Admission

Admission Requirements and Procedures

The University offers graduate programs in business, education and counseling.  Students are accepted for admission in fall, spring, and summer semesters.  All application materials must be received two weeks prior to the beginning of a semester for an admission decision to be made.

The Graduate Council has the responsibility for admission to the graduate programs of the University.

Students are advised that admissions to graduate study is contingent upon the integrity of the information submitted to the University and contained in the application file.

Discovery of false information subsequent to the offer of admission is, at the University’s discretion, grounds for withdrawal of the offer of admission or for immediate dismissal at any point in the student’s course of study. Such dismissal shall result in forfeiture of all charges paid and academic credits earned.

Master of Arts in Counseling (MA)

Students applying for graduate admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling program must submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions and Records.

1. A formal application for admission to graduate studies.
2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate college or university course work.
3. Official GRE test results taken within five years prior to application.
4. Written recommendations from two individuals knowing the applicant’s professional ability, personal character, and intellectual promise for pursuing successful graduate study.

Students applying for graduate admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling program must also apply to the Department of Education and Psychology.  The following materials must be submitted to the department:

1. A formal departmental application to graduate studies in counseling.
2. Appropriate documentation for a certified background check.
3. A personal statement.

The department will also interview the applicant.

Admission to Regular Graduate Standing

An applicant will be accepted in good and regular standing to the MA in Counseling program if he or she meets the following criteria:

1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution.  Acceptable areas of study for admission to the MA in Counseling include psychology, education, social work, criminal justice, or other behavioral science.
2. A formula score of 590 or higher.  The formula is as follows:
   • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average  x  100   +   a combined score on the GRE verbal and quantatative sections.
3. Acceptable written recommendations.
4. Meet the English proficiency requirements for admission to the University.
5. Department of Education and Psychology recommendation based on the personal statement, interview, and background check.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Students applying for graduate admission to the Master of Business Administration program must submit the following materials to the Office of Admissions and Records:

1. A formal application for admission to graduate studies.
2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate college or university course work including evidence of the completion of a baccalaureate degree at a regionally accredited institution.
3. Official GMAT test results taken within five years prior to application.
4. Written recommendations from two individuals knowing the applicant’s professional  ability, personal character, and intellectual promise for pursuing successful graduate study.

Admission to Regular Graduate Standing

An applicant will be accepted in good and regular standing to the MBA program if he or she meets the following criteria:

1. A formula score of 950 or higher.  The formula is as follows:

   • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average  X  200   +   GMAT score.

2. Acceptable written recommendations.

3. Satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses as specified by the business faculty.

4. Meet the English proficiency requirements for admission to the University.

Master of Education (MEd)

Students applying for graduate admission to the Master of Education program must submit the following materials to the Office of Admissions and Records:

1. A formal application for admission to graduate studies.
2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate college or university course work.
3. Official GRE test results taken within five years prior to application.
4. Written recommendations from two individuals knowing the applicant’s professional ability, personal character, and intellectual promise for pursuing successful graduate study.

Admission to Regular Graduate Standing

An applicant will be accepted in good and regular standing to the MEd program if he or she meets the following criteria:

1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution.  Acceptable areas of study for admission to the MEd include education, school guidance, or at least 20 semester hours in education.
2. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on all prior college course work.
3. A formula score of 590 or higher.  The formula is as follows:

• Undergraduate cumulative grade point average  x  100   +   a combined score on the GRE verbal and quantatative sections.

       4.  Acceptable written recommendations.

       5. Meet the English proficiency requirements for admission to the University.

Other Graduate Admission Categories

Admission to Conditional Graduate Standing

An applicant to the MBA, MEd, or MA graduate program who does not meet the criteria specified for regular standing may be considered for admission by the Graduate Council.  These conditions will be specified in the student’s letter of acceptance and may include prerequisite undergraduate course work, limited course load, English as a Second Language courses, or other academic conditions.  At the time conditional acceptance is given, a plan and deadline for a change to regular standing is included with the acceptance letter.

Graduate applicants may be granted a conditional acceptance for one semester in order for official transcripts to be received.

International students unable to take the GMAT prior to beginning graduate study in the United States may be granted a conditional acceptance for one semester in order to take the GMAT preparation workshop provided by the graduate business program and to take the GMAT.

Admission of Non-Degree Students

Special permission to register is extended to students wishing to take graduate classes at the University for personal or professional benefit. Evidence must be provided that the student has the capacity to successfully undertake graduate course work. Non-degree students desiring to change to degree status must apply and meet all regular admission requirements. A maximum of 12 credit hours taken as a non-degree student may be applied to a graduate program.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate business majors enrolled at the University may receive special permission to register for graduate classes during the last semester prior to graduation. Academic credit earned in this manner may count towards either an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree, but not both.