Admission Requirements

Admission to a Master's Degree Program
(See appropriate department section for additional criteria)
Admission decisions are based upon a combination of factors which include: grade point average; letters of recommendation from those able to critically assess an applicant's ability to succeed in a graduate program; a written statement of purpose; standardized test scores; academic preparation for work in the proposed field; the applicant's interests as matched with those of faculty; and, where appropriate, a successful interview.

Regular Admission
To be eligible for regular admission, an applicant must have earned a bachelor's degree fom an accredited four-year college or university in the United States or equivalent from a similar institution abroad. The applicant must demonstrate, in the opinion of the faculty and the Dean of Graduate Studies, the ability to successfully complete a master's degree, and must have achieved at least a 2.75 undergraduate grade point average in all course work attempted. 

Probational Admission
Applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements, but who show promise of success in a graduate program, will be considered for admission. Such applicants may be admitted in a probational status, based on the departmental recommendation and a favorable review by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Applicants admitted on probational status must apply for regular admission after completing no more than four courses in the department in which regular admission is sought. A grade point average of 3.0 (grade of B or better) is required for regular admission. Upon satisfying this requirement, and with the favorable recommendation of the department and with the graduate dean's concurrence, the student will be fully admitted and allowed to continue toward candidacy for a degree. If the student is unable to achieve a 3.0 graduate point average he/she will be dismissed from the program. 

Application Procedure
Applicants interested in earning a master’s degree in a program of study must submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Studies:

1. A completed Graduate Studies Application;
2. a nonrefundable application fee of $30 payable at the time of filing application;

(Application fee may be paid by check, money order, VISA MasterCard, or Discover, Check or moneyorder should be made payable to Millersville University; expiration date must accompany charge card number.)
3. one official copy of undergraduate transcript and offical transcripts of any previous graduate work (it is not necessary to send Millersville transcripts);
4. three letters of recommendation written by professors or others capable of assessing the applicant's potential for success in a graduate program;
5. a written statement of academic and professional goals;
6. an offical score report on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Graduate Management Admission Test(GMAT), see Testing section.
7. any additional information required by the specific department. Applicants should refer to the appropriate program sections of this catalog for additional individual program admission requirements.

Admission to master’s degree programs is contingent on the recommendation of the department in which the student proposes to study. After reviewing the application and supporting materials, the department may recommend regular or probational admission to a degree program. If the department recommends probational admission, the conditions shall be clearly stipulated. In either case, the applicant will be notified of admission status by the Office of Graduate Studies.

TESTING
Applicants for all degree programs and some certificate programs are required to submit official score reports from an appropriate standardized test. Most departments accept either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Departments that have specific requirements follow. Please note that scores for any test should not be more than five years old at the time of application. 

MS/Biology: GRE and subject test
MS/Psychology: GRE
MEd/School Counseling: GRE
MSN/Nursing: GRE
MBA/Busines Administration: GMAT

The test score is one of several criteria considered in the admissions process. The score alone is not a basis for denying admission. In cases where the score falls below a departmentally established level, an applicant may be asked to repeat the test. 

Information about the MAT, GRE and GMAT is offered through the University's Testing Center in Lyle Hall. Applicants should contact the center for test dates; phone 872-3710. 

Applicants are encouraged to become familiar with test formats prior to sitting for the examination. Further information can be obtained in the reference section of Ganser Library. 

Application to a Graduate Certification Program
Applicants interested in a graduate-level certificate program should consult the appropriate Academic Programs section for admission requirements that pertain to a specific program. Certification applicants must submit the Graduate Studies Degree Application and supporting documents as stated on the application.

Application as a Nondegree Graduate Student
Applicants should seek admission to the nondegree category if they are:

1. undecided about a graduate area of specialization; 
2. not interested in a master’s degree program; 
3. seeking to earn Instructional II teaching certification; 
4. interested in a graduate-level workshop, course, or seminar; or 
5. completing work for transfer to another institution (transient).

Admission as a nondegree student does not include admission to degree or certification programs. Nondegree students may apply for admission to a degree or graduate level certification program after having accumulated graduate credits; however, no more than 12 nondegree credits may be transferred to a degree or graduate level certification program, subject to departmental approval.
A nondegree student is permitted to register for any graduate course not restricted by the department.

Application as a Transient Student
Those students desiring to take graduate work for transfer to another institution must, at the time of admission, present a statement from the proper official of the school accepting the work in transfer, indicating their satisfactory graduate student status. Transients must also complete the application for admission as a nondegree student. Further, it is the responsibility of transient students to request, in writing, that a transcript of completed work be forwarded to the appropriate institution.

Application as an international Student
Millersville University welcomes applications from prospective international students. In addition to satsufying general admissions requirements as stated on the Graduate Studies Degree Application, international applicants must demonstrate proficiency of 500 or better in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is administered nationally; contact Millersville University's Testing Center, 872-3710.

Because of Pennsylvania teacher certification requirements, international students may not be admitted to the following programs: Art, Mathematics, Reading, Technology Education. Similarly, Foreign Language courses are offered only in the summer sessions.

Note: Academic transcripts must be submitted in the native language accompanied by an English translation. International students must also complete a financial disclosure form.

Advisement
Each student is assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to a degree or certification program. It is the student's responsibility to innitiate contact with an adviser to develop an initial program of study and to meet with him/her prior to each registration period. It is the responsibility of the adviser to provide sound academic counseling in light of degree requirements and the student's personal and professional goals.