Admission of Freshman (Non-Degree and Early Entry)

Undergraduates may be admitted to the University in one of two categories: Regular Admission (full-time or part-time); and Non-Degree Seeking Admission. See below for definitions of these admission categories. For provisions governing admission to the School of Graduate Studies, Law School and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, applicants should consult the respective sections for those schools. 

Types of Admission

Regular Admission

Regular Admission is granted to a student who has been determined to be eligible and is duly enrolled as a candidate for a degree.

Non-Degree Seeking Admission

Non-degree Seeking Admission is a special admission status reserved for students who wish to enroll in a limited number of courses at UND. Students admitted with this status will be allowed to attempt up to a total of 24 credits at UND and are not eligible for financial aid. Enrollment in courses beyond 24 credits will be contingent upon meeting all admission criteria for regular admission.

Admission of First-Year Students

Admission

For first-year students, admission is based on the following minimum criteria:

  • High school GPA of 2.75+
  • Completion of the high school core course curriculum, including:
    • a. English: four units 
    • b. Mathematics (Algebra I or above): three units
    • c. Laboratory Science: three units
    • d. Social Studies: three units
    • e. World Language or selected subject areas listed above: one unit
  • Additional factors will be considered, such as course rigor, grade trends, core GPA, etc.
  • Completion of safety and security questions 

Students are encouraged to apply for admission even if their GPA, core curriculum and safety and security responses do not meet these admissions guidelines. All applications that are not yet eligible for admission will be reviewed by the University Admissions Office, the Student Academic Standards Committee (transcripts, test scores) or the Behavioral Intervention Team (criminal history records) to consider all relevant information and extenuating circumstances in order to make an admission decision that is in the best interest of the student and institution.

Nationally recognized exam results (e.g. ACT, SAT) may be submitted to the institution for the purpose of course placement.

Baccalaureate applicants age of 25 or older on the first day of class are exempt from the high school core course requirements.

Home educated applicants shall submit:

a. Curriculum description or transcript that displays:

i. A specific listing of classes completed to satisfy secondary school requirements; identified and/or separated by class levels. An institution may request a course syllabus or detailed description of course content;

ii. A key explaining grading system and successful completion of coursework including number of credits earned by course, letter grade, and grade point average on a 4.0 scale;

iii. The date of student’s graduation/completion of plan of study; and

iv. The signature of the parent/instructor.

b. Official transcript(s) of any other private or public high school(s) the applicant has attended.

c. Diploma/Certificate issued by the local school district in which the applicant resides if that district provides such a document. High school equivalency examinations may be acceptable in lieu of a high school diploma, providing that such an examination is an authorized high equivalency test by the state in which the examination was taken.

A student who has not graduated from high school may be admitted to the University by completing a high school equivalency exam with a score of:.

  1. GED prior to 2014 - Minimum passing score of 150 on each of the four subtests and a combined score of 600 or higher to pass, or
  2. GED 2014 and later – Minimum passing score of 165 on each of the four subtests and a combined score of 660 or higher to pass, or
  3. ETS-HiSeT – Minimum passing score of 15 on each of the five subtests and a combined score of 75 and or higher to pass.

UND may admit some students who have not completed the required courses. The Student Academics Standards Committee will consider exemptions to the policy because of special circumstances. Students denied admission by the Committee are not permitted to attend UND.

The University Admissions Office may deny applicants who meet the core curriculum requirements but are evaluated to be high-risk candidates for success at UND due to a low high school grade point average. If additional information is received after the applicant has been admitted the University Admissions Office reserves the right to review and potentially revoke an admissions decision. 

Students who have not had the required courses are encouraged to enroll in any of North Dakota’s colleges/universities. Upon successful completion of 24 transferable semester credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA, these students may transfer to UND and are exempt from meeting the high school core course requirements.

The University is approved under Federal law to admit non-immigrant alien students. Students whose education has been outside the United States should make early contact with the University Admissions Office for questions concerning admission.

International students

International students applying for undergraduate admission must submit an application for admission, proof of financial resources, validation of secondary education completion, and all students whose first language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency by one of the following means:

i. College Composition I and College Composition II, or equivalent courses, with a grade of B or higher from a regionally accrediting organization or national recognized agencies.

ii. English standardized measures listed in NDUS Procedure 413.1(2).

iii. At least two years of study, in good standing at one of the following:

1. U.S. high school

2. Regionally accrediting organization

3. Nationally recognized agencies

4. Post-secondary institutions with English as the language of instruction to include a minimum of 6 credits in subjects that require reading and/or speaking with a B or higher (not to include ELS courses)

iv. A degree or diploma from an institution in which English was the language of instruction.

v. A U.S. General Education Diploma (GED) (from 2014 or later) administered in English with a minimum score of 170.

vi. Earning a minimum score on one of the following exams:

a. IELTS – 6.0

b. PTE-A – 48

c. MET – 57

d. DET – 105

e. TOEFL

i. Internet-based test (iBT) score of 71 or

ii. Paper-based test (PBT) score of 525

f. CES - 170

 

The International Programs Office provides assistance and counseling to students from countries other than the United States.

Early Entry High School Students

Early Entry High School Students are applicants who have taken college-level coursework while in high school. Students may receive credit for courses taken at an accredited university/college while in high school if those courses are acceptable for credit at the University of North Dakota. Courses applied toward College requirements must be approved by the Dean of the College. Courses applied toward major requirements must be approved by the Departmental Chair.

Advanced Placement

A student from a high school which offers college-level courses through the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Program may be given University credit and/or advanced standing in individual subjects. This may be especially desirable if he or she wishes to proceed to the next higher level. Under this plan the student takes an advanced placement examination given at his or her school by the College Board. These examinations are scored by the College Board and are forwarded to the college of the student’s choice. The amount of credit given will then be determined by the department best qualified to evaluate the material. Students with special preparation in academic areas (world language, etc.) are urged to take advantage of the Special Examinations for credit available in selected disciplines. See the Special Examinations for Credit section.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

The International Baccalaureate Diploma is recognized for the purpose of admission to the University of North Dakota. Specific course credit for advanced standing will be evaluated and determined by the department and college in which the course is offered.

Note to students intending to enroll in mathematics courses: Any student may enroll directly in MATH 98 Intermediate Algebra.* Students planning to take the following mathematics courses at UND (MATH 103 College Algebra, MATH 105 Trigonometry, MATH 110 Mathematics in Society, MATH 146 Applied Calculus I, MATH 165 Calculus I, or MATH 208 Discrete Mathematics) may enroll after completing one of the following:

  • completing the ALEKS PPL math placement assessment (and scoring within the placement grid)
    • The ALEKS PPL math assessment is used for placement purposes only. Scores on these tests do NOT grant credit.
  • submitting an official and applicable ACT/SAT score to UND
  • submitting official AP, CLEP, IB, PLTW, DSST exam credits to UND
  • submitting college-level mathematics dual credits

The UND Mathematics Department strongly advises all transfer students who plan to take courses in math or major in math take UND’s Math Placement Assessment and consult with their academic advisor at UND to help determine the best starting point in UND’s math curriculum.

* MATH 98 does not count towards the university's graduation requirement of 120 credits nor any Essential Studies credits.

Credit by Examination Through CLEP

CLEP stands for College-Level Examination Program of the College Board. It is a national program that offers the opportunity for a student to obtain recognition for college-level achievement based on intensive reading in a particular field, adult school courses, correspondence courses, television or radio courses, courses on tape, or other means of formal or informal preparation. UND accepts credit on CLEP subject examinations only. See the section on CLEP for additional information.

Enrollment in the University

All students will be enrolled, based on their declared major, in one of UND’s academic colleges.  Enrollment in an academic college does not guarantee admission to the college or specific academic programs. (For more information regarding additional requirements for admission to specific programs, see the program page). 

How to Apply:

  1. The online application for admission can be located on the web at: UND.edu/apply. The application priority deadline is February 1.
  2. All applicants are required to complete the online application and submit the non-refundable $35 application fee.
  3. All applicants are required to complete the safety and security questions on the online application.
  4. Each applicant must provide the Health History & Immunization Form completed by his or her family physician or mailed from his/her high school. This form is provided online to each accepted student and should be returned to Student Health Services before enrollment.
  5. All new admitted full-time fist-year students who wish to enroll at the University are required to submit a non-refundable $200 confirmation deposit, by the May 1 priority deadline. The deposit will be applied to their account. Students can still confirm after May 1 priority deadline, space permitting.

When to Apply: UND will accept applications up to one year in advance of the semester students plan to start.