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Application Process
Students must be formally admitted to The University of Scranton, 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. Some graduate programs may have specific application deadlines. 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.
Online Programs:
The University offers online graduate programs in the areas of accountancy, business, education, health administration and human resources. Applications for these programs are processed through The University of Scranton’s Office of Online and Off Campus Programs. An application file must be complete before it can be processed.
Please visit http://elearning.scranton.edu to apply for the online Accountancy, Business Administration, Finance, Health Administration, Health Informatics or Human Resources programs for the application for admission and specific information about the programs of study. We also offer certificates in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Executive Certificate in Health Administration, Health Informatics, and Supply Chain Management (SCM).
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.
Please refer to sections on individual programs for special application deadlines and additional admission requirements.
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 3.00 (on a 4.00 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.
Please note: Any course work taught in a language other than English, will require a transcript evaluation.
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 University of Scranton 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 3.00. 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 3.00 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 3.00 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 regular admission to The University of Scranton 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 University of Scranton 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 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 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 that program.
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 3.00 in all courses elected.
Courses taken in this status will be recorded on a graduate transcript and may, in conformance with stated 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.
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.
Accelerated Master’s and Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs
The University of Scranton offers outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree through an Accelerated Master’s Program or a Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program.
Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs
These programs allow an undergraduate student who has an excellent academic record, to enroll in graduate courses while completing requirements for the baccalaureate degree. University policy allows accelerated students to apply up to 12 graduate credit hours toward the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements. Individual, programs, however, may elect to allow a fewer number of graduate hours to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements, and programs determine which undergraduate degree requirements may be fulfilled by graduate coursework. Students will earn their undergraduate degree upon completion of all undergraduate requirements and will then continue with their graduate study.
The student’s undergraduate advisor, in consultation with the graduate program director, will identify graduate coursework that will meet undergraduate requirements. Graduate courses may not be used to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements that have been satisfied by previously completed coursework. The selection of the graduate course work and the number of credits to be applied toward an undergraduate degree requires the approval of the graduate program director in the student’s academic discipline, the student’s undergraduate program advisor, the chair of the department housing the student’s undergraduate program, and the appropriate dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program.
Program advisors will develop an individualized curriculum for each student based upon opportunities for graduate courses to meet undergraduate degree requirements and space in the student’s course schedule. Students typically enroll in 3 graduate credits per term but may enroll in additional credit hours in a term with the approval of the graduate program director. Accelerated students may register for a maximum of 15 total credit hours during any semester that he/she is registered for a graduate level course unless the dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program has given his/her approval otherwise.
Accelerated students can take no more than twelve (12) credits in any one graduate department
Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Programs
These programs allow an undergraduate student who has an excellent academic record to complete requirements for the baccalaureate, while also electing graduate courses. Some graduate work may satisfy undergraduate degree requirements (not to exceed 12 credit hours). Students typically enroll in 3 graduate credits per term but may enroll in additional graduate credit hours in a term with the approval of the graduate program director and the dean. A Combined BS/MS student may register for a maximum of 15 total credit hours during any semester that he/she is registered for both graduate and undergraduate courses unless the dean who is responsible for the undergraduate program has given approval. Students will earn their undergraduate degree upon completion of all undergraduate requirements and will then continue with graduate study.
Admissions Requirements for Accelerated Master’s Programs or the Combined Baccalaureate/Master’s Degree Program:
- Completion of an application for Graduate Admissions
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- A Statement of Purpose
- Completion and submission of any program specific admission requirements.
NOTE: A student, who has earned credits elsewhere, including transfer of credit from other colleges and 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.
A dual degree is a combination of two separate degrees into a single program. Dual degrees require further study than either degree alone, but less than if the degrees are pursued separately. The MBA/MHA dual degree program, for example, can be completed in 65- 70 credits, instead of the 88 credits required of a student if he or she enrolled in each separately. As such, the MBA/MHA degrees must be conferred simultaneously, upon completion of all degree requirements for the dual degree program. Students in officially recognized dual degree programs must apply to graduate for both degrees at the same time by filing an Application for Degree form. Degrees will be conferred simultaneously.
While enrolled, students are responsible for consulting regularly with their advisors in both colleges of the program.
Withdrawal from the dual degree program must be initiated through the Kania School of Management. The Panuska College of Professional Studies will then be notified. Withdrawal from the dual degree program does not constitute admission to nor enrollment in either the MBA program or the MHA program. A student seeking to change their degree to the MBA program or the MHA program must formally apply to that program. Degree requirements for each of these programs differ from the degree requirements of the MBA/MHA program.
In order to be eligible for admission to the MBA/MHA dual degree program, a student matriculated in either the MBA or MHA degree program must apply before completing 75% of their respective degree program’s graduation requirements.
The University offers the following doctoral degrees:
Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (offered to all qualified, master’s-educated physical therapists)
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.
Further information about these programs is available in throughout the Graduate Studies Catalog in their respective departments.
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 students 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 “Downloadable Forms and Resources” link, http://matrix.scranton.edu/academics/cgce/forms.shtml
- Initiation of a second degree or program of study in the same degree area as the first program requires the following:
- 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;
- Between two and five years after completing the first program: the Second Degree or Program Request Form, new application and, if applicable, official transcripts of any course work undertaken since graduation from The University of Scranton.
- 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, three letters of reference and, if applicable, official transcripts of any course work undertaken since graduation from The University of Scranton.
State Authorization
The University of Scranton is accredited by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 1-267-284-5000.
The University’s Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) is available. Information about filing a complaint regarding a MSCHE-accredited institution is available via the Commission’s website.
The University of Scranton is authorized to grant degrees by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Information regarding the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) formal complaint procedure is available on the PDE website.
In addition to federal and state recognition above, The University of Scranton has been approved by Pennsylvania to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of post secondary distance education. As part of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended), the University makes available contact information for filing a complaint with individual state agencies. Information about these processes is available on the University’s Consumer Information website.
For professions such as teacher preparation, education, nursing, counseling, occupational therapy and physical therapy, each state approaches licensure and certification in its own way. The University of Scranton’s programs are designed to meet the licensure and certification requirements for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The University cannot confirm whether our program requirements meet the professional licensure or certification requirement of the various states. Students should determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure or certification in the state in which they are or wish to be employed. Information regarding licensure/certification for specific states can be found at https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-licenses.aspx or www.teach.org.
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 August/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 complete 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 the ways outlined below.
Submission of an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 80 on the Internet-based test. Certain degree programs may 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 an overall band score 6.5. Certain degree programs may require IELTS scores greater than overall band 6.5. 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).
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 ELS Language Centers as well as The Language Company. 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 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 a semester other than the semester for which they are offered admission must update their Certification of Finances.
Please note: Any course work taught in a language other than English, may require a transcript evaluation.
Maintaining Immigration Status - The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS), 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 Office of International Student and Scholar Services if any of the following circumstances occur:
1. To report a change of physical address to the OISSS 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 OISSS 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 OISSS.
**International students must take a minimum of 6 credits per semester up until the start of the thesis. International students may take less than six credits during their last semester of attendance. Once the thesis begins, international students have one year to complete it.
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 Graduate and Continuing Education Services. 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.
The University of Scranton annually offers Intersession in January and several summer sessions to allow students to accelerate their degree programs or to make up courses that may not have been completed during the regular semesters.
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:
- 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;
- A student who is provisionally admitted may be required to complete specific undergraduate courses in conjunction with his or her graduate study;
- An enrolled student who is placed on academic probation may be required to complete specific undergraduate courses as a condition of that probation;
- A graduate student may elect to register for an undergraduate course that is not related to his or her graduate program of study.
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