Admission to the Graduate School
Admission to the Graduate School
The University considers applications for admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. It reserves the right to withhold the admission of applicants who fail to meet any of the requirements for admission and to restrict enrollments as required by budgetary or other constraints.
Admission Classification
General Requirements for Admission to a
Graduate Certificate Program
General Requirements for Admission to a Master's
Degree Program
General Requirements for Admission at the Doctoral
Level
General Requirements for Admission to
Post-Baccalaureate Study
Additional Admission Requirements for International
Applicants
Additional Test Information
Types of Admission
Deferment Policy
Policy on Updating Applications
New Graduate Student Orientation
The University considers all applications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or religion. The University reserves the right to withhold the admission of an applicant who fails to meet any of the requirements for admission. In addition, it reserves the right to restrict enrollments when necessary because of budgetary or other constraints. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applications for admission should be submitted and completed as early as possible and no later than any published deadlines. In some programs, the vacancies will be filled several weeks prior to those deadlines.
In most programs, applications for admission are reviewed as soon as the required credentials are received. All relevant factors are considered, with major emphasis being placed on the academic history of the applicant. The intent of the University is to offer admission to those applicants whose credentials indicate a strong likelihood for success in their selected curricula.
Evidence of good physical and mental health is required prior to registration. A medical report form is sent to admitted students along with the notice of admission. State law requires all students entering a college in the State of North Carolina to meet immunization requirements described elsewhere in this Catalog. A family physician or the Health Department must verify that the student has had necessary immunizations.
An application for admission to a graduate program of study is reviewed only after the application and all its supporting credentials have been filed with the Office of Graduate Admissions.
For application forms and information, address inquiries to:
International applicants should address inquiries to:
Doctoral or Master's Degree Programs. To be admitted to a degree program, an applicant must meet all the requirements for admission, be recommended by the department in which he/she proposes to study and receive the approval of the Graduate School. Acceptance into one graduate program does not guarantee acceptance into any other program. Acceptance into each program must be approved by the department or college offering the program and by the Graduate School.
Graduate Certificate Programs. Graduate Certificate programs are mechanisms for students who wish to complete a coherent graduate program in a defined area in which they do not wish to pursue a degree. Students are admitted to a specific graduate certificate program and are advised by faculty in the unit offering the graduate certificate. Since the graduate certificate is not a degree, students may apply the credits earned in the certificate program toward a degree that they pursue either concomitant with pursuing a graduate certificate or after the certificate has been awarded.
Post-Baccalaureate Study. Applicants seeking to take courses beyond the baccalaureate degree for license renewal, for transfer to another institution, as prerequisites for admission to a graduate degree program or for personal satisfaction may be admitted as post-baccalaureate students. Foreign nationals must contact the Office of International Admissions before applying for this classification. A post-baccalaureate student who is subsequently admitted to full or conditional standing in a degree program may, with the permission of his/her advisor, apply a maximum of six hours acceptably completed in the post-baccalaureate status toward a degree.
Readmission. Post-baccalaureate and graduate students whose enrollment is interrupted will remain eligible to register for two calendar years without having to reapply for admission to the University if they are in good standing and have not exceeded the six or eight-year limit for their degree program. After an absence of more than 24 months, the student must apply for readmission; acceptance is subject to department or program approval. Students whose enrollment is terminated for academic reasons should consult the description of the procedure outlined for reinstatement later in this section of the Catalog.
Early-Entry to Graduate Programs. Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may be accepted into some master's programs and begin work toward a graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. In those programs offering this option, an applicant may be accepted at any time after completion of 75 or more hours, although it is expected that close to 90 hours will have been earned by the time the first graduate course is taken. These students will have provisional acceptance status, pending the award of the baccalaureate degree.
To be accepted in this program, an undergraduate student must have at least a 3.2 overall GPA and have taken the appropriate graduate standardized test and have earned an acceptable score. A given program may have more rigorous admissions criteria. If an early-entry student has not met the normal admission requirements of a 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA and a 3.0 junior-senior GPA at the end of his/her baccalaureate degree, she/he will be dismissed from the graduate program.
Students accepted into an early-entry program will be subject to the same policies that pertain to other matriculated graduate students. Generally, it will be assumed that early-entry students will finish their baccalaureate degrees before they complete 15 hours of graduate work.
Some early-entry programs are also accelerated. Under this model, ordinarily up to six hours earned at the graduate level may be substituted for required undergraduate hours. In other words, up to six hours of graduate work may be "double counted" toward both the baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Individual programs may allow additional hours at the graduate level to be substituted. In no case may more than 12 hours be double-counted.
Not all graduate programs have the early entry option. Inquiries should be addressed to the appropriate department or to the Graduate School.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Term of Entry: Application Should Be Completed By:
Fall July 15
Spring November 15
First or Second Summer Session May 1
Some programs have earlier deadlines. Also, some programs only admit to a particular term. Please see the Graduate Programs section of the Catalog for additional information. Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the published deadlines. The University may alter the date for acceptance of applications without further notice in accordance with available resources and the enrollment limitation established by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Application deadlines for international students are earlier; please contact the Office of International Admissions for details.
General Requirements for Admission to a Graduate Certificate Program
The applicant must possess a bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university.
The application package must include:
• An application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, accompanied by a $35 application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable.
• An overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all of the applicant's previous work beyond high school. The average for the junior and senior years must be a 3.0 or better. If the applicant has earned a post-baccalaureate degree, grades in that program will be taken into consideration.
• Two official transcripts from each institution where academic work was attempted beyond high school.
Some programs may also require:
• Standardized test scores; a personal statement outlining why the applicant seeks admission to the program; and additional admission requirements as specified in program descriptions.
NOTE: There may be prerequisites for a graduate certificate program. Students should consult the coordinator for the graduate certificate program to identify prerequisites. Admission to a graduate certificate program does not ensure admission into a graduate degree program. A separate application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte.
General Requirements for Admission to a Master's Degree Program
The application package must include:
· Application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, accompanied by a $35 application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable. The application for admission and supporting credentials must be received in the Office of Graduate Admissions at least 45 days prior to the first day of class for the semester in which the applicant plans to enter the Graduate School. (Some programs have earlier deadlines.) Materials submitted in support of this application cannot be returned.
· Two official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted beyond high school. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is unacceptable and official transcripts of these credits must be supplied.
· Official agency reports of satisfactory test scores as specified in the section on graduate programs in this Catalog. GRE/GMAT scores are reportable from ETS for a period of five years from the date of the exam. Therefore, GRE/GMAT scores more than five years old are not accepted since they cannot be officially reported. Likewise, MAT scores more than five years old are not accepted.
· At least three evaluations from persons familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications.
· An essay describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study.
Foreign nationals should see the Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants section of the Catalog for additional requirements.
NOTE: Acceptance into a specific program must be approved by the department or college offering the program. Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance into a program. There may be prerequisites for certain master’s programs. Students should consult the coordinator for the master’s program to identify prerequisites. A separate application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte
General Requirements for Admission at the Doctoral Level
To be admitted after a master’s program, an applicant should have earned an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in the graduate degree program. To be admitted after a bachelor’s program, an applicant should have earned an overall GPA of at least 3.0, including a 3.0 for the last four semesters of his/her bachelor’s degree.
The application package must include:
· An application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, accompanied by a $35 application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable. The application for admission and supporting credentials must be received in the Office of Graduate Admissions at least 45 days prior to the first day of class for the semester in which the applicant plans to enter the Graduate School. (Some programs have earlier application deadlines.) Materials submitted in support of this application cannot be returned.
· Two official transcripts of all academic work attempted beyond high school. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is unacceptable and official transcripts of these credits must be supplied.
· Official agency reports of satisfactory test scores as specified in the section on graduate programs in this Catalog. GRE/GMAT scores are reportable from ETS for a period of five years from the date of the exam. Therefore, GRE/GMAT scores more than five years old are not accepted since they cannot be officially reported. Likewise, MAT scores more than five years old are not accepted.
· At least three evaluations from persons familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications.
· An essay describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study.
Foreign nationals should see the Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants section of the Catalog for additional requirements.
NOTE: Applicants with records of high quality who do not fulfill these requirements should discuss with the graduate program coordinator other factors that may have a bearing on admission. Some programs have higher standards or additional admission requirements. There may be prerequisites for certain doctoral programs. Students should consult the coordinator for the doctoral program to identify prerequisites. A separate application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte.
The applicant must possess a bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university, and must have attained an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all of the applicant's previous work beyond high school. The average for the junior and senior years must be a 3.0 or better. If the applicant has earned a post-baccalaureate degree, grades in that program will be taken into consideration.
The application package must include:
• Application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, accompanied by a $35 application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable. The application for admission and supporting credentials must be received in the Office of Graduate Admissions at least 45 days prior to the first day of class for the semester in which the applicant plans to enter the Graduate School. (Some programs have earlier deadlines.) Materials submitted in support of this application cannot be returned.
• Two official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted beyond high school. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is unacceptable and official transcripts of these credits must be supplied.
• Official agency reports of satisfactory test scores as specified in the section on graduate programs in this Catalog. GRE/GMAT scores are reportable from ETS for a period of five years from the date of the exam. Therefore, GRE/GMAT scores more than five years old are not accepted since they cannot be officially reported. Likewise, MAT scores more than five years old are not accepted.
• At least three evaluations from persons familiar with the applicant's personal and professional qualifications.
• An essay describing the applicant's experience and objective in undertaking graduate study.
Foreign nationals should see the Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants section of the Catalog for additional requirements.
NOTE: Acceptance into a specific program must be approved by the department or college offering the program. Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance into a program. There may be prerequisites for certain master's programs. Students should consult the coordinator for the master's program to identify prerequisites. A separate application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte.
Post-Baccalaureate Study
The applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree, or its
equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university. The application consists
of a completed application form submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions,
accompanied by a $35 application fee which is neither deductible nor refundable.
NOTE: A separate application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte. A post-baccalaureate student who subsequently applies and is admitted to full or conditional standing in a degree program may, with the permission of his/her advisor and the Graduate School, apply a maximum of six credit hours acceptably completed in the post-baccalaureate status toward a degree. Foreign nationals must contact the Office of International Admissions before applying for this classification.
Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants
1. Submission of Official Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language or
the Michigan Test, if the applicant is from a non-English-speaking country. A TOEFL score
of at least 550 is expected.
2. A License of Financial Responsibility must be filed showing the applicant's
financial resources during his/her stay in the United States.
All applicants submitting transcripts from non-U.S. educational institutions should note that some bachelor's degrees given by non-U.S. schools are not equivalent to the American bachelor's degree. Recipients of these degrees are not eligible for graduate study at UNC Charlotte.
An I-20 Form will not be issued until the applicant has been admitted to a degree
program.
Additional Test Information
Applicants should have their test scores
sent directly from the testing agency to the Office of Graduate Admissions (not to
the department in which they wish to study). UNC Charlotte’s institution code is
5105.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., administers the computer-adaptive GRE at Sylvan Technology Centers several times per week throughout the U.S. Please call your local Sylvan Technology Center to schedule a test. To obtain additional information about the GRE, visit their website at http://www.gre.org or call 1-800-GRE-CALL.
Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
The Psychological Testing Corporation administers the MAT. To schedule a test, please call 1-800-228-0752. The Counseling Center at UNC Charlotte also administers the MAT; please call the Center at 704-547-2105 to schedule a test.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., administers the computer-adaptive GMAT at Sylvan Technology Centers several times per week throughout the U.S. Please call your local Sylvan Technology Center to schedule a test. To obtain additional information about the GMAT, visit their website at http://www.gmat.org or call 1-800-GMAT-NOW.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
To obtain additional information about the TOEFL, visit their website at http://www.toefl.org.
(For Doctoral Degrees, Master’s Degrees, and Graduate Certificates)Full Standing. Applicants who meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study plus any additional requirements specified by the college or department of academic concentration for the degree sought will be admitted to full standing.
Conditional Standing. Conditional admission to full standing may be granted to students who have: (a) general or special deficiencies which require prerequisites or remedial work or (b) a less clearly predicted chance of success according to available information. Each student granted a conditional admission is responsible for contacting his/her advisor or program coordinator when the conditions for admission to full standing have been successfully satisfied. The program coordinator will then be
responsible for contacting the Graduate School in writing to request a change in the student’s admission status.Provisional Standing. Applicants to graduate programs who have not yet completed their undergraduate or masters degree will be provisionally admitted, pending the University’s receipt of final transcripts indicating the award of the baccalaureate or masters degree.
Deferment Policy
An applicant that is admitted to a graduate
program of study who fails to enroll for the term to which he/she has been admitted is
presumed to have withdrawn his/her application. The application may be reinstated if the
request to do so is received within one year from the originally requested term of entry.
This request should be in writing and addressed to the Office of Graduate Admissions at
least six weeks prior to the term in which the applicant seeks to register. Students
are eligible to update an application for admission for one year from the original term of
application. Applications and supporting documents for persons who are admitted to a
graduate program but do not enroll are maintained on file for one year from the original
term of application.
Policy on Updating Applications
Applicants who do not submit their
materials in time to be considered for admission to the requested term are expected to
notify the Office of Graduate Admissions to request consideration for admission to a
subsequent term. Students are eligible to update an application for admission to a
subsequent term for one year from the original term of application. Incomplete
applications are maintained on file for one year from the original term of application.
Supporting credentials received without an application will be maintained on file in the
Office of Graduate Admissions for one year. All applications for persons who are not
admitted are maintained on file for one year.
New Graduate Student Orientation
The Graduate School conducts several University-wide orientation programs for new graduate
and post-baccalaureate students during the course of the year. Information about the dates
and times of these programs can be found on the Graduate School website
(www.uncc.edu/gradmiss/) and in the current Schedule of Courses. Information on the
fall semester programs is also mailed, beginning in July, directly to new students
admitted for the fall semester. New Teaching Assistants are required to attend a
specific orientation program prior to the fall semester as part of their assistantship
contract.
The orientation programs offer information about various University programs and services for graduate students; provide publications, including the New Graduate Student Handbook, to serve as resource guides for students; various content workshops on issues relevant to graduate education and graduate student life; and provide opportunities for students to ask specific questions.
Many of the individual graduate programs conduct discipline-specific orientation programs for their new graduate students. Degree students should contact their major department for information on programs that may be available.
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