The Graduate School Bulletin
Application, Admission, and Registration
Additional Information for International Applicants
International Application Deadlines
Visiting and Non-degree Seeking Students (VISIONS)
Distance Learning/Off-Campus Credit
Applying for Admission
Persons who seek admission to graduate study at UNCG must submit a completed online application, a nonrefundable application fee of $55.00 (USD), and the following supporting credentials:
- One official transcript of the applicant’s academic record from every college and university previously attended. If credit from one institution has been transferred to another, a transcript from the original institution is not required. If an applicant is currently enrolled in a degree program and will not graduate prior to an admission deadline, transcripts should be provided that reflect courses in progress. Prior to enrollment, a final, official transcript indicating the degree earned and date of award is required if admitted.
- Applicants whose baccalaureate degree is from a college or university outside the United States will be required to submit the transcript to a third party credential evaluation service recognized by UNCG. See Credential Evaluations below.
- Applicants whose baccalaureate degree is from a college or university outside the United States will be required to submit the transcript to a third party credential evaluation service recognized by UNCG. See Credential Evaluations below.
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors, employers, or persons well acquainted with the applicant's academic potential.
- Official copies of GRE scores or results from other authorized examinations as required by the program to which one applies. Scores are valid for five years from the time originally taken.
- Any additional materials required by the program or department, such as audition, interview, portfolio, resume, writing sample, personal statement, etc. Please refer to the Guide for Graduate Admissions or the departmental/program website for specific instructions and/or requirements.
All credentials must be in English and received by The Graduate School by the posted deadline. International applicants should refer to the following section entitled Additional Requirements for International Applicants.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to have recommenders utilize the option to submit letters of recommendation electronically. In addition, copies of official academic transcripts may be uploaded to the application electronically by converting the paper document to a pdf file and submitting it in the appropriate section of the application. Resumes, personal statements, and requested forms also may be provided electronically by uploading the documents into the application prior to submission. Uploading required credentials and having recommenders provide recommendations electronically speeds the processing of applications. Applicants who cannot utilize these features may submit credentials by mail and are not disadvantaged in the admission process by choosing to do so.
Unless otherwise stated in the Application and Admission section of the appropriate program, the application, including supporting credentials, must be received by the following deadlines:
Fall Semester - July 1
Spring Semester - October 1
Summer Session - April 1
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
International applicants include citizens or permanent residents of a country other than the United States. International applicants may be in the United States on an educational, worker, or visitor visa, or be residing in their home country. International applicants must submit all application materials as described above. All supporting credentials must be in English and transcripts must be evaluated by one of the suggested third-party credential evaluators.
International applicants on, or intending to be on, an F-1 or J-1 visa are required to certify that they have adequate financial resources to cover the cost of tuition and fees, accommodation and meals, insurance, and other living expenses. Financial forms and supporting bank/sponsor documents may be downloaded from www.uncg.edu/ipg.
Application Deadlines for International Applicants
Unless otherwise stated in the Application and Admission section of the appropriate program, all application materials must be submitted by the following deadlines.
Fall Semester - May 15
Spring Semester - September 15
Summer Session - February 15
Deadlines may be extended one month if the international applicant is already in the U.S.
English Proficiency
Non-native speakers of English, regardless of U.S. citizenship, must validate proficiency in the English language by one of three means.- Submit a satisfactory score on a language proficiency test. If the TOEFL is the chosen test, the minimum required score depends on the form of the exam taken (internet based - 79 or paper based - 550). A score of at least 6.5 is required on the IELTS.
- Have earned a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States.
- Complete INTERLINK, the intensive English language program located on UNCG's campus (www.uncg.edu/ipg.interlink/).
The English language proficiency requirement may be waived if the applicant is a graduate of a university in a country where English is the official language.
All supporting credentials must be in English. Applicants must arrange for The Graduate School to receive official or certified copies of transcripts of academic records from every college and university previously attended. Transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-member credential evaluation service, preferably Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Educational Perspectives (EP), International Education Research Foundation (IREF), or World Education Services (WES). The web site www.uncg.edu/grs/prospective/international.html should be consulted to determine whether a general or detailed report is required. Graduate students coming to UNCG through exchange programs or through formally established relationships between a foreign university and UNCG are exempt from this requirement. For a transcript or diploma to be official it must contain the name of the degree and date on which it was awarded.
Accelerated Master's Programs
UNCG offers accelerated programs that allow qualified freshmen, especially those having Advanced Placement Credit, to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in approximately five years. Although formal admission to an accelerated program usually occurs in the junior year, careful selection of undergraduate courses beginning in the freshmen year is essential. For general advising about accelerated programs, please contact the Office of Student Academic Services. Please see the appropriate departmental listing in the Undergraduate Bulletin for program details. The following accelerated master's programs are currently offered:
Accounting (BS)/Accounting (MS)
Anthropology (BA)/Economics (MA)
Biology (BA)/Chemistry (MS)
Chemistry (BS)/Chemistry (MS)
Computer Science (BS)/Computer Science (MS)
Economics (BA)/Economics (MA)
Economics (BA)/Public Affairs (MPA)
Exercise and Sport Science (BS)/Athletic Training (MSAT)
Mathematics (BA, BS)/Mathematics (MA)
Political Science (BA)/Economics (MA)
Political Science (BA)/Public Affairs (MPA)
The student must consult with the appropriate department faculty advisor and complete an Accelerated Program Plan of Study that includes both undergraduate and graduate courses recommended for the program. The plan of study must be approved by University Registrar's Office and then The Graduate School.
Once the plan of study is approved, the student must submit an application for admission, including payment of the application fee, to The Graduate School and a Dual Registration Form, signed by the department, to the University Registrar's Office. A Dual Registration form is required each semester the student wishes to enroll in graduate level courses prior to graduation from the undergraduate degree.
By the appropriate application deadline, the student must submit all supporting credentials required by The Graduate School and the department. Once the undergraduate degree has been awarded and the student has been admitted to the graduate program, the student will be classified as a graduate student.
Admission
Applicants are notified of offers of admission by letter from The Graduate School. Applicants are offered full graduate admission or provisional admission for a specific program in a specific term. If the admitted applicant does not register for the term specified in the admission letter, the admission may be subject to subsequent review.
Students may not be admitted to and graduate from the same degree or certificate program in the same academic term.
Full Graduate Admission
All applicants must have obtained the following:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or appropriately-evaluated credentials for non-U.S. schools.
- Satisfactory academic standing as an undergraduate: “B” (3.0 GPA) average or better in the undergraduate major and in courses prerequisite to the proposed graduate study.
- Approval of the academic department in which the graduate student will major. (Assumes an undergraduate major appropriate to the proposed graduate study.)
- Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing) or other authorized examination as required by the respective graduate degree programs.
Promising applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree but do not meet the formal requirements listed above may be granted provisional admission. Full graduate standing is granted when these students satisfactorily complete prescribed courses or otherwise remove deficiencies. They must meet any special conditions attached to their admission, by either The Graduate School or their major department, no later than upon the completion of 15 semester hours of graduate credit.
Among provisionally admitted applicants may be the following:
- Applicants with a bachelor's degree from a nonaccredited institution.
- Applicants with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution who lack undergraduate work considered essential for graduate study.
- Applicants whose scholastic records are below admission standards but who show promise for success.
A graduate student admitted provisionally is not eligible for appointment to an assistantship or fellowship until full graduate standing is achieved. Provisionally admitted students will have specifically stated conditions that must be met to progress in the program. Provisionally admitted students who are dismissed for failing to meet the provisions of their admission will be eligible to submit a new application to The Graduate School after two semesters or the equivalent and may be admitted only upon the recommendation of the major department Head or Director of Graduate Study and with the approval of the Dean of The Graduate School. While on academic dismissal, students are not eligible to take courses through the VISIONS program.
Graduate admission to a degree or certificate program may be deferred for a maximum of one year from the initial term of admission. The student is responsible for contacting the department to determine if admission for subsequent terms is allowed.
To request a deferral of admission, admitted students must submit a completed Deferral of Admission Form found at www.uncg.edu/grs/forms.html to the admitting department's Director of Graduate Study no later than the first day of classes of the term of initial admission. The deferral request must be for a specific term and may not exceed one year from the original term of admission. After considering the request, the department will forward the form to The Graduate School for processing and The Graduate School will notify the student of the decision. Merit-based financial aid (teaching/research assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships) will not be deferred and the student must compete again for the awards for the term of deferral (if approved).
Students who have not enrolled after one year and have not requested a deferral of admission will be required to reapply.
Registration
Dates for registration periods for each semester are published in the University's Academic Calendar, pages 2-3 of the Graduate Bulletin, and on the University Registrar's website (www.uncg.edu/reg). Registration at UNCG is an automated process conducted online through UNCGenie.
All eligible students (new and continuing) receive electronic personal data (EPD) information and registration access window information via their UNCG email prior to each registration period. Most graduate students will find a preassigned advising code in their EPD; however, in certain programs students must see their advisors to obtain advising codes.
Continuing students who do not pre-register for the next semester during the Early Registration periods in November (for spring semester) and in April (for summer/fall semester) will be required to pay a late registration fee.
Students who have been admitted to UNCG are required by North Carolina State law to submit an immunization form with appropriate verification of immunizations. This form is available online and must be satisfactorily completed and returned to Student Health Services. Failure to comply with this requirement within 30 calendar days from the first day of each semester will result in the student's being administratively withdrawn from the University.
Students registered for four hours or less, or enrolled in only evening classes, are exempt from this requirement. If enrollment status changes (e.g., enrolled for more than four hours or daytime classes), students should consult with Student Health Services.
This requirement applies to all students, regardless of whether they are part-time or full-time. Students subjected to an administrative withdrawal for failure to comply with medical clearance requirements are entitled to a refund, subject to the guidelines of the University's Refund Policy (see the section on Tuition and Fees).
Visiting and Non-degree Seeking Students (VISIONS)
Visiting and non-degree seeking students who wish to pursue graduate studies for personal enrichment, professional knowledge, renewal of licensure, or any other reason are categorized as VISIONS students and must hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized accredited college or university. A $20.00 non-refundable fee is charged each semester a VISIONS enrollment form is submitted.
VISIONS students are not eligible for financial aid.
Individuals who are permitted to enroll at the University as VISIONS students may take courses numbered 100-749 that have not been restricted by the departments (see The Graduate School Bulletin and the Schedule of Courses). Students wishing to enroll in graduate courses in the Department of Art or the Bryan School of Business and Economics must obtain permission from the appropriate graduate program director. Visiting students who wish to enroll in MBA classes must provide a letter of good standing, signed by the dean of their graduate program, prior to registration. With the instructor's approval, VISIONS students may submit a written petition to the Director of Graduate Study or the Department Head to enroll in a restricted course; however, independent study is reserved for only degree seeking students. Graduate credits earned as a VISIONS student may be applicable to a graduate degree. Should a VISIONS student wish to apply for admission to The Graduate School, subject to the written recommendation of the major department and the approval of the Dean of The Graduate School, up to nine (9) semester hours of such credit may be accepted toward a degree and up to three (3) semester hours of such credit may be accepted toward a certificate. Credit earned must fall within the timeline for completing the degree.
Public school teachers and administrators who wish to take courses solely for licensure renewal credit may do so as VISIONS students. If, however, credit is to be applied to a graduate degree, the student must submit an application to The Graduate School before the completion of the course and meet all requirements for full admission as a graduate degree student.
The Bryan Prelude program is a non-degree status designed for individuals who wish to explore a potential degree program in Business Administration (MBA), Information Systems and Operations Management (MSITM), or MS in Accounting. Admitted applicants to the Bryan Prelude may enroll in select courses as outlined in the course requirements listed below. The abbreviated application is found on-line under the Bryan Prelude program listing. Participants in the Bryan Prelude program must apply each semester in which they intend to enroll by using the online application. A $20.00 non-refundable fee is charged each semester an application is submitted.
Bryan Prelude students who subsequently are admitted and enrolled in the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Science in Information Technology & Management (MSITM), or the Master of Science in Accounting program may include no more than 6 hours of graduate level coursework earned while enrolled in the Bryan Prelude program. Bryan Prelude courses taken in preparation for the Bryan MS in Accounting are intended for individuals whose undergraduate degree is not in accounting and who wish to take undergraduate-level, prerequisite coursework for the Bryan MS in Accounting.
Requirements for Admission
Admission to the Bryan Prelude program is selective. To be considered all applicants must meet the following minimum standards: (1) an official undergraduate transcript, verifying an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale); (2) a clearly articulated statement of purpose indicating degree program interest; (3) a current resume.
A combination of work experience and education could on rare occasions possibly substitute for GPA requirements. Personal statement of interest and resume are not required for prerequisite, undergraduate accounting courses taken in preparation for the Bryan MS in Accounting.
Course Offerings
Students admitted to the Bryan Prelude program may enroll in the following courses. Course selection and sequence is determined by applicant designation of interest in the MBA, MSITM, or MS in Accounting program.
For Business Administration:
MBA 701: Quantitative Analysis for Decision Making, MBA 702: Financial and Managerial Accounting, MBA 703: The Economic Environment of the Firm, MBA 706: Marketing Management; and MBA 710: Ethical Leadership and Sustainable Business.
For Information Technology & Management:
The following courses are recommended for students applying to MSITM without a business background. These are prerequisite courses and cannot be applied toward the master's degree: ACC 202: Managerial Accounting, SCM 302: Operations Management.
Students with a baccalaureate in business should take the following courses which later upon admittance to graduate study can be applied toward the master's degree: ISM 671: Database Management and ISM 673: Telecommunication and Distributed Networks.
For Accounting:
The following prerequisite courses are recommended for students applying to Accounting without a baccalaureate in Accounting. These courses cannot be applied toward the master's degree: ACC 202: Managerial Accounting, ACC 218: Financial Statement Preparation and Disclosures, ACC318: Intermediate Accounting I, ACC 319: Intermediate Accounting II, ACC 325: Accounting Transaction Processing Systems, ACC 330: Cost Accounting, ACC 420: Federal Tax Concepts, ACC 440: Auditing Concepts
For additional information on these courses along with potential undergraduate course prerequisite options, see the Bryan Prelude web-site.
Academic Eligibility to Continue in the Graduate School
Bryan Prelude students will become academically ineligible to continue in The Graduate School under any of the following circumstances:
- When grades of U, F, or WF (or D in an undergraduate course) are received in any 6 semester hours.
- When Grades of C+ or C are received in 9 semester hours of any course work taken (graduate or undergraduate).
- When any grade of U, F, or WF (or D in an undergraduate course) is received in combination with 6 semester hours of C+ or C grades.
Undergraduate students at UNCG who plan to undertake graduate study at UNCG and who need no more than 12 semester hours of work to fulfill all requirements for the bachelor's degree, may enroll in The Graduate School. Total graduate credit obtained in this dual status may not exceed 12 semester hours. Courses at the 600 level or above are applied to the graduate degree only. Students must apply for admission to a graduate program before requests for dual registration can be approved but do not have to be formally admitted until the end of the semester in which credit is earned. For dual registration status, the approvals of The Graduate School, the University Registrar's Office, and the student's major advisor are required. Contact the University Registrar's Office (336-334-5946) for more information.
Approval for dual registration does not guarantee or constitute acceptance into any graduate program.
Students taking courses through an interinstitutional agreement must meet the standards for participation in the program as set by their home institution, including the transfer credit policies of The Graduate School, and must follow the rules and policies of both campuses. Students must be registered for at least half of their hours at UNCG the same semester in which they register through either the Interinstitutional or the Consortium agreement. Under Interinstitutional Registration and the Greater Greensboro Consortium, enrollment and payment of tuition and fees take place on the home campus. Students must pay the appropriate tuition and fees to the visited institution when participating in the UNC Online Interinstitutional Agreement. Application forms and information are available at The Graduate School and the University Registrar's Office. Unlike other courses accepted for transfer, grades received through an interinstitutional course are recorded on the student's UNCG transcript and calculated into the student's overall GPA.
The Graduate School participates in the following three interinstitutional agreements.
Interinstitutional Registration
The Interinstitutional Registration program with North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina Central University, and Duke University allows degree-seeking graduate students at UNCG, with the approval of the Dean of The Graduate School and upon recommendation of their advisors, to take courses at one of the above campuses. Eligible courses are limited to traditional, campus-based courses. Distance learning, extension, and online courses are not eligible.
UNC Online Interinstitutional Agreement
The UNC Online Interinstitutional Agreement allows degree-seeking graduate students at UNCG, with the approval of the Dean of The Graduate School and upon recommendation of their advisors, to take online courses at the 15 other UNC system schools. Students must pay the appropriate tuition and fees to the visited institution. Requests should be submitted through The University of North Carolina Online web site online.northcarolina.edu/index.php.
Greater Greensboro Consortium
Through membership in the Greater Greensboro Consortium (GGC), UNCG also participates in an open-access agreement with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, located in Greensboro, whereby degree-seeking students enrolled at UNCG may take courses at NC A&T upon recommendation of their advisors and with the approval of the Dean of The Graduate School. Eligible courses are limited to traditional, campus-based courses. Distance learning, extension, and online courses are not eligible.
Distance Learning/Off-Campus Credit
Most off-campus and distance education courses are classified as "distance." Distance learning courses are identified in UNCGenie by having "D" or "X" suffixes on the section number and in the campus code field and are managed through the Division of Continual Learning. These courses carry residence credit for students admitted to UNCG.
Students wishing to take off-campus or distance learning courses should contact the Division of Continual Learning. Academic credit cannot be applied to degree requirements until the student is fully admitted to UNCG as a degree-seeking student.
Auditing a course is the privilege of being present in the classroom when space is available. No credit is involved, no examinations are required, no grades are reported, and no computer access is available. Attendance, preparation, and participation in classroom discussion and activities are at the discretion of the department and the instructor. The deadline to register for an audit course or to change an audit course to credit is the last date courses can be added as specified in the official academic calendar. A UNCG student who is registered for 12 hours or more may audit one course per semester without charge. A UNCG student who is registered for less than 12 hours may audit no more than two courses per semester. For auditing fees, see the section on Special Fees under Auditing Fees.