CHRD Admissions

Thank you for your interest in the Counseling and Human Resource Development progam at South Dakota State University.

CHRD requires formal application to the department one semester before graduate work is desired; application materials are due April 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. The CHRD admissions process is as follows:

1.  Apply online to the SDSU Graduate School;
2.  Apply to the CHRD Department;
3.  Completed admissions files are evaulated and rated by CHRD faculty;
4.  Applicants are selected and invited to the CHRD interview;
5.  Applicants are notified via mail of the CHRD admissions decision.

 
Frequently Asked Questions
1.  Is the GRE required?
2.  Do I need to have an undergraduate degree related to the counseling field to apply?
3.  I have not received a bachelor's degree yet, can I still apply?
4.  Is there a deadline to apply to the Graduate School?
5.  Is there a fee to apply?
6.  What are the deadlines to apply to the CHRD department?
7.  I received a letter saying I was accepted at the Graduate School, do I still have to attend the CHRD interview?
8.  How do I get invited to the CHRD interview?
9.  What are the CHRD admissions materials?
10.  I was denied admission after attending the CHRD interview; can I reapply?
11.  Why was I not invited to the CHRD interview?
12.  What scholarships are available?
13.  Are there Graduate Assistantships available?
14.  What is "Special Student Status"?
15.  What is the cost to attend?
16.  When is tuition due?
17.  How long does it take to complete the CHRD program?
18.  How many credits are required for the Master's program?
19.  Are there course offered online or at a location closer to me?
20.  What time/days are classes usually scheduled?
22.  I would like to know more about the CHRD program (Please see the CHRD Student Policy Manual)
23.  Will I have any licenses or certifications after I graduate?

   Answers

1. No.

2. No.

3. If the graduate school application is filed before the Bachelor's degree is completed, an incomplete transcript must be filed. When the Bachelor's degree is awarded , a final transcript must be filed with the Graduate School during the first semester of graduate work.

4. The Graduate School accepts applications year-round; however in order to ensure your CHRD admissions packet is complete, apply the semester before you plan to begin graduate work.

5. The Graduate School requires a $35.00 non-refundable application fee; CHRD does not require an application fee.

6. CHRD admissions materials are due the semester before you plan to enroll: spring admissions materials are due October 1 and fall admission materials are due April 1.

7. Yes; acceptance to the Graduate School does not mean you are accepted to the CHRD department. CHRD must maintain a student-to-faculty ratio to meet CACREP accreditation standards.

8. To be invited to the interview, you must be accepted to the SDSU Graduate School and all CHRD admissions materials must be in the CHRD office by the deadlines (see question 6). Then, applicants may be invited to participate in an orientation and group interview held usually within one month after the October and April deadlines.  Students whose applications are complete and have scored high enough by the CHRD Admissions committee will be notified by the departmental secretary regarding the specific date and place of the interview. 

9. The CHRD admissions materials include: an one-page resume, an one-page goal statement, and two CHRD recommendation forms. CHRD does not accept SDSU Graduate School reference forms, but the Graduate School accepts CHRD reference forms.

10. Yes. To maintain appropriate student-to-faculty ratios required by accreditation standards, students who are deemed acceptable based on the admission screening process may be denied admission.

11. Your CHRD admissions file was incomplete and/or your CHRD application materials were not in the top ratings.

12. Yes! To apply, login to MyState online

13. Yes; GA positions are available to studenst enrolled at the main campus in Brookings. Click here to download more information and the application.

14. Special student staus means that you can take up to 10 graduate credits without being accepted into the CHRD program. If you are accpeted to CHRD, those credits will transfer to your Plan of Study. If you are not accpeted to CHRD, you will be administratively dropped from CHRD classes you enroll. Please contact the Graduate School for more information (605) 688-4181.

15. Please go to "Financing Your Education" on the SDSU website.

16. Tuition is due on or before the first day of class. SDSU does have a payment plan option, please contact the Cashier's Office for more information at (605) 688-6116.

17. It depends on the student's course load; if a student attends classes in fall, spring, and summer taking the maximum credits, the student could complete the degree within two years.

18. The Master of Science requires 48 credits and the Masters of Education requires 36 credits.

19. Some courses are offered online, usually 1-2 per semester. Students are unable to complete the CHRD degree online. CHRD also offers classes only at the University Center in Sioux Falls and at the Higher Education Center in Rapid City, SD (the Rehabiliation and Mental Health Cousneling specialization is not offered at the Rapid City campus).

20. Each class is scheduled once per week, usually for 2-3 hours. Class times are scheduled between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Please go to WebAdvisor via the MyState online page and conduct a search to view current schedules.