Admissions Requirements

for Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Admission criteria are subject to change or amendment by the Board of Regents of South Dakota and by the six universities in the Board of Regents system. The following amended requirements have been approved by the BOR.

Freshman Applicants
Transfer Applicants 
Readmit Students 
Non-Degree Seeking Students 

Freshman Applicants
(Applicants younger than 24 years old at the start of term)

Admission Requirements*

• Achieve a high school GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  AND
• Complete high school coursework requirements as listed below
  AND
  
• Proof of College Algebra-readiness by one of the following methods:
  • ACT or SAT math sub-score of at least 20/520
  • Completion of a college math course (Intermediate Algebra or higher)
    
  • Qualifying score on the Accuplacer exam
    
    OR
    
    
• Are a South Dakota Regents’ Scholar
  
  High School Coursework Requirements

All degree-seeking applicants must complete the following required courses with a cumulative grade point average of a “C” or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale):

• 4 years of English
  OR ACT English sub-test score of 18 or above OR AP English score of 3 or above
• 3 years of Advanced Mathematics (includes algebra or any higher level of math)
  OR ACT Math sub-test score of 20 or above
  OR AP Calculus score of 3 or above
• 3 years of Laboratory Science (includes biology, chemistry, physics, or other approved science courses in which there is a weekly lab period scheduled)
  OR ACT Science Reasoning sub-test score of 17 or above
  OR AP Science score of 3 or above
• 3 years of Social Science
  OR ACT Social Studies/Reading sub-test score of 17 or above
  OR AP Social Studies score of 3 or above
• 1 year of Fine Arts
  OR AP Fine Arts score of 3 or above

Non-Traditional Students

For purposes of admission, a degree seeking student who has attained the age of 24 and has not previously attended any post-secondary institution is classified as a non-traditional student. Non-traditional students who are high school graduates or have completed the general equivalency diploma (GED) and can demonstrate college algebra readiness will be considered for admission.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer students who have earned fewer than 24 semester credits must also meet the freshman admission requirements above. Transfer students with 24 or more semester credits are eligible to be candidates for admission if they meet the standards below:

• Have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
• Have proof of college algebra readiness.
• Are in good standing with their most recently attended school.

NOTE: Minimum cumulative transfer GPA on all college work (24 or more total college credits) for acceptance consideration is 2.00. Applicants with cumulative transfer GPAs between 2.00 and 2.75 on all college work (24 or more total college credits) will be considered individually. Students with a lack of coursework or weak performance within mathematics and science classes are advised to improve their skills before applying.

Readmit Students

Former students who want to reapply for admission must submit another admission application and official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions for all colleges attended since leaving the university. You must reapply for admission if you if you interrupt your attendance by a semester or more.  Additional documentation will be required if a name change has occurred since prior attendance.  If your attendance has been interrupted by three or more semesters, you will be required to pay the $20 fee.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

A student who desires to take classes at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology without being classified as a degree-seeking student must complete the undergraduate application for admission. Non-degree-seeking students are limited to enrolling in up to 30 credit hours of courses without becoming a degree-seeking student. Non-degree-seeking students may be required to submit an official copy of their previous college transcript(s) to verify prerequisites. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible to receive financial aid.