Graduate Student Advising

If you wish to drop an individual course but still stay enrolled for the semester:

1. Follow the instructions listed at ndsu.edu/onestop/help/dropping.
   
   You cannot drop a course via this method if it brings you down to zero credits. In that case, you must complete the Cancellation of Registration/Withdrawing to Zero Credits eform in Campus Connection: https://www.ndsu.edu/onestop/resources/help/withdrawing.
   
   Visit ndsu.edu/onestop/registration/dropwithdraw for more information about the difference between “Dropping” and “Withdrawing.”

To withdraw to zero credits for a given semester:

1. Complete the Cancellation of Registration/Withdrawing to Zero Credits eform in Campus Connection: https://www.ndsu.edu/onestop/resources/help/withdrawing
   
   Failure to initiate the withdrawal process may result in failing grades and possible financial obligations.
   
2. If you withdraw to zero credits, you should also submit the Request for Leave of Absence from Graduate Studies form.
   
   • Populate the Advisor and Graduate Coordinator fields with: Elizabeth Worth, Elizabeth.Worth@ndsu.edu.
     
     See “How do I take a leave of absence from my program?” for more details.
     
     If you withdraw to zero credits but do not submit the Request for Leave of Absence form, you will need to enroll in at least one credit per missed semester (fall and spring), up to four credits, upon re-enrollment.

You can find more information and instructions on the course registration process on One Stop's Registering for Classes page.

You should be able to see basic information about any holds, as well as the office to contact for more information, by checking your student account in Campus Connection.

One Stop also has general information regarding account holds.

The NDSU Catalog includes general curriculum information for each program. However, it is important to connect with your academic advisor for more details and guidance on items such as elective course selection, course availability and scheduling, course substitution, required credits or credit minimums, etc.

Contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator at Elizabeth.Worth@ndsu.edu.

If you are currently enrolled in one or more credits, and/or you were enrolled in the most recent fall or spring semester, and you wish to take a break from your studies:

1. Submit the Request for Leave of Absence from Graduate Studies form.
   
   1. Populate the Advisor and Graduate Coordinator fields with: Elizabeth Worth, Elizabeth.Worth@ndsu.edu.
      
      This form must be received prior to the Enrollment Census date of the first semester in which you plan to be on leave. See the Academic Calendar for dates: ndsu.edu/onestop/dates/calendar.
      
      Students may take a leave of absence from their program for up to four (fall & spring) semesters (non-enrollment during the summer term is not considered a leave of absence).
      
      Completing the Leave of Absence form does not drop you from any currently-enrolled courses. Rather, you must properly withdraw from your courses by completing the Cancellation of Registration/Withdrawing to Zero Credits eform in Campus Connection: ndsu.edu/onestop/resources/help/withdrawing.
      
      Failure to initiate the course withdrawal process may result in failing grades and possible financial obligations.
      
      Your email account will remain active during your leave of absence and will continue to be used to communicate with you. Be sure to check it often. Other electronic services will not be available during your leave. If you need to use them, you must be registered for at least one credit.

If you have been absent for no more than four consecutive fall and spring semesters and wish to reactivate your student status:

1. Submit the Request for Reactivation form.
   
   Populate the Advisor and Program Coordinator fields with: Elizabeth Worth, Elizabeth.Worth@ndsu.edu.

If you wish to discontinue pursuit of a graduate program altogether:

1. Submit the Withdraw from Graduate School form.
   
   Completing this form does not drop you from classes. If you have registered for courses, you must complete the Cancellation of Registration/Withdrawing to Zero Credits eform in Campus Connection: https://www.ndsu.edu/onestop/resources/help/withdrawing.
   
   Failure to initiate this process may result in failing grades and possible financial obligations.
   
   If you are enrolled in more than one graduate program or certificate, you may use this form to withdraw from one of them while maintaining enrollment in the other(s).

If you are already enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program, and you wish to earn a College of Business graduate certificate in tandem with your degree:

1. Submit the Request to Add Graduate Certificate to Degree Form
   1. Populate the Advisor, Degree Program Coordinator, and Certificate Program Coordinator fields with: Elizabeth Worth, Elizabeth.Worth@ndsu.edu.
   2. Pay the $35 application fee.

You may submit the Request to Add Graduate Certificate to Degree form at any time during the pursuit of your degree program.

If you wish to add more than one graduate certificate, you will need to submit separate forms/fees.

This depends both on your current program and the particular graduate certificate program you choose to add. In some cases, it may be possible to complete one or even two graduate certificates in tandem with your graduate degree program without adding any additional credits. Contact the Graduate Programs Coordinator at Elizabeth.Worth@ndsu.edu for more information.

The Graduate School requires students to submit a Graduation Application to verify completion of their certificate program (this is the case whether the certificate is being pursued on its own or alongside a graduate degree program). Without an approved Graduation Application, the certificate will not post to the student's record.

Visit the Graduate School's graduation information page for a helpful overview. Please note that all master's degree students in the College of Business are Plan C students (meaning coursework only - no master's paper or thesis), which means they simply need to submit the Graduation Application and pay the $25 graduation fee.