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Section II

Program Admission

Admission into a graduate studies program permits students to pursue course work at the graduate level. Such admission does not, however, guarantee admission to candidacy within the master's degree program (see Candidacy for a Master's Degree in Section IV).  International students wishing to apply for graduate study at Bemidji State University should see International Student Enrollment below for more information.

Admission Requirements

1. Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program must have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. or approved international college or university and have achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (A = 4.00). Students who have achieved a 3.00 ("B") GPA during the final 60 semester credits of undergraduate education will also be considered for admission.

   An undergraduate major in a particular field of study is a prerequisite to graduate study in that field. In some instances, a field of emphasis, minor, or concentration in undergraduate study, if suitably related to the graduate program, may be acceptable. For students who have completed graduate course work, the cumulative graduate GPA will be computed independently of the cumulative undergraduate GPA.

2. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is required for Biology and Environmental Studies. Consult with the department regarding their use of the GRE General Test.

3. Applicants with an undergraduate record containing "pass," "satisfactory," "credit," or similar designations for courses that have a substantial bearing on their program of study may be required to submit written evaluations from the instructors of record for each course. Students with more than half of their undergraduate course work under nontraditional grading patterns will be considered on the basis of their GRE scores.

4. International students whose first language is other than English are required to submit the results from the TOEFL examination. A minimum score of 550 is required. (See Tests Required for Admission below.)

Admission Procedures

Students seeking admission for the purpose of pursuing a master's degree should contact the School of Graduate Studies for application information. International students wishing to apply for graduate study at Bemidji State University should see International Student Enrollment below for more information. Applicants should submit all application documents well in advance of the contemplated semester or summer of enrollment (by March 1 for the summer term or the fall semester). A completed application file may consist of the following:

1. A completed Application for Admission to Graduate Studies (Form 1). International students are required to complete the International Student Application for Admission form (see International Student Enrollment below for more information).
2. A $20.00 non-refundable application fee made payable to Bemidji State University.
3. One (1) official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate college or university attended. All transcripts must be submitted directly by each institution to the School of Graduate Studies. Transcripts submitted by the student are not acceptable, unless received in a sealed envelope. Applicants who apply before receiving the baccalaureate degree will be required to submit supplementary transcripts indicating that a degree has been conferred. (Graduates of Bemidji State University are not required to provide transcripts. Students who have previously attended other institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will not be required to present those transcripts to the School of Graduate Studies.)
4. Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, if required by the department.
5. Current letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to address the applicant's qualifications for the applicant's chosen program are required; recommendations should be dated, signed and on appropriate letterhead or should utilize the School of Graduate Studies Recommendation Form.
6. A letter of intent, stating the program/specialization desired, academic background, professional working experience (if any), and any additional information that the applicant believes will assist those who are reviewing the application.
7. A copy of a current or previous valid teaching license or appropriate certificate(s).
8. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score is required of all applicants whose first language is other than English.

Note: Please visit the School of Graduate Studies website for additional program requirements.

All application materials should be sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies. Once the completed application and all records have been received, the appropriate department/program and the Dean, School of Graduate Studies will evaluate admissions materials to ascertain the quality of prior academic work and the prospects for success as a degree candidate.

Admission Status

Students are admitted to graduate study based on the nature and quality of their undergraduate preparation. An applicant may be admitted with an "approved" status or a "provisional" status.

1. Approved: This status is granted to applicants who have fully satisfied the minimum admission requirements for the Graduate Studies Program. Admission to this status implies that graduate studies normally will lead to candidacy for and completion of a master's degree. Admission with an approved status does not guarantee approval of a student's admission to candidacy for a degree program.
2. Provisional:This status is granted to applicants who do not satisfy the minimum GPA or the minimum Graduate Record Examination combined score, or who have deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation. Students admitted on a provisional basis are required to achieve at least a 3.00 ("B") GPA in their first six (6) credits of 6000-level graduate course work attempted at Bemidji State University. In addition, provisionally admitted students will be required to satisfy any course work deficiencies indicated by the departments/programs.

Denial of Admission

Applicants who do not satisfy the above stated admission requirements may be permitted to enroll in graduate-level course work as a Graduate Special Student (see Graduate Special Student under Admission for Non-Degree Study in this section).

Master's degree applicants who were denied admission on the basis of a low GPA, low Graduate Record Examination scores, or undergraduate course deficiencies may reapply for admission upon earning at least a 3.00 ("B") GPA for a minimum of six (6) credits of 6000-level graduate course work  completed at Bemidji State University. In addition, the student must satisfy all undergraduate deficiencies indicated by the department/program before a reapplication to that program will be considered. Reapplication does not guarantee admission to the Graduate Studies Program.

Students from Non-Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions

Graduates from post-secondary colleges or universities that are not regionally accredited will not be considered for admission to the Graduate Studies Program.

Tests Required for Admission

GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)

The GRE General Test is required at the discretion of the academic department. Consult with the department regarding their use of the GRE General Test. Biology and Environmental Studies require the GRE General Test for admission; other departments may require this test to assist in the admissions decision.

When required, it is recommended that the GRE be taken at least two (2) months prior to the intended semester/summer of enrollment. Pre-registration with the Educational Testing Service is required four (4) weeks in advance of the examination date. Information regarding the GRE may be obtained by contacting the Educational Testing Service at www.ets.org/gre, BSU Test Code: 6676.

TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL)

All international students whose first language is other than English are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test results. The results must be sent directly to the International Program Center. Further TOEFL information may be found at www.ets.org/toefl. The University test code number is 6676. Further IELTS information may be found at www.ielts.org.

International students admitted to graduate studies are required to take the University's locally administered English Placement Assessment during the international student orientation program. Students who do not satisfy the University's English as a Second Language standards will be required to enroll in English as a Second Language courses at the University until the necessary proficiencies have been satisfied. International graduate students are required to satisfy the University's English language requirement within two (2) semesters.

Dual Degree/Program

Any student wishing to pursue a dual degree, which is two or more programs of study with different degree designations (M.A., M.S., and Applied Master’s degrees), whether concurrently (double degree) or separately (second degree), must meet any admission criteria required by each major, as well as the general requirements for admission to graduate study. Also, because a second degree carries a different degree designation from the initial degree, students must apply for admission into a second degree program. For more information, see Dual Degree/Program in Section IV.

International Student Enrollment

International students applying for the traditional on-campus master's program:
There are separate application procedures for all international students who plan to pursue a master’s degree while on the Bemidji State University campus. Any prospective graduate student who is not a U.S. citizen should contact the International Program Center Office at:

1500 Birchmont Drive NE, #13
Bemidji, MN 56601-2699
(218) 755-4096
E-mail: StudyBemidji@bemidjistate.edu

Please note: Non-U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S. wishing to enter the U.S. to enroll in on-campus courses must notify the BSU International Program Center to request that their file be reviewed to determine eligibility for the required U.S. Immigration form I-20. E-mail StudyBemidji@bemidjistate.edu for more information.

International students applying for the on-line master's program:
In-state tuition applies to all on-line courses. International students who apply for an on-line master’s degree may apply as though they were a U.S. resident.

Senior Citizen Enrollment

Minnesota residents 62 years of age or over may enroll in courses for credit, audit any course offered for credit, or enroll in non-credit courses. Courses taken for credit require $18.00 per semester credit. Students are also responsible for any specific course fees associated with a course, as well as the cost of books and materials. Students are not charged additional student fees. No limit is placed on the number of terms senior citizens may attend, and no income limitation is imposed in determining eligibility. Enrollment is contingent, however, on space availability after all other tuition-paying students have been accommodated. This means that senior citizens must register during the add/drop period that begins the day after the first day the class meets.

Admission Procedures

1. Complete the application for senior citizen status at the time of registration.
2. Contact the Records and Registration Office for the time and location of registration.

Minnesota senior citizens are requested to complete the appropriate data form at registration in compliance with Public Law 1974, Chapter 479. This information will be used for advising purposes, statistical information, and to locate students in case of an emergency or necessity.