Graduate Studies

Admission Requirements

Degree Seeking Applicants

• Master's Degree Programs
• Specialist Degree Programs
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
• Graduate Certificates
• International Students
• Application Deadlines

Non-Degree Seeking Applicants

• Graduate Special
• Application Deadlines

Undergraduate Permission to Register

Graduate Testing

Special Application Forms

 

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Degree Seeking Admission

Admission to a graduate degree, certificate or licensure program is considered only after all required application materials have been received and reviewed. Incomplete files are not reviewed.Upon receipt of the completed application including all required materials, the file is reviewed by the Dean of Graduate Studies to assure that the applicant meets the minimum admission requirements of the MSUM Graduate School. The Dean of Graduate  Studies notifies the appropriate graduate program if the applicant meets, or does not meet, minimum MSUM graduate school admission requirements and the file is forwarded to the program for review. The program reviews all complete files for admission or denial based on the program requirements and returns the file to the Graduate Studies Office. A formal letter of acceptance or denial will be sent to the applicant by the Dean of Graduate Studies with copies to the Program Coordinator. An advising copy of the application file is returned to the graduate program coordinator.

The following admission categories will be used by the Graduate School:

Full Standing
This status is used when all program admission requirements are fully met.

Provisional
This status is used when students show potential for success in a graduate program. The graduate program coordinator and the Dean of Graduate Studies determine the specific provisions that must be met by the student before full standing can be granted.

Denial
This status is used when students do not meet the program admission requirements.

 

Master's Degree Application Procedures and Materials

Admission to a Master's degree program requires submission of the following materials. All materials are submitted to the Graduate Studies Office.

1. Completed "Application for Admission to Graduate Study" form.
2. Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended sent directly from the institution to the MSUM Graduate Studies Office. Transcripts issued to students are not considered official and may not be substituted for official transcripts.
3. A non-refundable $20.00 fee for first-time applicants payable to Minnesota State University Moorhead
4. Test scores, if required by the specific program. The test required could be the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination, General Test (GRE). Only official scores no more than five years old are accepted.
5. Other documents as required by specific programs. Such individual requirements are defined under the specific program descriptions.
6. International students must submit additional materials for INS compliance as outlined in the International Students section following.

 

Specialist Degree Application Procedures and Materials

Admission to a specialist degree program is considered only after all required application materials have been received and reviewed. Incomplete files will not be reviewed.

1. Admission requirements for the Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership must be followed.
2. Admission requirements for the Specialist Degree in School Psychology must be followed.

 

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)Application Procedures & Materials

The DNP is offered as a collaborative program through a consortium of four universities in the Minnesota State College and Universities system. Application materials are submitted to the Program Management Council (PMC) of Consortium. Please check the DNP website for special application instructions and for correct submission address for application materials: www.mnstate.edu/nursing/DNP/ Application materials include:

1. Completed Program Application for admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
2. Official copies of transcript(s) from each institution attended for graduate study. NOTE: If unofficial copies of graduate transcripts are available, please include in the application. This will expedite application review until official transcripts are received.
3. Evidence of current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse from the state(s) where clinical practicum will be conducted.
4. References in sealed envelopes (See instructions on reference form or on application form.)
5. Goal statement
6. Resume
7. Official copy of TOEFL score if international student
8. $40 Non-refundable application fee

 

Graduate Certificates Application Procedures & Materials

Admission to a Graduate Certificate program requires submission of the following materials. All materials are submitted to the Graduate Studies Office.

1. Completed "Application for Admission to Graduate Study" form.
2. Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended sent directly from the institution to the MSUM Graduate Studies Office. Transcripts issued to students are not considered official and may not be substituted for official transcripts.
3. A non-refundable $20.00 fee for first-time applicants payable to Minnesota State University Moorhead
4. Other documents as required by specific certificate programs. Such individual requirements are defined under the specific graduate certificate descriptions.

 

International Students

1. The non-refundable fee for international students who are first-time applicants is U.S. $20.00.
2. Completed Financial Statement listing the availability of adequate monetary support for the duration of graduate study and a certified bank letter. The current requirement is at least U.S. $13,600.00 per year.
3. For those whose native language is not English, an official TOEFL examination score of 550 (paperbased) or 213 (computer-based) must be provided. A TOEFL score of 570 (paper-based) or 230 (computer-based) is required to be considered for admission to the Master of Liberal Arts program and Speech-Language Pathology.
4. A comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by either Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES) is required for transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and universities outside of the United States. Do not send these transcripts directly to MSUM.
5. International students must purchase the University health insurance. No exceptions will be made.  

 

Application Deadlines for Degree Seeking Students

Applications must be completed by April 15 for Fall Semester (March 15 for International Students) or at least six weeks before the start of Spring Semester or Summer Session (12 weeks for International Students) to ensure admission by the beginning of the term. Admissions to most programs are continuous; however, the Counseling and Student Affairs, Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Nursing, School Psychology, and Speech-Language Pathology have limited enrollments and have specific deadlines as follows. Separate deadlines are listed for International Students.

Counseling and Student Affairs: February 1
International Students: January 1

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Please refer to website: www.mnstate.edu/nursing/DNP/

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: March 1
International Students: February 1

School Psychology: February 15
International Students: January 15

Speech-Language Pathology: February 1
International Students: January 1          

 

Non-Degree Seeking Admission as a Graduate Special Student

Students with a baccalaureate degree who wish to take courses for graduate credit but who are not seeking admission to a graduate program may enroll as a "graduate special" student (admission status is "graduate unclassified"). International students are not eligible for Graduate Special status. Students who later wish to be admitted to a graduate degree program must submit a new application and meet all admission criteria for the specific program. Credits earned as a Graduate Special student may later be applied to a degree program with advisor approval, but cannot exceed nine (9) semester credits. Graduate Special students are not eligible for most types of financial aid. Students who are denied admission to a degree program may not register as Graduate Special students.

Application Process

1. Application for Admission to Graduate Study form; check graduate special
2. Proof of baccalaureate degree (unofficial transcripts accepted)
3. $20 non-refundable application fee is charged for first-time MSUM students

 

Application Deadlines for Non-Degree Seeking Students (Graduate Special Status)

Applications must be completed ten (10) days before the beginning of classes for the starting semester.     

 

Graduate Courses Taken by Undergraduate Students

Requirements to take 500 or 600 level courses:

1. Completion of a minimum of 112 semester credits towards a bachelor's degree.
2. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
3. Any course prerequisites must be satisfied.
4. Request by Undergraduate to Register for Graduate Credit" form must be signed and approved by the instructor and the Gracuate Studies Office in advance of registration.
5. Graduate credits may not be applied to meet any requirements for the baccalaureate degree. A maximum of six (6) graduate credits may be taken by undergraduates and subsequently applied to a graduate degree at MSUM. Please be advised that these graduate credits may not be acceptable at another university.