Graduate School

Mary Kay Helling, Interim Dean of the Graduate School
SAD 130, 605-688-4181
Fax: 605-688-6171
Box 2201, Brookings, SD 57007-1998
E-mail: mary.helling@sdstate.edu

Introduction

SDSU granted its first Master’s degree in 1891. In 1957 the Graduate School was established. The Graduate Faculty is composed of the President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Research, academic deans, heads of departments in which graduate courses are given, and other faculty members chosen on the basis of their background and experience. These faculty members teach graduate level courses and serve as advisers to graduate students or on advisory examining committees.

The Graduate School is committed to providing an atmosphere for qualified students to obtain rigorous advanced education in a variety of fields in preparation for service and leadership in their professions and society. It also promotes scholarly pursuits and scientific research for the advancement of knowledge.

Graduate Credit for Seniors
A senior within 15 credits of completing the undergraduate curriculum with a grade point average of 2.5 or a junior-senior grade point average of 3.0 may receive credit for graduate courses numbered 500-699 in addition to the courses necessary to complete undergraduate work. Courses in the 700 and 800 series are not open to undergraduate students. Course load may not exceed 18 credits. Courses must be designated for graduate credit at the time of registration. Forms requesting permission to register for these courses are available at the Graduate School office and must be filed prior to taking the course. Permission to take courses for graduate credit while a senior does not constitute admission to the Graduate School. Such courses may be used toward a graduate degree but are not useable toward an undergraduate degree without special permission.

Admission to the Graduate School
For information regarding admission to the Graduate School, departments offering graduate instruction, graduate courses available, as well as information on graduate fellowships and assistantships, call the Graduate School Office 605-688-4181 or visit our website http://catalog.sdstate.edu/index.php?catoid=19.

Departments

The Graduate School operates as a single unit that serves the academic colleges.

Degrees Offered

The Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Master of Education degrees are offered in approximately 30 majors. The Doctor of Philosophy is offered in Animal Science; Biological Sciences (joint with the University of South Dakota); Chemistry; Computational Science and Statistics; Electrical Engineering; Geospatial Science and Engineering; Nursing; Nutritional Sciences; Pharmaceutical Sciences; Plant Science; Sociology; and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. Two professional doctorates are also offered in Nursing and Pharmacy.

Programs

See the separate Graduate Catalog available online at http://catalog.sdstate.edu/index.php?catoid=19.