Admission
If you plan to take a Distance and Continuing Education course for University credit, you will need to apply for admission to North Dakota State University. Students may choose to complete a program fully online or take several online classes to complement their on-campus program. Distance and Continuing Education classes are also a great way for students at another university to take classes to supplement their program. Current high school students may find distance based classes to be a convenient way to begin taking college classes.
Use the menu here to guide you to more information about admission requirements. Choose the option that matches your situation.
Undergraduate Admission
Online Application
Paper Application
International Student Application
Reactivate Student Status
I am seeking a degree (Degree Seeking)
For undergraduate admission, you must apply to NDSU through the Office of Admission. International students must apply through the NDSU Office of International Programs.
I am not seeking a degree (Non-Degree Seeking)
Reserved for students who want to enroll in a limited number of degree eligible classes through NDSU Distance and Continuing Education. Students who are not seeking a degree are permitted to register for up to 15 total credits. You must fill out the admissions application through the NDSU Office of Admission and indicate either "Complete courses but not a degree" or "Complete undergraduate courses and transfer" on your admissions application.
I used to be a student at NDSU, but skipped a course term (Reactivation)
You must complete the form "Reactivation of Student Status" available on the Bison Connection website to reactivate your undergraduate admission.
Graduate Admission
I am seeking a degree (Degree Seeking)
For graduate admission, you must apply to the NDSU Graduate School. If you are already an enrolled student and have not missed a term of study, you do not need to apply.
I am seeking a degree in the Great Plains IDEA program (Degree Seeking)
Great Plains IDEA programs are multi-institution programs. In a multi-institution degree program, you apply, and are admitted at one university. NDSU students must apply through the NDSU Graduate School.
I am not seeking a degree (Non-Degree Seeking)
You must still apply to the NDSU Graduate School, but indicate "Non-Degree Status" under "Department" on the admissions application. Reserved for students not seeking a degree but want to enroll in a limited number of degree eligible classes through NDSU Distance and Continuing Education. Non-Degree Seeking students are permitted to register for up to 15 total credits.
I used to be a student at NDSU, but skipped a course term (Reactivation)
If you have been away for less than two years, you must contact the NDSU Graduate School to reactivate your graduate admission. You will find the "Request for reactivation" form at this link. If you have been away for more than two years, you must reapply for graduate admission.
Other Admission Options
Collaborative Student
Students in the North Dakota University System wanting to take classes from NDSU Distance and Continuing Education, concurrent with their enrollment in another North Dakota University System school, may register "collaboratively". For more information regarding collaborative admission contact NDSU Registration and Records Office or view:
Collaborative Student Contract.pdf
Collaborative Course Request (VCSU classes at NDSU).pdf
Dual Credit Student
The Dual Credit Program in North Dakota and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program in Minnesota allow high school students to take college course work as part of their full-time high school enrollment and receive college credit and/or credit toward high school graduation requirements. Dual Credit and PSEO students must apply for freshman admission to NDSU. Contact the NDSU Office of Admission for details.
Early Entry Student
High school students wanting to take course work with NDSU Distance and Continuing Education prior to high school graduation may enroll under Early Entry Student status. For more information regarding the Early Entry application contact the NDSU Office of Admission.
International Student
For more information on the admission application for international students contact the NDSU Office of International Programs.
Tri-College Student
Distance and Continuing Education classes are not available through the Tri-College program. Tri-college students must be admitted to NDSU as either a "Degree Seeking Student" or a "Non-Degree Seeking Student" prior to registering for distance learning classes.