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
- Submit a complete application online at carolinau.edu/apply.
- 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.
- Submit any additional documentation required based on a specified degree of interest.
Provisional Admission
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 If provisional admission status is not resolved within those 10 calendar days, students will be administratively withdrawn from their courses.
Probationary Admission
Students who do not meet the graduate school or program grade point requirements for regular admission to a degree program may be recommended for probationary admission.
To be considered for probationary admission to a master’s program, a student must possess a minimum 2.0 undergraduate GPA. If you are admitted on probationary status, you may enroll for up to 9 credits of graduate-level coursework approved by an advisor in your proposed field of study. Any request for more than 9 credits of graduate-level coursework while a probationary student must be approved in writing by your advisor and school dean.
To be considered for probationary admission to a PhD program, a student must possess a minimum 2.5 graduate GPA. If you are admitted on probationary status, you may enroll for up to 6 credits of PhD-level coursework approved by an advisor in your proposed field of study. Any request for more than 6 credits of PhD-level coursework while a probationary student must be approved in writing by your advisor and school dean.
Upon completion of at least 9 credit hours of master’s-level work or at least 6 credit hours of PhD-level work at Carolina University with at least a B average, probationary students may be removed from probationary status by the Registrar’s Office. Probationary students who do not meet that objective will be placed on academic suspension.
The hours earned while a probationary graduate student may be used to satisfy the requirements for the degree.
In accordance with U.S. government regulations, international students admitted on probationary status are not eligible for F-1 (student) visa status but can complete courses online to become eligible for full admission.
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
- Satisfactory Academic Progress at the present institution as indicated by a current in progress transcript
- Written approval from the Registrar, dean, or student’s Academic Advisor at the present institution
- Approval of the Visiting Student Application
- 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.