Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Watch us on YouTube

Admission Policies & Procedures

At the time of admission to graduate study, students are classified as either degree students, special students, non-degree certification students or advanced certificate students.

  • Degree

    An individual who has been admitted to a graduate degree program at the University is classified as a degree student. An individual who is seeking admission as a degree student who has not yet been admitted as a degree student will be permitted to enroll in courses. However, no more than nine semester hours of credit earned prior to the official acceptance as a degree student will be accepted toward meeting degree requirements.

  • Special
    An individual who has been granted permission to enroll in graduate courses for reasons of professional growth or for transfer of credit to another college or university, but who has not been admitted to either a graduate degree program or a graduate advanced certification program at the University, is classified as a special student. A special student who later wishes to be considered for admission as a degree student may apply to the degree program no more than nine semester hours of credit earned while classified as a special student.

  • Non-Degree Certification
    The University offers several non-degree certification programs. A student who is admitted to one of these programs is classified as a non-degree certification student.

  • Advanced Certificate
    The University awards an advanced certificate to students who complete the postmaster's certification program in school psychology or school administration. Students admitted to this program are classified as advanced certificate students.

Admission Procedures

An individual seeking admission as a degree student must submit, at least six weeks prior to the anticipated date of enrollment (some programs require more specific deadlines - see program admissions criteria for dates), a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Studies. Only complete applications will be given full consideration. This application may be obtained from the Graduate Office or you may apply online by clinking the link above. Applicants must:

  • Provide an official transcript from each college or university at which undergraduate or graduate credit has been earned. Note: If you have not yet graduated, file a partial transcript at the time the application is completed and file a complete transcript as soon as the degree is awarded.
  • Provide an official record of the scores earned on either the Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination (if required by program).
  • Provide a photo copy of teaching certificate(s) if applying for admission to any of the master of education programs.
  • Provide letters of recommendations and/or questionnaire when required by specific programs.
  • Complete the personal interview if one is required. Information on whether or not a personal interview is required will be found in the curricular information section of the listing under admission requirements for the specific program.
  • File the Request for Transfer Credit forms if transfer credit is desired for graduate credit which has been earned.

Late Application

There is no guarantee that we can process an application for an individual who files an application for admission into a master's program less than six weeks prior to the registration day for the semester or session in which enrollment is sought.

Although these individuals have not been admitted to the graduate program, they may be authorized to enroll for courses if they apply for non-degree special student status, however:

It is understood that this authorization does not guarantee or imply that admission will be granted.

It is understood that no more than nine semester hours of graduate credit earned prior to the date of the official acceptance to admission to a graduate program will be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements of the program.

It is understood that if admission is granted prior to the last day of the semester or session that all applicable credits earned in that semester or session will be accepted toward meeting program requirement

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate school is based on the academic qualifications of the applicant and is made without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex or disability.

An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or state approved United States college or university or an education at a foreign college or university which is judged by the dean to be equivalent to at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university is a prerequisite for admission to graduate study.

An applicant for admission as a degree student may be admitted on an unconditional, preliminary or provisional basis or be denied admission.

Unconditional

A person admitted on an unconditional basis has no conditions attached to the admission. The minimum requirements for unconditional admission are:

  • A score equal to or better than the 50th percentile on either the Miller Analogies Test or each area of the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination. Some programs have established higher requirements. These requirements are listed under the curricular information for the specific program. As a general rule, applicants who have earned a master's degree or a doctorate from a regionally accredited or state approved United States college or university are not required to take the Miller Analogies Test or the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
  • A cumulative quality point average of 2.50 or better (4 point scale) for the junior and senior year of the bachelor's degree or the completion of a master's degree from a regionally accredited or state approved United States college or university. Some programs have established higher requirements. These requirements are listed under the curricular information for the specific program.
  • A recommendation for admission from the program head of the department of the proposed graduate major and the dean.
    Some programs have established additional admission requirements. Information on these requirements may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Because some programs have established maximum enrollment figures, there can be no guarantee that individuals meeting the admission requirements described above will be admitted.

Preliminary

A student who does not meet the admission requirements for unconditional admission may be admitted on a preliminary basis and be given a limited opportunity to prove she or he can satisfactorily pursue graduate study.

An individual admitted on a preliminary admission basis is permitted to enroll for 12 semester hours of graduate credit. Upon the completion of these credits the dean will evaluate the student's academic record and if a cumulative average of B or better has been earned and there is no recommendation from the program director that admission be denied, he or she will be removed from the preliminary admission status and will be admitted to candidacy for the degree.

If upon the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit a cumulative average of B or better has not been earned or if the program director has recommended that admission to candidacy be denied, the student admitted on a preliminary admission basis will be denied permission to continue as a degree student.

The minimum requirements for preliminary admission are:

  • A score equal to or better than the 30th percentile on either the Miller Analogies Test or in each area of the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination. Note: Admission may be granted to an individual with lower aptitude test scores if a cumulative quality point average of 2.50 or better (4 point scale) was earned during the junior and senior year of the bachelor's degree program.
  • A cumulative quality point average of 2.30 or better (4 point scale) for the junior and senior year of the bachelor's degree program. Note: Admission may be granted to an individual with a lower cumulative quality point average if the aptitude test score is at the 50th percentile or better.
  • A recommendation for admission from the program head of the department of the proposed graduate major and the dean.
    The dean may admit on a preliminary admission basis an individual who has failed to meet the requirements for preliminary admission when in his or her opinion there is additional evidence which indicates the individual does possess the potential for successful graduate study.

Because some programs have established maximum enrollment figures, there can be no guarantee that individuals meeting the admission requirements described above will be admitted.

Provisional

An individual who meets the requirements listed above for unconditional admission but who is deficient in areas not included in the regulation for unconditional admission, may, with the approval of the departmental program head of the proposed major field of graduate study and the dean, be admitted on a provisional basis. The admission letter will specifically list the provisions which the individual must meet to continue in the degree program and/or be awarded the degree.

Denied

An individual who fails to meet the requirements for at least preliminary admission will generally be denied admission as a degree student. However, the individual may apply for admission as a special student.

Special Student

The minimum requirements for admission as a special student are: An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or state approved United States college or university or an education at a foreign college or university which is judged to be equivalent to at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university.

Non-Degree Certification Student

The minimum requirements for admission as a non-degree certification student are:

  • An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or state approved United States college or university or an education at a foreign college or university which is judged by the dean to be equivalent to at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university.
  • A recommendation for admission from the program head of the department offering the certification program and the dean.
  • The admission requirements established for the specific certification programs must be met. These requirements are listed under the curricular information for each certification program.