Graduate Admissions Application

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has a relatively simple Graduate Admissions process.  Applications are reviewed and acceptance decisions are made within two to three weeks of receipt of the application and required materials.  All individuals who have graduated from institutions with accredited engineering and science curricula are encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Review our Applications Instructions document, then click the Apply button below to apply online. Submit the required materials listed below. ALL required documents must be received before your application is considered complete.

If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, please feel free to contact the Graduate Education office. We're here to help.
If you would prefer to send your application by mail, click here for the Graduate Admissions Application and submit it to the address listed below.  

Applications should be sent in accordance with the dates/time frames listed in the table below.  Applications sent later will be accepted but cannot be guaranteed timely admittance. The review process will begin when all the required documentation is received.

Financial Assistance: You will automatically be considered for assistantship support based on the information provided in your application materials. No further application is required. Applicants wishing to be considered for financial assistance should submit their completed application by March 15.

Required application materials for all applicants

1. Completed application form
   To complete your application online, click the APPLY button above. Paper applications (form available above) are also accepted.
2. $35.00 application fee
   The fee may be paid online by credit card at the time of application, or by check or money order via postal mail.
3. Official transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended
   Include evidence of your bachelor's degree if applicable. Transcripts must be mailed directly to SDSM&T by the issuing institution. Email copies are not accepted. A GPA of 3.0 is recommended; students with exceptional ability may apply with less than 3.0 GPA.

Additional required materials for some programs

• Statement of purpose, goals & research interests
  One page statement of purpose/personal statement of goals and research interests - required for all programs except Engineering Management and Mining Engineering.
• GRE score report
  Required for all programs except Computational Sciences & Robotics, Construction Management, and Engineering Management. Electrical Engineering and Mining Engineering require the GRE for graduates from non-ABET accredited institutions  For more information regarding the GRE test, visit www.ets.org/gre. The SDSM&T school code is 6652. Scores of 50% or higher are recommended; strong quantitative scores are expected. 
• Three letters of recommendation
  Required for all programs except Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, and Mining Engineering. The email addresses of three references shall be submitted at the time of the online application. Recommendations can also be submitted via email or post mail.

Additional required materials for all international applicants

• Third party foreign transcript evaluation
  Necessary for all foreign institutions attended, including evidence of your bachelor's degree if applicable. Effective August 15, 2012, SDSM&T requires a course-by-course evaluation report send directly to us from the evaluating institution. For more information, visit www.wes.org or www.ece.org.
• Evidence of English proficiency
  Required, except for applicants from countries where English is the native language. Applicants who have a prior degree from a university in the U.S. may be considered for exemption. Note that Engineering Management will only consider applications meeting the upper level score criteria.

Evaluation of Your Application

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.

PhD Programs

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 PhD degree does not constitute admission to candidacy for the PhD degree. Refer to the School of Mines Catalog for information on admission to candidacy.

For more information, or to mail documents or materials:

Graduate Education Office
501 E Saint Joseph St
Chemistry Building, Room 201
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701-3995
Phone: (605) 355-3468
FAX: (605) 394-1767
E-mail: Graduate.Admissions@sdsmt.edu