Graduate Admissions Information

Standards for Admissions

Requirements: the graduate degrees are designed for those holding bachelor’s degrees or higher from an accredited or recognized institution.

General Application Procedure

1. Submit a complete application online at carolinau.edu/apply.
2. Request transcripts from all colleges and universities attended since high school be mailed or submitted via secure electronic transfer from the institutions to the CU Office of Admissions at admissions@carolinau.edu.
3. Submit any additional documentation required based on a specified degree of interest.

Provisional Admission Policy

Applicants who have submitted evidence of satisfactory academic qualification (official or unofficial) but lack one or more additional items required for admission may receive provisional acceptance. Provisionally admitted students may register for upcoming courses after paying their enrollment deposit. Additionally, they may work with the financial services office to have a financial package established. However, all admissions requirements must be resolved and full admission obtained before financial aid will be disbursed. Students may remain in provisional acceptance for up to 10 calendar days after the first day of class. If provisional admission status is not resolved within those 10 calendar days, students will be administratively withdrawn from their courses.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Carolina University is committed to maintaining an environment that is both loving and welcoming. Consistent with this goal and applicable laws, it is the university’s policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, disability, veteran status, national and ethnic origin, or pregnancy or childbirth. Therefore, all educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities, qualifications, and agreement with CU’s mission and conduct policies.

Transfer Policy

Carolina University grants transfer credit for previous college work from colleges or universities that are accredited by agencies approved by the Department of Education. Reference the Academic Information section of the catalog for specific transfer guidelines.

Visiting Students

A visiting student is a non-resident, non-degree seeking student currently enrolled in a degree program at another institution who wishes to take a limited number of classes at Carolina University for transfer credit to his/her present institution.

Eligibility

1. Satisfactory Academic Progress at the present institution as indicated by a current in progress transcript
2. Written approval from the Registrar, dean, or student’s Academic Advisor at the present institution
3. Approval of the Visiting Student Application
4. Payment of tuition and fees

Nonprogram Students

Students are expected to declare a degree objective prior to enrolling in classes. Those who enroll with no degree objectives are classified as nonprogram students. Nonprogram students who meet the admissions requirements but have chosen not to pursue a degree are under no credit hour limit or language concurrence policy requirements. Deficiency courses may be taken concurrently or consecutively. Nonprogram students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Returning Students

Previously-enrolled students who are classified as withdrawn should submit an application online at carolinau.edu/apply and meet all admissions requirements. The applicant should request that all official transcripts from institutions attended since withdrawing from Carolina University be submitted by mail or electronic transfer to the Office of Admissions. Students returning with a GPA less than the program entry requirement or after Academic Suspension must submit an action plan, explanation of accountability, and changes to circumstances which now support academic success. The university's access to admission requirements collected with previous application(s) is not guaranteed. The Office of Admissions may request any unarchived documentation necessary for readmission purposes.

International Students

The university is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.

International students must show evidence of completion of a Bachelor's degree in their country of education. Transcripts need to be evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES®).

International students whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory scores on one of the following English proficiency tests: TOEFL, CPE, IELTS, or PTEL. The required minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score for admittance is a paper-based score of 500, a computer-based score of 170, or an Internet-based score of 60. Information about the test may be obtained from ets.org/toefl. The required score for the Academic Version, Band 6 or above, of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a corresponding score of 25-40. The required score for PTEL (Pearson Test of English) is 68 or above. The minimum grade for the CPE (Cambridge Proficiency in English) is a C.

English proficiency examinations may be waived for students who have completed a secondary-level program at a recognized school with English as the medium of instruction after transcript evaluation.

Financial responsibility must be demonstrated before the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) Student Status can be issued. The university must receive on deposit the funds in United States dollars to cover the cost of the first year’s education. Financial information may be obtained from the Admissions Office including amounts for all fees and tuition. The I-20 Form will not be sent to the applicant until all of the admissions requirements have been met. International students are encouraged to submit all admissions materials at least six months prior to projected enrollment and obtain an acceptance letter at least three months before starting their first course.

International Online Students

Online international applicants are encouraged to complete the admissions process no less than three months prior to the expected start date. In addition to the standard admissions requirements for all undergraduate students, Online international students whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory scores demonstrating English proficiency. Financial information may be obtained from the Admissions Office including amounts for all fees and tuition.

Specific Divinity School Admissions Requirements

Piedmont Divinity School admits into the graduate programs academically qualified students who are born again and possess a Christian testimony consistent with the philosophy, doctrine, standards, and practice of the Divinity School.

These qualifications are evaluated by submission of the following:

1. Autobiographical essay giving testimony of salvation and reason for applying to the program
2. Read and sign the Student Doctrinal Statement and the Standards of Behavior statement
3. Read and agree to respect the Faculty Doctrinal Statement

Maestría de Artes en Ministerio en Español

1. El programa de la Maestría de Artes en Ministerio en Español está diseñado para aquellos que desean seguir el plan de estudios de la Maestría de Artes en Ministerio en Español de manera virtual. Los solicitantes deben cumplir con los requisitos generales y específicos de admisión que están establecidos en el catálogo, excepto cuando se indiquen requisitos alternativos (consulte el sitio del programa para conocer los requisitos de admisión específicos).
2. La documentación requerida para la admisión y las cartas de aprobación son emitidas por el Director de Admisión, con la ayuda del Coordinador de Recursos en Español.
3. La valoración de la calidad de las instituciones que otorgan títulos y el reconocimiento de créditos está basado en la evaluación de los Servicios de Educación Mundial (World Education Service) (wes.org, 212-966-6311) y por los “Criterios para Transferirse de una Universidad que no está Acreditada ni Reconocida” (Por favor, vea la sección “Política de Transferencia y Reconocimiento de Créditos” en este catálogo: Credit Recognition and Transfer Policy).

Mestrado em Ministério em Português

1. O programa de Mestrado em Ministério foi desenhado para aqueles que desejam um mestrado na língua portuguesa e completamente online. Aqueles que desejam cursar o mestrado devem atender aos requerimentos específicos de admissão apresentados no Catálogo da Universidade, a não ser que existam exceções aos requerimentos apresentados neste mesmo Catálogo (veja a página do programa de mestrado em português para os requerimentos de admissão no site pt.carolinau.edu).
2. Todo processo de admissão ao programa é avaliado pelo diretor do programa e sua equipe. Uma vez confirmado todo o recebimento da documentação requerida e avaliada positivamente, uma carta de aceitação é enviada pelo Departamento de Admissões.
3. A avaliação dos pedidos de transferência de créditos são feitos levando em consideração a instituição na qual o aluno estudou e o reconhecimento destes créditos pelo World Education Services (www.wes.org), mas tendo como resposta final aquela que é dada pela direção do programa de mestrado. A direção leva em consideração os critérios mencionados anteriormente e ainda o critério estabelecido no Catálogo da Universidade (veja a seção do Credit Recognition and Transfer Policy no Catálogo).

Special Admissions — Ability to Benefit

Admission into Seminary Graduate Studies (MA, MABS, and MDiv) requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited or recognized college. Consideration is given, on very rare occasions, to applicants without a bachelor’s degree and those with degrees from colleges that are not recognized. These exceptions are limited to no more than 10% of the total enrollment during a given semester.

Policy for Ability to Benefit

• A minimum of five years of ministry experience
• At least thirty years of age
• Submission of a satisfactory research paper on a theological subject
• Submission of a complete admissions packet, including program-specific requirements
• Completion of a successful interview with a Graduate Studies representative
• No advanced standing
• Participation in a special advising program during the first semester
• Completion of the GRE or the MAT examination with satisfactory scores

Procedures for Ability to Benefit

• Submission of a letter of intent, an application, and a research paper
• Interview with a Graduate Studies representative
• Approval of the Graduate Admissions Committee