Social Studies Degrees

Admissions Requirements

The minimum criteria for admission into the History program as a freshman student are:
Class rank in the top half of the high school graduating class and/or a cumulative 2.5 grade point average
Minimum combined SAT score of 850 for Critical Reading and Math (combined) or equivalent ACT composite score (18)
Successful transfer applicants will typically hold a minimum collegiate grade point average of 2.0, having completed at least 15 college credits.

Please note the above listed requirements are general, and that each application is looked at thoroughly, taking into account individual grades, academic rigor, and other factors.

Admissions Requirements

Professional Studies
The minimum criteria for admission into the Professional Studies program as a freshman student are:
Class rank in the top half of the high school graduating class and/or a cumulative 2.0 grade point average
Minimum combined SAT score of 850 for Critical Reading and Math (combined) or equivalent ACT composite score (18)
Successful transfer applicants will typically hold a minimum collegiate grade point average of 2.0, having completed at least 15 college credits, and have a proven record of success in high school or collegiate science courses.

Please note the above listed requirements are general, and that each application is looked at thoroughly, taking into account individual grades, academic rigor, and other factors.

Admissions Requirements

Interdisciplinary Studies
The minimum criteria for admission into the Interdisciplinary Studies program as a freshman student are:
Class rank in the top half of the high school graduating class and/or a cumulative 2.0 grade point average
Minimum combined SAT score of 850 for Critical Reading and Math (combined) or equivalent ACT composite score (18)
Successful transfer applicants will typically hold a minimum collegiate grade point average of 2.0, having completed at least 15 college credits, and have a proven record of success in high school or collegiate science courses.

Please note the above listed requirements are general, and that each application is looked at thoroughly, taking into account individual grades, academic rigor, and other factors.

Admission Requirements

When making our admissions decisions about freshmen, we consider:

High School Curriculum

Grades

Class Rank

Standardized Test Results

Guidance counselor or teacher recommendation

Leadership/Service resume

Previous college work

Among the things we ask you to submit

A completed application for admission including the essay and non-refundable application fee. The fee is waived for online applications.

Official score reports from either the American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Official copy of high school transcript

High school guidance counselor /teacher recommendation form

An official college transcript of any work completed while in high school

The 2008 freshman class had an average ACT composite score of 24 and an average high school grade point average of 3.53.

Admissions Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Admission criteria are subject to change by the Board of Regents of South Dakota and by the six universities in the Board of Regents system.

Freshman Admission (Applicants younger than 21 years old at start of term)

The School of Mines will carefully review and consider for acceptance applicants who meet the general requirements outlined in the following sections A through D. Applications from students with deficiencies are reviewed on an individual basis.
SECTION A

Obtain an ACT composite score of at least 21 (or equivalent SAT score)
OR obtain an ACT math subscore of at least 21 (or equivalent SAT score)
OR achieve a high school GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

SECTION B

Complete the following required courses with a cumulative grade point average of a “C” or higher (2.0 on a 4.0 scale):

4 years of English
OR ACT English sub-test score of 18 or above
OR AP English score of 3 or above

3 years of Advanced Mathematics (includes algebra or any higher level of math)
OR ACT Math sub-test score of 20 or above
OR AP Calculus score of 3 or above

3 years of Laboratory Science (includes biology, chemistry, physics, or other approved science courses in which
there is a weekly lab period scheduled)
OR ACT Science Reasoning sub-test score of 17 or above
OR AP Science score of 3 or above

3 years of Social Science
OR ACT Social Studies/Reading sub-test score of 17 or
above
OR AP Social Studies score of 3 or above

1 year of Fine Arts
OR AP Fine Arts score of 3 or above

Computer Science
At the time of admission, it is expected that students will have basic keyboarding skills and have had experience in using computer word processing, database, and spreadsheet packages and in using the Internet or other wide area networks. These expectations may be met by high school course work. Effective Fall 2006, entering students who have not taken such high school coursework must complete a specified computer course addressing these skills and competencies within the first 42 credit hours attempted.

SECTION C

In addition, the School of Mines will automatically accept for admission applicants who …

obtain an ACT composite score of 25 AND obtain an ACT math subscore of 25 (or SAT equivalent score)
OR obtain a high school GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and have taken four years of mathematics
OR are South Dakota Regents’ Scholars

SECTION D

Readmitted Students
Former students who want to reapply for admission must submit another admission application and official transcripts directly to the Office of Admissions for all colleges attended since leaving the university. If you interrupt your attendance by a semester or more, you must reapply for admission. If a name change has occurred since prior attendance, additional documentation will be required.

Transfer Admission
The requirements listed below are the minimum requirements to all six universities in the Board of Regents system. Individual universities and individual programs within the universities may have higher requirements.

A. Transfer students with 24 or more semester credits are eligible to be candidates for admission if they meet both standards below:
Have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Are in good standing with their most recently attended school.

B. Students with less than a 2.0 GPA may be admitted on probation, but each applicant is considered on an individual basis.

C. Transfer students under the age of 21 who have earned fewer than 24 semester credits must also meet the freshman admission requirements above.