ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Policy

Types of Admission 

Students who have, or will have by the time they enter a program of study, completed a bachelor’s degree may apply for admission to a specific degree program (degree-seeking status) or certificate program (certificate-seeking status). Students may also apply for specific certificate programs or to take a course or courses not leading to a degree (continuing graduate status). Students who are enrolled in a degree program at another graduate school and intend to return to that institution may apply to take a course or courses as transient students (transient status). Students who do not meet minimum criteria for regular admission may, under certain circumstances, be granted conditional admission.

Grade Point Average

For admission purposes, the computation of grade point averages is determined by the institution that awarded the baccalaureate or graduate degree. An exception to this applies to incomplete and failing grades—ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University will count these as zero points. Plus and minus grades that are clearly explained on transcripts will be counted in the grade point average.

Regular Standing

For admission to the Graduate School as a degree candidate with regular standing, you must have earned a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 (4.00 scale) at the institution awarding your bachelor’s degree. You must have at least a 3.00 GPA for all graduate work attempted. Undergraduate course work taken after the completion of your bachelor’s degree will not be considered in determining your grade point average.

GPA Conditional Standing

Admission to the Graduate School with conditional standing (master’s degree programs only) is possible if you do not meet requirements for regular standing but you can provide evidence of promise for success in graduate study. If you must satisfy departmental prerequisites, have academic deficiencies, or have earned a bachelor’s degree from a non-accredited institution, you may be admitted with conditional standing, even if you have met minimum requirements for admission to regular standing.

Requests for admission with conditional standing are considered by the dean of the Graduate School. Such requests must have the support of the academic department in which you seek admission. Evidence in support supplied by the applicant and the department may include graduate admission test scores, reference to successful professional experience, statements of academic prowess, etc. A student admitted with conditional standing cannot hold an assistantship.

If you are admitted with conditional standing, you must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 in the first 12 hours of graduate courses taken for grades. Grades earned in undergraduate courses do not apply to this required grade point average. The probationary period begins on the date of admission with conditional standing. Students who do not satisfy the requirements of conditional standing are denied further registration in the Graduate School. Students who meet these requirements continue with regular standing. 

Requirements for U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents 

Minimum Degree and Grade Point Average Requirements 

Applicants for graduate study must have earned a baccalaureate (bachelor’s) degree from an accredited institution. Applicants for degree-seeking status and certificate-seeking status must have earned a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

Transient Status 

Students who are enrolled in a degree program at another graduate school and intend to return to that institution must request the Application for Transient Status from the Graduate School (513-529-3734).

Application for Admission

To apply for a graduate degree program, continuing graduate status, or transient status at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University, applicants will need to submit the following items:

• Admission Application: Available online at 
• Application Fee (Non-Refundable): $50 for degree program status. $20 for continuing graduate or transient status. Note that this fee is not required for applicants who hold a master’s degree or higher from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University. Application fees may be waived for students with demonstrated financial need on a case-by-case basis.
• Academic Transcript: Degree-seeking status applicants should attach a record of previous academic work when submitting the online application. Continuing graduate and transient status applicants are not required to submit an official transcript. Once admitted, degree-seeking status applicants should submit one official transcript directly to the Graduate School from the school granting the Bachelor’s degree and any/all schools attended after the Bachelor’s degree is awarded. Final transcripts should be submitted when the degree posts and the transcript is available.
• Test Scores (if applicable): Degree-seeking applicants should check with their degree program for test score requirements. Test scores are not required for continuing graduate or transient status.
• English Language Proficiency Test Score: Domestic applicants whose native language is not English or who completed their studies in a non-English speaking country or institution are required to submit proof of English language proficiency. In most cases, applicants will need to present satisfactory scores on the following tests:
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT 80
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) 54

Students with test scores below these minimums may seek conditional admission to the Graduate School and enroll in one of several English as a Second Language course of instruction at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University. Please contact the Graduate School for further information.

Application for Financial Aid 

Applicants interested in applying for a financial aid award in the form of an assistantship and/or tuition waivers should check the website of the department they are applying to for specific procedures.

Specific Departmental Requirements

Some ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú academic departments require scores on certain standardized tests for admission to their graduate program. In addition, applicants to graduate study in architecture and art must submit a portfolio that includes samples of their work directly to those departments. Those applying for graduate study in music must schedule an audition or submit a performance tape. Applicants should check with their program or department for more information about any specific requirements that must be met before their application for admission can be considered.

Application Deadline 

Deadlines vary by department. Applicants should contact their program department for exact deadline dates. This information is available on the Graduate School’s website under ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and Degrees.

Requirements for International Students 

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University encourages applications for graduate study from international students.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate through their academic record that they are prepared to enter an advanced course of study at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University in the English Language. International applicants for graduate study must have earned a university degree at least equivalent to the American Bachelor’s degree, culminating with the award of a first or second degree.

Application for Admission

To apply for graduate study as an international student at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University, applicants will need to submit the following items:

• Application for International Admission: Available online at 
• Application Fee (Non-Refundable): $50.00
• Official Academic Record*: International applicants are required to submit one official transcript or certified true copy of complete academic records showing all courses completed and grades received at each postsecondary school attended. All academic records not originally issued in English by the school must be submitted in the original language with a certified literal (not interpretive) English translation. Academic records must list all courses taken, the grades received in these courses and the academic term(s) and year(s) when these courses were taken.
• English Proficiency Test Score (if applicable): Applicants whose native language is not English or who will not have earned a University degree from an academic institution in a country where English is the native language are required to submit proof of English language proficiency.  In most cases, applicants will need to present satisfactory scores on the following tests:
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT 80
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) 54
• ELS 112 Certificate

Students with test scores below these minimums may seek conditional admission to the Graduate School and enroll in one of several English as a Second Language courses of instruction at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University. Please contact the Graduate School for further information.

Students who attended an institution where English is the language of instruction are exempt from submitting an English test score. In order to be exempt, students must submit an official letter from their institution’s registrar’s office to the Graduate School.  Please contact International Graduate Admission at 513-529-3734 for additional information about minimum English score requirements and acceptable alternatives to these tests.

If a student is accepted for admission at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and had to submit an English Proficiency Test score, the student will have to take the English Placement Test (EPT) before he or she can register for classes. If the student does not pass the EPT, he or she must enroll in English 119 the first semester of admission.

*Note: Photocopies and notarized copies of academic records are not accepted; however, documents can be certified as true copies by a U.S. Consular official or by a recognized educational authority in the applicant’s home country. Records issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a literal (not interpretive) certified English translation.

Medical History

Before enrolling, all applicants from other countries must submit a completed Medical Form for International Students that includes dates of immunization. The form is available through Student Health Services. Students can submit the completed form online or during International Student Orientation on campus.

Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) Test Score 

The SPEAK test is the institutional version of the Test of Spoken English (TSE) produced by Educational Testing Service. The SPEAK Test is given to evaluate the oral proficiency of incoming graduate teaching assistants for whom English is not their native or primary language. In order for a graduate student to be assigned as a teaching assistant, the student must achieve a minimum passing score on the SPEAK test. If a student with a Graduate Assistantship does not pass the SPEAK test they will have to enroll in ACE619 during the first semester of enrollment. For additional information go to SPEAK Test.

Continuing Graduate Status 

If a student wishes to take graduate-level courses but does not intend to pursue a graduate degree or certificate, that student can apply for admission with “continuing graduate status.” After admitted, students can earn an unlimited number of graduate hours within an indefinite period of time.  However, only 12 hours may be applied to a degree program and only 3 hours may be applied to a certificate program.

To apply for admission, submit to the Graduate School:

• Completed admission application form
• Nonrefundable application fee

If admitted with continuing graduate status (CGS), students will not be able to enroll in certain courses if the department or program has limited enrollment; students who have been admitted as degree-seeking or certificate-seeking have first priority. Check with the department about enrollment restrictions.  If a student has been denied regular or conditional admission to a degree or certificate program, he or she can apply for continuing graduate status and enroll in courses in that department as a CGS student if the department grants permission.  If a student takes courses as a CGS student after having been denied admission as a degree-seeking or certificate-seeking student, these courses cannot be applied to a future degree or certificate program.

If a student is a CGS student (and has not previously applied for admission into a degree or certificate program), and wishes to be admitted into a degree or certificate program, the student must apply for admission and meet all Graduate School/departmental standards for admission. No more than 12 of the most recent graduate hours earned as CGS can be applied toward a graduate degree, or no more than 4 hours can be applied toward a graduate certificate and then only with the approval of the student’s department.  All hours are subject to normal time limitations for credit toward a degree.

Related Form(s)

Not Applicable.

Additional Resources and Procedures

Websites

• SPEAK Test

FAQ

Not Applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officer

• Senior Associate Registrar
• Interim Associate Vice President for Human Resources
• University Distinguished Professor; Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate School
• Provost and Executive Vice President

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

Yes

Revision History

 Amended July 2018; Edited November 2021; Amended October 2024

Reference ID

Graduate Handbook 1.1

Reviewing Bodies

• ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Senate
• Administrative