Admission
If you plan to take a Distance and Continuing Education class for University credit, you will need to apply for admission to North Dakota State University. Students may choose to complete an online degree program or take several online classes to complement their on-campus degree program. NDSU Distance and Continuing Education online classes are also a great way for students at another university to take online classes to supplement their degree program. Current high school students may find distance-based online classes to be a convenient way to begin taking college classes and become acclimated to the college learning environment.
The admission process takes time, so please be sure your completed application is submitted at least one month prior to the semester you plan to take classes. If you plan to apply for financial aid you will want to ensure that your application is submitted prior to any financial aid deadlines. The information below provides more details regarding the admission process, as well as contact information for admission questions.
Use the menu here to guide you to more information about NDSU admission requirements. Choose the option that matches your situation.
Undergraduate Admission
Graduate Admission
Other Admission Options
Undergraduate Admission
If you are a resident of the United States and are applying to an online undergraduate program you will apply through the NDSU Office of Admission. If you are a resident of any country outside the United States and are applying to an online undergraduate program you will apply through the NDSU Office of International Programs.
Online Application
Paper Application
International Student Application
Reactivate Student Status
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 admission application through the NDSU Office of Admission; however, on the application you will indicate you are not seeking a degree. Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.
I used to be a student at NDSU, but skipped a course term (Reactivation)
If you have missed more than one semester of classes, you must complete the "Reactivation of Student Status" form to reactivate your undergraduate admission.
I plan to transfer to NDSU
Students who plan to transfer to NDSU will complete the application for admission and may also be required to complete an application to their specific academic program. Transfer credits are evaluated upon formal admission; however, you may also view the transfer equivalency database to view courses that are already approved for transfer.
Graduate Admission
Individuals interested in an online graduate degree or graduate certificate must apply through the NDSU Graduate School. The NDSU Graduate School will process your application once all required documents are received. The applicant is responsible for gathering all supporting credentials and verifying your application is complete with the exception of any required test scores. If the graduate program requires a GRE exam, please ensure you have taken this test early enough for results to be sent to the NDSU Graduate School prior to the semester you wish to take classes in.
Deadline for application submission is dependent upon the program. If no deadline is listed, all application materials are due at least one month prior to the start of the semester. For questions regarding the admission process contact the NDSU Graduate School.
Online Application
International Student Application
Reactivate Student Status
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 and receive your degree from that university. NDSU students must apply through the NDSU Graduate School as using either the domestic student application or the international student application.
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. Some individual classes are only offered to students accepted into the full program. Be sure to check on the specific course you are interested in prior to seeking non-degree admission.
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 who want to take online 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. Online classes offered through NDSU Distance and Continuing Education are a great way to save time by not having to drive to the nearest college campus. This is also a great way to get some of your general education classes completed before getting to college. 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 online classes with NDSU Distance and Continuing Education prior to high school graduation may enroll under Early Entry Student status. This is also a great way to get some of your general education classes completed before getting to college. For more information regarding the Early Entry application contact the NDSU Office of Admission.
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.