outside the Regental system to enable their opportunities for success.
The goal of transfer credit decisions, regardless of whether the credits were completed at an accredited institution, is to ensure that all degree-seeking students have met the same (or appropriately similar) curricular requirements upon graduation.
When evaluating transfer requests the institution will consider the accreditation status of the sending institution as well as whether the academic program, level of study, and course content are similar in nature and applicable to the academic program of the receiving institution.
Grading schemes inconsistent with the Regental system grading scheme will be converted to the Regental equivalent.
Credit is only applied once per course per degree on a semester credit system; any course taken multiple times will be treated according to the Regental system repeat policy.
Credit for prior coursework is evaluated for transfer based on the following policies. The policies are established to meet specific student needs.
Minimum institutional credit requirements to earn an academic credential (certificate or degree) are identified in BOR Policy 2.6.1. All other credits beyond the required threshold as provided in SDBOR Policy 2.6.1 are eligible to be satisfied through transfer credit.
There may be a need to request waivers for programming and student needs. Students should contact their advisor for guidance on the appropriate process.
South Dakota Regental System Transfer of Credit
(SDBOR Policy 2.2.2.2)
The Board of Regents governing the six public universities has established a common course catalog and common transcript to ensure that a Regental student can seamlessly transfer within the Regental system. All Regental coursework, credit hours and grades are recorded on the student’s transcript.
Transfer of Credit within the Regental System
General Education Transfer and Common Course Transfer
- Students who complete the System General Education Requirements (SDBOR Policy 2.3.7) at any Regental institution will have fulfilled the System General Education Requirements for their degree program. The completion of the requirements will internally transfer with the courses, credit hours and grades assigned regardless of the course distributions or approved course lists.
- Students who complete system common courses will internally transfer with the courses, credit hours and grades assigned regardless of the Regental institution.
- A student who has not completed all System 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.
- All prerequisites for associate and baccalaureate programs must be completed as determined by the student’s degree plan.
Major Specific, Validated, and Elective Transfer
- Students completing an internal transfer within the Regental system can request that program/major related, validated credits, and elective credits be applied toward the degree/graduation requirements (see SDBOR Policy 2.6.1 for graduation requirements).
- Credits earned through Pass/Fail grading options, credit-by-examinations, portfolio reviews, and other validated credit awards that may be known by other names at institutions will transfer as equivalent courses when available at the receiving institution.
- Students needing information on minor and dual majors requirements shall review SDBOR Policy 2.3.2 (for transfer purposes).
External (Non-Regental System) Accredited University/College Transfer of Credit
(SDBOR Policy 2.2.2.3)
The Board of Regents governing the six public universities has established a policy on the transfer of credits from accredited external universities and colleges. Students will be required to complete all requirements as outlined in the academic catalog.
The SDBOR defines an accredited institution as holding accreditation from one of the following institutional accrediting bodies, unless otherwise specified: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Undergraduate Transfer
Independent General Education/Common Course Transfer
- All individual general education courses will have a course evaluation.
- Approved equivalent courses and grades are recorded on the transcript; once the course is recorded, the equivalency will not change.
Block General Education Transfer
- A student who has completed general education requirements that are consistent with the six (6) goals and credit hour requirements outlined in SDBOR Policy 2.3.7 will enter the Regental system having fulfilled the General Education program requirements.
- A student who has completed a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution will have successfully completed the General Education Requirements.
- Degree and graduation requirements to meet one of the System General Education Requirements (SGR)s may stipulate that students’ complete credits/courses toward the degree program. Any such requirement will be outlined in the program articulation agreement.
- Approved transfer courses, number and name as well as grades are recorded on the transcript. Credit will be identified in the student information system that general education has been satisfied and transcripted.
Program Major Specific, Elective Transfer
Independent Major, Common, or Elective Courses
- The university-specific degree or plan of study requirements determine if the requested courses are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria required by the program.
- University discretion is permitted in acceptance of courses.
- Approved transfer courses will be entered into the student information system, the equivalency will not change once approved.
- Remedial courses (as identified on the sending institution’s transcript) received in transfer are recorded, transcribed, and assigned an equivalency. Remedial courses transferred will not be applied toward a student’s graduation requirements.
- Approved courses, grades and credit hours are recorded on the transcript.
Major Specific Block Transfer of Credit by Articulation Agreements
- Universities may enter into an articulation agreement including transfer of a cluster of courses for block credit toward the student’s degree program with the approval of the Board of Regents.
- Following a course evaluation ensuring the agreement was adhered, credits will be transferred as a block and a grade of CR applied.
- All approved equivalent courses and credit hours are recorded as a block on the transcript; the grade earned at the sending institution is not recorded or calculated into the grade point averages.
- Students and the receiving university may utilize a course-by-course equivalency upon request instead of the block credit.
Program-to-Program Transfer by Articulation Agreements
- Universities may enter into a program-to-program articulation agreement with the approval of the Executive Director, or designee, and the Board of Regents.
- A program-to-program agreement may provide for proactive/guaranteed admission to the receiving institution upon a student completing the requirements at the sending institution. (i.e., Associates to Bachelors [A2B] where the first two years are completed at a non-baccalaureate institution [AS degree] toward the receiving institution’s baccalaureate degree).
- A program-to-program agreement will define the requirements of the program, major emphasis, credit hours received and a pathway to degree attainment.
- Approved transfer courses, grades, and credits hours are recorded on the transcript.
Reverse Transfer
- Universities may enter into an articulation agreement for reverse transfer with the approval of the Board of Regents.
- Reverse transfer is utilized primarily for attainment of degrees through credits earned at the receiving institution and degree awarded by the sending institution. This reverse transfer can be utilized for any academic credential as defined by the agreement.
Graduate Program Major Specific and Elective Transfer
- The receiving university-specific plan of study requirements determine if the course requests are applicable to the student’s degree program.
- Transfer credits will have a course evaluation completed by the receiving institution.
- After the course evaluation is completed, courses will be recorded as either specific major course equivalencies or courses may be recorded as electives, and equivalencies granted.
- Approved grades and credit hours will be recorded on the transcript.
External (Non-Regental System) Non-Accredited University/College and International Transfer of Credit
(SDBOR Policy 2.2.2.4)
The Board of Regents governing the six public universities has established a policy on the transfer of credits from non-accredited external universities and colleges and international transfer. This policy shall only include those sending institutions that are nonaccredited institutions or international institutions.
Undergraduate/Graduate Transfer of Credit
Independent General Education Transfer
- University discretion is permitted in acceptance of general education courses.
- Courses considered for transfer are subject to all SDBOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the receiving institution.
- All individual general education courses requests for transfer will have a course evaluation. Approved equivalent courses and grades are recorded on the transcript; once the course is recorded, the equivalency will not change.
Major Specific, Validated Credit and Elective Transfer of Credit
- The receiving university discretion is permitted in acceptance of courses. All degree requirements determine course transfers.
- Major specific and elective courses considered for transfer are subject to all SDBOR policies and any conditions for course evaluation and validation that may be prescribed by the receiving institution.
- Approved transfer courses will be entered into the student information system, the equivalency will not change once approved.
Credit for Prior Learning
(SDBOR Policy 2.2.2.5)
The Board of Regents supports credit for prior learning by encouraging institutions to employ effective and efficient practices rooted in nationally recognized best practice standards to maximize awarding degree-relevant, college-level coursework to students. Recognizing the assets and capabilities of students through acceptance of credit for prior learning promotes access for South Dakotans. Therefore, institutions shall apply toward admission eligibility, course prerequisites, and/or degree requirements, academic credit earned outside of a traditional higher education setting.
Policy Statements and Standards
- Credit for prior learning shall be awarded for college-level learning which entails knowledge, skills, and competencies that students have obtained because of their prior learning experiences.
- Credit for prior learning shall be reviewed for students who have been admitted to one of the six Regental institutions and have a declared major.
- Credits earned through Credit for Prior Learning must apply to the student’s declared program (major, degree, certificate) at the institution where the student is admitted.
- Credit for prior learning shall not be awarded for a course that is already on the student’s academic record by any of the six Regental institutions.
- Credits earned through Credit for Prior Learning will be transcribed as transfer credits, with a grade of “CR”.
- Credit earned and awarded through Credit for Prior Learning will not have any quality points awarded and will not be calculated in the grade point average or completion rate.
- Credits earned through Credit for Prior Learning are transcribed in the current semester for which they were approved and awarded (not the term they worked, experienced, or participated in the activity).
- Credits earned will not be counted in the student’s semester enrollment calculation, nor are they eligible for financial aid.
- Regental institutions shall abide by the established minimum scores for standardized exams, as documented in published guides.
- Regental institutions shall utilize the established minimum credit recommendations documented in published guides.
- Regental institutions shall ensure graduate-level institutional policies allow for acceptance of credits earned through Credit for Prior Learning as part of existing transfer credit policies.
- Credits earned through Credit for Prior Learning are considered transfer credits. Undergraduate credit requirements for graduation are identified in SDBOR Policy 2.6.1 and SDBOR Policy 2.2.2.1; no additional or separate limitation beyond the limit identified in that policy, is placed on credits earned through Credit for Prior Learning.
Prior Learning Transfer of Credit
As with the assessment of classroom learning, the objective of prior learning assessment is to identify student competency related to a specific set of learning outcomes. This policy applies to transfer students and currently enrolled students.
General Requirements
- There are five (5) accepted practices approved by the Board of Regents on credit for prior learning.
- Industry/Professional Certification or Training: Includes, but is not limited to any non-collegiate training programs that result in industry certification, professional licensure, skill development, apprenticeship completion, and other work-based learning programs, etc.
- Joint Services Transcript: Includes, but is not limited to rank, occupation, military education, training, military occupation, etc. as documented on the JST.
- Portfolio: Conducted through a designated third party, unless it is for graduate-level course credit, or a subject/discipline that the third party does not offer.
- Published Guides: Includes but is not limited to the ACE National Guide to College Credit for Workplace Training, the ACE Military Guide, and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).
- Credit by Examination: Includes standardized exams and institutional challenge exams.
- AP – Advanced Placement (CollegeBoard)
- CLEP – College Level Examination Program (CollegeBoard)
- DLPT – Defense Language Proficiency Test (Defense Language Institute)
- DSST – DANTES Subject Standardized Test (Prometric)
- GED – General Education Development Test (GED Testing Service)
- Institutional Challenge Exam – Institutionally-developed exam (Regental Institution or Non-Regental Institution)
- IB – International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (International Baccalaureate)
- UExcel – Excelsior University
- Fees will be assessed for awarded credit through the fee schedule.
Application of Policy
To facilitate Regental institutions being responsive to the rapidly evolving nature of Credit for Prior Learning, guidance to Regental institutions about the application of policy requirements shall be done through Academic Affairs Guidelines. The standards and procedures shall be accepted by all institutions and operationalized for the Information System.
Transfer of Credit within Regental System
Transfer between any of the six South Dakota Board of Regents universities has been further facilitated by a 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 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.
General Education Transfer and Common Course Transfer
Students who complete the System General Education Requirements (SDBOR Policy 2.3.7) at any Regental institution will have fulfilled the System General Education Requirements for their degree program. The completion of the requirements will internally transfer with the courses, credit hours and grades assigned regardless of the course distributions or approved course lists.
Articulation Agreements
Technical college 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 SDSU for an evaluation of their program objectives and technical college transcript. An individual evaluation of course credits will be made in accordance with institutional and Board of Regents policy.
South Dakota State University has established articulation plans with a number of technical college 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.
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:
- Admissions Application
- Official or unofficial 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.
Applicants outside of the U.S. must complete applications and submit documentation by June 15 to be considered for fall admission and November 1 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- No student shall enter ENGL 101 without successful completion of ENGL 039 o required Accuplacer scores.
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.
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