Saint Mary's University Student Profile

The students attending the School of Graduate and Professional Programs are as diverse as the programs offered. The vast majority of students are working adults who are balancing the demands of career, family, and civic responsibilities. While the gender ratio and age vary within each program, overall, 69% of the students are female and 31% are male. The median age is 32 years with an age range of 22 to 75 years. There is an ongoing effort to listen to the concerns of students, and to attempt to deliver a quality, accessible educational experience that addresses the diverse needs of students.

Accreditation

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, (312) 263-0456.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is registered with the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Registration does not mean that credits earned at the institution can be transferred to other institutions or that the quality of the educational programs would meet the standards of every student, educational institution, or employer.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota adheres to the principle that all persons have equal opportunity and access to admission, employment, facilities, and all programs and activities of the University regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.

For programs administered by the Twin Cities campus, prospective applicants should direct all requests for information to:

Office of Admission
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404-4403

Telephone: 612-728-5100
Toll-free: 866-437-2788
Facsimile: 612-728-5121
Email: tc-admission@smumn.edu

For programs administered by the Winona campus, prospective applicants should direct requests for information to:

Office of Graduate Programs
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #77
Winona, MN 55987-1399

Telephone: 507-457-7500
Toll-free: 800-635-5987 ext. 7500
Facsimile: 507-457-1752

Admission requirements are detailed in program descriptions.

Admission Status

At the time of admission, students are assigned an admission status.

Regular Admission

Regular admission status is assigned to all students who have completed the admission process and meet all standards required by the individual program.

Conditional Admission

Students may be admitted conditionally, upon approval of the program director, if they have not submitted all of the required materials to complete the application process. Students who are conditionally admitted must meet the admission requirements within one semester of their conditional admission before their status can be changed to regular admission. Financial aid is not available to students on conditional admission.

Provisional Admission

Graduate students may be admitted provisionally if they do not meet all the academic prerequisites for regular admission. To change status to regular admission, students must meet all requirements for regular admission within the first semester of their provisional admission. Students missing prerequisites may have additional time to complete the requirements, upon approval of the program director.

Special Admission

Students who are non-degree seeking, but wish to enroll for academic credit in courses within a degree program, are admitted as special students.

Affiliate Admission

Affiliate admission status is assigned to non-degree seeking students who are enrolled in credit-bearing continuing education courses.

International Students and Services

Saint Mary's University School of Graduate and Professioanl Programs welcomes the diversity foreign students add to the university community.

The Twin Cities campus is a nonresidential campus. No on-campus housing is available to students, foreign or otherwise. Individuals in F-1 student status are not eligible to seek employment off-campus. The Twin Cities campus has no on-campus employment available.

All international applicants must provide evidence of a TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or 213 (electronic) or higher if English is not the applicant's first language.  A TOEFL score is not required if the applicant has a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or if the student has completed a bachelor's degree or higher in English in another country, as evidenced by an official transcript in English. 

Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be reviewed by a Saint Mary's University accepted evaluation source, such as World Education Service, and be deemed equivalent to accredited United States university standards. All evaluations are subject to approval by Saint Mary's University. Students are responsible for having their transcripts evaluated on a course by course basis, as well as associated costs.  Please see www.wes.org for more information. 

Issuance of I-20 Forms

The university will issue an I-20 to a foreign student only after the following conditions have been met:

1. The student has been formally admitted to the university.
2. The student submits to the university proof of financial responsibility and other supporting documents as requested by the university. Financial responsibility will be proven by the student's submission of official documentation of cash resources in an amount equal to or greater than $14,010 for undergraduate, master's, and post-master's students, $19,500 for nurse anesthesia students, $16,500 for educational administration licensure and arts administration students, or $19,500 for doctoral students to the international student advisor. The documentation from the student must demonstrate the student has sufficient financial resources to live in the United States and attend the university without the benefit of additional funds.

Upon admission, the student must notify the international student advisor of his or her intent to request an I-20. The international student advisor will issue the I-20 once the conditions outlined above have been met. If the student needs to apply to the U.S. Embassy in his or her home country for a visa, the student may prepay tuition. If the student elects to prepay tuition, a check should be sent to the international student advisor at the university so that the prepayment can be reflected on the student's I-20. If the student does not receive a visa, he or she will be reimbursed the tuition payment after the I-20 is returned to the international student advisor at the university. No reimbursement will be made without the return of the I-20.

The university will mail all I-20 forms via regular mail unless the student covers the cost of an express delivery system. Thus, students who reside outside the United States must complete the I-20 issuance process no later than four months prior to the semester that they plan to attend at the university. Upon receipt of the I-20, the student must submit the I-20 to an U.S. Embassy or consulate to apply for an F-1 student visa.

Transfer

To effect a transfer of schools, the F-1 student must complete the following steps after admission:

1. Apply and be admitted to Saint Mary's University. Inform the school the student is currently authorized to attend of his or her intent to transfer.
2. Submit to the university, proof of financial responsibility, and other supporting documents as requested by the university. Financial responsibility will be proven by the student's submission to the international student advisor of official documentation of cash resources in an amount equal to or greater than $14,010 for undergraduate, master's, and post-master's students, $19,500 for nurse anesthesia students, $16,500 for educational administration licensure and arts administration students, or $19,500 for doctoral students. The documentation from the student must demonstrate that the student has sufficient financial resources to live in the United States and attend the university without the benefit of additional funds.
3. Obtain form I-20 A-B from the international student advisor at the university.
4. Be accepted to enroll in the university in the first term after leaving his or her previous school or the first term after vacation.
5. Complete item 11 of Form I-20 A-B and submit the form to the international student advisor at the university within 15 days of beginning attendance at the university.
6. Submit his or her current Form I-20 ID to the international student advisor at the university so that a copy of it may be placed in the student's file.

The international student advisor will then notify the INS and the student's previous institution of the official transfer and return the student's copy of both I-20s to the student.

Immunizations

Minnesota law (M.S. 135A.14) requires all students born after 1956 and enrolled in a public or private post-secondary school in Minnesota be properly immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. There are allowances for disease, medical and conscientious exemptions. A form is provided for students to complete. The form is then made available for review by the Minnesota Department of Health and the local community health board. This form confirming proper immunization must be submitted within 45 days of attending class. Absent submission of the form, the student may not remain enrolled.

Medical Clearances/Background Checks for Students in Health Care Programs

Students in health care programs who are involved in patient care are required to submit further proof of immunity to certain communicable diseases. A physician's statement stating that the student is physically able to function as a student in the field of study may also be required. Students in programs who are involved in caring for vulnerable persons may be required to submit to state criminal background checks. Please see program student handbooks for specific information.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAMS

Admission Requirements

Students may apply for admission to undergraduate degree programs at any time during the year and, if accepted, begin the program during any one of the three semesters. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED.

Application Process

1. Submit the following materials:

a. A completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee.
b. Evidence of high school completion (transcript, diploma, or GED).

2. Complete an interview with the program administrators.

MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

Admission Requirements

Students may apply for admission to master's degree programs at any time during the year. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. If the grade point average upon admission is below 2.75, or if a grade point average is not available, a student may be admitted with provisional status. Provisional status students must:

1. Earn a grade of A or B in each course completed by the end of the next semester (minimum of 5 credits completed) after admission (in course-based programs), or
2. Successfully complete the first contract (in contract-based programs).

See individual programs for additional admission requirements.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

1. A completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee.

2. An official transcript issued to Saint Mary's University from the institution posting the applicant's completed bachelor's degree. An official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting university.  Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards. 

Note: Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia program should submit official transcripts issued to Saint Mary's University from each graduate and undergraduate college or university attended, including an official transcript from the institution posting the applicant's completed bachelor's degree. An official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting university.

3. A personal statement which includes the following:

1. a brief description of the applicant's background, training, and experience;
2. a statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to this program;
3. a description of the areas which the applicant considers to be his or her strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities; and
4. personal information the applicant wishes to share.

Note: Applicants to the Education, Education–Wisconsin, Human Development and Nurse Anesthesia programs should submit the program's supplemental application instead of a personal statement. Counseling and Psychological Services applicants (including those applying for the Developmental Disabilities/Counseling and Psychological Services double major), must submit a current résumé listing work and educational experience in addition to the personal statement.

4. Letters of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability.

5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

6. All international applicants must provide evidence of a TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or 213 (electronic) or higher if English is not the applicant's first language, unless the applicant has a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

7. All applicants must complete an interview with the program administrators.

See individual programs for additional application requirements.

POST-MASTER'S & DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

Admission Requirements

Students may apply for admission to post-master's and doctoral programs at any time during the year. A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution, for which applicant maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, is required for admission.

See individual programs for additional admission requirements.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

1. A competed application form with the nonrefundable application fee.

2. An official transcript issued to Saint Mary's University from the institution granting the applicant's completed master's degree. An official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting institution.  Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.

3. All applicants must submit a personal statement which includes the following:

1. a brief description of the applicant's background, training, and experience;
2. a statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his/her reasons for seeking admission to this program;
3. a description of the areas which the applicant considers to be his/her strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities; and
4. personal information the applicant wishes to share.

4. Three letters of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability.

5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

6. All post-master's and doctoral applicants must complete an interview with the program administrators.

See individual programs for additional application requirements.

Deferred Admission and Reapplication

Students are expected to begin their course work the semester for which they applied. Students who delay beginning their work for any reason must request deferred admission from the program director. If work is not begun after a semester of deferred status, students are expected to reactivate their application one semester in advance of when they expect to begin classes by providing written notice to the program director. Application material is kept on file for one year; after that, prospective students must reapply.

Re-Admission

Students who have been withdrawn and wish to resume their studies must reapply and be re-admitted. If re-admitted, students must meet degree requirements effective at the time of re-admission and will be charged the regular admission fee. Credits earned five or more years before re-admission will be individually evaluated for transfer. Students seeking readmission within one year of being withdrawn, should notify admissions in writing of their intent to reapply. The program director will determine the materials needed to complete the application process.

Special Students

Students who wish to take up to 6 credits without enrolling in a degree or certificate program may apply for special student status. An applicant will be considered for admission as a special student when the following materials are received:

1. Completed application form.
2. Nonrefundable application fee.
3. Official transcript of undergraduate degree. An official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting university.

The program director will review the requested course(s) and approve or deny the request. The applicant will be notified of the program director's decision.

All special student registrations must be completed at least one week in advance of the beginning of the desired course.

An applicant will not be admitted as a special student prior to the receipt of an official transcript.

Special students may take up to six credits approved by a program director. If a special student wishes to take more than six credits, he or she needs the approval of the program director. Special students are admitted to courses on a space-available basis. Unless a special student notifies the university of his or her intention to continue, he or she will be withdrawn after completing six credits or after one semester of inactivity.

If a special student wishes to apply to a Saint Mary's University program, he or she should notify admissions in writing of his or her intent to apply and submit the additional materials necessary. Credits earned and grades received as a special student may apply toward the degree with approval of the program director.

TRANSFER CREDITS

Conversions and Rounding

All transfer credit awards are made in semester credits.
If a student submits a transcript for evaluation which uses a quarter credit system (or any system which is not a semester credit system), all credit values are converted to semester credits.

Semester credit values are rounded to the nearest hundredth.

In situations where fractional credit values are being used to fulfill specific requirements, these values must be within one-half credit of the total requirement amount to fulfill the requirement.

Duplicate Credit

If a student receives transfer credit, he or she may not receive credit for a course which duplicates this learning. The program director will judge the similarity of learning in the two courses.

Certain courses may be taken more than once without duplicating learning. These courses include, but are not limited to:

• practical music courses (e.g. trombone, college choir, etc.)
• writing and composition courses (including CM309)
• practica and other applied/experiential courses
  (e.g., Residency or Internship courses)
• Credits applied toward one requirement may not be applied toward another requirement.

Substitution for Program Requirements

Students must fulfill all requirements in their programs at or through Saint Mary's University. If a student has received transfer credit for a course which duplicates learning in a required course in his or her program, the program director will recommend another course so that the student will earn the total number of required credits in the program.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Transfer credit is awarded from regionally accredited institutions, business and industry training, non-regionally accredited vocational or technical colleges or institutes, military education, and standardized examinations.

Credit from Regionally Accredited Institutions

Undergraduate students must earn a total of 122 semester credits, of which at least 62 must be from regionally accredited colleges and universities. These 62 credits may include credits earned from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Credits from regionally accredited institutions are acceptable for transfer into the undergraduate program. Each course is evaluated and transferred separately. The following restrictions apply:

• No credit will transfer for courses in which a grade of C- or lower was earned. (The grade of D earned from Saint Mary's University is accepted.)
• A maximum of 2.0 semester credits will be awarded for physical education activity courses.
• No credit will transfer for courses which are pre-freshman level or remedial. (These courses are usually numbered under 100.)
• Credit will not be awarded twice for the same learning.
• The credits may not have been used as part of a conferred undergraduate degree.

A maximum of 100 credits will be transcripted.

Credit for Business and Industry Training

Transfer credits for business and industry training courses are made via recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE). Credits from business and industry training do not apply toward the 62 regionally accredited college/university credits required for graduation. These credits may be used for general electives.

Credit from Vocational or Technical Colleges or Institutes

If a vocational or technical college is regionally accredited or has specialized approval by Saint Mary's University, the credits are transferred in on a course-by-course basis and count toward the minimum of 62 credits students must earn from regionally accredited institutions. If the institution is not regionally accredited, a maximum of 38 credits may be transferred into Saint Mary's University, Bachelor of Science completion programs.

If the student has received a degree or diploma for a program of study in an area relevant to his or her major (as determined by the program director), the transfer award is determined by the number of hours in the program in which the student earned grades of ‘C-' or above, according to the following formula:

2,000 or more hours = 38 credits

less than 2,000 hours are prorated based on the formula 2,000 hours = 38 credits (number of hours X .019 credits)

If the student has two or more degrees or diplomas, the maximum transfer award remains at 38 semester credits.

If the student has not completed a degree or diploma program, or if the area of study is not applicable to the student's major, the transfer award will be prorated based on the schedule above, with a maximum transfer of 12 credits.

Military Credits

Credits for military education are awarded via recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE). To receive an evaluation of courses taken through the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, a student must submit a Form DD214 or other appropriate military credential to Saint Mary's University. These credits do not apply toward the 62 credits required from a regionally accredited institution. These credits may be used for general electives.

To receive an evaluation of courses taken through the Air Force, students must request a transcript from the Community College of the Air Force.

Military credits from the Community College of the Air Force do apply toward the 62 credits required from a regionally accredited institution.

Standardized Examinations

Students may receive up to 60 credits for successful completion of standardized college-level examinations taken through the CLEP and DSST programs. Credit awards for specific examinations are made via recommendations of ACE and College Board.  Examination credits may be used to fulfill general education competency areas, or to meet general elective requirements. CLEP and DSST examination credits do not apply toward the 62 accredited college/university credits required for graduation. Previously completed CLEP and DSST examination credits may be transferred when students enter Saint Mary's undergraduate program. Examinations may also be taken concurrently with undergraduate coursework. Credits cannot be awarded if the test subject area duplicates previously earned credit or major core content. All standardized examinations must be scheduled and administered by the CLEP and DSST Test Administrator at Saint Mary's University.     

CLEP

Students may earn semester credits through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). The CLEP General Examinations measure college-level knowledge in the basic areas of the liberal arts and the subject examinations measure knowledge in specific content areas. CLEP tests are given in computer-based format, and scores are reported upon completion of the test. A test administration fee is payable to CLEP at the time of testing. Enrolled students are charged an administrative fee for posting the examination credits to their Saint Mary's transcript. Non-students pay a testing fee to Saint Mary's in addition to the CLEP fee at the time of testing. If a test is not passed, a waiting period of six months is required before re-testing in the same subject. Examination information, including study guides and practice tests are available online at the CLEP website: www.collegeboard.com/clep

 

DSST

Students may earn semester credits through the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) examination program, formerly DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support). The DSST exams are similar to the CLEP exams, but cover additional subject areas. DSST tests are given in paper format, and scores are reported three to five weeks after the test is completed. A test administration fee is payable to DSST at the time of testing, and enrolled students are charged an administrative fee for posting the examination credits to their Saint Mary's transcript. Non-students pay a testing fee to Saint Mary's in addition to the DSST fee at the time of testing. If the test is not passed, a waiting period of six months is required before re-testing in the same subject.  Examination information, including a list of test subject areas, fact sheets, and practice tests are available online at the DSST website: www.getcollegecredit.com

MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

A maximum of six semester credits earned prior to matriculation at Saint Mary's University may be accepted in transfer upon the recommendation of the program director and with the approval of the dean as fulfilling program requirements or as electives. To be considered for transfer, the credits must meet the following criteria:

1. Credits must be listed on an official transcript. An official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting university
2. The credits must have been earned at a regionally accredited institution.
3. The credits must be clearly designated as graduate credits.
4. The credits may not have been used as part of a conferred undergraduate or graduate degree.
5. The grade earned must be a Pass or 'B-' or higher.
6. The credits must have been earned within ten years preceding matriculation at Saint Mary's University.
7. Syllabi may be required.

Students should seek the transfer of credits during the first semester of graduate study at Saint Mary's University. Transfer credits will appear on the transcript.

POST-MASTER'S CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Educational Administration Licensure
A maximum of 12 post-master's semester credits earned prior to matriculation at Saint Mary's University may be accepted in transfer upon the recommendation of the program director and with the approval of the dean as fulfilling program requirements or as electives. To be considered for transfer, the credits must meet the following criteria:

1. Credits must be listed on an official transcript. An official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting university
2. The credits must have been earned at a regionally accredited institution.
3. The credits must be clearly designated as post-master's credits.
4. The credits may not have been used as part of a conferred undergraduate or graduate degree.
5. The grade earned must be a Pass or 'B-' or higher.
6. The credits must have been earned within ten years preceding matriculation at Saint Mary's University.
7. Syllabi may be required.

Students should seek the transfer of credits during the first semester of graduate study at Saint Mary's University. Transfer credits will appear on the transcript.

Marriage & Family Therapy
No credits may be transferred. If a student has completed some of the certificate requirements, alternate course work may be selected with the approval of the advisor and in consonance with licensure requirements.

SPECIALIST DEGREE PROGRAMS

DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAM

A student may transfer a maximum of 12 semester (18 quarter) credits into the doctoral program upon the recommendation of the program director and with the approval of the dean. The credits must have been earned prior to beginning the doctoral program. The credits must meet the following criteria:

1. Credits must be listed on an official transcript. An official transcript is one that is sent or carried to the university in an envelope sealed by the granting university.
2. The credits must have been earned at a regionally accredited institution.
3. The credits must have been earned within ten years preceding matriculation at Saint Mary’s University.
4. The credits may not have been used as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree with the exception of credits earned toward licensure or a specialist certificate or degree.
5. The credits must be clearly designated as graduate credits and must be acceptable to the granting institution for its own program at the specialist or doctoral level.
6. The credits must be appropriate in content to replace the content of a course in the Saint Mary’s University program. The recommendation on appropriateness will be made by the program director and approved by the dean.
7. The grade earned must be a Pass or a ‘B-’ or higher.
8. Independent study courses are not eligible for transfer into the doctoral program.

A maximum of 12 post-master’s semester (18 quarter) credits may be transferred into the Ed.D. program. These credits may have been earned at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota or another regionally accredited university. No transfer credit will be allowed for dissertation courses.

Tuition Differential

Students may transfer up to 12 credits without charge. If a student is transferring more than 12 credits, a tuition differential fee will be charged for credits in excess of 12. This fee will be $100 per credit, if approval for transfer is awarded.