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Admission to Graduate Studies

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Greta 
Admission to Graduate Studies at Valley City State University requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may submit scores from at least one examination such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Millers Analogies Test (MAT), the Praxis II - Principles of Learning and Teaching, or National Teaching Board for Professional Standards. Arrange to have official test scores sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies.

In addition, students must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address the student's preparedness for graduate study, and a written statement of professional goals in light of their philosophy including a description of their preparation in the field of education, and a copy of a resume.

A complete application includes:
Applications must be received by the VCSU School of Education and Graduate Studies at least three weeks prior to the beginning of the fall, spring, or summer semester for timely processing.
  • An application form,
  • Official transcripts from each college or university attended,
  • Three letters of recommendation,
  • A written statement of professional goals in light of your philosophy including a description of your preparation in the field of education
  • A resume, and
  • An application fee of $35 submitted by check, money order, or an online payment through EPayment.
Application forms are available from the VCSU Office of Graduate Studies and Research, may be downloaded from the VCSU Graduate web site, see Resources and Forms or filled out online. Applications may be submitted by e-mail (graduate@vcsu.edu), sent by mail or online. Transcripts should be sent directly from the college or university attended to the VCSU Office of Graduate Studies.

Letters of recommendation should be sent directly from the references to the VCSU Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Recommendation forms may be downloaded from the VCSU Graduate web site, see Resources and Forms and also online.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all admission documents are received in the VCSU School of Education and Graduate Studies by specified deadlines. All credentials submitted by or on behalf of an applicant become the property of VCSU. Once an application has been submitted, applicants should notify the VCSU Office of Graduate Studies & Research of any change in plans regarding enrollment at VCSU.
Program Provisional Admission - Students may be admitted with provisional status when not all requirements for admission are met or their GPA is below 3.0 but other materials show potential. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 must submit scores from at least one examination such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Millers Analogies Test (MAT), the Praxis II - Principles of Learning and Teaching, or National Teaching Board for Professional Standards. Scores will be used to assess students' previous educational achievement levels and to evaluate their potential for meeting the demands of coursework at the graduate level.

Link to Educational Testing Service for GRE test dates and sites Educational Testing Service http://www.ets.org

 
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  • The concentration faculty may make a recommendation to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for Provisional Admission. Accompanying the recommendation will be specific standards of performance that must be satisfied for a change to full graduate status. Students admitted under Provisional status may not earn more than nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit in this status.
  • Students admitted with full admission will be given academic probation and assigned provisional status if their cumulative grade point average drops below 3.0 after completing nine (9) semester hours in the program.
International Students - In addition to all other required admission materials, the following must also be completed:

  • Official academic transcript certifying a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
  • All foreign credentials must be officially translated into English.
  • All academic credentials must be either original records or certified copies of original records. Non-certified photocopies are not acceptable.
  • VCSU required students seeking to have credits transfer use the Worldwide Education Services (WES) organization to have the course descriptions interpreted. The Registrar's Office will then receive the information to better evaluate what credits will transfer.
  • Canadian students do not need to use the evaluation service; however, you must have an official transcript sent to VCSU directly from the university attended.
  • TOEFL Score (minimum paper score of 525 required/computer 193).

Types of Admission

Regular Admission is granted when the

  • applicant holds a bachelor's or an advanced degree from an accredited institution.
  • applicant has no deficiencies in the chosen area of study.
  • applicant meets all program admission requirements.
Provisional Admission may be granted

  • by recommendation of the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the chair of the concentration approval.
  • if the student has program deficiencies. Graduate courses may be taken to fulfill deficiencies but will not apply to the degree.
  • when an official undergraduate or graduate transcript has not been received but completion of a bachelor's degree has been confirmed.
  • when undergraduate GPA below 3.0 and required test has not yet been taken.
Non-Degree Admission

Individuals who desire to pursue study beyond the baccalaureate degree for professional growth and improvement of skills but not to work toward an advanced degree objective may be admitted as non-degree graduate students under the following conditions:

  • the applicant must complete an application form.
  • the applicant must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and forward a copy of the transcript to the Office of Graduate Studies.
  • the applicant must pay an application fee by check, money order, or credit card for exact amount of application fee.
  • applicants must have the prerequisite courses or background/experience necessary for the course or courses in which they desire to enroll. This may require consultation and approval from course instructors.
  • applicants must be approved by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
Students enrolled with Non-Degree status may subsequently desire to be considered for admission to Graduate Studies to pursue an advanced degree. Such a change in status may be accomplished by submitting a new application specifying degree-seeking status to the VCSU Graduate Studies and Research and completing all other requirements. Up to nine (9) credits earned in the non-degree status may be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements if approved by graduate faculty from a program concentration, the Teacher Education Chair, and the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
 

Appeal of Admission Denial

Applicants to a graduate academic program may appeal decisions on their admission status by petition. The petition will be obtained from the VCSU Graduate Studies and Research and submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. The Office of Graduate Studies and Research will process the petition with the Graduate Council and notify the applicant of the result in a timely manner.
 
For more information concerning admission requirements see Resources and Forms and download the Graduate Catalog.
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