Graduate Student Resources

 

Support Services

The Graduate School at the University of South Dakota is committed to meeting the goals of students pursuing an advanced degree. As the leader of graduate education in the state, USD confers hundreds of graduate degrees each year with far-reaching results for the state and region. We are here to provide support and resources to address any questions or concerns you may have about policies, assistantships, graduation and more.





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Now that you've been accepted. What are your next steps?

Find Additional Resources

As you prepare to start your first semester at USD as a graduate student, many resources are available to help you succeed and make the most of your time as a Coyote. Search Coyote One Stop, the Graduate School Resources tab, USD portal, the Opportunity Center or access the quick-link resources below to find answers you need. 

Graduate School Policies

The academic catalog should be your first stop for information about policies, course planning and degree requirements. Students should use the catalog for the year they began their program (i.e., a student admitted for fall 2021 should use the 2021-2022 catalog).

The academic catalog contains all the current policies and procedures for graduate programs at USD. You will find information on readmission, full-time status, course loads, academic integrity, grading systems, commencement, change of degree information, appeals and deferrals, leave of absence, grievance process, teach-out arrangement and more.

Policies

Graduate School Forms

Visit the Graduate School Forms page in the myUSD portal to access all general forms, application for degree, drop/withdrawals, credit transfer, name change and more.

Forms

USD thesis and dissertation writing resources can be found in the myUSDPortal under the Graduate School tab. It includes a guide to preparing your thesis/dissertation, training video, ProQuest process and guidelines to submit your thesis/dissertation through your committee.

Thesis & Dissertation

Information Technology Services (ITS) offers technology leadership and support for the university community. From classroom technology assistance to personal device repairs, our team offers a range of services to promote the teaching, research and service goals of the university and to help facilitate learning for our students.

IT Services

Request Service

Student Handbooks - General

USD's general student handbook contains general information and services for students such as career planning, dining services, childcare resources, technology services, legal aid, counseling center information and more. Also find information on activities and organizations, policies & procedures, student code of conduct. 

Student Handbook

Graduate Student Handbooks - Graduate Programs

Many graduate programs at USD have a handbook with university and department policies and procedures that are specifically relevant to each graduate program. If you have questions that are not covered in your program's handbook, contact your graduate program coordinator for more information.

Academic

Please see Board of Regents Policy 2.9. This policy governs academic disputes involving students. Such disputes most commonly arise as a result of student dissatisfaction with assigned grades, but students may also invoke the standards and procedures provided under this policy to challenge academic responses to instances involving alleged student academic misconduct or to challenge other decisions, justified on academic grounds, that affect their participation in or completion of university academic programs.

Board of Regents Policy 2:33: Student Academic Misconduct

Non-Academic

Please see Board of Regents Policy 3.4. This policy is the Student Conduct Code.

The University of South Dakota is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and thereby obliged to follow the Commission's requirements for Teach Out Plans to provide equitable treatment of students. In particular, Teach Out Arrangements assure students are able to complete educational programs in which they are enrolled despite institutional changes. For more information, please view Teach Out Arrangements.
Graduate student at commencement.

Graduation Forms

It is your responsibility to ensure all the appropriate steps, forms and deadlines are met for graduation. Stay in close contact with your advisor throughout the program. All graduate students must file a series of forms with the Graduate School throughout the last year of study.

Graduation Forms

MEET OUR TEAM

We know navigating graduate school can be a detailed process. If you have questions, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our dedicated team will be able to address questions or concerns that you may have about the policies, assistantships, graduation and more.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Beth Freeburg

Beth Freeburg

Associate Provost
Bio Image for Faculty Member Briana Rollefson

Briana Rollefson

Program Assistant
Bio Image for Faculty Member Brittany Wagner

Brittany Wagner

Dir-Graduate Education

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