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Apply to the Doctor of Philosophy Program

Information for Applicants

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 81 Internet-based
IELTS: 6.5 total band
Duolingo: 110

In addition to meeting basic requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for graduate study in nursing must have:

  • Current RN licensure. International students who are nurses are required to show proof of current licensure/registration as a Registered Nurse (or equivalent), in good standing, in their home country, and maintain that licensure throughout the duration of the program.
  • Completed an approved statistical methods course within 5 years. Not required at time of application.
  • Example of scholarly written work.
  • Online written and verbal assessment completed through KIRA Talent, reviewed and scored by graduate faculty.
  • Completed Compliance requirements: Clear Background check, clear FBI rolled fingerprint, clear drug screen, Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers, ACLS certification for FNP specialization, professional liability insurance, influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine and TB test.
  • For applicants who completed their higher education within the United States:

    • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
    • Master’s degree in nursing (from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program) or a related field of study with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of  3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
  • For applicants who completed their higher education outside the United States:

    • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system.
    • A degree deemed equivalent (by the World Education Service) to a Master’s degree in nursing or a related field of study (within the United States Education System) with a minimum cumulative preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 point grading system. 
  • Meet the technical standards.

Each applicant is required to complete two applications:

  1. Application to the SDSU graduate nursing program
  2. Application to the SDSU Graduate School

View the application instructions for complete details, application dates and deadlines.Following review of the applications, eligible applicants to programs requiring interview will be contacted to schedule the interview.

Due to regulations in certain states, South Dakota State University College of Nursing is unable to accept applicants from several identified states as noted on the following link: South Dakota State University - Continuing & Distance Education - state authorization information.

If you are a current resident of a state identified on the above listed webpage, we regret that we are unable to consider your application for admission.

If you do not currently reside in one of the identified states and are offered and accept admission, please note that should you relocate to one of the identified states while in the program, you may not be able to complete the program.

In addition, there may be rules and regulations required by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and/or other state Boards of Nursing that may not provide the opportunity for out-of-state applicants to be admitted to any of the graduate nursing programs.