SDSU Graduate School Information |
South
Dakota State University |
SDSU granted its first Master's degree in 1891. In 1957 the Graduate School was established. The Graduate Faculty is composed of the President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Administration, Graduate Dean, 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 within a climate of freedom of inquiry.
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 600-699 in addition to the courses necessary to complete undergraduate work. Courses in the 700 and 800 series are not open to undergraduate students. A course load may not exceed 18 credit hours. 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.
Students must be admitted to the Graduate School before enrolling in any graduate course, whether or not they are pursuing an advanced degree. A completed application must be filed with the Graduate School at least one month before the beginning of the first term of graduate work. Students applying for Special Student (non-degree) status must also complete an application and be admitted to Graduate School. NOTE: Being admitted to the Graduate School does not admit a student to a degree program.
Baccalaureate Degree -- Admission to the Graduate School requires that the applicant be a graduate of an institution of higher learning. The institution must be one of recognized standing (regional accreditation) whose requirements are substantially the same as those of the South Dakota State University department(s) in which the advanced degree will be taken.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) -- Submission of the results of a Graduate Record Examination is not a Graduate School requirement. However, the following programs require that scores be submitted: Biology; English; Health, Physical Education and Recreation; Microbiology; Pharmaceutical Sciences; and Wildlife and Fisheries. For information about the GRE test, contact the department concerned or the Testing Office, Pugsley Continuing Education Center, Room 201.
Department Requirements -- The Department of Animal and Range Sciences offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Animal Science, or the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biological Sciences. Faculty and graduate students are actively involved in basic and/or applied research in the fields of nutrition, reproductive physiology, muscle biology, range science, animal breeding, meat science, and animal production.
The department is committed to providing graduate students with quality educational and research experiences and preparing them to meet the challenges of a very competitive job market upon graduation.
Application Form -- A completed form supplied by the Graduate School must be submitted and accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $35. Students who have previously attended a state institution in South Dakota and paid the application fee are exempt from this fee. An application form is available on WEB site www3.sdstate.edu/academics/graduateschool/. In addition to the application information required by the Graduate School, the Animal and Range Sciences Department requires a resume and a letter of interest.
Official Transcripts -- For degree-seeking students, official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work must be sent directly to the Graduate School. For those students not actively pursuing a degree, the Bachelor's degree must be stated on the application form and the degree will be verified.
If the application is submitted before the Bachelor's degree is complete, an incomplete transcript must be filed. When the Bachelor's degree is awarded, a final transcript must then be sent. This final transcript must be filed during the first semester of graduate work.
International students who cannot provide original transcripts may submit notarized or certified copies at the time of application. A provisional degree will be accepted, but it must be followed by the certified degree during the first semester of graduate work.
Letters of Recommendation -- Two letters of recommendation from persons acquainted with the academic ability and professional competency of the applicant should be sent directly to the Graduate School. Forms are available with the application packet and on page 137 of the Graduate Bulletin. This requirement may be waived by the Dean of the Graduate School on recommendation of the department.
In addition to the above procedures, International Students must also submit the following:
TOEFL Score -- A score of 550 or above is required by the Graduate School for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Department requirements are listed with each department section. An institutional language proficiency examination (written and oral) is given after arrival and students who do not possess satisfactory language skills may be required to enroll in remedial courses. Remedial courses may not be used toward a graduate degree, and they require separate tuition payment.
Financial Support -- Evidence of available financial support for at least the first year of academic work must be submitted to the International Student Affairs (ISA) Office, Administration Building Room 312. If financial assistance from this institution will be necessary to pursue the degree, a statement concerning this need must be submitted to the ISA office.
Physical Examination Record -- A physical examination report is required of all new students and will be filed with Health Services.
Documents for entry into the U.S. will be issued by the ISA Office after academic admission is complete.
After an application for admission with supporting documents is received and evaluated by the Graduate School, it is sent for review to the department concerned. Using the recommendations made by the department, the Dean of the Graduate School acts on the application and notifies the applicant, department, and/or committee concerned about the student's acceptance or rejection.
Unconditional Admission--An applicant may be admitted without condition if a Bachelor's degree has been earned, all undergraduate prerequisites for major and minor (if required) fields of studyhas been satisfactorily completed, and the applicant had an average of "B" (3.0 or higher on a 4-point grading system; A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1) during the last two academic years of undergraduate work.
Applicants with a grade point average between 3.0 and 2.75 may also be considered for unconditional admission if other aspects of their academic and/or professional record indicate superior performance and potential.
Admission to all degree programs is competitive and limited by the availability of personnel, facilities, and funding necessary to provide quality graduate education within each program.
Conditional Admission--Conditional admission may be granted if:
Students admitted conditionally with a cumulative or junior/senior grade point average of less than 2.75 must complete a minimum of 10 graduate credits with grades of B or above before becoming eligible for a graduate assistantship.
A student admitted conditionally must satisfy any conditions within the first year after admission. Departments will assign advisers to such students. Failure of a student to fulfill the above conditions or to do satisfactory graduate work at any point in his/her program is sufficient grounds for dismissal or reclassification as a Special (non-degree) Student.
Students with a junior-senior grade point average above 2.75 who have pass-fail (or equivalent) grades shall have instructors for such courses furnish letter grades or shall furnish satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
Special Student (non-degree)--Students not meeting the above admission requirements, those initially enrolled only in evening classes, and those not working toward a degree may be granted admission and take courses as Special Students. Special Students may not receive Graduate Assistantships, financial aid, or enroll for thesis/dissertation credits. The Graduate Dean will act as adviser for these students unless they are assigned to a department adviser. No more than ten credits under Special Student status may be applied toward a degree.
Students with Special Student status may request and be granted a change in status to work toward a degree, provided ten credits of graduate work have been completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. The request must include complete official transcripts and application fee if these have not been supplied previously. This request must be submitted to the Graduate School by the student or adviser, after which it will be submitted to the appropriate department for a recommendation and processed as other applications.
Students formerly enrolled as graduate students at South Dakota State University (who interrupt continuous registration) should apply for readmission at least one month prior to registration. Forms for this purpose can be obtained from the Graduate school. Official transcripts for graduate work taken at other institutions since the last enrollment at South Dakota State University must be furnished.
Graduate School rules and regulations in effect at the time of readmission apply to students who are readmitted. The Graduate School or graduate program may require applicants for readmission to update their application file, or to complete a new application, including current references if required by the program.
A personal interview with the head of the major department should be arranged prior to registration.