Frequently Asked Questions
Below are questions the Graduate Studies office typically receives regarding admission, tuition/fees/financial aid, registration, degree candidacy and graduation. If you are unable to find the answer(s) to your question(s), please view the general information section at the end of this page.
For further inquiries, please feel free to call (717-872-3099). If you prefer to use email:
* prospective students should email graduate admissions.
* current graduate students should email graduate student services.
Admissions | Tuition/Financial Aid | Course Registration | Graduation | General Questions
Admissions:
Q. Who do I contact to request an application?
A. The most efficient method of application is to use the Apply Online button on the right column of the graduate studies website. This takes you to our new completely on-line application portal. Another method of applying is to print a hard-copy of the application (available in PDF format) from the Graduate Studies web site, by using the Application Form button also located on the right column.
Q. What is the application deadline?
A. Some graduate programs have firm application deadlines; others take applications on a rolling basis. For most of those programs with firm application deadlines, three admission dates are available for prospective graduate students—February 1 for acceptance for the summer and fall terms; June 1 for acceptance for fall term; and October 1 for the spring and winter semesters. If a student’s application package is complete by the deadline date, the Office of Graduate Studies forwards the application to the appropriate academic department for review and recommendation. More information about specific deadlines and materials needed can be found at the Admissions Process page.
Q. Where can I get a copy of the graduate catalog?
A. An electronic copy of the graduate catalog is available online. If you prefer a hard copy, you may request either a DVD version or a print copy of the catalog from the Office of Graduate Studies by phone at 717-872-3099 or by email at gradadmissions@millersville.edu.
Q. Can the person who writes my recommendation send it directly to Millersville?
A. Millersville University has a self-managed application, which means we prefer to have the applicant collect all application materials in a sealed envelope and submit all documents (application, recommendations, transcript(s), and academic and professional goals statement) in one packet. The referee is requested to return the recommendation to the applicant in a sealed, signed envelope. Students using the on-line application can use the new electronic recommendation form by putting in the names and email addresses of their references.
Q. I am/was a Millersville undergraduate student. Do I need to submit transcripts?
A. No, the Office of Graduate Studies will obtain your M.U. transcripts from the Registrar’s Office for you. However, we do request that you have official transcripts from any other schools that you attended.
Q. Do I have to pay the application fee?
A. Yes, the application fee is a non-refundable processing fee required of all graduate applicants, unless you have previously paid a graduate application fee. The application fee is $40, which may be paid by check, money order, or most major credit cards. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Millersville University.”
Q. Am I required to take the GRE, MAT, or GMAT?
A. All graduate degree programs require applicants to submit official score reports from an appropriate standardized test. These scores may not be more than five years old. Please refer to the graduate catalog for specific test requirements or see the information listed on the Admissions Process page.
Q. Can I take the GRE, MAT, or GMAT on the Millersville campus?
A. Applicants should contact the University’s Testing Center, located in Lyle Hall, for information and test dates at, www.millersville.edu/~testctr/, or by phone at 717-872-3710.
Q. Where can I find more information about departments?
A. A list of all graduate program coordinators is available on the graduate studies homepage. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate coordinator with questions that pertain directly to the program, prerequisite courses, and specific course requirements. Please contact the graduate office for questions about admissions process, requirements, financial aid, and other areas.
Q. When will I know if my application has been processed?
A. After all application materials have been received and your application fee has been paid, the Graduate Studies Office sends you a letter of acknowledgement. At that time, the Office of Graduate Studies sends your application to the appropriate academic department for review and recommendation.
Q. Can I start as a non-degree student before applying to a specific program?
A. Yes, you may begin your graduate study as a non-degree student, but with certain limitations. As a non-degree student, you may complete no more than 9 credit hours prior to applying to a master’s degree program. Some academic programs limit the availability of their courses to non-degree students or reserve only a few seats in their courses for non-degree students. Prospective non-degree students should check with the program coordinator of their intended program to determine the availability and selection of courses.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid:
Q. How much are tuition and fees for graduate study?
A. The Office of the Bursar provides current cost information on their web site at mustang.millersville.edu/~bursar. You may also contact their office, located in the Dilworth Building, by phone at 717-872-3641 or 717-872-3683.
Q. How many credit hours do I need to be considered full-time?
A. Graduate students are considered full-time if they are enrolled for 9 credits or more. Anything less than nine credits is considered part-time.
Q. Do I have to pay student fees in addition to tuition?
A. Yes. All graduate students must pay the general fee and the technology fee. Other fees may apply. Please check the Graduate Studies catalog for more information.
Q. I have withdrawn from class, can I get my money back?
A. You must complete the cancellation process and officially drop the class with the Office of the Registrar. Your effective date for refunds will be determined by the date your completed Add/Drop form is received in the Office of the Registrar. All requests for refunds must be submitted to the Office of the Bursar, located in Room 227 of the Dilworth Building. Please note that application fees and graduation fees are nonrefundable.
Q. Where can I find out about graduate assistantships?
A. Graduate assistantships are available to master’s degree students across campus in a variety of administrative offices and academic departments. Students interested in graduate assistantships should see the Graduate Assistantship link on the Graduate Studies web page or call the Office of Graduate Studies for an application. The deadline date to submit a graduate assistant application to the Office of Graduate Studies is February 1.
Q. How long can a student work as a graduate assistant? How much does an assistant earn?
A. Assistantships are awarded for a nine-month period (fall and spring semesters only) to students admitted to a master’s degree program and are renewable for a second academic year. Graduate assistants awarded a full-time assistantship receive a tuition waiver up to 24 graduate credits and a stipend of $5,000 for their first year. In their second year as a full-time graduate assistant, the student will receive a tuition waiver up to 24 graduate credits and a stipend of $5,400.
Q. Where can I find more information on Financial Aid?
A. Degree-seeking and certification students may be eligible for several loans, grants, and other forms of financial aid. In addition, several academic departments offer scholarship opportunities for graduate students. A listing is available in the graduate studies catalog. Interested students should contact the appropriate graduate program coordinator for more information on these scholarships. More information on financial aid is available through the Office of Financial Aid, 1st floor of Lyle Hall. You may check their web site at www.millersville.edu/~finaid, or call 872-3026.
Registering for Courses:
Q. What is the process for registering for classes?
A. Once your Admissions Response Sheet has been processed, you may register for classes through MAX. The steps for registering for classes through MAX web are as follows:
- Click on the MAX icon (from the Millersville University web site) and type in ID (SSN or Millersville University ID-no punctuation)
- Type PIN (initially set to your six-digit birth date) Please Note- PIN expires immediately and you will need to change it!
- Create security question
- Select Student Service & Financial Aid
- Select Registration
- Select Add/Drop Classes
- Select Term
- Add CRNs or Class Search – submit changes
Q. How do I add or drop a class from my schedule?
A. Students may add or drop classes through MAX web or phone until the start of the semester. Faculty signatures are not required prior to the first day of classes. However, the signature of the course instructor (or their designee) is required to add or drop courses after the semester starts. Students, with appropriate faculty signatures, may drop courses through the first week of classes, and add courses through the first seven days of classes.
Q. How do I change my master’s degree program of study?
A. Graduate students wishing to change their degree/major or program concentration must complete the Change of Curriculum form available through the Student Forms Center link found under Quick Links on the Millersville home page, or you my request a form from the Office of Graduate Studies. Changes must be approved by your advisor/graduate coordinator and the dean of graduate studies. Please note that additional admission requirements may apply when changing majors.
Degree Candidacy and Graduation:
Q. What exactly is degree candidacy and how does it apply to me?
A. Degree candidacy is an evaluation of a master’s degree student’s performance in order to identify areas of study that a student may need to strengthen, among other things. The Master’s degree student is responsible for applying to his/her department for advancement to degree candidacy within the required semester-hour limitation. Please refer to the program section of the graduate catalog for specific details on its degree candidacy process. The Application for Degree Candidacy form is available electronically in the Graduate Student Forms Center.
Q. Do I need to apply for graduation?
A. Yes, you should contact the Office of Graduate Studies for an application. Again, this document is also available electronically in the Graduate Student Forms Center. You must submit the Application for Graduation to the Office of Graduate Studies by the posted deadline. You are responsible for obtaining advisor and graduate coordinator signatures prior to submitting the application. You will be billed for the $30.00 graduation fee by the Office of the Bursar closer to the end of the semester. If you apply for graduation but do not complete your degree requirements, you must submit a new Application for Graduation by the deadline date for the new semester in which you plan to graduate.
Q. Is there a time limit on completing my degree requirements?
A. Yes, work for your degree does not have to be done in succession, but must be completed within five years, with the exception of master’s degree students in the foreign languages and mathematics, who have seven years to complete degree requirements. The five-year period begins the semester a student is officially accepted into a degree program.
General Questions:
Q. Do I need a student ID card?
A. Yes, graduate students are required to have a Millersville student ID card, which is used as a library and activity card. You may get your ID card at the Campus ID Office in Boyer Computer Center, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Q. Can I use the Library?
A. Yes, the library is available to all currently registered Millersville University students. Many library services are available to graduate students via the library’s web site. Please note that your MU student ID card is required to check out books and use some of the library’s on-line services. To find out more about the library, click on the library link on the Millersville University web page.
Q. Should I get a parking permit?
A. In order to park on campus you must purchase a parking permit. The fees are as follows:
- Commuter Spring/Summer $50
- Commuter Yearly (Fall to Fall) $75
- Evening $25 (Evening permits are valid from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m.)
