An applicant that holds a baccalaureate degree earned in the United States or a comparable non-U.S. degree/diploma is eligible to apply for admission to a program of graduate studies. (A very limited number of applications will also be considered from exceptionally qualified applicants who do not hold the bachelor’s degree but who can demonstrate a comparable level of educational achievement.)

Admission is only for the semester requested and cannot be guaranteed for a later date, except by permission of the Dean of the Graduate School, upon the recommendation of the admitting degree program.

Categories of Admission

Applicants can be admitted to the Graduate School in one of the following categories:

Degree Status

Students admitted as fully qualified to undertake a program toward a graduate degree are termed degree-status students.

Provisional Status

Students admitted on a probationary basis to a program are on provisional status. Students in this status may enroll for a maximum of 12 credits or two consecutive enrollment periods (including Summer Session), whichever comes first. This status may not be renewed. At the conclusion of the provisional status period students are either admitted to degree status or terminated depending upon the evaluation and recommendation by the graduate program and subject to the Graduate Dean’s approval.

Conditional Admission

A conditional admission is an admission with some stipulation that must be completed within a certain period of time. For example, the most common conditional admission requires the student to prove that they have earned a baccalaureate degree. Students that are admitted prior to finishing their bachelor's degree must show proof of a bachelor's degree before they are allowed to register for the next semester. Those that do not show proof of the degree will be put on hold and will not be able to register until they provide the Graduate Admissions Office with the appropriate documentation. Those that do not meet the conditions of their admittance may be withdrawn from the Graduate School.

Non-Degree Status

Students who have a bachelor’s degree and wish to take graduate courses are admitted on a limited basis. Enrollment in any course is subject to space availability and may require instructor's approval. Applications for this status do not require the supporting documentation specified above for degree and provisional status. Upon recommendation by the graduate program director and approval by the Graduate School, up to six graduate credits may be applied toward a graduate degree if a student is later admitted to degree status.