Timelines & Requirements (PHDCS)

Admission Requirements

Requirements to apply

• A bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education with full accreditation for that degree.
  • Students must have a bachelor, or master's degree in cyber, data privacy, computer science or a technologically-oriented degree.
• Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent on an alternative grading system).
• Knowledge in computer science.
  • If you don’t have the coursework or experience needed to meet the above knowledge requirements, you may still be admitted to the program, if you meet the other minimum requirements. You may need to complete additional coursework or demonstrate competency.
• No GRE scores required

Application deadlines (domestic students)

Please submit your application by:

• May 1 for admission for the following Fall semester
• September 30 for admission for the following Spring semester

Application deadlines (international students)

Please submit your application by:

• April 15 for admission for the following Fall semester
• November 1 for admission for the following Spring semester

All application materials must be received by the deadlines to be considered for admission. 

Apply Now  Academic calendar 

Application materials checklist

• Completed online application
  • Submit the $35 application fee.
  • After submitting your online application, you can log into your application portal to complete any remaining application documents and check the status of your application.
• Purpose Statement (in online application) 
  • In 200 to 300 words, share your purpose for choosing this graduate degree and how you feel prepared. Our admissions committee wants to know:
    • Why are you choosing to pursue this degree?
    • What role does this degree program play in your career objectives?
    • What special knowledge, skills, or experiences prepare you to succeed in this program?
  • This is also an opportunity to expand on how you meet the specific program admission requirements.
• Official transcripts
  Official transcripts should show a conferred bachelor's degree. Transcripts with graduate credit can be submitted for credit-transfer consideration. 
  Official transcripts can be submitted to DSU-GraduateAdmissions@dsu.edu

Additional application requirements for international applicants only

• English translated transcripts
  Submit your transcripts with English translation. 
• English proficiency test score documentation
  For scoring requirements, visit here.

Assistantship application deadline for on-campus/full-time students

Competitive Assistantships are available for this program for full-time, on-campus students only. You can indicate on your application if you wish to be considered for an assistantship award. A separate Assistantship Application and Resume are required in the application portal if you wish to apply.

• April 15 – deadline for Fall assistantship applications
• November 15 – deadline for Spring assistantship applications

FAQS 

How much does the program cost? 
DSU bills tuition per credit hour for on-campus coursework.You can review the breakdown of costs per credit here: DSU Tuition Costs On-Campus costs are determined by your residency status.

Does this program require the GRE to apply?  
No, DSU does not require a GRE score for graduate program applications.

The GRE is only required if you are applying for a graduate assistantship (outside of athletics). We like to see scores of 320 or higher to be considered for graduate assistantships.

Does DSU require English proficiency scores for international applicants? 
Yes, please visit International Admissions Requirements for more information on English proficiency requirements and additional application materials required for international applicants. 

Are assistantship awards available? 
Yes, competitive assistantships are available for full-time on-campus graduate students that are accepted into this program. However, there are limited assistantship available. GRE scores are required for consideration. Preferred GRE scores should be around 320 or higher to be considered for an Assistantship. Online Students are not eligible for Assistantship Awards. 

How long does the degree typically take to complete? 
For part-time students who take 1 class at a time, the program coursework can take 3-4 years to complete. For full-time students who take 2 or more classes at a time, the program coursework can take 2-3 years to complete. Then the dissertation phase takes doctoral students about one year to complete. This program can look different to each student, it all depends on how much or little time you’d like to take to complete the degree. And it is entirely up to you! The DSU Graduate Office and Faculty are here to support you in all your academic endeavors and guide you at whatever pace works for you.  

Are there any residency requirements for this program? 
Yes, this program is offered only as a residential on-campus program, it is required of you to attend classes at DSU’s physical campus in Madison, South Dakota. 

Can I review what research or dissertation topics DSU doctoral students are currently working on? 
Absolutely! The DSU Beadle Scholar Archive has an extensive backlog of recent Dissertation/Research Topics completed by DSU doctoral and master’s Students.

Can the application fee be waived? 
The $35 application fee is required for all programs and cannot be waived by University Policy.

When can I expect to hear if my application has been accepted?
Depending on the program, admission decisions may take up to several weeks after submitting all application materials or after the application deadline. 
You can always refer back to the portal to check on your application status, or if there are any remaining requirements needed: apply.dsu.edu/apply.

Have a question not answered here?
Contact GradOffice@dsu.edu for additional support.

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