Candidacy is a significant step in the graduate program process. Students who have candidacy approved have shown that they are able to successfully complete graduate degree requirements and have established a plan for degree completion.

Application for Candidacy

• Prior to submitting your Candidacy form, contact your advisor for assistance in designing a plan of study and forming your graduate program committee.  You will need to consult the graduate catalog for which you were admitted.
• You should submit the application by the time you have completed 12 graduate credits.
• Your Candidacy form must be signed by you, your advisor, and College Dean before submitting it to the School of Graduate Studies.

Requirements

• All candidates are required to have satisfied any conditions attached to their admission and have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00 (B) for course work attempted.
• In addition, a candidate may be required to pass a departmental/program-qualifying examination.

Residency

• The purpose of the residency is to establish a minimum period of time at the degree-granting institution to allow for the proper evaluation of degree criteria.
• At least twenty (20) semester hours must be completed “in residence” at Bemidji State University.

Candidacy Form – please click here for the Form

Transfer Credits

• All graduate credits earned at a regionally accredited college or university should be transferred prior to admission to candidacy.
• An approved Graduate Course Equivalency form must be on file.
• A letter grade should normally accompany each course to be transferred.
• An official transcript must be received before transfer credits will appear on the BSU transcript.
• The Master’s Degree Program guidelines state that a maximum of ten (10) semester credits (or the equivalent) may be considered in transfer.
• All coursework must have been completed within seven (7) years of the anticipated date of graduation.
• BSU Institutes and Workshops: A maximum of five (5) semester credits of workshop/institute courses numbered 5950 (or equivalent when transferred) may be included in a program of study.