Transfer Admissions
International students
No matter where your college career began, we’ll help you see it through to completion. At Dakota State University, we do everything we can to ensure a seamless transition of your academic career and prepare you for success.
Transfer students from around the world are welcomed with open arms at DSU, but there are a few things you’ll need to know before you enroll.
Admission requirements
To qualify as an international transfer student, you need to have completed at least 24 semester credits of post-secondary/college-level education or been enrolled in a post-secondary (higher education) institution.
You’ll also be required to do the following:
1 ) Demonstrate academic ability
In order to demonstrate your academic ability to meet the academic challenges at DSU, you’ll need to meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Be in good standing with your most recently attended school
- Maintain a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher
If your GPA is lower than 2.0, you may be admitted to DSU on probation, which will be considered on an individual basis.
2 ) Submit academic transcripts for evaluation
Your academic transcripts need to be originals or official certified true copies. If your transcripts are not in English, certified true translations must be attached.
Official transcripts should be emailed to the International Office or mailed to:
International Programs Office
Dakota State University
820 N. Washington Ave.
Madison, SD 57042
If you're unable to provide transcripts in English, you must have them evaluated by either ECE or WES and have the evaluation sent directly to DSU. All previous post-secondary courses need to be listed on your transcripts.
Once you have applied and been accepted, please alert DSU that you are ready to register for classes. The Registrar will then prepare a transfer evaluation of your transcripts and prepare a list of remaining course requirements for your degree program.
3 ) Be proficient in English
If you’re not a native speaker of English, you must demonstrate proficiency in English with one of the following exams and the indicated minimum score:
- TOEFL iBT: 71
- TOEFL PBT: 525
- IELTS: 6.0 (with no sub score less than 5.5)
- PTE Academic: 50
- SAT: Minimum sub-score of 450 on both Critical Reading and Writing, Math 480
- ACT: Minimum sub-score of 20 on the Writing/English
- Completion of ELS Level 111
- GTEC-CBT : 1150
- Duolingo: 105 (with no subscore less than 90)
- WAEC: C5 or higher in English
For the TOEFL, the institution code for DSU is 6247.
Transfer student support
Sometimes the best way to understand the transfer process is to speak with someone over the phone. Depending on where you plan to transfer into DSU, there are people here ready to walk you through the process.
Transfer coordinators are available at both campuses and for online learners.
- Madison campus students: (888) 378-9988
- Distance and Online Learning: (605) 256-5049
Ready to apply?
You’ve met the requirements and you’re ready to begin the application process. What’s next? Let us show you how to get started.