Applying for International Graduate Admission at the University of South Dakota

Overview The University of South Dakota (USD) accepts international graduate applicants through its own online portal and GradCAS. Applicants must complete a three‑step review involving the academic department, the Graduate School, and the International Office before a formal admission decision is made. Eligibility Requirements - English Proficiency: TOEFL iBT ≥ 79, TOEFL Essentials ≥ 8.5 (new scoring Jan 2026), IELTS ≥ 6.0, Duolingo ≥ 110, PTE ≥ 53, Cambridge ≥ 169, or Trinity ISE ≥ 93. Native speakers from a long list of English‑speaking countries are exempt. - Official Transcripts: One official transcript (English or translated) confirming an undergraduate degree; additional graduate transcripts if required by the program. Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution; student‑delivered copies are not considered official. - Credential Evaluation: Not mandatory but recommended. USD may request a third‑party evaluation (e.g., WES, ECE, TEC) for certain credentials. Evaluations must come from NACES or AICE‑approved agencies. - Test Scores: Required only for programs that list them in the graduate catalog. Applicants upload unofficial copies; official reports must be sent directly from the testing agency. - Letters of Recommendation: Required for all programs; the number varies by department. - Statement of Purpose: Required for all programs. - Resume/CV: Required. - Passport: Copy required for visa processing; not used for admission decisions. - Financial Ability: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to cover at least one academic year of tuition, fees, and living expenses before an I‑20 can be issued. This is documented via the Financial Ability Form and supporting financial documents. Application Process 1. Submit a completed online application (USD portal or GradCAS) and pay the non‑refundable $38 fee. 2. Upload all required documents (English proficiency, transcripts, test scores, recommendations, statement, resume, passport copy). 3. The Graduate School reviews the complete file and issues an admission decision. 4. If admitted, the International Office verifies financial ability and issues a DS‑2019 or I‑20. 5. Departmental graduate assistantships, when offered, are communicated in the admission letter or later. Deadlines Fall 2026: - July 15 – MS AI and Computer Science (deadline*) - August 1 – MAcc, MBA, MS Business Analytics (deadline*) - August 19 – New Student Arrival - August 20 – International Orientation - August 24 – Start of Classes Spring 2027: - December 5 – MS AI and Computer Science (deadline*) - December 5 – MAcc, MBA, MS Business Analytics (deadline*) - January 7 – New Student Arrival - January 8 – International Orientation - January 11 – Start of Classes *Note: Some programs have earlier deadlines or do not admit for the spring term; applicants should verify program‑specific dates in the graduate catalog. Funding and Assistantships - Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships are administered at the department level. - Some departments include an assistantship offer in the admission letter; others decide later. - Assistantships are competitive and limited; only a small number of master’s students receive departmental awards. - No guarantee of funding is provided; applicants should inquire directly with individual programs. Financial Ability Documentation - Federal regulations require proof of funds for at least one academic year before an I‑20 can be issued. - Applicants must complete the Financial Ability Form and submit official financial documents as outlined on the form. Unknowns and Source Limitations - Program‑specific admission criteria (e.g., GPA thresholds, required test scores) are not detailed in the source text. - Exact amounts, duration, and eligibility criteria for assistantships are not provided. - The source does not list visa processing times, housing options, or health insurance requirements. - The information reflects the university’s website as of the retrieval date; policies may have changed since then. Sources and Reliability The details above are drawn from the University of South Dakota’s International Graduate Admission webpage. The page is a primary source for procedural information but does not include exhaustive program‑level data. Because the source is treated as unverified, all statements are limited to what is explicitly presented, and no additional facts have been inferred beyond the text. Source: https://www.usd.edu/Admissions-and-Aid/International-Admissions/Applying-for-International-Graduate-Admission Checked: 2026-09-29T09:09:37.256145+00:00 Confirm details with the official institution before applying.