Graduate Admission Requirements
These requirements are general guidelines to help you determine, before applying, whether your academic background is sufficient for serious consideration for admission.
Students applying to a thesis MS or PhD (research) option are required to submit official transcripts, test scores and recommendations as listed by the program prior to being considered for admission and funding. Successful applicants typically have GRE scores above the 50th percentile, a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and strong recommendations. The GRE is waived for all South Dakota Mines students and graduates.
Non-thesis campus and distance students (who are typically not considered for assistantship funding) are not required to submit GRE scores and recommendations. Non-thesis applicants may submit unofficial transcripts and English proficiency documentation for initial consideration. Students selected for admission will be required to submit an official U.S. transcript or international transcript evaluation and official English proficiency scores (if applicable) prior to enrollment.
GPA and other requirements may not be strict thresholds, depending on the program. Other factors such as work or research experience may be considered when evaluating applicants. Students seeking exceptions warranted by special circumstances are requested to contact the program's graduate coordinator prior to applying.
General requirements
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a BS degree in atmospheric sciences, geosciences, environmental sciences, physics, or a similar discipline. Students with other backgrounds are encouraged to talk to the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. or international transcripts, statement of purpose, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale and GRE scores above the 50th percentile. The GRE is waived for all South Dakota Mines students and graduates
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering or a closely related engineering field from an accredited institution. Applicants from other backgrounds are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. or international transcripts, statement of purpose, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. BME does not require an international transcript evaluation. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale and GRE scores above the 50th percentile. The GRE is waived for all South Dakota Mines students and graduates.
Background Requirements
Students with a BS degree in chemical engineering, as well as students with a BS degree from chemistry, biology, biotechnology, math, physics and other engineering and science disciplines, are encouraged to apply. Students with BS degrees other than chemical engineering are encouraged to take CBE 501 and CBE 502 to prepare themselves to take graduate level CBE courses.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have GRE scores above the 50th percentile and BS GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The GRE is waived for all South Dakota Mines students and graduates.
Background Requirements
An appropriate bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, biomedical science or engineering, materials science or engineering, or related multidisciplinary discipline is required.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. For more information, see the application instructions.
The GRE is recommended but not required.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely related engineering field, including coursework relevant to the desired emphasis area (Environmental, Water Resources, Geotechnical/Materials, or Structures). Applicants from other backgrounds are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, and evidence of English proficiency. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and three letters of recommendation are required of applicants for the PhD and MS thesis programs. The GRE and letters of recommendation are not required for SD Mines graduates. The GRE is not required for non-thesis applicants, who are typically self-funded. For more information, see the application instructions .
A GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required of all applicants for the MS and PhD CENE programs.
Background Requirements
The Computer Science and Engineering degree is an interdisciplinary program that is project based, and students can come from a variety of undergraduate programs. Entering students will normally have a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or some other technical bachelor's degree that includes some computer programming and substantial math. Students from other backgrounds are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. The GRE is recommended but not required. For more information, see the application instructions.
A cumulative GPA at or above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale grants favorable consideration provided candidates have sufficient technical background.
Background Requirements
The construction engineering and management coursework is geared towards the working construction professional. Many students enter the program after completing an appropriate undergraduate degree in the traditional disciplines of civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, mining, architectural, or industrial engineering. Applicants from other backgrounds will be considered but are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations and evidence of English proficiency. For more information, see the application instructions.
Certificate and simplified master's admissions
Students may enroll as a non-degree seeking student* to complete the 12-credit CEM certificate. A short application and an unofficial copy of the BS transcript are required to enroll; there is no application fee. The CEM certificate will be awarded upon completion of the credits and submission of an official BS transcript. Students who complete the certificate with a GPA ≥ 3.0 are eligible for entry into the online CEM master's program. Credits earned in the certificate may be applied to the master's degree.
*Non-degree seeking students typically do not qualify for financial aid or scholarships prior to entering the master's program.
Successful applicants usually have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. CEM is primarily an online, coursework-only program and does not offer assistantships.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a baccalaureate or master's degree in a science, engineering, math, business, or related field. Applicants from other backgrounds will be considered but are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. The GRE is recommended but not required. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants usually have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale and prior training or experience in advanced mathematics and computing.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Students with other engineering or science backgrounds are encouraged to contact the graduate program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts on international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. The GRE is recommended but not required. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and research experience in a related field.
Background Requirements
Typical students admitted to this program have completed a BS degree in engineering from an ABET accredited institution or a BS in science or math. Applicants from other backgrounds are encouraged to contact the program coordinator prior to applying.
An undergraduate course in calculus is required for admission. Students lacking courses in statistics or engineering economics may be admitted on a provisional basis while these requirements are satisfied; these courses cannot be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations and evidence of English proficiency. Admission to this program does not require the GRE exam or letters of recommendation. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. ENMG is primarily an online, coursework-only degree and does not offer assistantships.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in geology, geological engineering, paleontology, mining engineering, or a closely related field that includes calculus/statistics, physics, chemistry, and core geology subjects. Applicants from other backgrounds are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying and may be required to complete additional undergraduate coursework that does not count toward the graduate degree.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. Inclusion of a resume is encouraged. The GRE is not required. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in geological engineering, mining engineering, or a closely related engineering field that includes core geology subjects. Applicants with other backgrounds are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying and may be required to complete additional undergraduate coursework that does not count toward the graduate degree.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. Inclusion of a resume is encouraged. The GRE is not required. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Background Requirements
Typical students admitted to this program have completed a BS degree in engineering from an ABET accredited institution. Applicants from other backgrounds are encouraged to talk to the program coordinator prior to applying.
An undergraduate course in calculus is required for admission. Students lacking courses in statistics or engineering economics may be admitted on a provisional basis while these requirements are satisfied; these courses cannot be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include 3 letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, one letter of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. The GRE is required for students with a GPA less than 3.0. For more information, see the application instructions.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a BS in engineering or the physical sciences. Students from other backgrounds should consult the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. For more information, see the application instructions.
The GRE is not required for South Dakota Mines students.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and GRE scores above the 50th percentile.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have completed a BS degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline from an ABET accredited institution. Students with other backgrounds should consult the program coordinator prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. The GRE is not required. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Background requirements
The mining engineering coursework is geared primarily towards the working professional in the mining industry who requires distance delivery of the courses, although students can be admitted directly to the on-campus program. An engineering degree or experience in the mining industry is generally needed to succeed in the coursework. Additionally, an undergraduate course in probability and statistics is highly recommended.
Mining Engineering MS Specialization and PhD
Entry to this specialization is available to those who have earned a BS or MS in mining engineering or related engineering field. Students with non-engineering backgrounds should consider another specialization or consult with the program coordinator prior to applying.
Minerals Industry Management MS Specialization
This specialization is intended for administrative professionals with experience working in the mining industry. Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited university.
Mining Industry Applications MS Specialization
This specialization is intended for employees working in the mining and associated industries. Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university.
Admission requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. For more information, see the application instructions.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for the Mining Engineering Specialization and the PhD. The GRE requirement is waived for distance students and for students who have obtained their BS at South Dakota Mines.
Admitted students will usually have a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale and, where applicable, GRE scores greater than the 50th percentile.
Background Requirements
A student with a bachelor's degree in any science or engineering field is eligible for admission to this program.
Students with an MS degree in science or engineering are eligible for admission to the PhD program. However, students with only a BS degree will also be considered for admission when the student has proven to possess exceptional qualifications.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. or international transcripts, statement of purpose, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. NANO does not require an international transcript evaluation. For more information, see the application instructions.
A GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale is required of all applicants for the PhD program. Most successful applicants score above the 50th percentile verbal, and 80th percentile quantitative, but there are no cut-offs for admission. The GRE is waived for all South Dakota Mines students and graduates.
Background Requirements
Students with a bachelor's degree in any discipline are eligible for admission to the non-degree seeking status. Individual courses may have pre-requisites that require a background in certain topics. Refer to the academic catalog for more information.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include a short admissions application and an unofficial copy of the bachelor's transcript. There is no application fee. The official bachelor's transcript must be provided prior to receiving a certificate or enrolling in a degree program.
Background Requirements
Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree in geology, geological engineering, paleontology, mining engineering, or a closely related field that includes calculus/statistics, physics, chemistry, and core geology subjects. Applicants from other backgrounds are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator prior to applying and may be required to complete additional undergraduate coursework that does not count toward the graduate degree.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. transcripts or international transcript evaluations, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. Inclusion of a resume is encouraged. The GRE is not required. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Background Requirements
Students entering the program are expected to have a BS or MS in physics or a related discipline. Students with other backgrounds should contact the program coordinator (Dr. Xinhua Bai, Xinhua.Bai@sdsmt.edu) prior to applying.
Admission Requirements
Required application materials include U.S. or international transcripts, statement of purpose, CV, three letters of recommendation, and evidence of English proficiency. The general GRE and Physics subject GRE are recommended but not required. Physics does not require an international transcript evaluation. For more information, see the application instructions.
Successful applicants typically have a GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Qualified applicants should expect to have a virtual interview with delegates of the Physics Graduate Committee.