Graduate School Admissions

Overview of the Graduate School Admissions Process

UNCP welcomes applications from qualified persons who have earned a baccalaureate degree and whose academic preparation and aptitude predict success in graduate school. To be considered for admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university as determined by a regional or general accrediting agency. Applicants whose undergraduate degrees are still in progress may apply for provisional admission except where precluded by program requirements. Information on accredited institutions is available from the Graduate School. Exceptions on standard accreditation may be granted for applicants with international degrees, including applicants with three-year degrees from institutions in Europe participating in the Bologna Process. Information about the Bologna Process can be found at http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/hogeronderwijs/bologna.

The Graduate Studies website (www.uncp.edu/grad) provides important information for prospective students, including application forms and requirements, submission guidelines, application deadlines, and timeframes for admission. Additional information is available on the website of the specific degree program.

Any student who supplies false or misleading information or conceals pertinent facts in order to secure admission to UNCP may be denied admission or, if admitted, may be immediately dismissed from the University. Such a student may be ineligible to receive any credit from the School of Graduate Studies and Research of the University.

Admission Deadlines for Early Consideration

Application materials and all supporting documentation should be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at least one month prior to the projected enrollment date (at least six months prior to the projected enrollment date for international students), or by the application deadline for early admission consideration established by specific programs. Students may enter most programs at the beginning of any semester or summer term; however, some programs have established program-specific admission timeframes. Check program websites for details.

The Admissions Decision

The Dean of Graduate Studies and the director of the appropriate graduate degree program evaluate all applications that meet the basic eligibility criteria (see admission requirements below). Meeting the minimum qualifications for general admission to the School of Graduate Studies of the University does not guarantee admission to a specific program.

The admissions decision is made by the Dean of Graduate Studies upon recommendation from the appropriate director of a graduate degree program. No single consideration dictates decisions on applications; instead, numerous factors and their relationships to one another enter into such decisions. The program director’s recommendation and the Dean’s official admission decision are based upon an analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data submitted by the applicant. These criteria are described below.

Categories of Admission

All students seeking to enroll in any graduate class must be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies, or they must have specific permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies. The School of Graduate Studies admits graduate students in one of the following categories:

1. full admission to a program,
2. provisional admission to a program,
3. special admission to the Graduate School,
4. enrichment students, and
5. visiting graduate students.

In addition, UNCP students who have at least 90 hours of course credit (at least 24 credit hours at UNCP); have at least a 3.0 GPA and gain permission, may participate in Senior Privilege.  Senior Privilege allows a senior to take up to nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit.  Up to six (6) hours of graduate credit may also count towards an appropriate graduate degree.

Admissions categories, admission requirements, and undergraduate enrollment are further explained in the sections below.

Full Admission to a Program

To be eligible for consideration for full or provisional admission to a degree program, an applicant must:

1. submit a completed online application;
2. pay a $45.00 non‑refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants);
3. submit one official transcript from all colleges/universities attended (see requirements below);
4. submit an official report of satisfactory scores on an entrance examination (required for some programs);
5. have three academic and/or professional recommendations submitted on her/his behalf;
6. submit a copy of a current NC teaching license, or a current license from another state, if applicable.

Some programs may have additional application requirements, such as an essay, personal interview, background check, or audition. See the program-specific requirements and reference stipulations that are posted on the Graduate Studies website (www.uncp.edu/grad) and/or on the individual program websites.

Information about the admissions requirements for international students can be found in a separate section below and on the Graduate Studies website.

Transcript Requirement

Transcripts must indicate (1) the applicant has a satisfactory undergraduate academic record, (2) the applicant received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, and (3) the date the degree was awarded.

A satisfactory undergraduate academic record is one in which a student meets at least one of the following minimum GPA (4.0 scale) requirements: an overall GPA of at least a 2.5 on all undergraduate work, or an overall GPA of at least a 3.0 in the undergraduate major, or a GPA of at least a 3.0 on all undergraduate work taken in the senior year. Some programs require applicants to have higher GPAs.  Check program websites.

Applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate degree may be offered admission contingent upon their producing an official transcript verifying conferral of a baccalaureate-level degree.  Failure to submit an official degree-dated transcript during the first semester of graduate enrollment will result in a withdrawal of the offer of admission, withdrawal from all current classes, a registration hold, and forfeiture of tuition and fees.

Entrance Examination Requirement for Admission

Applicants for some programs are required to submit an official report of satisfactory scores on an appropriate standardized entrance examination as described below:

• Mathematics Education, Middle Grades Education, Nursing, Reading Education, School Administration, Science Education, and Social Studies Education applicants submit test scores for the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE);
• MSN applicants may be allowed to waive the requirement if their overall undergraduate GPA is at least 3.5 (out of 4.0);
• English program applicants must submit test scores for the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or PRAXIS Subject Assessment (formerly PRAXIS II) test scores qualifying for English 9-12 licensure.
• Social Work (MSW) applicants with GPAs less than 3.0 (out of 4.0), or less than 3.2 for the Advanced Standing program, submit MAT or GRE scores.
• Business Administration (MBA) applicants submit test scores for the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).
• Master of Public Administration (MPA) applicants submit GRE test scores.

1. The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is an hour-long test of analytical ability consisting of 120 analogy problems. The MAT is offered by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), located in room 243 of the Chavis University Center on the UNCP campus. To schedule a sitting for the MAT, applicants may call (910-521-6202); additional information is available at the CAPS website (www.uncp.edu/caps).
2. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) assesses analytical writing, critical thinking, and verbal and quantitative reasoning skills and is offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) of Princeton, NJ. Additional information is available at the ETS website (www.gre.org).
3. The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) assesses quantitative, verbal, and reasoning skills and is offered by the ETS Graduate Management Admissions Council. Additional information is available at the ETS website (www.mba.com).
4. The Praxis^® Subject Assessments measure knowledge of specific subjects that K-12 educators will teach, as well as general and subject-specific teaching skills and knowledge (www.ets.org/praxis).

If an applicant already holds a master’s degree or above (e.g., master’s, doctorate, J.D.), the entrance test requirement may be waived.

Recommendations

Applicants should have three academic and/or professional recommendations submitted on their behalf. Some programs have specific requirements concerning recommendations. The applicant will supply recommender information in the online application. At least one recommendation should come from a college/university faculty member in the undergraduate major of the applicant. The other references should come from the applicant’s employers/supervisors, if applicable. Applicants should check for Program Specific Requirements.

Licensure Requirement for Admission to Education Programs

Applicants for all graduate degrees leading to licensure by the North Carolina State Board of Education-other than Master of Arts in Teaching degree-must submit a copy of any current licenses held. This includes applicants to the M.S.A. program, an M.A. licensure program, or an M.A.Ed. program (except for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling programs).

In some programs, students without current licensure are admitted to a non-licensure track and are required to sign a waiver of North Carolina Standard Professional I and M level licensure.

It is the individual’s responsibility to determine the requirements of any licensure reciprocity agreement that may exist between North Carolina and another state. Reciprocity does not guarantee that all areas of licensure will transfer directly from one state to another. The applicant is encouraged to contact the School of Education Licensure Office and/or the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction concerning licensure requirements and reciprocity agreements with other states. UNCP does not grant licensure; therefore, graduating from a program does not guarantee licensure.

International Graduate Students

The School of Graduate Studies welcomes applications from potential graduate students from other nations. Applicants from non-English speaking nations must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language with their applications for admission to the University’s Graduate Programs. I-20 or DS-2019 forms will not be issued until the student is officially accepted into a Graduate School program. All documents must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at least six months prior to the projected date of enrollment.

To be eligible for consideration for admission as an international student, an applicant must:

1. submit a completed application;
2. pay the non-refundable application fee of $60.00;
3. submit one official transcript from all colleges/universities attended (see requirements above);
4. submit an official transcript evaluation report from World Education Services or International Education Services;
5. submit an English translation of all transcripts;
6. submit an official report of satisfactory scores on an entrance exam (if required; see above);
7. submit satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if English is not the native language;
8. have three academic and/or professional recommendations submitted on her/his behalf;
9. submit official proof of financial support (Financial Certification).

Additional information about these admissions requirements for international students can be found above and on the Graduate Studies website.

Provisional Admission to a Graduate Program

Students may be provisionally admitted into a program if they do not meet all requirements for a program, but their circumstances warrant provisional admission. Provisions typically require a student to take courses with content needed for success in the program.

Provisionally admitted students who do not complete the provisions and are not fully admitted into a program within one year are no longer eligible for financial aid.

Special Admission to the Graduate School

Students seeking admission into this category are those who, because of extenuating circumstances, may be unable to submit all documents required for full or provisional admission prior to the beginning of a semester or summer term. Students granted this non-matriculated special admission status may register for one semester only and for no more than six (6) semester hours. These students are admitted to the Graduate School; they are not admitted into a degree-granting program of an academic department. Students in this category should seek to convert their admission into full or provisional status as soon as possible. Further enrollment is prohibited without a change of admissions status.

To be eligible for consideration for special admission status to the Graduate School, an applicant must:

1. submit a completed online application;
2. pay a $45.00, non-refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants);
3. submit an official transcript from all colleges/universities attended (see requirements above);
4. submit a copy of a current NC teaching license, or a current license from another state, if applicable.

Enrichment Students

Applicants who possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, who are not enrolled in degree programs at other institutions, and who wish to complete courses at UNCP for personal or professional enrichment may qualify for admission as enrichment students. Students in this category cannot enroll for more than six (6) semester hours in a semester. Continuation of enrollment beyond one semester in this category requires the written approval of the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Six (6) to twelve (12) semester hours of credit (if appropriate and within the time limit) earned as a special student may later be applied toward degree requirements (see Transfer Credit  section).

Individuals seeking to enroll in enrichment studies must:

1. submit a completed online application;
2. pay a $45.00, non-refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants);
3. submit an official transcript from all colleges/universities attended (see requirements above).

Visiting Graduate Students

Visiting graduate students enrolled in the graduate schools of accredited institutions of higher learning are welcome at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Qualified visiting graduate students may study for one semester or summer at UNCP and transfer credits back to their home institutions after securing the written approval of the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. To gain admission as a visiting graduate student, an applicant must be in good standing at, and be eligible to return to, the home institution. The decision to admit visiting graduate students rests with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Visiting graduate students who wish to enroll for an additional semester must secure the written approval of the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

To be eligible for admission consideration as a visiting student, an applicant must:

1. submit a completed online application;
2. pay the $45.00, non-refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants);
3. submit a letter-of-good-standing signed by the graduate dean (or an appropriate official) of her/his home graduate school specifying the course(s) for which transfer credit may be earned.

Enrollment for Additional Graduate Licensure

Applicants who possess graduate (M level) licensure by the North Carolina State Board of Education may enroll in some graduate programs to earn additional graduate licensure. Students who wish to exercise this option must apply to the Graduate School for admission. The School of Education Licensure Officer and the program director will identify the requirements for a recommendation for additional graduate licensure to be forwarded to the Department of Public Instruction by UNCP. This enrollment status does not qualify one for an additional degree.

Applicants who hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited, 48-credit-hour counseling degree program who wish to obtain licensure as a school counselor and those who possess graduate licensure who wish to obtain a school administration license must apply for admission to a licensure-only program. Admission requirements are identical to those for the degree program. Additional information may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies or from the specific program.

Second Master’s Degree

Individuals who possess a master’s degree and wish to enroll at UNCP to earn a second master’s degree must apply for admission to the selected program area and, upon acceptance, complete all program requirements for that degree, including comprehensive examinations, if applicable. Graduate students may transfer in six to twelve credit hours (with a grade of B or better) with approval of the Program Director and the Graduate Dean according to the following sliding scale:

30-39 hours in the program-transfer up to 6 credit hours;
40-49 hours in the program-transfer up to 9 hours;
50+ hours in the program-transfer up to 12 hours.

These transfer credit hours are subject to the five-year time limit (six years for the Professional School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Social Work programs) applied to all course work credited toward the master’s degree, with the exception of reinstated credits sanctioned by the Graduate Appeals Committee (see “Lapsed Credit ” and “Appeals ” sections of this catalog).

Senior Privilege for Graduate Coursework

Senior Privilege for Graduate Coursework is a program offered by UNCP’s School of Graduate Studies which allows promising students the opportunity to take up to six hours of graduate coursework while completing their undergraduate degree.  With appropriate permissions, the graduate coursework may count towards both one’s undergraduate degree and future master’s degree at UNCP.

Eligible students must

·    be seniors (have successfully completed 90 semester hours) when they participate,

·    have completed a minimum of two semesters (24 credit hours) as a UNCP student,

·    and have a UNCP GPA of at least 3.0.

Applicants interested in taking a graduate course must complete a Senior Privilege form gaining permission from the student’s advisor and department chair and the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the student hopes to count the course(s) towards a future master’s degree at UNCP, s/he will also need the signature of a program director under which the course(s) is(are) offered.  The Dean of Graduate Studies makes the final decision regarding eligibility of graduate course enrollment.

Students should note that not all graduate programs have courses which will meet the requirements for both undergraduate and graduate programs of study. Permission to take graduate courses, even for future graduate degree credit, does not guarantee future admission into a graduate program.

Undergraduate students taking graduate courses are held to the same expectations, standards and regulations as graduate students and receive earned “graduate school” grades (A, B, C, F, W, I, P). Undergraduate students may not take graduate hours in Thesis, Independent/Individual Study, Practicum or Internship courses.

Students should note:

·    Graduate level coursework may only be applied to both a undergraduate and a graduate degree if the student receives prior approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

·    Students who are accepted to the program will not be allowed to continue if their cumulative undergraduate GPA falls below 3.0. 

·    Graduate course grades do not count in the undergraduate GPA.

·    Students taking graduate courses may withdraw from the course up to two weeks prior to the last regular class meeting for a regular 15 week course or the equivalent in shorter term courses.

·    Undergraduates taking and failing a graduate level course may appeal to the Graduate Appeals Committee for permission to apply for admission into a graduate program following the guidelines under Special Readmission Regulation for Students Dismissed for Academic Reasons.

Medical History Forms and Immunizations

North Carolina State law (General Statute 130A 152-157) requires that all students entering college present a certificate of immunization, which documents that the student has received the required immunizations. This law applies to all students except the following: students registered in only off-campus courses; students attending night or weekend classes only; and students taking a course load of (4) credit hours or fewer in on-campus courses. The form and additional information is available on the website of Student Health Services (www.uncp.edu/shs). Students whose medical history forms are not on file by the specified deadline each semester are administratively withdrawn from the University.

Student Health Insurance

Registered students taking six (6) or more credit hours are required to purchase the University of North Carolina system-wide Student Health Insurance Plan, with the following exceptions: distance education students (students taking only off-campus and internet courses) and students who submit evidence of equivalent coverage satisfactory to the policyholder. All students are automatically enrolled in the UNC system-wide plan each semester and are obligated for the cost of the plan for that semester unless the student submits a waiver request at www.studentinsurance.com that is successfully verified as creditable coverage. Registered students must visit www.studentinsurance.com to waive this insurance. An overview of the plan is available on the website of Student Health Services (www.uncp.edu/shs).