Graduate Admissions

To be eligible for consideration for full or conditional admission to a degree program, an applicant must:

a) submit a completed online application;

b) pay a $55.00 non‑refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants);

c) submit an official transcript(s) to The Graduate School directly from the institution or international transcript evaluation service (see transcripts section);

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency or complete UNCP's English Language Institute (ELI). Additional information about ELI may be found here.

Some programs may have additional application requirements, such as an essay, professional recommendations, examination scores, personal interview, resume, background check or submission of a professional license. See the Program-Specific Requirements and reference stipulations on the individual program websites. 

Explore Graduate Programs

Back to Top

Applicants are to have an official transcript sent to The Graduate School from:

1. all colleges/universities in which a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress. One transcript must indicate a baccalaureate degree was earned from an accepted accredited institution. Accepted institutional accreditors include but are not limited to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Other US Dept. of Education recognized accreditors that are not listed above may also be considered acceptable. Applicants may submit additional transcripts.
2. any colleges/universities in which coursework was completed within 5 years of the date of application and
3. any institution showing relevant courses for a program’s prerequisite courses or for transfer credit consideration (if master’s level). See Program-Specific Requirements.

Additional Guidance:

• Applicants who attend or previously attended UNCP do not need to provide UNCP transcripts nor transcripts from institutions appearing on the UNCP transcript.
• Applicants enrolled in a degree program (other than at UNCP) upon admission are to submit an official, degree-dated transcript within the first two months of receiving the degree.
• Applicants may be asked to submit additional transcripts for admission consideration.
• Community college transcripts (even if a degree was earned) do not have to be submitted.
• Applicants who earned a degree from an institution outside the United States must submit an evaluation of their transcripts by a NACES-accredited credential evaluation service (WES preferred).
• Graduate-level coursework will be considered in the application review process and may be considered in lieu of, or in addition to, the undergraduate GPA requirements listed above. 

Back to Top

Applicants for some programs are required to submit an official report of satisfactory scores on an appropriate standardized entrance examination as described below. If an applicant already holds a master’s degree or above (e.g., master’s, doctorate, J.D.), the entrance test requirement may be waived. Applicants to graduate programs that require official test scores must have scores earned within the last 5 years.

• Business Administration (MBA) applicants submit GRE or Graduate Management Admissions (GMAT) test scores. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA over 2.5 (4.0 scale) do NOT have to submit test scores, with proof of one year of work or student leadership experience.

• English program (MA program only) applicants submit Miller Analogies Test (MAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or qualifying PRAXIS II test scores for English 9-12 licensure (ELA: Content Knowledge test 5038 and Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 test 5624 at time of posting). 

• Public Administration (MPA) applicants submit GRE test scores. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher GPA do NOT have to submit test scores.

Specific Exam Information:

a) The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is an hour-long test of analytical ability consisting of 120 analogy problems. The MAT is offered by the Office for Regional Initiatives, located at The Carolina Commerce and Technology Center (COMTech) on Livermore Drive. To schedule a sitting for the MAT, applicants may call (910.775.4000); additional information is available at The Testing Center.

b) The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) assesses analytical writing, critical thinking and verbal and quantitative reasoning skills and is offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) of Princeton, NJ. Additional information is available at the ETS website (gre.org). The GRE is now offered by the Office for Regional Initiatives, located at The Carolina Commerce and Technology Center (COMTech) on Livermore Drive. To schedule a sitting for the GRE, applicants may call (910.775.4000); additional information is available at The Testing Center.

c) The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) assesses quantitative, verbal and reasoning skills and is offered by the ETS Graduate Management Admissions Council. Additional information is available at the ETS website (mba.com and a student's guide for taking the GMAT).

If an applicant already holds a master’s degree or above (e.g., master’s, doctorate, J.D.), the entrance test requirement may be waived.

Back to Top

Most programs require applicants to submit contact information for academic and/or professional recommenders in the online application. Typically, at least one recommendation should come from a college/university faculty member in the undergraduate major of the applicant. The other references should come from the applicant’s employers/supervisors, if applicable. Note that the MBA program no longer requires recommendations.

Back to Top

Applicants for all graduate degrees leading to licensure by the North Carolina State Board of Education — other than a Master of Arts in Teaching degree — must submit a copy of any current licenses held. This includes applicants to the MSA program, an MA licensure program or an MAEd program (except for Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling programs).

In some programs, students without current licensure are admitted to a non-licensure track and are required to sign a waiver of North Carolina Standard Professional I- and M-level licensure. It is the individual’s responsibility to determine the requirements of any licensure reciprocity agreement that may exist between North Carolina and another state. Reciprocity does not guarantee that all areas of licensure will transfer directly from one state to another. The applicant is encouraged to contact the School of Education Licensure Office and/or the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction concerning licensure requirements and reciprocity agreements with other states.

Back to Top

Students may be conditionally admitted into a program if they do not meet all requirements for the program, but their circumstances warrant conditional admission. Conditions typically require a student to take courses with content needed for success in the program. Conditionally admitted students who do not meet the conditions and are not fully admitted into a program within one year are no longer eligible for financial aid.

Back to Top

If you are a new or returning graduate student, and you wish to request a residency classification, you will apply using the new Residency Determination Service (RDS).

As of May 14, 2018, RDS is the entity responsible for all new classifications of residency in North Carolina.

• To begin the process, visit www.NCresidency.org
• ALL student inquiries about initial determinations, reconsiderations or appeals, should be directed to RDS, the sole authority for residency determinations. You may reach RDS by telephone or email:
  • Phone: 844.319.3640
  • Email: rdsinfo@ncresidency.org

Back to Top

Visiting graduate students enrolled in the graduate schools of accredited institutions of higher learning are welcome at UNC Pembroke. Qualified visiting graduate students may study for one semester or summer at UNCP and transfer credits back to their home institutions after securing the written approval of the Dean of The Graduate School. To gain admission as a visiting graduate student, an applicant must be in good standing at, and be eligible to return to, the home institution. The decision to admit visiting graduate students rests with the Dean of The Graduate School. Also, visiting graduate students who wish to enroll for an additional semester must secure the written approval of the Dean of The Graduate School.

To be eligible for admission consideration as a visiting student, an applicant must:

a) submit a completed online application;

b) pay the $55.00, non-refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants);

c) submit a letter-of-good-standing signed by the graduate dean (or an appropriate official) of her/his home graduate school specifying the course(s) for which transfer credit may be earned.

Back to Top

Applicants who possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, who are not enrolled in degree programs at other institutions, and who wish to complete courses at UNCP for personal or professional enrichment may qualify for admission as enrichment students. Students in this category cannot enroll for more than six (6) semester hours in a semester. Continuation of enrollment beyond one semester in this category requires the written approval of the Dean of The Graduate School. Six (6) semester hours of credit (if appropriate and within the time limit) earned as a special student may later be applied toward degree requirements (see Transfer Credit page).

Individuals seeking to enroll in enrichment studies must:

a) submit a completed online application;

b) pay a $55.00, non-refundable application fee ($60.00 for international applicants);

c) submit an official transcript from all colleges/universities attended (see requirements above).

Back to Top

The Graduate School at UNC Pembroke welcomes applications from potential graduate students from other nations. To be eligible for consideration for admission as an international student, an applicant must:

1) submit a completed application;

2) pay the non-refundable application fee of $60.00;

3) submit an official transcript evaluation report by World Education Services (WES), International Education Services (IES), or other NACES-accredited education evaluation service (official or unofficial transcripts are not required)

4) submit an official report of satisfactory scores on an entrance exam, if required by program of interest;

5) submit satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test, if English is not the native language.

• The minimum TOEFL score is 79 on Internet-based (iBT) or 550 on paper-based (PBT) test.
• The minimum IELTS overall score is 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 on each of the four bands.
• The minimum Duolingo score is 105.

Exceptions to the English standardized exams are available for the three categories of international applicants:

1. International applicants who have received or will receive a degree from an accepted accredited university in the United States. Accepted institutional accreditors include but are not limited to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Other US Dept. of Education recognized accreditors that are not listed above may also be considered acceptable. 
2. International applicants who have received or will receive a degree from an accredited university abroad, where English is the sole language of instruction. Applicants in this category must provide an official letter of verification from that university that English is the sole language of instruction, along with the applicant's date of graduation (or anticipated date of graduation for those who are still working on their bachelor's degree). Failure to provide an official letter of verification will mean that the standardized English exam scores will be required for admission.
3. International applicants from countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), Ghana, Ireland, India, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and United Kingdom - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales) do not need to submit English proficiency scores.

• Have successfully completed UNCP's English Language Institute (ELI).

6) submit other program-specific requirements based on the program you are pursuing.

If admitted, international students will need to submit official proof of financial support: Financial Certification

Back to Top

Undergraduate students who have successfully completed 75 hours of undergraduate courses may gain permission to take graduate coursework by completing the Undergraduate Privilege form. Students may want to note that up to twelve hours of successfully completed (C or better) graduate coursework may count toward their master’s degree, depending on program and courses, and may also count toward their undergraduate degree. These students should note that these courses are subject to all The Graduate School rules and regulations (time to degree, grading, etc.).

To be eligible, undergraduate student must:

• have successfully completed 75 hours of course credit (at least 24 credit hours at UNCP),
• have at least a 3.0 GPA at UNCP and
• have this form properly completed and signed into the Graduate office.

 NOTE:

• Graduate course grades do NOT count in one’s undergraduate GPA.
• Graduate course grades count in graduate GPA and towards the graduate regulation of three “Cs” or one “F” dismissal.
• Permission to take graduate courses does not guarantee future admission into a graduate program.
• If course/s is/are counting towards completion of undergraduate degree, financial aid may apply.

Back to Top