Admission and Registration

Application Process

Students must be formally admitted to the College of Graduate and Continuing Education (CGCE), in order to register for any graduate courses.

On campus programs:

The Application for Admission is submitted by visiting the Admission’s link, www.scranton.edu/gradapply. Completed applications, together with official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work taken elsewhere, letters of recommendation, any required test scores, and other supporting documents, should be received in the Office of Graduate Admissions at least one month before the term in which the student wishes to begin graduate study. International students should apply and have all materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions by the following dates: June 1st for entry into the fall term, November 1st for entry into the spring term, or March 1st for entry into the summer term. An application file must be complete before it can be processed.

Please note: Any course work taught in a language other than English, will require a transcript evaluation.

Online programs:

The University offers online graduate programs in the areas of business, education, and human resources.  Applications for these programs are processed through the College of Graduate and Continuing Education Office of Online and Off Campus Programs. An application file must be complete before it can be processed.

To apply for either the online MBA or online Human Resources programs, please visit http://onlinemba.scranton.edu or http://onlinehrdegree.scranton.edu for the application for admission and specific information about the programs of study.

For those wishing to apply for the online Master of Science programs in Educational Administration or Curriculum & Instruction as well as the Administrative Certification without Master’s Degree, please visit www.uscranton.com. Applications for the online Assistant Superintendent/Superintendent Letter of Eligibility program can be found at matrix.scranton.edu/academics/cgce/online%20admissions.shtml.

Inquiries regarding online graduate programs can be directed to the Office of Online and Off Campus Programs, (570) 941-4260 or CGCEonlineprograms@scranton.edu.

Students must be formally admitted to the College of Graduate and Continuing Education (CGCE), in order to register for any graduate courses.

Please refer to sections on individual programs for special application deadlines and additional admission requirements.

Please note: Any course work taught in a language other than English, will require a transcript evaluation.

Admission Standards

An applicant for admission to a graduate program at The University of Scranton must possess a baccalaureate degree from an American college or university accredited by one of the recognized regional accrediting associations, or the equivalent from an international college or university. The ordinary standard for admission to a graduate program is an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). An applicant falling below this level must submit other evidence of his/her ability to complete successfully a graduate program, such as grades in other post-baccalaureate courses, scores from examinations (e.g. Graduate Record Examination), or a record of progressively higher work responsibilities. In addition, the applicant’s previous course work must show the successful completion of all prerequisites for graduate work in the program to which application has been made. Individual departments/programs may establish higher GPA requirements and/or introduce additional criteria for making the admissions decision. Applicants who wish to take courses for transfer to another institution must be in good standing in a graduate program at an accredited university, complete the required application form, and submit a letter from the Dean or Registrar from the home institution verifying their status as a student in good standing at that institution.  Consult the sections of this catalog devoted to the specific programs for such other criteria.

Applicants may be admitted to The University of Scranton in one of the following categories:

Regular Admission. Applicants are admitted under this category when they have satisfied the admissions criteria of both the College of Graduate and Continuing Education and the department or program in which they seek to enroll for graduate studies.

Probationary Admission. Applicants who do not meet all of the criteria for Regular Admission, but who show reasonable promise for success in graduate studies, may be accepted on a probationary basis. Applicants admitted in this status must complete nine hours of specified course work within the first twelve hours of graduate study.

Students accepted on probation may take a maximum of six credits per semester (until the conditions of probation are satisfied) and must complete the prescribed nine hours of specific course work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. Failure to accomplish this will result in dismissal from the program.

A student on Probationary Admission may not hold a graduate assistantship until the conditions of probation have been satisfied.

Provisional Admission or Provisional Acceptance. Applicants who do not have the necessary undergraduate preparation in the discipline in which they seek admission but have demonstrated academic achievement indicative of successful graduate study may be considered for Provisional Admission or Provisional Acceptance.

Provisional Admission. The applicant may gain Provisional Admission with the proviso that he/she complete specific (undergraduate or graduate) course work in conjunction with his/her graduate studies.

Provisional Acceptance. The applicant may gain Provisional Acceptance with the proviso that he/she complete specific undergraduate course work, with a GPA of at least 3.0 in these studies, prior to undertaking graduate course work. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate requirements, the applicant will petition his/her Graduate Program Director in order to gain admission to the graduate program and to begin taking graduate course work in that particular graduate program. If the undergraduate course work is taken and a GPA less than 3.0 is achieved, the status of Provisional Acceptance will be withdrawn.

A student who has gained Provisional Acceptance may not hold a graduate assistantship until the undergraduate course work is successfully satisfied and acceptance into the College of Graduate and Continuing Education is granted.

Conditional admission. The applicant may gain Conditional Admission with the stipulation that the required conditions are satisfied before the student enrolls. Upon proof of satisfying the conditions (e.g., official copy of GMAT score, official copy of TOEFL score, successful completion of an approved English proficiency program), the admission will convert to a regular admission category and the student will be clear to register for classes. No courses can be taken on the conditional admissions status.

Special Admission. Applicants who are admitted to the College of Graduate and Continuing Education under this category may pursue studies for self-improvement, master’s equivalency, or transfer of credit to another university. In addition, a qualified undergraduate student who has been admitted to an accelerated course of study that permits him or her to earn graduate credit is accepted into the College of Graduate and Continuing Education under this category.

Admission to this category is on a space available basis and limited to one academic year and students may not elect more than nine (9) credits in any one graduate department while in this status. Anyone seeking to extend Special Admission status beyond one year must obtain written authorization from the appropriate Graduate Program Director and the Dean of the CGCE.

Students accepted into this category are subject to all regulations that apply to matriculated degree-seeking graduate students, including the requirement that they maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 in all courses elected.

Courses taken in this status will be recorded on a graduate transcript and may, in conformance with stated CGCE policy, be subsequently counted toward a graduate degree should the student later gain regular admission to a degree program at The University of Scranton. Admission to this category should in no way be construed as a guarantee of subsequent admission to a degree program. Students accepted into this category are not eligible for graduate assistantships or financial assistance.

Accelerated Master’s Degree or Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program Policy

Undergraduate students of the University with outstanding undergraduate records may apply for early admission to a master’s degree program through either the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program or the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program.

An undergraduate student, who plans to go on to graduate study in Community Counseling, Health Administration, Human Resources, Nursing, Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, or numerous programs in the field of Education may be eligible for admission to the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program. This program allows an undergraduate student who has an excellent academic record, to complete requirements for the baccalaureate, while also enrolling in graduate courses. In participating undergraduate programs, students may apply up to 12 of their accumulated graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements. (Each participating department determines the maximum number of hours applicable to the undergraduate degree requirements.) In some departments, graduate course work may be substituted only for elective undergraduate course work and cannot be used as substitution within the major. The student’s undergraduate advisor, in consultation with the graduate program director, will recommend graduate coursework that will meet undergraduate requirements. The selection of the graduate course work and the number of credits to be applied toward an undergraduate degree requires the approval of the student’s undergraduate program advisor, the chair of the department housing the student’s undergraduate program, the graduate program director in the student’s academic discipline, the appropriate dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program, and the Dean of CGCE. An accelerated student may register for a maximum of 12 hours of graduate coursework while still classified as an undergraduate student. Generally, an accelerated undergraduate student may register for three graduate credit hours each semester. With the recommendation of the graduate program director, an accelerated student may register for six graduate credit hours in a single semester. An accelerated student is limited to a maximum of 15 credit hours during any semester that he/she is registered for a graduate level course. Students will earn their undergraduate degree upon completion of all undergraduate requirements and will then continue with their graduate study. Graduate coursework taken as part of the undergraduate program will also count toward the graduate degree program.

An undergraduate student, who plans to go on to graduate study in Business Administration: Accounting, Biochemistry, Business Administration: Operations Management, Chemistry, or Software Engineering, may be eligible for admission to the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program. This program allows an undergraduate student already enrolled in one of these fields, and who has an excellent academic record, to complete requirements for the baccalaureate, while also electing graduate courses. Departments participating in this program may allow some graduate work to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements (not to exceed 12 credit hours). The student’s advisor will recommend the undergraduate course work for which graduate credits may be substituted. The selection of the graduate course work and the number of credits to be applied toward an undergraduate degree requires the approval of the student’s undergraduate program advisor, the chair of the department housing the student’s undergraduate program, the graduate program director in the student’s academic discipline, the appropriate dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program, and the Dean of CGCE. In each Combined Program, the graduate level capstone experience replaces the required undergraduate capstone experience. As a result, the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree student may complete his/her baccalaureate degree the same semester as he/she completes the master’s degree. Prior to completing 130 undergraduate credit hours a combined student may register for a maximum of 12 hours of graduate coursework. During this period, a combined student may register for three graduate credit hours each semester. With the recommendation of the graduate program director, a combined student may register for six graduate credit hours in a single semester. A combined student is limited to a maximum of 15 credit hours during any semester that he/she is registered for both graduate and undergraduate courses. Often, the student entering the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program will complete both programs during a five-year time period. 

A student who has achieved an overall Grade Point Average of

3.5 after 64 semester hours,
3.4 after 80 semester hours,
3.3 after 96 semester hours,
or 3.2 after 112 semester hours

may apply for early admission to a participating master’s degree program by:

1. Completing the online Application for Graduate Admission;
2. Completing a prospectus of study leading to the completion of undergraduate degree and graduate degree requirements (see following note)
3. Providing three letters of recommendation from instructors who are familiar with the student’s achievements and intended academic goals; and
4. Submitting any needed test scores from standardized examinations.

The department that sponsors the particular graduate degree program will review the completed application and forward a recommendation to the graduate dean concerning possible admission. Students interested in the Combined B.S./M.B.A. degree with a specialization in Accounting, please refer to Business Administration, M.B.A.  program. Students interested in the Accelerated M.S. in Counseling Program should refer to the specific requirements established for this program. Students interested in the Accelerated M.S. Degree Programs in Education  Program should refer to the specific requirements established for this program. Students interested in the Accelerated M.S.N. Degree   should refer to the specific requirements established for this program. Students interested in the Combined M.S. in  Software Engineering  Program should refer to the specific requirements established for this program.

       Once admitted, students must complete the Accelerated or Combined Master’s Degree Program Check List which includes:

1. listing the courses at the undergraduate level which need to be taken for completion of the requirements for the baccalaureate degree;
2. indicating the beginning date for graduate study, and
3. listing of graduate courses to be utilized in satisfying the undergraduate degree requirements;

NOTE: A student, who has earned credits elsewhere, including transfer of credit from other colleges as well as AP courses taken in high school, may be considered for an accelerated or combined program. The student must have earned at least 32 graded semester hours at The University of Scranton within the indicated GPA requirements.

Second Degrees or Programs

Graduate degree recipients of the University who wish to take additional courses or begin a new graduate program of study may be given special consideration regarding admission. To qualify they must act within the time frames listed below and must complete and submit to either the Office of Graduate Admissions or the Office of Online and Off Campus Programs a Second Degree or Program Request Form with the required supporting material. The form may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions or the Office of Online and Off Campus Programs, or by visiting the Office of Graduate Admissions “Forms and Resources” link, http://matrix.scranton.edu/academics/cgce/forms.shtml

1. Initiation of a second degree or program of study in the same degree area as the first program requires the following:
   1. Within two years after completing the first program: the Second Degree or Program Request Form and, if applicable, official transcripts of any course work undertaken since graduation from The University of Scranton.
   2. Between two and five years after completing the first program: the Second Degree or Program Request Form, new application and fee and, if applicable, official transcripts of any course work undertaken since graduation  from The University of Scranton.
2. Initiation of a new graduate program of study in a different area and within five years of completing the first program requires the following: 

The Second Degree or Program Request Form, new application and fee, three letters of reference and, if applicable, official transcripts of any course work undertaken since graduation from The University of Scranton.  Any remaining supporting materials will be obtained from the student’s previous file.

Retention of Application Files

Applications for admission will be kept for one year from the date of receipt. If the application has not been completed during this period, it will be destroyed.  There will be no action on incomplete applications for admission.

Admission is for the academic year beginning in September, or in programs with duly noted rolling admissions, admission is for the time period stated in the admission letter. If a student does not register for class during this period, the application will be destroyed. Once a file has been destroyed, an applicant who subsequently decides to seek admission to a graduate program at the University will be required to complete a new application file.

Students accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program must attend in the year in which they were admitted.  If the student does not attend, he/she must reapply if they wish to be considered for a subsequent year.

All documents submitted in connection with an application become the property of the University. No part of this file will be given to the applicant, nor can copies be made for student use.

International Students

English Proficiency - Applicants who are citizens of non-English speaking countries are required to provide proof of English proficiency as one criterion for admission to The University of Scranton.  This can be accomplished in one of three ways outlined below.

Submission of an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 61 on the Internet-based test or at least 500 on the paper-based version. Certain degree programs require higher TOEFL scores. The minimum language requirements are listed in the program section and in the table below. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, NJ (http://www.ets.org).

Submission of an official STEP (Society for Testing English Proficiency) score of at least Pre-1st Grade. Certain degree programs, require a 1st Grade score. This exam is administered exclusively in Japan to Japanese students by the Society for Testing English Proficiency, Inc. (http://www.eiken.or.jp). It is recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education.

Submission of an official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 6.0. Certain degree programs require IELTS scores greater than Band 6.0. The IELTS test is administered by the University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Examinations, the British Council, and IELTS Australia (http://www.ielts.org).

*scores accepted by programs not listed in the above chart.

The University of Scranton and The University of Delaware English Language Institute (UD-ELI) have created a bridge program to ease the transition for international students from pursuing English as a second language study to enrolling in either a full-time undergraduate or graduate academic program. In addition, The University of Scranton has agreements with the 28 ELS Language Centers. To learn more about these programs, see The University of Scranton Office of Admissions website for international students, www.scranton.edu/international.

Application Materials and Certification of Finances – International applicants are required to submit a Certification of Finances form with their application materials. All materials should be available for review in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the term deadlines: June 1st for entry into the fall term, November 1st for entry into the spring term, or March 1st for entry into the summer term.  Applications for admission that are completed and processed will be maintained on-file for two years from the date of acceptance. International students who matriculate during asemester other than the semester for which they are offered admission must update their Certification of Finances form.

Please note: Any course work taught in a language other than English, will require a transcript evaluation.

Maintaining Immigration Status

The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Office, located in St Thomas Hall, will provide out-of-classroom support for international students. This support includes assistance in maintaining proper immigration status.  International students must contact the International Student and Scholar Services Office if any of the following circumstances occur:
 

1.      To report a change of physical address to the ISSS office within 10 days of the move

2.      To report schedule changes that reduce the credit load to less than full-time status ( i.e., less than 6 credit hours )

3.      To request authorization before starting an internship/curricular practical training/ optional practical training or perform any off campus employment

4.      Prior to traveling outside the United States

5.      When changing their degree program or, if they intend to pursue another program at the university upon completion of the first degree.

6.      When transferring to another university in the US

7.      To request an extension of the immigration document ( I-20) prior to the expiration date

The office strongly encourages international students to consult with the ISSS office on all matters that may affect immigration status. A complete set of regulations that pertain to international students and their immigration status is available in the ISSS Office.

Registration for Courses

Registration for each semester will take place according to the schedules listed in the special bulletins which are issued prior to each semester. Registration will be with the approval of a student’s mentor or chair of the department. Students who wish to cancel their registrations must give written notice to the Office of Student Services and Advising. Please see details under Dropping and Withdrawing from a Course. Students who are dropped from courses due to non-payment of tuition and subsequently wish to activate their registrations will be charged a reinstatement fee (see Tuition and Fees  section).

In order to facilitate registration for both continuing and new students, a period of course registration is held prior to each term. All continuing students are expected to register for the subsequent term during this period.

Undergraduate students may register for certain graduate courses. They must, however, have the written permission of the appropriate department chair and the appropriate deans.

Graduate Students Registering for Undergraduate Courses

Given that the University awards graduate degrees to students who demonstrate a level of academic accomplishment and knowledge of subject matter substantially beyond that required for the baccalaureate degree, graduate students are discouraged from taking undergraduate courses while pursuing a graduate program of study. In some cases, a graduate student may be required to take or may elect to take an undergraduate course.

For example:

1. An education student may be required to take one or more undergraduate courses in the subject area of the discipline in which he or she wishes to obtain certification;
2. A student who is provisionally admitted may be required to complete specific undergraduate courses in conjunction with his or her graduate study;
3. An enrolled student who is placed on academic probation may be required to complete specific undergraduate courses as a condition of that probation;
4. A graduate student may elect to register for an undergraduate course that is not related to his or her graduate program of study.

 In these situations:

1. The student must have the approval of his or her graduate program director prior to registering for the course;
2. The student will be charged the CGCE part-time undergraduate tuition for this course;
3. A student who has earned a baccalaureate degree from the University of Scranton will be eligible for the 50% tuition reduction;
4. The student may not use his or her GA tuition scholarship to pay the tuition associated with the course.