Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
Here's what it takes
We're seeking curious, driven students of every age and background who meet the following requirements:
Domestic Students
Unofficial Transcript (Domestic):
A transcript that is submitted by the student directly. Accepted methods are:
- Uploading directly to application portal (PDF files preferred) dsu.edu/AppPortal
- Emailed to admissions@dsu.edu
- Mailed to DSU Admissions at 820 N Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042
Official Transcript (Domestic):
A transcript that is sent directly to DSU from the school (high schools or colleges). Accepted methods are:
- Electronically through Third-Party Services used by the school such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.
- Emailed to admissions@dsu.edu by an authorized school counselor/official. (only for high school transcripts)
- Mailed to DSU Admissions at 820 N Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042
International Students
Official transcripts are not required until you have successfully obtained your F1 visa.
Unofficial Transcript (International):
A transcript that is submitted by the student directly. Accepted methods are:
- Uploading directly to application portal (PDF files preferred) dsu.edu/AppPortal
- Emailed to international@dsu.edu
- Mailed to DSU International Programs Office at 820 N Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042
Official Transcript (International First-Time undergraduates):
A transcript that is sent by the high school directly. Accepted methods are:
- Emailed to international@dsu.edu by an authorized school counselor/official
- Mailed to International Programs Office at 820 N Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042
Official Transcript (International Transfer undergraduates):
To send a non-US college transcript, an evaluation done by an official organization such as WES/ECE/Spantran etc. is required. Accepted submission methods are:
- Results of evaluation emailed to international@dsu.edu by the organization
- Results of evaluation mailed to International Programs Office at 820 N Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042
To send a US college transcript, please contact the school to send your official transcript directly to us. Accepted methods are:
- Electronically through Third-Party Services used by the school such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.
- Emailed to international@dsu.edu by an authorized school counselor/official
- Mailed to DSU International Programs Office at 820 N Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042
To send us a high school transcript, please contact the school to send your official transcript directly to us. Accepted methods are:
- Electronically through Third-Party Services used by the school such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.
- Emailed to international@dsu.edu by an authorized school counselor/official
- Mailed to DSU International Programs Office at 820 N Washington Avenue, Madison, SD 57042
If you're under 24 and graduated from high school, you'll enter DSU as a freshman. You must fulfill one requirement from each of these two categories.
GPA or test scores
Fulfill one of these three requirements:
- An ACT composite score of 18 or above or a Total score on the SAT (Math and Evidence-Based Reading) of 950 or above
- A cumulative GPA of 2.6 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
- Rank in the upper 60 percent of your high school graduating class
If you do not meet one of these three requirements, you may still be admitted under probation or exception policies. Contact DSU Admissions to discuss your options. 888.DSU.9988
Official policies can be complex and confusing so we’re here to help! Please contact our Admission Office at admissions@dsu.edu for more details on how you may be admitted to DSU.
If you did not graduate from high school, you must meet both of the requirements below:
- Be 18 years or older
- Complete the GED High School Equivalency Certificate with the following minimum scores:
- Total score of at least a 580
- A score of at least 145 on each subject
If you were home-schooled or attended a non-accredited high school, submit an official transcript (in a semester format) for review from either an accredited regional authority or home-school provider, in conjunction with state requirements.
You must meet both of these requirements:
- Meet the minimum course requirements listed above in the "High School Graduate" section
- Submit an ACT score composite score of 18+ or a subscore on the SAT (Math and Evidence-Based Reading) of 970+
If you’re 24 or older, you should have completed one of the following:
- Graduated from high school
- Completed the GED with a minimum combined score of 580 and a score of at least 145 on each subject
- Met state requirements for the high school equivalency certificate
If you have completed less than 24 transfer credit hours, you must meet the following requirements:
- One of the high school requirements listed above
- You must be in good standing with the school you most recently attended.
If you have completed 24 (45) or more transfer credit hours:
- 2.0 cumulative college GPA required
- You must be in good standing with the school you most recently attended.
Questions?
If you do not meet these requirements, you may still be admitted under an exception policy. Contact DSU Admissions to discuss your options. 888.DSU.9988
If the last school you attended was Dakota State University and you are returning to DSU after being away for a semester or more, you may apply as a readmitted student. If you are returning to school and DSU is not the last school you attended, you should apply as a transfer student via the standard Undergraduate application.
Application checklist:
- Application. Submit an application at dsu.edu/apply
- Submit $21 application fee. Submit your fee with your application to avoid a delay in processing. Application fees are non-refundable. Exceptions are made for students who are non-degree seeking, or have previously applied, paid the fee, and attended a university in the Board of Regents system within the previous three semesters.
That's it! Your transcripts, test scores and other application information submitted with your first application to DSU have remained on file. Some additional documents may be required if your legal name has changed since you last attended DSU.
Application Eligibility Restrictions for Online Students
The United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers several sanctions programs. Dakota State University cannot accept applications, enroll students, or provide educational services to individuals who are citizens of, or who reside in, countries subject to sanctions administered by OFAC. This restriction will remain in effect until such sanctions are lifted or specific authorization is obtained. These restrictions do not apply to on-campus students.
For the current list of sanctioned countries, please refer to the U.S. Department of the Treasury OFAC Sanctions Programs and Country Information. Visit the Global Compliance for Online Studies page for additional information on distance education.