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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, 61 percent of the students are female and 39 percent are male. The median age is 33 years with an age range of 22 to 72 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 and Registration
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. The Higher Learning Commission can be found online at: www.higherlearningcommission.org. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. 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.
Nondiscrimination Policy
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. Address questions to: Affirmative Action Officer (507) 457-1587.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the university’s nondiscrimination policies:
Affirmative Action Officer
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights, #30
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 457-1587
The Affirmative Action Officer may refer discrimination inquiries or complaints to other offices or individuals as appropriate.
Contact the Admissions Office
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, applicants 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 readmission will be individually evaluated for transfer. Students seeking readmission within one year of being withdrawn must notify admissions in writing of their intent to reapply. The program director will determine the materials needed to complete the application process.
Special Students
Applicants who wish to take up to six 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:
- Completed application form.
- Nonrefundable application fee.
- 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. An applicant will not be admitted as a special student prior to the receipt of an official transcript.
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. 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.
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Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota admits students throughout the year with the exception of the Nurse Anesthesia program. To guarantee completion of the admissions process, applicants are urged to apply at least one to two months before they plan to attend classes.
More specific admission requirements are detailed in program descriptions. 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 application 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 status. Financial aid is not available to students in conditional status.
Provisional Admission
Graduate students may be admitted provisionally if they do not meet all the academic standards of their academic program. Students who are provisionally admitted 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.
Pre-Admit Admission
Graduate students who wish to be admitted prior to the completion of their undergraduate degree may be admitted with a pre-admit status. Advanced graduate certificate, specialist degree, and doctoral degree students who wish to be admitted prior to the completion of their master degree may also be admitted with a pre-admit status. An in-progress transcript must be submitted upon application. Once completed, a transcript posting a bachelor or master degree must be submitted in order for the pre-admit status to be changed. Students with a pre-admit status are not eligible to register for classes.
Pre-Advanced Admission
Graduate, advanced graduate certificate, specialist degree, and doctoral degree students may be admitted with a pre-advanced status if they are finishing their prior certificate or degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Students admitted with a pre-advanced status must complete their current certificate or degree within one semester. Qualifying students may take up to six credits in the subsequent program.
Affiliate Admission
Affiliate admission status is assigned to non-degree seeking students who are enrolled in credit-bearing continuing education courses.
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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. violin, college choir, etc.)
- Writing and composition courses (including CM309)
- Practical 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 of Minnesota. 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 Acredited 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 of Minnesota 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, the credits are transferred 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 the university. 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 — 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 of Education (ACE). To received an evaluation of courses taken through the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, a student must request that the official transcript be mailed to Saint Mary's University. Please see the Minnesota Veterans Licensure Certification Web (http://www.mncertifiedvets.us/acronym.htm) site for details. 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 the university’s undergraduate program. Examinations may also be taken concurrently with undergraduate course work. Credits cannot be awarded if the test subject area duplicates previously earned credit or major core content.
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 university transcript. 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 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 university transcript. Non-students pay a testing fee to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota 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.
Graduate Programs
A maximum of six semester credits earned prior to matriculation at the 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 in addition to the criteria listed under the type of program:
- 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.
- The credits must have been earned at a regionally accredited institution.
- The credits must be clearly designated as graduate credits.
- The credits may not have been used as part of a conferred undergraduate or graduate degree.
- The grade earned must be a Pass or ‘B-’ or higher.
- The credits must be applicable in content to the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota program. The recommendation on appropriateness will be made by the program director and approved by the dean.
- The credits must have been earned within 10 years preceding matriculation at Saint Mary’s University.
- Syllabi and/or course descriptions may be required.
Students should seek the transfer of credits during the first semester of graduate study at the university. Transfer credits will appear on the transcript.
Advanced Graduate Certificate Programs
Educational Administration
A maximum of six post-master semester credits earned prior to matriculation at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota 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. Independent study courses are not eligible for transfer into the program.
Marriage and 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 adviser and in consonance with licensure requirements. Independent study courses are not eligible for transfer into the program.
Specialist Degree Programs
A maximum of 21 graduate level semester credits earned prior to matriculation at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota 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. Independent study courses are not eligible for transfer into the program.
Doctoral Degree Program
A maximum of 12 graduate level semester credits earned prior to matriculation at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota 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. Independent study courses are not eligible for transfer into the doctoral program.
No transfer credit will be allowed for dissertation credits.
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All students must declare a major at the point of application. If undecided, please contact an Admissions Counselor.
Program Changes
Students may elect to change their academic degree or major at any time during their studies before he or she completes their current program.
The request to change must be made in writing to the Program Director or Registrar's Office. A program change form is available online at by clicking here, at the front desk of LaSalle Hall on the Twin Cities campus, at the front desk of our Rochester Center offices, or at the office of our Apple Valley Center Coordinator.
In order to be admitted to a new program, the student must satisfy all admission requirements of the new program
Double Degrees
Students at the master’s level have the option of seeking a Master of Arts degree and a Master of Science degree in two different disciplines at the same time. When students seek a Master of Arts degree in one discipline and a Master of Science degree in another, a double degree will be granted upon the successful completion of:
- All required core courses for both programs (when courses are the same or similar in content one course, upon the recommendation of the program directors and with the approval of a dean, will be required);
- At least the required number of elective credits for one program (students may take elective courses from both programs to fulfill this requirement); and
- Capstone courses or summative activities for both programs.
Double Majors
Students seeking either a double degree or a double major should consult their program directors for approval. Double degrees or a double major involving the Master of Arts in Human Development program are contracted on an individual basis.
Students at the bachelor’s level may elect to pursue two or more majors in the Bachelor of Science program. Multiple majors will be granted upon the successful completion of:
- Required courses for all programs;
- Six credits in the Communications Core;
- Minimum of 18 credits in the Management Core; and
- All other requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
Students at the master’s level seeking two majors that are within both Master of Arts degree programs or within Master of Science degree programs will be granted double majors upon the successful completion of:
- All required core courses for both programs (when courses are the same or similar in content one course, upon the recommendation of the program directors and with the approval of a dean, will be required);
- At least the required number of elective credits for one program (students may take elective courses from both programs to fulfill this requirement); and
- A capstone course or summative activity for one program with the understanding that the final capstone paper or summative activity must reflect both disciplines.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota retains the right to change any policies at any time. New and/or updated policies are published in the Course Schedule and online here.
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All applicants whose native language is not Enlish and/or who submit a transcript from a country other than the U.S. must provide evidence of a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based0, or 77 (internet-based). The TOEFL is not required if the applicant has a bachelor's or higher degre from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or has successfully completed Saint Mary's University's English Language Academy certificate program.
Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by World Education Services and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards. Students are responsible for having their transcripts evaluated, as well as the associated costs.
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