Admission and Retention Policies
Admission
The Mechanical Engineering Department faculty have understood the need for maintaining a standard that enables students to be competitive in the job market and to assure that they have an above average level of competence in their coursework. The Department has maintained a policy of minimum academic standards for many years. This policy, outlined below, will continue to be strictly enforced.
Admission Standards for Mechanical Engineering BASIC Program
Freshmen and Sophomore years
- FRESHMEN: Applicants must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
- RANSFER STUDENTS: Must meet NDSU’s admission requirements of 2.0 cumulative college GPA. If transferring less than 24 college credits, high school work will be considered.
Admission Standards for the Mechanical Engineering PROFESSIONAL Program
Junior and Senior years
Admission to the Professional Program is primarily based on the departmental Engineering GPA which is calculated using the fundamental Basic Program courses as outlined on the Engineering GPA Calculation Worksheet. This worksheet is located on the reverse side of this policy and available on the department website.
Professional Program admission criteria are:
- Students must have a minimum Engineering GPA of 2.7.
- Students must have a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Students must be currently enrolled in (no more than 7 credits) or have completed all fundamental Basic Program courses.
- No grade less than “C” in any fundamental Basic Program course.
Mechanical Engineering students having no more than 7 credits remaining in the Basic Program are considered for Professional Program eligibility; however, these courses must be a priority over professional classes. All fundamental basic courses need to be completed before the second semester of professional classes.
Mechanical Engineering students are conditionally admitted into the Professional Program to register for their first semester of professional classes. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria at the end of the semester once grades have posted, you will be administratively dropped from all professional level courses and reverted back to Basic Program status.
Other Notes: Mechanical Engineering students have an advising hold on their registration every semester. You must meet with your advisor once per semester at a minimum.
Prerequisites are strictly enforced. You are responsible for knowing and meeting all prereqs and coreqs for all courses for which you register. You will be dropped if you do not meet the requirements.
GRADUATION standards
- A minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for graduation from Mechanical Engineering.
- No grade less than “C” in any ME Program courses. This includes all general education requirements.
Retention
Performance notifications will be sent from the department to students whom, at any point throughout their Mechanical Engineering academic career, do not maintain a minimum GPA requirement of either 2.50 in their Cumulative GPA and/or a 2.70 in their Engineering GPA. If you should have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please see your advisor or the department chair.