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 If provisional admission status is not resolved within those 10 calendar days, students will be administratively withdrawn from their courses.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 university. Applicants will be asked to confirm their personal belief that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead and that the Bible is God’s Word. Students are asked to read and support the Statement of Faith of Carolina University.

These qualifications are evaluated by submission of the following:

  1. Applicants must submit an autobiographical essay discussing Christian experience, relevant work/ministry experience, personal and professional interests, and capacity for academic initiative and discipline.
  2. Applicants must provide two references who will be contacted for letters of recommendation.

MA Ministry in Spanish

  1. The Spanish MA Ministry program is designed for those who desire to pursue the MA Ministry curriculum in the Spanish language online. Applicants must meet the general and specific admission requirements stated in the catalog, except where alternate requirements are indicated (see program page for specific admissions requirements).
  2. Admission packets are evaluated and acceptance letters are issued by the Director of Admissions, with assistance from the Spanish Resource Coordinator.
  3. The assessment of the quality of the degree-granting institutions and the recognition of credits is based on World Education Services evaluation (wes.org, 212-966-6311) and the Graduate Studies’ “Criteria for Transferring from a College that is not Accredited or Recognized” (Please see the Credit Recognition and Transfer Policy section in this catalog).

MA Ministry in Portuguese

  1. The Portuguese MA program is designed for those who desire to pursue the MA curriculum in the Portuguese language online. Applicants must meet the general and specific admission requirements stated in the catalog, except where alternate requirements are indicated (see program page for specific admissions requirements).
  2. Admission packets are evaluated and acceptance letters are issued by the Director of Admissions, with assistance from the Portuguese Resource Coordinator.
  3. The assessment of the quality of the degree-granting institutions and the recognition of credits are based on World Education Services evaluation (wes.org, 212-966-6311) and the Graduate Studies’ “Criteria for Transferring from a College that is not Accredited or Recognized” (Please see the Credit Recognition and Transfer Policy section in this catalog).

Five-Year Accelerated BA — MDiv Scholars Program

The Five-Year Accelerated BA – MDiv Seminary Scholars Program is designed for academically gifted and highly-motivated students with proven records of excellence and a clear sense of calling. The exceptional students selected to pursue this program will earn an accredited Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees in just five years. Students can prepare for advanced ministry leadership either in the traditional way with a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree followed by a three-year Master of Divinity degree or, if they are qualified and selected, in the new, accelerated way, with the Five-Year BA – MDiv Seminary Scholars Program.

Eligibility

  1. A high school graduation GPA of 3.0 or above
  2. An ACT score of 22 or above or an SAT score (without writing) of 1100 or above
  3. Written declaration upon admission to CU to pursue the Scholars Program
  4. An essay by the applicant stating and explaining the following:
    • Evidence of academic excellence
    • Record of ministry effectiveness
    • A clear sense of calling
  5. A letter of endorsement by a local church, a church-related ministry or a parachurch organization recommending the applicant to pursue the Scholars Program
  6. Selection by the Five-Year BA – MDiv Scholars Program Committee

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
  • Agreement to respect the Statement of Faith of Carolina University
  • 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
View PDF