Application Instructions

•  Completed application form. Submit Online 


•  $35.00 application fee, payable online by credit card at the time of application 


•  Official transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended. Transcripts must be sent directly by the issuing institution. Documents can be sent electronically or by postal mail. Transcripts sent directly by the applicant are not accepted.  

• Third party foreign transcript evaluation for all foreign institutions attended, including evidence of your bachelor’s degree. Most South Dakota Mines graduate programs require a course-by-course evaluation report sent directly by the evaluating entity at the time of application. For more information, visit wes.org or ece.org. Transcripts sent directly to South Dakota Mines are not accepted in place of the required transcript evaluation. Applicants may apply prior to bachelor’s degree completion; evidence of degree completion (along with a final transcript) must be submitted prior to enrollment.
  
  A few programs do not require the transcript evaluation. Refer to the program admission requirements for more information. Applicants to these programs may proceed with sending official transcripts in place of the evaluation when they apply. The transcripts should be sent to us directly by the issuing institution, or the transcripts must be mailed in an envelope stamped and sealed by the institution. The transcript evaluation is required for ALL programs unless otherwise noted. 

• Evidence of English proficiency, with the exception of applicants from countries where English is the native language. Applicants who have completed a degree from a U.S. institution are also exempt. The South Dakota Mines school code for TOEFL reporting is 6652.
  
  

*Review the program admission requirements  page for a list of documents required by each program. 

One page statement of purpose/personal statement of goals and research interests. State your research interests, including current research of faculty members that you may be interested in working with. Describe any relevant research, work, or volunteer experience. Reflect on your academic strengths and soft skills, such as critical thinking or problem solving. Explain your career ambitions. Mention your activities, especially leadership, in academic groups or societies.

GRE score report: The South Dakota Mines school code is 6652. A department copy is not required.  Scores of 50% or higher are recommended; strong quantitative scores are expected. For more information regarding the GRE test, visit www.ets.org/gre. The GRE is not required for online students but may be required on a case-by-case basis. 

Three letters of recommendation:  Provide the email addresses of three references when you apply online. The recommender will receive an email to complete an online form. Recommendations can also be submitted via email or postal mail, but must be received directly from the recommender. Select recommenders who will deliver a report of your best intellectual qualities. The recommenders should be relevant academic references who are familiar with your most recent experience. This should be faculty members (including your advisor) and/or applicable work supervisors. Do not use family members, fellow students, coworkers, high school contacts, or non-academic connections such as athletic coaches or clergy.

South Dakota Mines Accelerated Applicants: The Accelerated MS Interim Advising form must be approved by a program representative and submitted to the Graduate Office prior to being considered for admission.

• Non-degree seeking U.S. applicants:  only the admissions application and a copy of your US transcripts (including evidence of your bachelor’s degree) are required.  
  


• Non-degree seeking international applicants:  only the admissions application, evidence of English proficiency, and a copy of your transcripts are required. (Please note that if you plan to attend courses on campus, international students must be degree-seeking for student visa purposes.) 
  
  An official transcript is required before earning a certificate or enrolling in a degree program.