Graduation Requirements

To be certified for graduation, you will have to complete the following degree requirements:

Degree requirements

Successful completion of all courses listed on your MSIA, MSIS, MSET, or D.Sc. Plan of Study within the 5-year time limit (7-years for D.Sc.).
Achievement of a GPA of at least 3.0 (a “B” average), with no more than 6 credit hours of a “C” grade and no grade below a “C” in the courses on your Plan of Study.
Satisfaction of Regental standards for residency. This is satisfied by completing all but a maximum of nine credit hours of your coursework at DSU (distance courses count as “at DSU”)
Successful completion of final assessment which could include portfolios, comprehensive exams, etc. Please see specific program for more information on this.

Program milestones: From start to graduation

The following outline of program milestones keep you on track through your graduate program and help you understand the requirements you must meet along the way. You have five years from the date you take your first course in the program and you must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

Start the Program:

Meet with your advisor to become acquainted with the program and its requirements
Begin planning coursework
Register for courses

First Semester: Complete your Plan of Study and turn into the Graduate Office.
Semester before you graduate: Apply for Admission to Candidacy by completing an Application to Candidacy and turning it into the Graduate Office.
Final Semester:

Complete an Application for Graduation and submit by the requested deadline.
Complete the integrative assessment activities for your program
MSIA, MSIS, MSET, or D.Sc. Comprehensive Exam (semester in which you plan to graduate)

Pre-Certification of your eligibility for graduation by the Graduate Office.
Post Ceremony: Certification of Program Completion/Graduation by the Graduate Office.

Grades and grading

The following grades and grade definitions are used in South Dakota graduate programs:

A – Exceptional	4.00 grade points per semester hour
B – Good	3.00 grade points per semester hour
C – Average	2.00 grade points per semester hour
D – Unsatisfactory	1.00 grade points per semester hour
F – Failure	0.00 grade points per semester hour
AU – Audit	Does not calculate into GPA
W – Withdrawal	Does not calculate into GPA
I – Incomplete	Does not calculate into GPA
NP – Normal Progress	Does not calculate into GPA
EX – Credit by Exam	Does not calculate into GPA
CR – Credit	Does not calculate into GPA

Incomplete

An incomplete “I” grade may only be awarded under specific conditions as outlined in BOR Policy 2:10 Grades and Use of Grade Point Average. For each incomplete given, the instructor must indicate in writing to the student, the respective graduate programs coordinator, and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research how and by when the incomplete is to be removed. The instructor must also attach a copy of this correspondence to the final grade report. Any students with unresolved “I” grades for courses in their Plans of Study and in which the courses are required for their degree will not be certified for graduation.

Normal progress (NP)

A normal progress grade may be granted when the instructor determines that a graduate student is making normal progress in a graduate Thesis/Dissertation/project course. If a graduate student does not enroll for a period of one calendar year, the NP grade may change to I (Incomplete) upon approval by the VP for Academic Affairs. The NP grade calculates into attempted credits but does not calculate into completed credits or grade point averages. The NP grade will be changed to the earned letter grade when the project has been completed.

Probation and suspension

If your GPA falls below the required 3.0, you will be placed on probation. You then have the opportunity to bring your GPA back up to 3.0 in you next 9 credit hours. If you do not raise your grade to the 3.0 requirement, you will be suspended from the program.

No grade below a “C” is acceptable for graduate work. If you receive more than two “C” grades or any “D” or “F”, you will be suspended. If you are suspended you can petition to be readmitted to the program.

If you are readmitted to the program after academic suspension, you must repeat any course with the “D” or “F” grade. The grade on the repeated course will replace the original grade and will be used in calculating GPA. You may not repeat a course more than once.

Appeal

If you are placed on probation or are suspended and wish to contest the decision, you may appeal the decision, following the grievance procedure described above.

Reinstatement

Students suspended for academic reasons may seek reinstatement after two academic terms by submitting a formal request for reinstatement, along with a supporting statement of explanation, to the Graduate Office. The request shall be acted upon according to the established procedure for application to the program.

Grade deletion

By BOR policy, grade deletion (deleting all grades for a semester) is not permitted for graduate degree programs.

Independent study

Independent Study credits are permitted at the graduate level with the approval of the instructor and the dean and only if it was not possible to take the course when it was offered, and to wait to take it the next time it is offered will cause an undo delay in graduation or create problems with course sequencing. You should make such a request to the appropriate instructor.

Transfer credits

You may transfer appropriate coursework into your degree program. Academic courses to be transferred must have been completed for credit at regionally accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. and must be applicable to your degree program. Each graduate program committee and faculty members who teach the relevant course will determine the applicability of the courses proposed for transfer credit. To request a transfer you must complete a Petition for Credit Transfer form. To request a course substitution you must complete a Course Substitution form. Petitions, Substitutions, and documentation must be completed by the time you submit your Application to Candidacy.

Normally, only 600-level or above courses with a grade of “B” or better may be transferred into the Plan of Study (TTL is an exception). Courses will be accepted as meeting graduation requirements if the courses parallel requirements for the specific master’s degree or if the courses meet elective requirements. Courses will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Students who wish to take courses at another college or university and transfer them to their degree program at DSU must obtain prior permission from the dean of the program in which their program resides and/or from their program coordinator.

Policies are important for your successful completion of your graduate degree. Copies of all DSU Graduate Policies are available in the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and on-line here.