Graduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements

All persons applying are required to submit an Application for Admission and a non-refundable application fee. Candidates for admission must meet the following admission requirements:

1. Possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or a US equivalent bachelor's degree from a nationally or internationally accredited college or university;
2. Have maintained a G.P.A. of 2.5 (2.75 for M.C.O.M. and M.S.H.S.) or better from the most recent 60 credits of course work earned toward the bachelor's degree;
3. Have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or better for prior graduate work;
4. Submit essays in response to the Life Experience Summary questions;
5. Provide two letters of professional and/or academic recommendation; and
6. Have three years of work or equivalent experience.
7. For M.S.H.S. only: A course in descriptive statistics equivalent to MA 141. Students who elect to do a thesis must have a course in inferential statistics equivalent to MA 241. A minimum of nine semester hours in psychology and/or sociology or approved equivalent.

Admission is considered when all requirements have been met, official transcripts received, and documents verified. The Admissions and Standards Committee reviews all completed applications. In special circumstances, the Committee may recommend a conditional admission to a student who has not yet been able to complete or fully satisfy all requirements. The Admissions and Standards Committee may interview candidates prior to a final admission decision should additional information be deemed necessary.

Graduate Degree Requirements

All graduating students must:

1. Have met all admission requirements
2. Have completed all curriculum requirements listed in the assigned University Catalog.
3. Have passed all graduate courses with a grade of "C" or better.
4. Have attained an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
5. Have completed a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours in residence.

Admission of International Students

As a diversity of perspectives is one of the strengths upon which our graduate programs are built, qualified students from other cultures and countries are encouraged to apply. International students, who have been awarded a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. institution of higher education, may apply for direct admission into graduate degree programs. Students must follow general admissions requirements for the specific graduate program. An affidavit of support form with supporting documentation is required. TOEFL test results are generally required for graduate admission. TOEFL test results are not required of students from select English-speaking countries.

Contact the International Student Coordinator for more information on the admission requirements for international students.

Access Plus Graduate Admissions

Through Access Plus, it is possible for students with very different levels of language ability and academic backgrounds to be admitted directly into a graduate degree program. International students with a baccalaureate degree at a non-U.S. institution of higher education are able to apply for admission into the Access Plus Master of Arts in Management (M.A.M), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A), Master of Science in Human Services (M.S.H.S.), or Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (M.S.C.I.S.). International students with degrees from specified institutions in English speaking foreign countries may qualify for direct admission to graduate programs.

Each Access Plus program is offered in an executive format in which specific courses are determined for each Access level. The four Access entry programs are Access Plus 1, 2, 3 and 4. Access Plus 1 and 2 are for those students with lower levels of English language ability or academic preparation and backgrounds. For stronger language skills and academic background, Access Plus 3 and 4 are offered. At each level, students take English for Special Purposes (E.S.P.) classes and academic prerequisites prior to starting the graduate classes. The Access Plus program may require one to three additional semesters of attendance, depending upon the Access Plus level.

The following guidelines are used to determine a student's Access Plus level:

1.Cumulative Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) for all undergraduate courses; and
2.Grade Point Average for the final 60 credit hours in the student's major; and
3.English language ability based upon TOEFL or Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency test scores.

Access Plus 1 Entry Level

1. Cumulative G.P.A.: 2.00 to 2.55
2. Major G.P.A.: 2.25 to 2.60
3. TOEFL: 460 - 479

Access Plus 2 Entry Level

1. Cumulative G.P.A.: 2.56 to 2.75
2. Major G.P.A.: 2.61 to 2.80
3. TOEFL: 480 - 499

Access Plus 3 Entry Level

1. Cumulative G.P.A.: 2.76 to 2.99
2. Major G.P.A.: 2.81 to 3.10
3. TOEFL: 500 - 550

Access Plus 4 Entry Level

1. Cumulative G.P.A.: 3.00 and above
2. Major G.P.A.: 3.11 and above
3. TOEFL: 550 or above or graduation from a U.S. college or university

To apply for admission into the Access Plus graduate programs, the following must be submitted:

1. Access Plus-Graduate International Student Application Form; and
2. Affidavit of Support Form, with verification of funds, to include bank statements or statements of sponsorship;
3. Official copies in English of academic transcripts for all colleges and universities attended; and
4. Letters of Recommendation on the appropriate Access Plus forms (2 required); and

Biographical Statement
TOEFL test results (required);

5. $50 U.S. Application Fee, which is non-refundable; and International students are required to be in full-time attendance during the academic year, which does not include the summer sessions. International students enrolled in the English for a Second Language (E.S.L.) Program for four credit hours are considered full-time students.

Financial Information

Financial aid materials are contained in the graduate application packet and are also available from Financial Aid/Veterans Services in the University Administration Building. The application process for financial aid should be started 8 to 12 weeks prior to the starting date of the desired program. For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (402) 293-3762.

Graduate Academic Performance Standards

A graduate student who completes an academic term in which either the cumulative G.P.A. or the G.P.A. for the term falls below a 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Graduate students on academic probation must raise their cumulative G.P.A. to 3.0 in order to qualify for graduation. Only courses in which the graduate student earns a 2.0 or better will be used to meet graduate degree requirements.

Incompletes

The integrated nature of the programs requires that students remain current in their assignments. A student who misses one or more classes is responsible for arranging with the instructor to submit work prior to the class meeting. Late homework and assignments will not be accepted.

Maintaining Program Standing

Class attendance is critical to the interactive learning experience. Missing two or more classes without the approval of your instructor could be grounds for dismissal from the program.