Admission to the Graduate School
The Graduate Division encourages applications from qualified students holding bachelor's degrees in engineering or science from accredited four-year colleges and universities. Bachelor's degrees or "diplomas" in technical engineering fields generally do not qualify as accredited four-year degrees for purposes of admission.
A student desiring admission can apply online, download an application, or request an application from the Graduate Education Office. The completed form, accompanied by a transcript of all undergraduate work and a non-refundable application fee of $35 for all applicants should be submitted to the Graduate Education Office.
Application materials for domestic applicants should be received at least 3 months before the beginning of the semester for which the student desires admission (July 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester).
International applicants must submit all of their materials at least five months before the beginning of the semester (April 1 for fall semester and September 1 for spring semester). Applicant files will not be reviewed for possible admission until the $35 application fee has been paid.
Three letters of recommendation are required. These should be submitted, upon request of the applicant, by three persons familiar with the scholastic ability and interests of the applicant. However, applications from students at or graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology need only to include the names of two faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic performance unless otherwise specified on the application form.
If the applicant has not completed an undergraduate program, a list of the remaining requirements should accompany the application. Evidence of graduation must be submitted prior to enrollment.
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is required of all applicants for admission except for School of Mines graduates.
When an application for admission to the Graduate School is received, the chair of the department or the coordinator of the multi-disciplinary program in which the applicant expects to major will evaluate the applicant's academic qualifications. The chair/coordinator will recommend whether or not the applicant should be accepted into the graduate program, and whether the admission should be as an unconditional, provisional, probationary, or special student. The Dean of Graduate Education will review this recommendation and provide a letter of decision to the applicant.
Admission to the Graduate School for study toward a master's degree does not imply that the student will be allowed to work toward a doctorate. A separate application and evaluation of the student's qualifications are necessary before acceptance into a doctoral program. It should be noted further that admission to the Graduate School for study toward a Ph.D. degree does not constitute admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Refer to the School of Mines Catalog for information on admission to candidacy.