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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Admission to Graduate Study

When do I apply?

If you intend to start classes in fall semester, you should begin the application process in the fall or early winter of the preceding year. Spring semester begins in mid-January and the application process should begin in the preceding spring. Whether you plan to attend full-time, part-time, or as a non-degree student, you should apply at least two semesters before you plan to begin at SCSU.

Make sure to check the deadlines established by your program, detailed in the graduate catalog at the beginning of each program description. A substantial number, but not all of SCSU's graduate programs, will start new students both fall and spring semester, and during the summer sessions.

Time is needed to carefully complete the steps of the application process - to collect letters of recommendation, to complete the application, to request all previous transcripts, to complete program interviews if required, to take entrance examinations (GRE or GMAT), and in some cases to meet with faculty of your intended department.

What do I need to submit?

A completed application consists of the following:

  • Graduate admission application and a $35.00 non-refundable application fee payable to SCSU.
  • Three reference forms from individuals who are able to address your academic qualifications and ability to succeed in your chosen program and profession.
  • One copy of all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Transcripts must be submitted directly by each institution to the School of Graduate Studies. Transcripts submitted by students cannot be accepted. Transcripts of SCSU coursework do not need to be submitted. Applicants who apply before receiving their baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an additional transcript once their degree is conferred.
  • GRE scores are required by all programs but the MBA.
  • GMAT scores are required for the MBA program.
  • A test of English proficiency is required of all applicants whose first language is other then English.
  • Additional admission materials required by the program to which you are applying. See program descriptions in graduate catalog to see if additional materials or interviews are needed.
  • NOTE: The School of Graduate Studies and the individual programs within it reserve the right to request additional information when they believe it is necessary.

When all official materials have been received in the School of Graduate Studies, your admission file will be sent to the department for review. An admission recommendation will be made at the departmental level, and then it will be returned to the School of Graduate Studies' dean for final review. A letter will be mailed to you after the admission decision has been made.

What are the admission requirements?

To be eligible for consideration for admission to the School of Graduate Studies, a candidate must meet at a minimum one of the following five criteria:

  1. Possess at least an overall 2.75 GPA in your previous undergraduate and graduate records.
  2. Possess a GPA of at least 2.75 in the last half of your undergraduate work.
  3. Achieve a 480 or higher verbal score on the GRE examination.
  4. Achieve a 520 or higher quantitative score on the GRE examination.
  5. Achieve a 470 or higher score on the GMAT examination (MBA students only).

Please note that admission to the School of Graduate Studies permits a student to pursue graduate level coursework. Admission to the School of Graduate Studies does not constitute formal acceptance into a master's degree program. Specific program admission requirements must be met in addition to the School of Graduate Studies admission requirements for formal acceptance and candidacy in a graduate program. You will find specific program admission requirements detailed at the beginning of each program description in the graduate catalog.

Registration of Undergraduate Students in Graduate Coursework

Undergraduate students may petition to enroll in graduate courses at the 500 level if they:

  • Are in their last semester.
  • Possess a 2.75 or higher GPA.
  • Have eight semester credits or less to complete for baccalaureate graduation from this University.

To register, complete a Graduate Permission Form, available from the School of Graduate Studies in AS 121. Please keep in mind:

  • The maximum load permitted is 16 semester credits of undergraduate and 500-level graduate credit combined.
  • Courses numbered 600 to 699 are open only to graduate students.
  • Approval of the petition form is based on the potential admissibility of the student to the graduate program.
  • Graduate courses completed prior to receiving the undergraduate degree cannot be used toward the undergraduate degree.

For complete information on graduate programs offered at SCSU contact:

The School of Graduate Studies
121 Administrative Services Building
720 Fourth Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498

Phone: 320-308-2113
Fax: 320-308-5371
Toll Free: 800-369-4260
E-mail: graduatestudies@stcloudstate.edu