Admissions Overview
Quick Jump to:
Full Admission
Provisional Admission
Visiting and Non-degree Seeking Students (VISIONS)
Dual Registration
Immunization Clearance
Accelerated Master's Programs
Cross Registration
Distance Learning
Auditing
Persons who seek admission to graduate study at UNCG must submit a formal application. Applications may be submitted online or a paper application may be downloaded from our website at http://www.uncg.edu/grs.
Admission (Full Graduate Standing)
All applicants must have obtained the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited college or university.
- 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) or other authorized examination as required by the respective graduate degree programs. Scores are valid for five years. (See application materials.)
In addition, all applicants must submit a completed application form accompanied by two official transcripts of the student’s academic records from every college and university previously attended (even if the courses from one school appear on the transcript of another), three recommendations from former professors, employers, or persons well acquainted with the student’s academic potential, qualifying examination scores (#4 above), and a nonrefundable $55.00 application fee. Where a degree was earned, the official transcript must indicate the name of the degree and the date awarded. All credentials must be in English.
Admission Deadlines
Because of processing requirements, an admission decision for Fall Semester cannot be guaranteed unless all credentials are received before July 1, for Spring Semester by November 1, and for Summer Session by April 1. For international students the deadline for receipt of application and all supporting documents by The Graduate School is May 15 for Fall Semester, September 15 for Spring Semester, and February 15 for Summer Session. Deadlines may be extended one month if the international student is already in the U.S. PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS SHOULD CHECK WITH INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS AS SOME PROGRAMS HAVE EARLIER DEADLINES.
Students are admitted to full graduate status or provisional status for a specific degree program in a specific term. If the admitted applicant does not register for the term specified in the application, 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.
Additional Admission Requirements for Nonresident Aliens
Nonresident aliens must provide certification of financial support. Non-native speakers of English must submit a minimum TOEFL score (computer based TOEFL score of 213, internet based TOEFL score of 79, paper based TOEFL score of 550) or IELTS score of 6.5. The English language proficiency requirement may be waived if the applicant is a citizen of a country or graduate of a university in a country where English is the official language.
For information about awards or stipends, see the section on Fellowships and Assistantships.
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 who give evidence that unavoidable extenuating circumstances affected their undergraduate record, but that progressive improvement took place.
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.
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. 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 enrolling in graduate courses in the Department of Art may need to provide a portfolio. Additional information is available from the Chair of the Department of Art. Students enrolling in graduate courses in the Bryan School of Business and Economics must see the appropriate graduate program director and have special permission. Visiting students who wish to enroll in M.B.A. classes must provide a letter of good standing, signed by the dean of their graduate program, prior to registration. Contact the M.B.A. office (336-334-5390) for complete information.
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 only for 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. Credit earned must fall within the timeline for completing the degree.
Public School Personnel
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.
VISIONS students are not eligible for financial aid.
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 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 supplied by The Graduate School 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 registration 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, do not need to be in compliance. 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).
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has accelerated programs that will allow qualified freshmen, especially those having Advanced Placement Credit, to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in approximately five years. Programs represent two distinct patterns. The first is undergraduate majors who continue to pursue graduate work in the same discipline as their bachelor’s degree or secondly, by carefully selecting electives, may choose to complement the undergraduate major with graduate study in another area.
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 (B.S.)/Accounting (M.S.)
Anthropology (B.A.)/Economics (M.A.)
Anthropology (B.A.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Biology (B.A.)/Chemistry (M.S.)
Business Administration (B.S.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Chemistry (B.S.)/Chemistry (M.S.)
Chemistry (B.S.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Economics (B.A.)/Economics (M.A.)
Economics (B.A.)/Public Affairs (M.P.A.)
Exercise and Sport Science (B.S.)/Exercise and Sport Science (M.S.)
French (B.A.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
German (B.A.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Mathematics (B.A., B.S.)/Mathematics (M.A.)
Music (B.A.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Physics (B.A.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Political Science (B.A.)/Economics (M.A.)
Political Science (B.A.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Political Science (B.A.)/Public Affairs (M.P.A.)
Spanish (B.A.)/Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Interinstitutional Registration
The Graduate School of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro participates in an 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, whereby degree-seeking graduate students at UNCG, with the approval of the Dean of The Graduate School and upon recommendation of their advisors, may 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.
Greater Greensboro Consortium
Through membership in the Greater Greensboro Consortium (GGC), UNCG also participates in an open-access agreement with the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, located in Greensboro, whereby degree-seeking students enrolled at UNCG may take courses at NCATSU 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.
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 Consortium agreements. Under both agreements, enrollment and payment of tuition and fees take place on the home campus. Application forms and information are available at The Graduate School and the University Registrar’s Office. Grades are recorded on the student’s transcript and calculated into the student’s overall GPA.
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" 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. For auditing fees, see the section on Special Fees under "Auditing Fees."