Admission Procedures

Freshman Admission

Incoming freshmen are encouraged to complete the application process between September and January for the following Fall Semester, or by November for the following Spring Semester, to ensure their application and documents can be processed in a timely manner. Applicants can expect an admission decision by email and postal mail.

Applications are evaluated on an individual basis. Admission decisions are based on the total high school record.

Applicants must complete the following high school college preparatory courses, if under the age of 25 before the first day of classes (one unit equals one year of study):

• 4 units of English;
• 3 units of mathematics (at the level of algebra 1 and above);
• 3 units of laboratory science, including at least 1 unit each in 2 or more of the following: biology, chemistry, physics, or physical science; and 
• 3 units of social science.

In addition to fulfilling the college preparatory courses, grade point average (GPA) is considered in evaluating an application. The general guidelines used in making admission decisions include a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (4.0 scale).

Students who do not meet these guidelines will be considered if other supporting factors show potential for success.

First year applicants applying to certificate and associate degree programs are required to submit an official high school transcript as described above.

DSU will accept high school equivalency examinations in lieu of high school diploma, in accordance with NDUS procedure 402.11.

THE GED IS THE ONLY TEST OF HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY RECOGNIZED FOR NORTH DAKOTA AND RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE. GED APPLICANT WHO TESTED IN 2014 OR LATER MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF A GED WITH A MINIMUM SCORE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 145 TO ANY NORTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY, MAYVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY, VALLEY CITY STATE UNIVERSITY, OR DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY. ENROLLMENT AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY OR UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA REQUIRES A GED WITH A MINIMUM SCORE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 170. APPLICANTS WITH GED OR GREATER THAN 170. APPLICANTS WITH GED SCORES PRIOR TO 2014 MUST MEET PRIOR REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A GED.

Freshman Admission Procedures

To be considered for freshman admission, the following must be submitted:

1. The completed Application for Admission. The application is available online at www.dickinsonstate.edu/admissions.
2. A $35 nonrefundable Application Fee. The fee can be paid at the time of application. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid. SBHE Policy 805.3 mandates the undergraduate application fee of $35.
3. An official high school transcript. An official in-progress transcript should be sent to make an admission decision and an official high school transcript with final grades and a graduation date is required upon completion of high school.
4. ACT or SAT scores are optional and used for the purpose of placement as defined in the NDUS Procedure 402.1.2. To be considered for scholarships, ACT or SAT are required.
5. Official college transcripts. Students taking course work at colleges or universities while enrolled in high school should submit official transcripts. To be considered official, the transcripts must be sent directly to Dickinson State University from the issuing institution. Transcripts can be sent at the completion of all college coursework and are not required to make an admission decision.
6. Applicants with international coursework may be required to submit additional information in accordance with SBHE policy 402.9.
7. All final documentation must be submitted by September 1 (Fall), January 10 (Spring), May 15 (Summer). An admissions hold will be placed on student's account if documents are not received by deadline dates above.

Admission materials should be mailed directly to: Dickinson State University, Office of Admissions, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601

Home Educated Applicants

To be considered for freshman admission, home educated students must submit the following:

1.  www.dickinsonstate.edu/admissions.The completed Application for Admission. The application is available online at

2.  A $35 nonrefundable Application Fee. The fee can be paid at the time of application. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid. SBHE Policy 805.3 mandates the undergraduate application fee of $35.

3.  An official high school Transcript. Transcripts should include:

• Proof of high school graduation
  • A high school diploma issued under NDCC section 15.1-23-17 (or equivalent documents from another state) OR
  • A GED diploma with an overall score 450 and a minimum score of 410 on each individual subject exam for students testing from 2002-2013. Students testing after 2013 must present an overall average score of 145 or above. Dickinson State University will accept the General Education Development (GED) certificate in accordance with NDUS procedure 402.11.
• Detailed listing of courses completed
  • Specific listing of classes completed by the student; identified and/or separated by class levels. (A course syllabus or detailed description for the course content may be requested.)
  • Clear identification of those courses which meet the North Dakota University System College Preparatory Requirements (CORE) including:
    • 4 units of English
    • 3 units of mathematics, Algebra I and above
    • 3 units of laboratory science, including at least 1 unit each in 2 or more of the following: biology, chemistry, physics, or physical science; and
    • 3 units of social science

• A key explaining grading system and successful completion of coursework in each class in grades nine through twelve.
• Date of student’s graduation/completion of plan of study.
• Signature of the parent/instructor.
• Identification of any other private or public high school the student has attended.
• Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
  • Cumulative grade point average calculated on a 4.0 scale.

4.  Scores from the ACT or SAT (unless at least 24 credits of transferable college work completed at the time of application or the applicant is 25 years or older).

5.  Official college Transcripts. Students taking course work at colleges or universities while enrolled in high school should submit official transcripts. To be considered official, the transcripts must be sent directly to Dickinson State University from the issuing institution. Transcripts can be sent at the completion of all college coursework and are not required to make an admission decision.

6.  Applicants with international coursework may be required to submit additional information in accordance with SBHE policy 402.9.

7.  All final documentation must be submitted by September 1 (Fall), January 10 (Spring), May 15 (Summer).

Admission materials should be mailed directly to: Dickinson State University, Office of Admissions, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601

Transfer Applicants

Dickinson State University considers an applicant’s overall academic performance when making an admission decision. An applicant’s cumulative college grade point average (GPA) and high school preparation (if applicable) are taken into consideration when evaluating an applicant.

If transfer applicants have completed fewer than 24 college credits at the time of application, the high school record will be taken into consideration along with GPA for college course work.

If transfer applicants have completed more than 24 college credits at the time of application, a decision will be based on the cumulative GPA from all previously attended post-secondary institutions.

In most cases, it is recommended that all applicants present at least a 2.0 GPA in all college course work to be considered for admission. If transfer applicants have credits from more than one college or university, all credits will be combined to determine the cumulative GPA for admission consideration. When reviewing applications, particular attention is paid to students’ most recent course work and the number of credits completed. If transfer applicants have in-progress course work at the time of application, all course work must be completed with a 2.0 GPA or above. Students who have been suspended from other institutions will not be considered for admission to Dickinson State University until the suspension has been lifted by that institution or until one year has elapsed.

Transfer Admission Procedures

Students interested in transferring to Dickinson State University from another college or university should submit the following:

1. Completed Application for Admission. The application is available online at www.dickinsonstate.edu/admissions.
2. A $35 nonrefundable Application Fee. The fee can be paid at the time of application. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid. SBHE Policy 805.3 mandates the undergraduate application fee of $35.
3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions from the college or post-secondary institution you attended. Dickinson State University does not accept faxed transcripts.
4. An official high school transcript (unless 24 semester/36 quarter credits college work have been completed at the time of application).
5. Supplemental Applications may be required by students seeking admission to professional programs.
6. Applicants with international coursework may be required to submit additional information in accordance with SBHE policy 402.9.
7. All final documentation must be submitted by September 1 (Fall), January 10 (Spring), May 15 (Summer). An admissions hold will be placed on student's account if documents are not received by deadline dates above.

Upon admission to Dickinson State University, applicant transcripts will be forwarded to the Dickinson State University Office of Academic Records for an evaluation of transfer credits.

Admission materials should be mailed directly to: Dickinson State University, Office of Admissions, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601

International Student Admission Procedures

Dickinson State University is authorized under federal law to accept international students. An international applicant seeking admission must:

1. Submit the completed application for admission. The application is available online at www.dickinsonstate.edu/admissions.
2. Pay the $35 nonrefundable Application Fee. The fee can be paid at the time of application. An admission decision is not made until the fee is paid. SBHE Policy 805.3 mandates the undergraduate application fee of $35.
3. To be considered for admission, all international undergraduate students are required to submit one official entrance exam from the list below:
   1. (IBT) TOEFL score of 71 or higher (DSU accepts electronic versions of TOEFL directly from the company). Dickinson State University school code – 6477.
   2. IELTS score of 6.0 or higher (Dickinson State University accepts electronic versions of IELTS directly from the company).
   3. ACT Composite score of 18 and English sub test 18.
   4. Minimum SAT Writing and Language score of 25 and the minimum SAT Total score of 950.
   5. Other approved language proficiency examination as approved by the SBHE in accordance with policy 402.9 and NDUS procedure 402.9.
4. Submit a copy of the data page of the passport (may be submitted by scanning and uploading directly to your student application).
5. Submit official transcripts:
   1. Transcripts provided from either a) high schools not located in the United States, or b) post-secondary transcripts for institutions not regionally accredited in the United States must be official and must be accompanied by certified English translations (if in a language other than English).
   2. All documents submitted for purposes of admission must be certified/official. Uncertified/unofficial photocopies of required documents are not acceptable.
   3. In most circumstances, an independent evaluation from a NACES approved agency is also required. NACES members are listed at www.naces.org/members.htm.
   4. Official transcripts from all post-secondary instructions of higher education.
6. Submit official notices from a bank indicating the student or student’s sponsor has necessary funding for one (1) full year of tuition, fees, insurance, room, board and books. Notices must come in a sealed envelope directly from the bank to Dickinson State University. Any documents submitted in envelopes which have been opened or tampered with will be automatically declined. Bank draft letters are preferred.
7. Submit a complete Declaration of Finance form (may be submitted by scanning and uploading directly to your student application).
8. Prior to course enrollment, submit documentation of immunity. Immunity may be documented by showing evidence of (a) two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine no less than one month apart from a health licensed physician or authorized representative of a state or local health department; (b) proof of a positive serologic test for measles, mumps and rubella; or (c) proof of date of birth prior to 1957. Newly admitted students ages 21 and younger must provide documentation of immunity against meningococcal. Records must indicate that the immunization was received after turning 16 years of age.
9. Upon arrival student must provide proof of:
   1. Freedom from Tuberculosis. TB testing is conducted on-campus by Health Services. Students showing positive reactions will be sent to a local clinic for additional testing.
10. Applicants who are transferring to Dickinson State University from another institution of higher education in the United States must, upon admission to Dickinson State University, request of their home institution to have their SEVIS record be transferred to Dickinson State University. This must be done before immigration documents can be issued.
11. All final documentation must be submitted by September 1 (Fall), January 10 (Spring), May 15 (Summer).

Admission materials should be mailed directly to: Dickinson State University, Office of Admissions, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601

Admission Procedures for Other Student Types

Collaborative Admission Process

A student who wishes to enroll in a course at another NDUS institution as a collaborative student must contact the home institution for approval to register as a collaborative student. Only fully admitted undergraduate students in good academic and financial standing are allowed to enroll collaboratively. International students must receive approval from the home institution's Designated School Official (DSO). NDUS institutions are not required to allow students to enroll on multiple institutions as collaborative. NDUS Procedure 404 governs collaborative processes at Dickinson State University.

Continuing Admission Procedure

A Continuing Student is one that has already earned a degree from Dickinson State University and wishes to pursue another degree with the institution without a break in enrollment. The admission application procedures for these instances requires the following:

1. Complete the Continuing Enrollment form for readmission. The Continuing Enrollment form is available online on the forms webpage.
2. Submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended since leaving Dickinson State University.
3. Provision of documentation of immunity (if not already on file).

Re-Admission Procedure

A Dickinson State University student who has not taken coursework for one semester or more will be required to complete the process for re-admission to the University. Applicants seeking readmission must:

1. Complete the Returning Student form available online on the forms webpage.
2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended since leaving Dickinson State University.
3. Provide documentation of immunity (if not already on file).

Early Entry Admission Procedure

High school students interested in taking courses offered through the Early Entry, formerly known as Dual Credit, program at Dickinson State University must complete the application for undergraduate admissions, submit a $35 one-time application fee, and return a completed enrollment form to the Office of Admissions.

Additionally, another classification of Early Entry student is a student who is still enrolled in high school and wishes to simultaneously enroll in post-secondary courses that are offered on the University campus. Applicants must submit an application for admission and pay the $35 non-refundable application fee. Applicants must be in good academic standing with their high school and receive approval from both their parent(s)/guardian(s) and the high school principal/guidance counselor. An Early Entry Form is available through the Office of Admissions. ND high school students can also access the application through PowerSchool.

Non-Degree Seeking Admission Procedure

A Non-Degree seeking student who wishes to take courses at Dickinson State University without pursuing a degree-related program of study must submit:

1. The completed application for admission. The application is available online at www.dickinsonstate.edu/admissions.
2. Pay the $35 nonrefundable Application Fee. The fee can be paid at the time of application. SBHE Policy 805.3 mandates the undergraduate application fee of $35.
3. The non-degree supplemental questionnaire is available from the Office of Admissions or online.