Graduate Studies Program

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Graduate Studies at Black Hills State University is designed to grant post-baccalaureate degrees at the masters level, and to provide opportunities to earn graduate credit leading to advanced levels of specialization, improved professional competence, and personal growth and development. Graduate courses are offered throughout the year, both on campus and through distance education.  The Graduate Studies tradition at Black Hills State University dates from 1958 and has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of society.  Today, masters degrees are offered through the College of Education, the College of Business & Technology, and the College of Arts & Sciences.

Graduate Studies is governed by the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Council, and the Graduate Faculty. Each graduate degree program is administered by a Graduate Coordinator who chairs individual graduate faculty committees to develop policies and procedures unique to the different graduate degrees.  These graduate program coordinators serve on the graduate council to oversee the policies and procedures as established by the Board of Regents and the President of the University.

The Director of Graduate Studies is responsible for the general condition and welfare of the program as well as its overall administration. The Director is appointed by the President and reports to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Director works closely with the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Graduate Council, the College Deans, the individual Graduate Program Coordinators, and the Graduate Faculty to insure the quality of graduate studies and to strategically plan for growth in graduate studies at the university.

Each degree program has an appointed graduate faculty member who serves as the Graduate Program Coordinator. Each Graduate Program Coordinator is responsible for admitting graduate applicants to the specific graduate degree, overseeing curriculum design and course rigor for the specific graduate degree, providing initial advising for graduate students regarding their overall program of study in the specific graduate degree, ensuring that graduate students complete specific graduate degree and university graduate studies program requirements, and chairing the graduate faculty committees for each degree program. 

Members of the Graduate Faculty who are approved under the policies established by the University teach all courses offered for Graduate credit. The members of the Graduate Faculty also advise students, guide students’ thesis writing, conduct comprehensive examinations, and certify students’ eligibility for graduation. Graduate faculty work with the Director of Graduate Studies and the individual Graduate Program Coordinators to maintain the quality and integrity of the graduate program. The Graduate Faculty is listed at the back of this bulletin.

The Graduate Council serves as a policy-making body and the Director of Graduate Studies chairs this committee. The Graduate Council is responsible for developing policies and securing faculty input on the various aspects of the graduate program.  The Council consists of twelve (12) members.  The members include: one nonvoting ex-officio member (Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs), the Director of Graduate Studies, Graduate Program Coordinators for each program, the Dean of Educational Outreach and Special Programs, four Graduate Faculty elected at large, and 3 graduate students.  The current membership is The current membership is:

Graduate students enrolling at Black Hills State University are categorized as non-degree or degree-seeking students.

The student who does not wish to pursue a degree or who is not permitted to do so is classified as a non-degree graduate student. The purpose of this category is to allow students to experience a variety of graduate courses for personal or professional growth. Non-degree graduate students are allowed to take as many graduate courses as they desire in a variety of areas. To be admitted to non-degree graduate status, the student must submit a completed ‘Application to Graduate Studies’ form. This form may be obtained from the Graduate Studies office or from the BHSU website. The student should also provide transcripts indicating graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Please Note: If a non-degree graduate student decides to pursue a master’s degree, a maximum of ten hours of graded graduate credit (completed while the student was enrolled under the non-degree graduate student classification) will be accepted toward the master’s degree. In special cases, the Graduate Program Coordinator may review an applicant’s transcripts to determine additional graduate credits to be applied toward the degree.

A student pursuing a program of study leading to an advanced degree is considered to be a degree graduate student. The student’s program of study follows a well-defined sequence of coursework and requires specific courses. In addition to the Application for Admission to Graduate Study required of all graduate students, students enrolled in master’s degree programs must gain admission to the individual graduate degree programs and fulfill all graduate study requirements. The process is described below.

All students born after December 31, 1956, who reside on campus or who receive instruction at one of the residential campuses must document their immune status for measles, mumps and rubella. Proof of two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or of separate vaccinations against all three diseases or of the presence of immune antibody titers against measles, mumps and rubella shall be required. This documentation may be accomplished by either a State Health Department certificate, or it may be included as part of the institution’s physical exam report.

A student who fails to provide satisfactory documentation of his or her immune status shall not be permitted to register for or to attend classes. For special circumstances, an institution’s president or the president’s designee may grant an extension of the deadline for an amount of time determined necessary. In no case may the extension be longer than one semester.

Students who are unable to ascertain their immunization status may obtain, at their own expense, the necessary tests and vaccination from the Student Health Service of their university.

Vaccination for hepatitis B is required for students before they can be admitted to certain health profession programs. Immunization for tetanus, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, varicella and meningitis is recommended, as is a tuberculin test. Vaccination for hepatitis B is also recommended, and an annual influenza vaccination is recommended for students living in residence halls to minimize disruption of routine activities during influenza outbreaks.

The first step is to apply for admission into the Graduate Program. Graduate Students enrolling at Black Hills State University are admitted as U.S. Citizens or International Students.

To be admitted, U.S. Citizens must submit the following items:

1. A completed online application form for admission to graduate study available on the BHSU website.
2. An official transcript of all college or university credit including both undergraduate and graduate credit, if applicable.
3. A $35 application fee.
4. Students attempting to transfer graduate credit into a BHSU degree program should send two official graduate transcripts from each institution.

This information must be sent to the Graduate Studies Office at BHSU, 1200 University, Unit 9501, Spearfish, SD 57799-9501.

Students who wish to pursue a master’s degree at Black Hills State should indicate their intent upon admission to graduate study. Students who wish to complete graduate credit for professional growth or certification may enroll as a non-degree student.

To be admitted to graduate study, international students must submit the following items:

1. Completed online application for Admission of International Students to Graduate Studies which is available on the BHSU website.
2. The application fee of $116.65 is payable at the time of enrollment in classes.
3. Official transcripts of all college or university credits, graduate and undergraduate. Transcripts should be printed in English.
4. A medical history form.
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (Toefl) scores (minimum score of 550 (paper based), or 213 (computer), or other proof of competency in the English language.
6. A completed Official Statement of Finances form.
7. Supplemental health insurance purchased through Black Hills State University.

Students classified as seniors may request permission to enroll in 500 and 600 level courses for graduate credit. Students must meet the following criteria:

1. Have fewer than 16 hours of undergraduate work to complete toward a baccalaureate degree.
2. Have a grade point average of 2.75 or better
3. Coursework taken for graduate credit will not apply toward the baccalaureate degree.

The second step necessary to complete a master’s degree program requires that the student be admitted to candidacy. A student must apply for admission to candidacy after completion of ten hours and before completion of seventeen hours of graduate credit.

Please Note: Only a maximum of seventeen hours of graduate credit taken prior to admission as a candidate will be allowed to apply toward a degree.

The following requirements must be met for the student to be admitted to candidacy:

1. A GPA of 3.0 in all graduate program work. No grade below a C will be accepted.
2. A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant’s capacity for advanced course work.
3. A program of study that will be included in the student’s advanced program, submitted by the student.
4. Upon admission to candidacy, if appropriate the assignment of the Graduate Committee will be made. This committee will consist of three or four persons. At least two members must be from the college housing the degree. One member must be from the other two colleges at Black Hills State University. If the student wishes, a fourth committee member may be chosen that may be from another accredited university who has graduate faculty status.
5. Each graduate degree has unique requirements to granting candidacy status.

Upon admission to candidacy, the topic for the thesis, portfolio or creative component will be identified with assistance and approval from the Graduate Program Coordinator. The Graduate Council reserves the right to review all program decisions and revoke continuance in graduate studies. Exceptions to the above procedures and criteria may be made at the discretion of the Graduate Council. Any petitions for exceptions or decision review must be approved by the Graduate Council.

1. All work submitted for a Master’s degree, including transferred credit must be taken within a period of six years, calculated from the date of enrollment to the date the degree is granted.
2. A maximum of ten semester hours of graduate credit may be accepted from other institutions.
3. No more than six semester hours of independent study will be accepted toward a Master’s degree.
4. A minimum of ten semester hours of the total required credit hours for the degree must be completed with Black Hills State University coursework.
5. A student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate work. No grade below C will be accepted.
6. Student must maintain a GPA of 3.00 to remain in good standing. If GPA drops below 3.00 the student is placed on probation until the GPA is raised to that level.
7. No more than 2 Cs may be counted toward the degree, even if the GPA exceeds 3.00.
8. A student’s GPA is required to be 3.00 or higher to graduate.
9. Any grade of F places the student on automatic probation and must be repeated. In repeated courses both grades remain on the student’s record and are in the GPA calculation. If the GPA is such that the student cannot possibly raise it to the 3.00 level the student is dismissed.
10. Over half of the hours taken toward the degree must be at the 700 level.
11. To be classified as a full-time student, a student must successfully complete a minimum of nine (9) hours each semester.
12. During the regular academic year, the maximum course load is twelve (12) hours per semester. During the summer semester, the maximum course load is nine (9) credits per session. 

1. The graduate assistant is expected to work twenty (20) hours a week for the semester or year of the assistantship.
2. The assistant must be enrolled for nine (9) hours or more to receive full pay ($3,000) per semester or ($6,000) per year. Because the Master of Science in Integrative Genomics has the requirement of research activity, full time enrollment is 8 credit hours per semester. An assistant enrolled for 6-8 hours will receive 1/2 pay ($1,500) per semester or ($3,000) per year. An assistant enrolled in fewer than six hours will lose the assistantship and compensation for that semester.
3. Graduate assistants shall be assessed one-third (1/3) of the resident graduate tuition rates. This applies only to full-time enrollment in courses that are fully state funded.
4. Graduate assistants during the summer must be enrolled in at least six hours of state supported graduate courses.
5. Student must maintain a GPA of 3.00 to remain in good standing. If GPA drops below 3.00 the student is placed on probation until the GPA is raised to that level.
6. Failure to fulfill these guidelines may result in the student forfeiting or paying back the assistantship. 

Students will be required to pay their full tuition and fee bill or make other financial arrangements no later than the third day of classes. Classes added after the 3rd class day are expected to be paid for when added. A late payment fee may be assessed on payments made after the 3rd class day. The below rates are effective for summer 2008 through the spring semester 2009.

No student is officially enrolled until all financial obligations have been paid. This, however, does not mean that students can register and simply not attend a class without incurring a financial obligation to the university. Students who are in any way financially indebted to the university or who have failed to account for university property placed in their possession will be denied university services, including class registrations and transcripts of grades, until they have made satisfactory settlement.

SDePay is used for online payment of tuition and fees. Please refer to www.bhsu.edu/tuition/fees/payment.html for complete payment and billing details.

Alternate Payment Plans - Black Hills State University provides the option of a monthly payment plan for tuition & fees and on-campus room & board for the fall and spring semesters. Contact the Student Financial Services at 605-642-6480 for further information. The total cost of a course is the combination of tuition and appropriate fees, times the number of credit hours for the course.  Tuition & Fees are listed as per semester hour.

General Activity Fee - per credit hour - supports student functions related to the co-curricular activities and operations of student union buildings, athletics, student organizations activities, homecoming, student government, child care, student newspaper, campus radio/TV, intramurals, and the cost of providing outpatient clinical services to students. (See undergraduate catalog for a more complete description)

University Support Fee - per credit hour - supports the instructional and administrative service areas related to the institutional mission including direct instruction, libraries, computer centers, administrative offices, maintenance & repair, and includes the Board of Regents’ approved Salary Competitiveness Fee to increase faculty & non-faculty exempt salaries and the technology fee. (See undergraduate catalog for a more complete description)

Business School Salary Enhancement Fee - per credit hour - is applied to all business courses above the 100 level. It is designed to increase salaries of faculty teaching those courses in an effort to bring wages up so as to compete with other universities outside of South Dakota.

Lab Fee - per course - laboratory fees shall be used to purchase instructional equipment and pay other operating costs, excluding salaries, for the benefit of students enrolled in the course.

Tuition and Fees - For questions regarding tuition and fees contact Student Financial Services, 605-642-6527.

Financial Aid - Financial Aid may be available for graduate students who have the necessary qualifications. For more information, contact Student Financial Services, 605-642-6051.

Books and Supplies - Students may purchase their books and other supplies from the University Bookstore, which is located in the lower level of the Student Union, 605-642-6636. Their web site is: http://www.bhsubookstore.com

Black Hills State University has on-campus housing available for students. Students living in the residence halls are required to purchase the meal plans during the session they are enrolled, while off-campus students may purchase such tickets if they desire.

Other options are available. Please check current catalog for information, or call 605-642-6464.

Final grades will not be mailed; students may get their final grades from WebAdvisor using their id and password information. Final grades are posted to WebAdvisor by faculty and are due on the third day following the last day of final exams. Students may obtain an official transcript from the Registrar’s Office for a fee of $5.00. This request must be requested in writing with the student’s signature. An unofficial transcript may be requested in person at no charge.

W = Withdrawal - A “W” grade will be given to a student if they drop a course, or withdraw from the system, from the day after census date (10% of instruction) until 70% of the class days have been held.

S or U = Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory - Some classes and workshops may be taken pass/fail at the option of the student with the approval of the instructor and the appropriate College Dean. The decision to take a course for pass/fail must be made within the drop/add period and is irreversible once the drop/add period is over. Students in blocked health and physical education classes must make the decision no later than the fourth class period. These courses will be graded with “S” - satisfactory or “U” - unsatisfactory. These courses are recorded on the transcript, counted in calculating undergraduate full/part-time status, counted in calculated attempted/completed credits and count towards financial aid eligibility.

Students considering transferring graduate work or advanced degree work should use caution when considering taking a course pass/fail (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) as some institutions will not accept courses taken pass/fail.

AU = Auditing Courses - Registration as an auditor is enrollment for information instruction only. Regular attendance at class or classes is customary without other participation and without credit. The cost to audit a course is the established Board of Regents approved tuition and fee rate. Registration for audit may be limited by space or permission of the instructor. The decision to audit a course must be made prior to the census date of the semester and is irreversible after census. Forms to audit a course are available in the Registrar’s Office.

Courses audited by graduate students will be recorded on the academic transcript. A transcript notation of “AU” will be given in each course audited. Audited courses are counted in the calculation of overloads. Audit courses are not counted in calculating undergraduate or graduate full-time student status or for the purposes of financial aid or athletic eligibility. Audit courses cannot be used as a basis for testing out of a course for a letter grade or as prerequisites.

I = Incomplete - An incomplete grade may be granted only when all of the following conditions apply:

NG = No Grade - A grade of NG will be used only with those course sections that are designated as Tracking/Program Sustaining (Q) and those that are assigned the code for Master’s Research Problems/Projects Sustaining, Thesis Sustaining, or Dissertation Sustaining (U).