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Graduate School

Admission Requirements & Instructions

» Admission Requirements
» Summary of Admission Requirements
» International Students/Nonimmigrant Admissions
» Enrollment in Graduate Courses by Non-Degree Students

Admission Requirements
In order for a student to pursue a graduate degree at Minot State University, the student must complete the online application for admission to the Graduate School and receive an official letter from the Dean of the Graduate School granting admission. A complete application packet includes the following items:

  1. Completed "MSU Graduate School Application". This application must be submitted online. The Graduate School at Minot State University does not accept paper applications. To access the online application, please visit: https://previewapp.applyyourself.com/?id=NDUSMINGR. The exception to this is applications for re-admission (available on the Graduate School website, www.minotstateu.edu/graduate).
     
  2. Statement of Purpose. Submit a concise (word limits vary by program) essay that describes your primary interest of study, and your objective in pursuing this degree at Minot State University. In particular, your essay should be as specific as possible in describing your interests and should describe any relevant education, research, commercial, government, or teaching experience. If you are applying for more than one program, you should submit a separate Statement of Purpose for each program. *Please review the Summary of Admission Requirements (pg. 13) and the program of interest for specific requirements. You may submit your document by uploading your Word file in the Document Upload section of the Supplemental Forms found on the online application website.
     
  3. Health Record/Proof of Two Immunizations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) as required by the State Board of Higher Education. Upon the student’s request, such records are sometimes available through the student’s high school (or college for transfer students) and can be sent to the University. Proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella requires two doses of vaccine given no less than one month apart, or positive serologic tests. No student will be permitted to enroll in a subsequent term until immunization or documentation of a waiver is complete. An immunization record waiver will apply to those who were born prior to 1/1/1957, those enrolling in distance education courses (online, correspondence, or an off-campus site) and those who adhere to a belief (religious, philosophical, moral) that are opposed to immunizations. You may upload, fax, or mail proof of immunizations. If submitting a waiver, you may download the form from the Downloadable Forms link on the online application website, print, complete, and mail to the Graduate School or you may also scan your completed waiver and upload the form in the Document Upload section of the Supplemental Forms.
     
  4. Transcripts. Transcripts from ALL previous colleges or universities, both graduate and undergraduate, are preferred. An official transcript showing the earned baccalaureate degree is required for admission consideration. Please direct the institution(s) to submit transcripts directly to the MSU Graduate School. Official transcripts are only accepted from the originating institution.

    The Graduate School requires students to have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 (scale of A=4.0) before they can be admitted. Students without this requirement must appeal to the Departmental/Divisional Chairperson and receive special written permission to be considered for admission. Additionally, departments/divisions may require more stringent grade point averages as part of the admission to their programs.
     
  5. Application Fee. Submit a one-time $35 application fee to the Graduate School, Minot State University, 500 University Avenue W., Minot ND 58707. Completed applications are processed when the application fee is received. You may submit payment to the Graduate School by mailing a check or money order. You may also pay online through our Touchnet system. To pay by credit card, please contact the MSU Business Office at 1-800-777-0750 Ext. 3333.
     
  6. Recommendations. A recommendation provider is an individual who will complete and submit a recommendation form on your behalf. Recommendation Providers may send their recommendations to the Graduate School office electronically through our application system. For those people who wish to submit their recommendations on paper, please download and print a copy of our recommendation form and follow the directions for paper recommendations. Please input the names and contact information for each provider, whether he/she will be submitting electronically or on paper. For those providers who wish to submit their recommendations electronically, please mark "Yes" for the online submission question on the Provider Input Form. The Graduate School does not send reminders for your recommendation providers. It is your responsibility to notify and monitor the status of the recommendation submission to ensure their completion. When you get to the recommendations page in your online application, please click the button that says "Recommendation Provider List." Insert the name and contact information of each recommendation provider. Once the recommendation provider information is saved, an email will be sent to the online recommendation provider with an access code and instructions on how to proceed with the online recommendation. When the recommendation provider submits the form to our office, it will become part of your application. You can view the status of your online recommendations each time you log into your application account. Letters of recommendation are a part of the online application; no additional electronic submission is required. If you are requesting your recommendation provider submit a hard copy, we have provided a copy of the recommendation form for you in the Downloadable Forms section on the application website. Please ask your recommendation providers to mail their forms directly to the Graduate School.
     
  7. Declaration of Finances (International Students ONLY). Click on the Downloadable Forms link to access the Declaration of Finance form, please print, complete, and mail or you may also scan the completed form and upload in the Document Upload section of the Supplemental Forms. Please submit to the Graduate School by mail.
     
  8. Required Test Scores. If you are required to take the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS, or other similar test, test scores must be sent to Graduate School directly from the testing agency. The TOEFL score has an IBT minimum score of 79 and a paper-based minimum score of 550. The IELTS has a minimum score of 6.
     
  9. Additional Requirements for your intended degree program. Please carefully review admission requirements for your intended degree program and complete any additional items that are required.

These admission requirements are minimum standards, and departments may have established additional criteria. Graduate School Mailing Address:

Summary of Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements Chart by Program [pdf]

Departmental faculty members review the applications, determine the acceptability of the applicants for advanced study in their professional preparation program and forward their recommendations to the Graduate School.

In order to allow sufficient time for processing, the Application for Admission to Graduate School must be filed in the Graduate School by the date listed in the table above. For programs with open admission, a candidate should apply no later than four (4) weeks prior to the term of registration.

Admitted--Approved Status:
A student who has met all minimum requirements of the graduate school for admission and all program requirements for admission, has been recommended by the Program Director for admission, and has been approved by the graduate Dean for admission will be granted Admission-Approved Status.

Admitted--Provisional Status:
A student who has not met one or more of the graduate school and/or program requirements (i.e., low GPA, low test scores, lack of test scores) may be granted Admission-Provisional Status with the recommendation of the Program Director and the approval of the Graduate Dean. Students who are Admitted--Provisional Status due to low GPA will be eligible for advancement to Approved Status after accumulating nine (9) semester hours if their cumulative GPA is 3.00. Students with low or missing test scores will be given a specific deadline in their admission letter for submitting the minimum required score. Students who are Admitted--Provisional Status who do not meet the condition(s) specified in the letter of admission by the deadline will be non-retained in the Graduate School at the end of the semester when the condition(s) should have been met. *Students who have Admitted-Provisional Status may not be appointed as Graduate Assistants through the Graduate School and are ineligible for Graduate School scholarships.

International Students/Nonimmigrant Admissions
Admission is determined by a selective process that includes consideration of English language proficiency, academic achievements, financial resources, and student visa eligibility.

In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements, the following supporting documentation must also be sent to the Office of International Programs by the appropriate deadline:

English-Language Proficiency
Students whose first language is not English must give evidence of proficiency in English. Such students should arrange to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A passing score on the TOEFL is 550 on the paper-based test (PBT) and 79 on the Internet-based test (IBT). A passing score on the IELTS examination is 6.0 overall band score. Individual programs may require specific skill levels above the minimum band score. In lieu of the TOEFL or the IELTS, the Graduate School may accept an earned degree from an English speaking university, where the primary mode of instruction is English, obtained in the past 10 years. Request for TOEFL tests and procedures may be found on the Educational Testing Services (ETS) website at www.toefl.org Requests for IELTS tests and procedures may be found on the IELTS World website at www.ielts.org.

Academic Achievement
Applicants to the MSU Graduate School should have completed their secondary education and obtained their high school diploma or school-leaving certificate, as well as completed an undergraduate university level degree. Minot State University will review all secondary and universitylevel course work for academic rigor and trends in academic performance.

Applicants are required to submit an original or certified copy of official academic records from all secondary schools and all colleges, universities and professional schools attended.

The academic records must show all marks or grades received in each subject for each school year and any certificates, diplomas or degrees awarded, including all subjects passed and grades or marks earned on government or university examinations. All academic records and supporting documents must be official. If only one original is available, an attested or certified copy may be submitted. If a record is not in English, a certified literal English translation must accompany the official transcript. If only one original record is available, the appropriate school authority that issues the original academic record should make a photocopy of the applicant’s papers and certify that it is a true copy by placing the institution’s stamp or seal and the official’s signature on the photocopy. Copies of foreign transcripts issued by one institution but certified by another institution will not be accepted.

Credit Transfer
Graduate course work completed prior to attending MSU is subject to departmental approval in order to meet major requirements and to receive transfer credit. Evaluation of transfer credit normally will not be complete until the applicant has arrived on campus and enrolled for coursework. Applicants seeking transfer credits for higher education work completed outside the United States may be asked to bring with them a detailed syllabus for each course, and must be prepared to provide a full description of prior course work to their academic advisor to facilitate the evaluation of transfer credits. Specific guidelines for requesting to transfer credit are provided in the Graduate School Policies and Regulations section of this catalog.

Financial Support
International students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state need-based financial assistance. Therefore, certification of adequate financial support to meet the needs during the period of enrollment at MSU is required of all international nonimmigrant applicants. Admission will be granted when proof of funds has been submitted. Failure to submit supporting documents will delay admission and the issuance of the appropriate immigration forms. The student must be prepared to document on a yearly basis the ability to pay the following year’s tuition and fees as well as the cost of living expenses. To prove sufficient financial resources, international applicants should complete the Affidavit of Support form and submit it with a recent bank statement revealing a current account balance.

Before departing for the United States, students should become thoroughly familiar with their home governments’ regulations for exchanging and forwarding money abroad.

International Student Tuition
Canadian students from Manitoba and Saskatchewan pay tuition based on a contiguous rate; Canadians from other parts of Canada and all other international students pay nonresident tuition and fees. More detailed information regarding tuition rates can be found on the MSU website at: www.minotstateu.edu/busoffic/student_info.shtml

Tuition and fees for all students are due at the beginning of each semester and must be paid in full at the Business Office within the first 12 class days of the semester, Students who do not pay their tuition and fees in full on or prior to the 12th day of classes are withdrawn from their classes.

Minot State University grants a limited number of Presidential awards to international students who demonstrate high academic potential. In order to continue to receive the award beyond the first year, students must maintain good academic standing (3.00 minimum GPA), stay in status with the F-1 visa regulations, and demonstrate satisfactory progress toward their declared degree. International students wishing to be considered for Presidential Awards should submit a completed scholarship application to the Graduate School no later than June 1 for the following fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Please note that tuition and award policies are subject to change or suspension without advance notice by action of either Minot State University or the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.

Mandatory Health Insurance
The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education requires all students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada to demonstrate health insurance coverage for themselves and their accompanying dependents. The state of North Dakota recommends a specific insurance policy that meets the minimum coverage and benefits specifications required. The fee for health insurance for one year must be paid upon arrival and at the beginning of each subsequent year and will be added to the student’s university account. Students who demonstrate proof of coverage under a comparable insurance policy with a different U.S. vendor or from a country with mandatory health insurance plans may request an exemption to this requirement. All exemptions will be handled through a waiver process through the Office of International Programs.

Canadian students are exempt from the mandatory insurance requirement. However, be advised that Canadian provincial insurance may be inadequate in the case of emergencies. Canadian students should consider buying supplemental insurance with a private provider.

Immunization Requirements
The state of North Dakota requires proof of immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella prior to registration for courses. Students should send copies of their immunization records to the Office of International Programs prior to arrival. Tuberculosis (TB) screening is also required of all international students and must be completed after arrival on U.S. soil, but prior to the first day of class. Students who fail to meet these requirements will have a "hold" placed on their institutional profile and account, and will not be allowed to register for courses.

Student Visa Information
Minot State University is authorized by the U.S. government to issue SEVIS Forms I-20 to assist non-immigrants to apply for F-1 visas. The Office of International Programs will issue I-20s to international students who meet all of the entrance requirements.

Information about international students in the U.S. is tracked using the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students are assigned a SEVIS ID number which is located on the upper right hand corner. The ID number begins with an N and has 10 digits. Students are required by Congress to pay for this tracking system, and this SEVIS fee is an additional fee, not to be confused with the visa application fee. All new students must pay the SEVIS fee after receiving the I-20 form from Minot State University, but prior to visiting the U.S. consulate for their F-1 visa interview. Students from Canada, who do not require a visa, must pay the SEVIS fee before their first entry to the U.S. and will be asked for a copy of the receipt at the port of entry. To pay the SEVIS fee, go to the following website: www.fmjfee.com.

American government regulations allow students to enter the U.S. only within 30 days of the start date indicated on the I-20 form. MSU campus housing is not available until just before the start of school, so if you arrive early you are responsible for your own accommodations. New and transfer international students are required to attend a welcome orientation specifically for international students at the beginning of their first semester at Minot State University. This orientation is in addition to the general MSU "new student orientation" and is held a few days prior to the start of classes.

The I-20 form is first endorsed by a Minot State University’s Office of International Programs at the time it is issued and then must be re-endorsed at the end of each semester. These signatures confirm full-time student status and enable F-1 students and their dependents to enter and leave the country. International students planning to travel outside of the U.S. during their entire length of study at Minot State University must bring their I-20 form to Office of International Programs for verification and signature renewal at least 24 hours prior to travel.

Students must be making satisfactory academic progress toward their major field of study in order to have their I-20 form endorsed each semester. ‘Academic progress’ means that the student must be taking course work that satisfies the declared degree requirements and maintain a satisfactory grade point average. Students who fail to meet these requirements will not be eligible to have their I-20 form re-endorsed.

Enrollment in Graduate Courses by Non-Degree Students
Any individual holding a baccalaureate degree who does not wish to pursue a graduate degree, or who may not have met all requirements for admission, may be permitted to enroll in selected graduate courses when approved by the appropriate department/division faculty and chairperson. The individual need not apply for formal admission into the Graduate School. All students seeking application as non-degree must complete the online application the first time, regardless of how many terms they have been previously registered as non-degree students. To apply online, visit: https://previewapp.applyyourself.com/?id=NDUSMINGR. This application should be submitted to the Graduate School at least two (2) weeks prior to registration. The Non-Degree Application must be accompanied by a non-refundable, one-time application fee of $35, immunization records (see exemptions listed on Non-Degree Application), and an official transcript indicating the baccalaureate degree earned. Official transcripts for other graduate schools attended must also be submitted.

A student may apply up to twelve (12) semester hours of non-degree credit toward a graduate degree. Each department determines the number of non-degree hours and courses that are accepted toward the degree. Workshop courses (500) are not accepted into graduate degree programs.

An undergraduate senior who has a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0 and is recommended by the appropriate chairperson may also enroll as a non-degree student in a graduate course. An undergraduate senior may enroll in up to nine (9) semester hours of graduate course work, pending approval of the departmental/divisional chairperson. Being allowed to take these courses does not mean that the student is admitted to graduate school. At the time of registration the student must indicate whether the course credits will be applied toward the fulfillment of requirements for an undergraduate degree or whether the credits may be later applied toward a graduate degree. Graduate credits earned may be applied to either the undergraduate or the graduate degree, but not to both degrees.

These requirements apply to all graduate courses regardless of delivery. Student status may only be changed at the beginning of a new term (ie, non-degree to admitted). Students registered as non-degree are not eligible for Federal financial aid benefits.