Dakota Wesleyan University seeks students who seem best able to profit from the educational experience it provides. Applicants for admission are considered based on the criteria listed under "Admission Policies." No applicant shall be barred from admission because of race, color, gender, age, national origin, handicap or veteran status. The university reserves the right to deny admission or continued enrollment to any student who imposes an unreasonable risk of harm to the health, safety, welfare or property of the university, members of the university community or him/herself.

Application Procedure
Students will be considered for admission when they present:

1. a properly completed application for admission with the application fee.
2. official copies of high school transcript(s) or GED scores and all college, university, professional school, vocational and technical school transcripts; and
3. official certification of the results of the ACT or SAT. Dakota Wesleyan University’s test code for ACT is 3906 and for SAT is 6155.

Admission Policies
Freshmen
The university welcomes applications from graduates of any accredited high school or the equivalent. Graduates who have a 2.0 or higher GPA, have satisfactorily completed the ACT or SAT, and have given evidence of good moral character and future promise are generally eligible for admission. Those who do not meet the above requirements will be given individual consideration.

Transfer Students
Official transcripts for all previous college, university, professional school, vocational and technical school work must be submitted by candidates wishing to transfer to Dakota Wesleyan. A high school transcript may be needed. Official transcripts bearing the original seal and signature must be sent directly from the originating institution to the registrar’s office at DWU. All credit-bearing coursework from previous institutions that is accepted at Dakota Wesleyan University for transfer credit will be entered on the DWU records at the same grade and point value (or equivalent as determined at the discretion of DWU) as at previous institution(s). Transfer students must meet all requirements for good standing as stated in "Academic Regulations."

Readmission of Former Students
Any student who leaves the university for one semester or more and has not applied for a leave of absence is required to apply for readmission. If credit-bearing coursework was taken during the absence, official transcripts of that coursework must be submitted directly from the originating institution to the registrar’s office. The university reserves total discretion in determining whether or not to readmit a student. Readmission may be approved if the student has no bill in the business office, is current on any federal loans, and was not dismissed for social or academic reasons.

Special Students
Students not working toward a degree or who register for only one course are classified as special students. Special students need not go through the admission process.

Continuing Education Students
Students who already have a bachelor’s degree but are returning to college for teacher certification or to complete another major or minor are classified as continuing education students. These students need to complete the admission process and have official transcripts sent to the university.

Students seeking teacher certification only
Students with a completed bachelor’s degree in education who return only to complete the courses necessary for teacher certification or to meet South Dakota state certification requirements must complete and send an application, application fee, and official transcripts to the university.

Nontraditional Students
Nontraditional students are students who are 23 or older, have a spouse or are parents. They should follow the same application procedure as freshmen.

International Students (undergraduate and graduate)
International students who have completed secondary school are encouraged to apply to Dakota Wesleyan University. Application deadline for fall admission is May 30; the application deadline for spring admission is Sept. 30.

International undergraduate admission requirements include:

1. a $25 nonrefundable application fee;
2. official academic records, all secondary and postsecondary education, with certified English translation;
3. English proficiency for students from countries where English is not the native language, verified by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. TOEFL scores of at least 500 (paper based) or 200 (computer based) or better are required; and
4. proof of financial responsibility and fulfillment of health requirements.

International graduate admission requirements include:

1. a $50 nonrefundable application fee;
2. official academic records, all postsecondary education, with certified English translation;
3. English proficiency for students from countries where English is not the native language, verified by the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination. TOEFL scores of at least 500 (paper based) or 200 (computer based) or better are required;
4. proof of financial responsibility and fulfillment of health requirements; and
5. additional requirements are necessary for graduate students. For more information see “Master of Arts – Education” in the “Courses and Curriculum” section.

Be aware that federal financial aid is only available to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. Students in the United States on an F-1 student visa are not eligible for federal financial aid.

F-1 status international students who apply and are accepted to an undergraduate program at the university may be considered for a DWU Global Grant from $2,000 to $6,000 annually. The grant is renewable for a maximum of eight semesters with continuous full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. F-1 international undergraduate students who have completed the ACT or SAT may qualify for other institutional scholarships.

For complete details regarding international admissions, visit www.dwu.edu/admissions/international.htm

Nursing Program
Prospective nursing/pre-nursing students must meet certain standards to be admitted into the nursing/pre-nursing program. These standards are not the same standards used for admission into Dakota Wesleyan University. Students can be denied admission into nursing, but may be eligible for admission into other majors.

Associate of Arts in Nursing Admission Requirements (Mitchell and Huron)
Students who wish to be considered for the nursing or pre-nursing program must provide documentation of the following requirements:

1. ACT composite score of 18 or above;
2. reading placement of 11 or above, or an 18 or above in the reading portion of the ACT; and
3. high school or college cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above. Transfer students must provide documentation of earning a minimum grade of C in English composition and C- in other prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university. Science courses must be completed in the past 10 years. No support course can be repeated more than one time.

LPN-RN Admission Requirements (Sioux Falls)
Applicants must provide documentation of the following requirements before the Nursing Admission Committee will review an application for admission to the LPN-RN program in Sioux Falls.

1. Copy of current licensure as an LPN in South Dakota; one year of work experience as an LPN is recommended before beginning the LPN-RN curriculum
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above in college, university, vocational and technical school coursework. No support course can be repeated more than one time. All nursing and prerequisite courses from other institutions should be transferred and present on the DWU transcript. If this is not possible in the case of a course still in progress, attach a current transcript that documents the courses in progress from that institution.
3. One of the following:

• ACT composite score of 18 or greater (for high school graduates 2000-present), or
• Nursing supervisor/manager letter of reference including, nursing skill and care competencies, working relationships with health care team members, communication skills, professional conduct and appearance, and attendance (for nontraditional applicant with at least one year of work experience as an LPN).

RN-BAN Admission Requirements

1. Current RN licensure from the state of residence
2. Meet all requirements for admission to DWU
3. Received an Associate Degree or diploma from an accredited higher education institution
4. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 for previous college work
5. Completion of Application for Admission to DWU, RN-BAN Completion Program

Admission into the RN-BAN Completion Program is competitive. Course size for all online nursing courses is limited to 20 students in order to enhance student/teacher interaction. No applicant is barred from the RN-BAN Completion Program because of sex, race, creed, color, marital status or national origin. Individual consideration is given to persons with special circumstances, or those who do not meet the entrance requirements as listed. A Nursing Admission Committee selects applicants deemed to be best qualified to succeed in the RN-BAN Completion Program. Application deadline for the RN-BAN Completion Program is April 1. After the deadline, students will be considered on a space available basis.

No support course can be repeated more than once for consideration as a nursing, pre-nursing or Sioux Falls LPN-RN student.

Admission requirements are based on the emphasis of standardized exam skills needed for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

An admission appeal process exists for students who do not meet the above requirements, but have extenuating circumstances. Address written requests for exceptions to this admission requirements policy to the Nursing Admission Committee in the enrollment services office.