ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO THE
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Standards applied by the UMES Graduate School and the admissions committees of the departmental graduate programs are to ensure that students admitted have high qualifications and a reasonable expectation of successfully completing a graduate program. In order to maintain programs of outstanding quality, the number of spaces in each program is limited according to the availability of faculty and other departmental resources.
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION
Degree Seeking
(Master’s and Doctoral)
Those who have earned or will earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or the U.S. minimum credit hours equivalent of either degree from another country will be considered for admission to the Graduate School. The Graduate School requires as a minimum admission standard a” B ” cumulative grade point average, or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, in a program of study resulting in a baccalaureate degree generally of a four year (eight semester, 120 minimum credit hours) duration and master’s degree generally of a two-year (four semester, 30 minimum credit hours) duration. Individual programs may establish additional admissions criteria, which exceed the Graduate School’s minimum requirements.
Students may apply for admission to UMES during or after their final year of undergraduate study, but if admitted, must furnish an award of degree before their first registration for classes. Students applying for admission to a Master’s or doctoral degree program in a field of specialization in which they already hold a Master’s or doctoral degree or its equivalent, may do so only if the previous degree program was of a substantially different character or was not accredited.
Non-U.S. Citizens who are permanent residents and non-immigrants (under visas) use the same application process for seeking admission.
The decision to admit an applicant to a degree program is based primarily on a combination of the following criteria on his/her background and capabilities. The criteria are consistent with requirements (selection standards) of the specific graduate programs:
1. The quality of previous undergraduate and graduate work. The student’s undergraduate or graduate program should include completion of the prerequisites for graduate study in the chosen field. In individual programs where resources are available, applicants who do not meet the minimum standard for their undergraduate work, may be provisionally admitted if there is evidence, on the basis of other criteria, of a reasonable likelihood of success in the program the applicant desires to enter.
2. Strength of external evaluations of the applicant.
3. Scores on a nationally standardized examination (as may be required by individual programs).
4. A Statement of Purpose for graduate study.
5. Other evidence of preparation (as may be required by individual programs).
CATEGORIES OF ADMISSION (degree seeking):
1. Full (Regular) Admission Status: Applicants must have received a bachelor’s degree, and if applicable a master’s degree, from a regionally accredited institution or the U.S. minimum credit hours equivalent of either degree from another country, and be otherwise fully qualified in the judgment of the individual program and the Graduate School.
2. Provisional Admission Status: Applicants may be admitted to this status if: a) the quality of their previous academic record is lower than established standards or if prerequisite course work in the chosen field is insufficient; 2) they majored in another program area with a creditable record but there is some doubt about their ability to pursue the chosen program of study; 3) they are in graduate study at another institution but are unable to furnish a transcript showing completion of course work or degree requirements; or 4) they have completed a baccalaureate degree but have not yet submitted official verification of the last semester’s work and receipt of the degree.
Conditions to correct any deficiencies in preparation for graduate study at UMES will be outlined by the faculty. The student is expected to become fully qualified within a specified time limit (see graduate catalog section for information). When all conditions have been met, the program may recommend admission of the student to full (regular) status. Students who are unable to qualify for full admission under the conditions specified, e.g., by failure to fulfill them, will have their admission terminated.
