Admissions Policies

Full Admission

Hardin-Simmons University admits to its graduate degree programs applicants who exhibit potential to succeed in an academically challenging graduate environment. Admission requires the endorsement of the program director and approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies. Their decisions are based upon evaluation of the applicant's undergraduate transcript and additional criteria which may include standardized test scores (GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL), professional experience, personal and professional references, essays or writing samples, and interviews with the program director. Since the purposes and demands of the programs vary, each program establishes its own application requirements. These requirements are stated at the beginning of the degree program sections of this bulletin. In the evaluation of applications, substantial weight is normally given to the undergraduate academic record and, when required, standardized test scores. Each application, however, is evaluated individually and careful consideration is given to applicants who present other evidence of graduate potential. Applicants who have recently completed undergraduate work, for example, may expect that their academic record will serve as the principal indicator of graduate potential. Alternatively, applicants who have had time to establish a record of effective professional experience beyond their undergraduate experience may expect that to be given significant consideration as well.

Provisional Admission

Applicants whose materials are difficult to evaluate or who lack the necessary undergraduate prerequisites may be admitted provisionally. Students granted provisional admission earn full admission upon the completion of 12 hours of graduate study with a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and/or the completion of all undergraduate prerequisite work. Students who have been granted provisional admission for a graduate degree program must receive full admission in order to continue beyond 12 hours of graduate study.

Tentative Admission

Students who are unable to provide all required materials prior to the beginning of a semester may be granted tentative admission. To be granted tentative status the student must receive program director endorsement and must immediately request all missing materials. International students are not eligible for tentative admission. There is a one semester grace period during which the applicant must submit all required materials. Students who have not moved beyond tentative status will not be allowed to preregister for the subsequent semester. In addition, all official application materials must be received by the Office of Graduate Studies in the semester in which the status is granted by the official last date to withdraw from a course. At this point, students whose credentials have not been received will be withdrawn from all courses and will receive a grade of WP or WF. In this event no credit will be earned and no refund will be given.

Post Graduate

This is a special status for students who neither apply to nor are admitted to any graduate degree program but wish to take a limited number of courses. In order to be granted post graduate admission, the student must submit a transcript showing possession of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Students who wish to complete a second undergraduate degree should apply in the Office of Enrollment Services. Those who wish to begin or complete teacher certification should apply and register in the Irvin School of Education. All other post graduate students should apply and register in the Office of Graduate Studies. No student classified as post graduate may take more than 12 graduate hours before receiving provisional or full admission. Post graduate status does not imply admission to any graduate degree program.

Notification

Official notification of admission or non-admission is communicated solely by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Orientation

At the beginning of each long term, the Office of Graduate Studies conducts a student orientation for new graduate students. During this time, graduate school policies and procedures are explained and representatives from Enrollment Services, the Business Office, Technology Services, and the Library introduce services available to graduate students and discuss important policies, procedures and deadlines. All new graduate students are invited to attend.