Information for International Students

Before a foreign applicant’s file can be evaluated, the following items must be submitted to Graduate School.

1. Completed application form and non-refundable application fee of $35.00 U.S. dollars.
2. Three completed recommendation forms.
3. Two official transcripts of academic work at the undergraduate level (with English translation stating a 2.7 or better undergraduate grade point average based on a 4.0 system). Review by an education credentials service is required. Minimally, the credentialing service (e.g. ECE or WES) should provide the U.S. equivalent of the degree and GPA. Some departments may require a course-by-course report evaluation.
4. Any required test for the program in which the student is applying.
5. Statement of Finances (form available at http://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/international-admissions.cfm) and certified bank statement or sponsor’s letter showing that student is financially self-supported.
6. Proficiency Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) by scoring a 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT), 213 on the written TOEFL, or 550 on the computer-based TOEFL. The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) Exam is also accepted with a minimum score of 6.0 as is the ELS for students with scores at or above 112.

Students from English-speaking countries are not required to submit a TOEFL score if their academic records indicate that English was the classroom language for the majority of their schoolwork. Foreign students who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from an American college or university are not required to submit a TOEFL score. However, certain programs may have more strict requirements regarding students who have English as a second language.

A letter of notification of the student’s status from The Graduate School will be sent to the International Student Advisor. The International Student Advisor will notify the student directly of admission or rejection into the program to which the student applied. If the student has been admitted into The Graduate School, the International Student Advisor will send the Letter of Admission, the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form), and other information to the student who will use these materials to obtain a visa.

A foreign student should not depart from home to attend The University of South Dakota until notification of admission has been received and the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 Form) has been issued to the student. All non-United States citizens must report to the International Student Advisor, 3rd Floor, Belbas Center, upon initial arrival to the campus. You can reach the International Student Advisor by calling (605) 677-5332.
(http://www.usd.edu/international-student-services/)