Admission Requirements

Minimum academic qualifications have been determined for education systems in most countries. Click on the above heading to access the country list for these requirements. Please note that some programs may require higher scores. If your country is not listed, please complete the Ask International Admissions form and we can email you specific requirements for your country.

Academic Requirements by Country

Entrance Exams

All prospective students are required to submit an official entrance exam for admission consideration. If an applicant has completed a minimum of four academic semesters at an institution in the U.S., he/she is exempt from the required score below.

For full undergraduate admission:

TOEFL: 71 iBt or 525 on
paper-based test
IELTS: 6.0
*SAT subscores: Writing=430, Critical Reading+Math=1010

*Note: an official SAT score report is required for Canadian and Mechanical Engineering program applicants.

For Conditional Admission (Undergraduate+Intensive English Language Program):

TOEFL: 48 iBt or 460 on paper-based test
IELTS: 4.5

An undergraduate applicant who meets all requirements for admission to NDSU, except for the English proficiency score, may be notified of his/her academic eligibility for conditional admission. A separate Intensive English Language Program (IELP) and undergraduate program application must be submitted for consideration. After successful completion of the IELP or minimum English proficiency score being attained, the student can enroll full-time in his/her undergraduate program.

All entrance exam results are valid for 2 calendar years. International undergraduate applicants should request score reports be sent to the Office of International Programs (NDSU school code for TOEFL=6474, if applicable).

Graduate Students: Please see the English Language Test Score Requirements for specific conditions of your program. Please click here for more teaching assistantship information and requirements from the NDSU Graduate School. All official test results should be sent directly to the Graduate School.

Selective Program Admission Requirements

Because the university receives far more applications than it has spaces available, admission to a number of North Dakota State University's undergraduate programs is selective and requires an additional application process. Enrollment in these programs is limited, and only the best qualified applicants are admitted.

Accounting, business administration, management information systems
Students are enrolled in the general program in the College of Business for one year. After one year, the quality of the student's academic work is reviewed to determine whether the student can be given full admittance to the business major. Professional programs require a 2.5 cumulative grade point average for admission and for graduation.

Athletic Training
Admission to the professional program in the second year requires a 2.5 grade point average and is limited to 13 students.

Architecture, Landscape Architecture
Admission into the professional program is made after a student has completed one year in the general program in the College of Engineering and Architecture. At the end of that period, the quality of the student's academic work is reviewed on the basis of overall GPA and performance in first-year architecture.

Dietetics
The third-year coordinated program is selective, based on a 3.0 minimum grade point average, work experience, references, and an essay.

Engineering: Computer, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical
Admission to all engineering programs is selective and the electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering programs are extremely competitive. Students are enrolled in the general program in the College of Engineering and Architecture for one year. After one year, the quality of the student's academic work is reviewed to determine whether the student can be given full admittance to the engineering major. Students transferring from U.S. schools must have a minimum of a 2.5 to 3.0 grade point average, depending on the major.

Interior Design
Admission to the third year program is based on a review of the student's academic work and transcripts and is limited to about 54 students.

Medical Laboratory Science
Admission to the third year internship program is competitive and is limited to about 15-20 students.

Music
Music majors must belong to a university performing group, which requires an audition. Substitute admission arrangements can be made by providing an audition tape in some cases.

Nursing (four-year baccalaureate degree)
Admission to the professional, third-year level is selective, and transfer students who have completed all prerequisite courses must submit a supplemental nursing application and two reference forms, by October 1 for the following fall semester.

Pharmacy
Admission to the third-year professional pharmacy program is selective. A supplemental pharmacy application and PCAT scores must be submitted by January 1 for the following fall semester. Students must first be admitted to the University prior to being eligible for program consideration.

Respiratory Care
This program limits enrollment of students in the professional courses of their junior-year internship to 12.

Teacher Education
The professional program requires a 2.5 grade point average, Pre-professional Skills Test and proof of English and writing competency.

Veterinary Technology
The professional program, second-year level, is limited to 24 students. Applicants for the professional program must submit a supplemental veterinary technology application and three recommendations. The application deadline is April 1 for the fall semester. Selections are made in late May.

North Dakota State University

International Programs