Admissions Policies

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Baccalaureate Degree Admissions for High School Graduates

For admission to baccalaureate degree programs, 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 Assessment;

Curriculum

• Meet the minimum course requirements with an average grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale); OR
• Demonstrate appropriate competencies in discipline areas where course requirements have not been met; AND Rank in the top 60% of their high school graduating class; OR
• Obtain an ACT composite score of 18 (Redesigned SAT score of 970, or concorded equivalent for older SAT scores) or above; OR Obtain a high school GPA of at least 2.6 on a 4.0 scale.

Minimum Course Requirements

All baccalaureate or general studies students under twenty-four (24) years of age, including students transferring with fewer than twenty-four (24) credit hours, must meet the following minimum high school course requirements.

• Four (4) years of English - Courses with major emphasis upon grammar, composition, or literary analysis.  One (1) year of debate instruction may be included to meet this requirement.
• Three (3) years of Advanced Mathematics - 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. 
• Three (3) years of Laboratory Science - Courses in biology, chemistry, or physics in which at least one (1) regular laboratory period is scheduled each week. Accelerated or honors science (biology, physics or chemistry) provided in the 8th grade shall be accepted. Qualifying physical science or earth science courses (with lab) shall be decided on a case by case basis. 
• Three (3) years of Social Studies - History, economics, sociology, geography, government, including U.S. and South Dakota, American Problems, etc. 
• One (1) year of Fine Arts - Art, Theatre or music (appreciation, analysis, or performance.) Documented evidence of high school level non-credit fine arts activity will be accepted for students graduating from high schools in states that do not require completion of courses in fine arts for graduation.

Alternative Criteria for Minimum Course Requirements

Students who do not successfully complete four (4) years of English may meet minimum course requirements through one of the following:

•  An ACT English sub test score of 18 or above;
•  An Advanced Placement Language and Composition, or Literature and Composition score of 3 or above.

Students who do not successfully complete three (3) years of advanced mathematics may meet minimum course requirements through one of the following:

• An ACT mathematics sub test score of 20 or above;
• An Advanced Placement Calculus AB or Calculus BC score of 3 or above;

Students who do not successfully complete three (3) years of laboratory science may meet minimum course requirements through one of the following:

• An ACT science reasoning sub test score of 17 or above;
• An Advanced Placement Biology, Chemistry, or Physics B score of 3 or above.

Students who do not successfully complete three (3) years of social studies may meet minimum course requirements through one of the following:

• An ACT social studies/reading sub test score of 17 or above;
• An Advanced Placement Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Comparative or United States Government and Policies, European or United States History, or Psychology score of 3 or above.

Students who do not successfully complete one (1) year of fine arts may need minimum course requirements through:

• An Advanced Placement History of Art, Studio Art drawing or general portfolio or Music Theory score of 3 or above.

Associate Degree Admissions Requirements

A student who seeks admission to an associate degree program may gain acceptance by meeting any one of the following criteria:

• Baccalaureate admissions requirements; OR
• Ranking in the top 60% of their high school graduating class; OR
• A composite score of 18 or above on the enhanced ACT; OR
• A cumulative GPA of 2.6 while in high school.

Individual degree programs may have additional admissions requirements.

Associate degree students who did not meet the baccalaureate degree admission requirements and want to enter a baccalaureate degree program must:

• Complete at least 15 credit hours of the system general education requirement with a 2.0 GPA; AND
• Meet university minimum progression standards.

Exception Group: Each university may admit a group of students to associate programs, limited in size to 10 percent of the previous year’s freshman class, at the discretion of the university. 

Non-High School Graduates

An applicant for baccalaureate or associate admissions who is not a high school graduate must:

• Be 18 years or older to meet the compulsory school attendance requirement in South Dakota; AND Complete the General Education 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;
  • 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 of 45 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 sub test 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 Section 2.3 of this policy with an average grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale);  OR
• Demonstrate appropriate competencies in discipline areas consistent with Section 2.4 of this policy where course requirements have not been met;  AND
• Obtain an ACT composite score of 18 (Redesigned SAT score of 950, or concorded equivalent for older SAT scores) or above;

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

• Meet baccalaureate admissions requirements depicted above; OR
• 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 twenty-four (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 completed the GED with scores indicated above.

Exception Group
Each university may admit a group of high school graduates who do not meet the requirements outlined in this policy to baccalaureate programs, at the university’s discretion. However, such group may not be larger than three (3) percent of the previous year’s freshman class.

Regents Scholars
South Dakota high school graduates completing the following high school courses with no final grade below a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and an average grade of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) shall be designated as Regents Scholars and shall be eligible to receive a Regents Scholar Diploma upon request by a high school administrator to the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs. High school graduates designated as Regents Scholars automatically are admitted to all six public universities.

• Four (4) units of English
• Four (4) units of Algebra or higher mathematics
• Four (4) units of science including 3 units of approved laboratory science
• Three (3) units of social studies
• Two (2) units of a modern or classical language (including American Sign Language) OR Two (2) units of Career and Technical Education (CTE) OR a combination of One (1) unit of modern or classical language and One (1) unit of career and technical education.  If taking two language courses, the two units must be in the same language.
• One (1) unit of fine arts

Transfer Students

Students who transfer to Baccalaureate Programs:

Students who are under the age of twenty-four (24) at the start of the term and who are transferring into baccalaureate degree programs with fewer than 24 transfer credit hours must meet the baccalaureate degree admission requirements.  Students with 24 or more transfer credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 may transfer into baccalaureate degree programs.  Specific degree programs may include additional admissions requirements. 

Students who transfer to Associate Programs:
Students who are under the age of twenty-four (24) at the start of the term and who are 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.  Specific degree programs may include additional admissions requirements. 

Students from Non-Regental accredited colleges and universities
Students may be accepted by transfer from other non-Regental universities outside of the SD system.  Preferential consideration shall be given to applicants from institutions which are accredited by their respective regional accrediting association. Advanced standing shall be allowed within the framework of existing rules of each college.

Students from Non-Accredited Colleges
A university is not required to accept credits from a non-accredited college of university. The university may admit the applicant on a provisional basis and provide a means for the evaluation of some or all of the credits. Credits from colleges or universities which are not accredited by a regional accrediting association may be considered for transfer, subject to all other provisions in BOR Policy 2.5 and any conditions for validation which may be prescribed by the accrediting institution. The validation period for credit from a non-accredited institution shall be no less than one (1) semester and no longer than one academic year.

Former Students
A student returning to the institution at the same academic level or a student who has attended another higher education institution in the Board of Regents system at the same academic level is not required to pay the application fee, but he or she must submit an application for readmission and other required documents if he or she has interrupted attendance by two or more semesters (Fall or Spring). A former student shall be considered as a transfer student if he or she has attended a non-Regental university during the period of interruption of attendance.

Students transferring within the Regental System
A student returning to the institution at the same academic level or a student who has attended another higher education institution in the Board of Regents system at the same academic level is not required to pay the application fee but he or she must submit an application for readmission and other required documents if he or she has interrupted attendance by one or more regular semesters (Fall or Spring). A former student shall be considered as a transfer student if he or she has attended a non-Regental university during the period of interruption of attendance.

Students on Probation/Suspension
Students enrolling in the Regental system for the first time with prior credit, including internal and external transfer students and dual credit students, shall not be placed on probation by their designated home institution until they have been enrolled at a Regental university for one (1) academic term. Once one (1) academic term has been completed, students are expected to meet the GPA requirements outlined in BOR Policy 2:10 for establishing Good Academic Standing.

If the last institution attended was outside the Regental system, and the transfer applicant left under academic suspension, the applicant shall not be considered for admission during the period of suspension or, if suspended for an indefinite period, until one (1) semester has passed since the last date of attendance at the previous school.

Students on academic suspension from a Regental university will not be allowed to register for any coursework at any Regental university except when an appeal has been approved by the Regental university from which the student is pursuing a degree. An approved appeal granted by one Regental university will be honored by all Regental universities. (Refer to BOR Policy 2:10).

Disciplined Students
A transfer applicant under disciplinary suspension shall not be considered for admission until a clearance and a statement of the reason for suspension is filed from the previous institution. The university shall take into account the fact of the previous suspension in considering the application.

Non-degree Seeking Students

Undergraduate students not admitted to a degree program are admitted with non-degree seeking status.  A degree-seeking undergraduate student admitted at one Regental institution may apply to take classes under non-degree seeking admission status at any other Regental institution.

International Students

Dakota State University encourages applications from qualified international students. International students seeking admission to Dakota State University must submit the application requirements to the Admissions Office.  For specific information go to the International Programs website: http://dsu.edu/admissions/international-admissions

Applications and Procedures

Application for Tuition and Fee Reductions and Scholarships established by the Legislature.  Students should contact the Admissions Office at each university for information on eligibility for tuition and fee reductions and scholarships established by the Legislature.

Application Deadlines
An applicant for admission must submit the required application for admission and the necessary official transcript or transcripts and other required documents to the Enrollment Services Center.

Records Required
Applicants who are 21 years of age or younger must submit:

• ACT (or SAT) results, an official high school transcript, if a high school graduate or proof of GED, and an official transcript for all previous college work as part of their application. In those cases where an admission decision can be made based on the student’s academic record, the requirement to submit ACT/SAT results may be waived.
• Applicants who are older than 21 years of age and who have valid ACT/SAT exam results (taken within the last 5 years) must submit those scores, along with an official high school transcript or proof of GED/HiSEt/TASC and an official transcript for all previous college work.
• Applicants who are older than 21 years of age and who do not have valid ACT/SAT exam results or who have not taken the exams are not expected to take the exam. However, they are required to submit an official high school transcript, if a high school graduate, and an official transcript for all previous college work. Applicants should also submit any other records, data or letters required to support eligibility for admission, including competency test scores.
• SAT scores will be converted to ACT equivalences according to a conversion table approved by the Board of Regents.
• In rare cases, the requirement to submit ACT/SAT or GED/HiSEt/TASC results may be waived for transfer students who have completed more than 24 credit hours of transfer work since these scores are not required in the admission decision process.
• The requirement to submit high school transcripts as well as ACT/SAT or GED/HiSEt/TASC results may be waived for transfer students who have earned an associate or baccalaureate degree, regardless of the age of the student since these are not required in the admission decision process.
• Transcripts:  A paper official transcript must bears the original seal and signature of the official in charge of records at that institution and is transmitted directly between institutions.  An electronic official transcript must be transmitted directly between institutions using the electronic transcript service authorized by the sending institution and acceptable to the receiving institution.

Preadmission Immunization Requirements

Terms in this Policy mean:

• “Public or private post secondary educational institution” or “institution,” any entity permitted to offer post secondary education credits or degrees in South Dakota under 13-49-27.1;
• “Student,” any person born after 1956 who is registering for more than one class during an academic term, such as a quarter or a semester. The term includes any person who meets face-to-face at least once per week to receive instruction. The term does not include any person who receives non-credit-bearing or on-the-job training services.

Any student entering a public or private post secondary education institution in this state for the first time after July 1, 2008, shall, within forty-five days after the start of classes, present to the appropriate institution certification from a licensed physician that the student has received or is in the process of receiving the required two doses of immunization against measles, rubella, and mumps. As an alternative to the requirement for a physician’s certification, the student may present:

• Certification from a licensed physician stating the physical condition of the student would be such that immunization would endanger the student’s life or health;
• Certification from a licensed physician stating the student has experienced the natural disease against which the immunization protects; 
• Confirmation from a laboratory of the presence of adequate immunity; or
• A written statement signed by the student that the student is an adherent to a religious doctrine whose teachings are opposed to such immunizations. If the student is under the age of eighteen, the written statement shall be signed by one parent or guardian.

The institution shall require that the documentation from the student, provided for by subsection 5 (D) (2) of this section, be submitted within forty-five days after the start of classes.

A student allowed to register while completing the round of required vaccinations who fails to provide satisfactory documentation of his or her immune status or of a medical excuse under subsection 5 (D) (2) of this section shall not be permitted to attend classes after the forty-fifth day or, in the case of classes delivered in less than forty-five days, to register for or to attend classes beginning in a subsequent term. Every attempt should be made to collect this information at the time of admissions.

• Students who are unable to ascertain their immunization status may obtain, at their own expense, the necessary tests and vaccination from the Student Health Service of their university.

In the event the South Dakota State Department of Health declares an epidemic of measles, mumps or rubella, the institution involved shall provide to the State Department of Health a list of students who have not submitted immunization documentation. Subsequent campus actions shall consider the advice and authority of the South Dakota State Department of Health. Students who have no vaccination or immunity against the required preventable infectious diseases may be dismissed from the campus.

Vaccination for hepatitis B is required for students before they can be admitted to certain health profession programs. Each institution will compile information about current program-related vaccination requirements and make this information available to students along with other curricular and registration materials. It will be the responsibility of the department of the specific health profession program to ensure that the vaccination requirement has been met.

Immunization for tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, varicella and meningitis is recommended, as is a tuberculin test. Vaccination for hepatitis B is also recommended, and an annual influenza vaccination is recommended for students living in residence halls to minimize disruption of routine activities during influenza outbreaks.

Privacy of School Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law which states (a) that a written institutional policy must be established and (b) that a statement of adopted procedures covering the privacy rights of students be made available. The law provides that the institution will maintain the confidentiality of each student’s educational records.

The institution has established two classes of student directory information -

1.  Publicly available directory information shall include a student’s name, hometown, academic status (undergraduate, graduate or professional school), graduation date, diploma or degree, major field of study, and dates of attendance.

2.  Institutions may identify additional information as nonpublic directory information to be made available to other students or institutional personnel. Such additional information may not be distributed to the public at large without specific written permission of each individual student. Distribution through password-protected electronic means shall be permitted so long as passwords are issued solely to students or institutional employees.

• At the university level, nonpublic directory information may include publicly available directory information plus the student’s official university electronic mail address.

Students may withhold directory information by completing the Request to Withhold Information form found on the Registrar link of the DSU website and returning to the Registrar’s Office. Requests to withhold information are valid until the student notifies the Registrar’s Office in writing to authorize release of information.

Returning Students

Returning DSU students, who did not graduate from DSU during their previous enrollment and who have interrupted their enrollment at any Regental university for less than 2 consecutive semesters, may complete their last declared major, minor or general education program subject to the review of the appropriate college, if the major or minor is still being offered from the previous college catalog. The college may require the student to take additional courses to ensure that the student’s knowledge is current and that the completed program meets current accreditation standards. In the case of teacher education programs, students may also be required to complete additional coursework necessary for current certification requirements within timeframes established by the South Dakota Department of Education. However, students who completed the general education curriculum prior to the interruption in coursework may not be required to take additional courses to fulfill general education requirements.

Returning DSU students, who did not graduate during the period of their previous enrollment and who interrupted their enrollment at any Regental university for more than 2 consecutive semesters will be assigned the catalog effective at the time of their re-enrollment as their catalog of graduation. Enrollment Services will review the student’s transcripts and determine which courses can be used toward the completion of the student’s current degree program and general education curricula, with questions directed to the appropriate dean.

The recommendations of the colleges are subject to review by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. 

Selective Service

All students will be required to abide by all federal and state statutes with regard to Selective Service compliance.

Student Right To Know

Information related to campus crime statistics and completion rates for athletes and student cohorts is available at the following website: http://www.dsu.edu/about/consumer-information/

Transcript Policy

All current and former students of Dakota State University, who have no outstanding obligations to any university in the South Dakota Board of Regents system, are entitled to official transcripts of their coursework taken at any of the South Dakota Board or Regents schools. Students may obtain an official transcript of their academic record at Dakota State University and all Board of Regent institutions by submitting a written request to Enrollment Services. Instructions for ordering transcripts can be found on the DSU website, www.dsu.edu/registrar/official-transcripts.aspx.  Payment must accompany the request.

If a student is delinquent in the payment of any bill due at any university in the South Dakota Board of Regents system, the transcript will be withheld until the bill is paid or the transcript is released by the Registrar on the advice of the Vice President for Administration Services.