Graduate Admissions

Evaluation Process

Once your application is complete

When all application materials are received, the School of Graduate Studies conducts the initial admission evaluation. Applicants who satisfy the minimum GPA requirements of the graduate school will have their application file sent to the appropriate graduate program.

  • The application file will be reviewed by a program faculty committee who will make an admission recommendation. Graduate programs may have additional questions of applicants during the review process thus it is important that you respond immediately to all program correspondence.
  • The graduate program will return an admission recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies for final review and a final academic decision.

The School of Graduate Studies will then notify the applicant by e-mail and letter of the admission outcome.

  • When an applicant is accepted for graduate study, a faculty adviser is assigned by the program. Adviser contact information is provided in the acceptance letter. The adviser helps the student formulate a plan of study.
  • Admitted students should establish contact with their faculty adviser upon admission. You should seek a listing of courses in which to enroll for your first semester.

NOTE: All application materials, transcripts, recommendation letters and forms are collected for the express purpose of consideration for admissions to the School of Graduate Studies. Materials cannot be returned, borrowed or reproduced. Application materials are not transferable to the student or to another institution. The materials are not meant for purposes other than consideration for admission.

Additional Information for International Applicants

Issuing I-20s

  • The School of Graduate Studies notifies the Center for International Studies of the academic admission decision.  
  • Documentation of a student’s financial eligibility must be on file. Only when complete financial eligibility is documented will the I-20 form be mailed along with an official letter of academic admission.
  • The acceptance letter and I-20 documentation is sent standard air mail to the student. A student may elect to have these documents sent via Fed Ex for an additional $100.00 (U.S. dollar) fee.
  • It is also important for you to inform your adviser and the School of Graduate Studies of the semester you are able to attend.
  • Complete information is available from the Center for International Studies.

Other details about studying in the USA

International students who wish to attend an SCSU graduate program in the United States must apply for admission as full-time degree-seeking graduate students. The United States Department of Homeland Security requires full-time attendance for international students. International students on F-1 and J-1 visas cannot be considered for admission to part-time academic programs. Examples would include the MBA, RAS, ACR, and College of Education part-time programs in Maple Grove, MN and the MEM part-time program in St. Paul, MN. International students may enroll in the full-time MEM program held in Maple Grove, MN.

Graduate certificate programs do not meet this requirement.

The following US government web site may be helpful to you in planning your studies in the United States. Please visit: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/.