Step One - Apply for Admission
Admission Requirement
Pre-Admission Procedures
Application Forms
Application forms for admission to the Graduate School may be obtained from the Admissions Office at all Troy University locations. The application should be completed at least one month before the first day of the semester of intended matriculation. Until the official transcripts are received, some proof of an undergraduate degree is needed. Click here for forms
Transcripts
Official transcripts (raised seal with Registrar's signature and may not have “Issued to Student” stamped on it) from all universities attended are required for applicants holding a bachelor's degree even if credit was not received. Once the Application for Admission is on file, all transcripts in the student file become the property of Troy University and cannot be returned. Note: There is a one term grace period for official transcripts and test scores. Click here for forms
Please have official transcripts sent to:
For Norfolk and DC Area
Troy University
5425 Robin Hood Road, Suite B1
Norfolk, Va. 23513
Attn: Records
The Troy University Letter of Recommendation
Admission to the graduate program at Troy University requires a recommendation attesting to the applicant's potential for success in their chosen field.
Letters of Recommendation: Click here for forms
Other Documents
1. Students who previously took a nationally standardized aptitude examination, such as the GRE, MAT, or GMAT, should submit a copy of the score(s) with the Application for Admission. The official test scores must be ordered from the testing agency. Although no time limit is established on test scores for admission to Graduate School, most scores are only available for 5 years..
2. Students who have completed an Air Force intermediate or senior level Professional Military Education (PME) course must obtain a transcript from the Registrar, Air University. Students who have completed U.S. Army Command and General Staff College as a resident must obtain a transcript. Students who completed any other service-sponsored PME School must submit a course completion certificate.
The following subjects provide details regarding the admissions process which may also be found in the Troy University Graduate Bulletin 2001-2003.
Admission Classifications
Changing Program of Study
Credit from a Previous Master's Degree
Credit Hours Required
Resident Credit Calculation
Transfer Credit
Transfer from an unaccredited or otherwise Accredited Institution
Professional Military Education Credit
Transient Credit
Shifting of Credit between Graduate Programs within the Troy University System
Hour Load Limit
Unconditional Admission - Master's Degree
To qualify for unconditional admission to a master's degree program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
1. Hold a master's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university. No test score required. (Master ’s or higher degree holders from non-accredited or otherwise accredited institutions are not eligible for this exemption.)
OR
2. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average.
OR
3. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an unaccredited or otherwise accredited college or university with minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale) or a 3.0 grade point average on the last 30 semester hours. All hours attempted in the term in which the 30 semester hours were reached will be used to calculate the grade point average. (See Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission requirements.) Note: (Students seeking advanced degrees in teacher education programs must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.)
AND
4. Have an acceptable score on the appropriate entrance exam (GRE 850-verbal and quantitative, MAT 33, GMAT 450). Note: Students entering counseling programs must meet the specified GPA requirements in #2 above or the stated minimum test score equirement.
AND
5. Meet the unconditional requirements of a program. (See specific programs for details.) Some programs have higher standards.
Conditional Admission - Master's Degree
Conditional admission may be granted under certain circumstances to applicants who cannot satisfy all unconditional admission requirements.
1. Baccalaureate Degree Holders.
Students who earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, but lacked the required grade point average or acceptable test score to be admitted unconditionally, may be granted conditional admission for a maximum of 12 semester hours. Students admitted under conditional status may, with the consent of their major advisor, enroll in as many as 6 semester hours during their first term. (See Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission requirements.)
Students admitted conditionally due to a low grade point average will be cleared of their conditional status if at the conclusion of 12 semester hours they have achieved a 3.0 grade point average or greater. If the 3.0 grade point is not achieved the first term, they will be limited to one course (3 semester hours) during the next academic term. Students must clear the conditional admission requirement of a 3.0 average at the conclusion of 12 semester hours, or they will be dropped from the graduate program for one calendar year after which they may petition the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research to re-enter. Students admitted conditionally due to a low test score will be granted unconditional admission prior to the completion of 12 semester hours provided they have maintained a 3.0 grade point average and have retaken the test and received a satisfactory score.
2. Dual Enrollment - Final Semester Troy University Seniors Only With the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research or designee, seniors lacking 6 semester hours or fewer for graduation may, during the term in which their undergraduate requirements are being completed, be enrolled in one or more courses for graduate credit provided they present a satisfactory GRE aptitude test (850 verbal and quantitative) or MAT (33) and have an overall grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) with a 3.0 average (on a 4.0 scale) in the major field. If admitted, the students may enroll in no more than a combined total of 9 semester hours of undergraduate and graduate work. Students admitted under these conditions may enroll in only one ''6000'' numbered course.
Temporary Admission (8-9 semester hours maximum load including prerequisites for full time enrollment)
Procedures:
A baccalaureate graduate of a regionally accredited college or university who lacks certain necessary records may be granted temporary admission. Such records should be completed before the end of the term for which the student was given temporary admission. Students from non-accredited or otherwise accredited institutions are not eligible for temporary admission. (See Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission requirements.)
If the records are completed before the term ends and the results indicate that the student is not eligible for admission, the student must withdraw from the class or classes, with a refund if applicable, or receive non-degree credit for the class or classes for which he/she is registered. Applicable refunds will be made in accordance with regulations as stated in published refund policies. If the student has completed the term for which temporary admission was granted and the records are still not in order, the hours pursued will be held in abeyance until the records are clear. No refund of tuition will be made, and the student will not be permitted to enroll in succeeding terms until the records are complete and admissibility is determined.
1. When the records are complete and if it is determined that the student was not eligible for graduate admission, all hours pursued will be converted to non-degree credit with no refund of tuition.
2. When the records are completed and if it is determined that the student was eligible for graduate admission, all hours pursued will be counted as graduate degree credit.
3. With the permission of the appropriate graduate studies director or Troy University field representative within TROY Global Campus, students may extend their Temporary Admission for the second term. Written approval authorizing the extension must be in the student's permanent record.
Transient Admission
Procedures
Students from other institutions or another regional site of the Troy System who wish to take a course(s) from Troy University must:
1. Complete a standard ''Application for Admission'' (no transcripts required).
2. Present a letter of transient authorization from the parent school or Troy University regional site. The authorization must identify the course(s) to be taken and the term in which it will be taken, or indicate that the course is to be taken at the student's discretion. The letter must be signed by a designated official of the school or branch (i.e., Registrar, Director, etc.).
3. Request that a Troy University transcript be sent to the parent school after completion of the course.
Transfer Admission
The admission requirements for a transfer student are the same as those set forth in the preceding sections. Students on temporary, permanent academic, or disciplinary suspension from any other college or university are not eligible for admission to a Troy University graduate program. Exceptions to this rule must be approved in accordance with the guidelines for readmission after academic suspension. The academic dean of the discipline and the graduate dean must approve the readmission prior to enrollment. For further information, contact the Dean of the Graduate Studies and Research, Adams Administration Building, Room 219.
Transfer of Students on Suspension From Another Institution
1. Temporary, Indefinite or Permanent Academic Suspension: A student who has been suspended from another college or university is eligible to apply for admission to Troy University after serving the suspension from the previous school.
2. Disciplinary Suspension: Students on disciplinary suspension from another institution must be eligible to return to that institution before being considered for admission to Troy University.
Post Masters Admission
Students admitted in this category must hold the master's degree. Graduate credit taken while enrolled as a post master's degree student is not admissible as degree credit unless it is approved by the student's advisory committee and is limited to a total of 6 semester hours. An official transcript is required to verify the master's or a higher degree.
Certification Endorsement (Non-Degree Matriculant)
Students interested in applying college credit towards teacher certification, but who are not applicants for a degree at Troy University must be evaluated by the Troy University Office of Teacher Education in the area for which teacher certification is sought. With the approval of the Dean of Enrollment Management, admission may be granted to qualified students holding teacher certification and a bachelor’s, master’s, or education specialist degree from a regionally accredited institution. A copy of the evaluation completed by the Troy University Office of Teacher Education will be placed in the student’s file. This evaluation will direct the student in registering for applicable certification endorsement credits only. Should a student apply later and be accepted to a degree program, no college credit used ''For Certification Endorsement'' will be considered for credit toward this degree. Additionally, no college credit may be applied to separate levels of certification.
Special Admission: Non-Degree Matriculant
A student interested in earning graduate credit, but who is not an applicant for a graduate degree at Troy University, may be admitted as a ''Special Student'' with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, or his/her designee. Admission may be granted to qualified students holding a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or to students in good standing at another regionally accredited graduate school. Should a student apply later and be accepted to a degree program, no more than 6 semester hours will be considered for credit toward the degree. It is the responsibility of the student to observe the limitations imposed on credit hours, coursework, and transfer of credit. Special students may not be admitted at a later date on a temporary admission.
Professional Certificate Program Admission: Non-Degree Matriculant
Students interested in earning approved graduate professional certificates may be admitted as "Professional Certificate Students," with the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research of the Graduate School, or his/her designee. Admission may be granted to students holding a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution or to students in good standing at another regionally accredited graduate school. Certificate students who later apply for regular admission to a graduate program may apply successfully completed courses toward the program in accordance with the requirements of that program in effect at the time of admission.
UNACCREDITED OR OTHERWISE ACCREDITED STUDENT ADMISSION
Students must submit an official transcript with degree(s) posted at least one semester/term prior to desired date of registration. The Graduate Council will evaluate all transcripts using commonly accepted practices and guidelines. The applicant may be required to submit a copy of the school catalog and other information as needed. (Note: Students seeking advanced degrees in teacher education programs must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.)
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSION
A prospective student who is not a citizen of the United States should apply for admission at least six months prior to the desired date and submit all required materials three months prior to registration. Credentials that must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office are official college transcript(s) with the degree posted; detailed statement of financial status showing that adequate financial resources are ensured; satisfactory test scores for TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) if the native tongue is not English; and results of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), MAT (Miller Analogy Test) or GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test). Such students transferring from another higher education institution of the U.S. must transfer admission requirements and submit acceptable TOEFL and GRE, MAT, or GMAT scores. Minimum acceptable scores are TOEFL - 525, GRE - 850, (verbal and quantitative scores) MAT- 33, GMAT- 450. The TOEFL is waived as an admissions requirement for foreign students who hold the baccalaureate or equivalent degree from a regionally or [Troy University approved] otherwise accredited United States university or a university in an English speaking country such as England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, etc. where the language of the university was also English. Upon arrival, new students must take the American English Group assessment test battery regardless of their TOEFL score. The tests will be used to determine if they are adequately prepared for the rigors of academic study. Students with deficiencies as noted by the testing program will be required to take remedial courses.
Unconditionally admitted students:
Students changing from one Troy University graduate program of study to another must complete a new application for admission. All admission criteria and degree requirements in effect at the time the student is admitted to the new graduate program will be imposed. Students must follow the policies and complete the degree requirements stated in the bulletin in effect at the time of admission to the new program. Conditionally admitted or academically suspended students: The following additional procedures apply to graduate students who are conditionallyadmitted or under academic suspension from Troy University:
1. Students seeking readmission to the Graduate School in a program of study different from the one in which they were academically suspended must petition the Dean of the Graduate Studies and Research for admission to the new program of study after a one-year suspension period. (See Readmission Procedure Section for more details.)
2. Graduate students with less than 3.0 who want to change programs, must also petition the Dean of the Graduate Studies and Research for admission to the new program of studies.
3. Students entering or changing programs under the stipulations cited in (1) and (2) above may be admitted to the new program of study conditionally only if approved by the appropriate Academic Dean on the Troy site.
4. Students reentering new programs conditionally, because of academic suspension, will not be permitted to transfer credit from the program from which dropped, except for cross-listed courses completed with a B or better grade. Students transferring programs because of a GPA of less than 3.0, and being admitted conditionally into a new program will be limited in transferring credits from the previous program to those courses completed with a B or better grade.
5. Students approved to enter a new program or change their program of study under items 1-4 above must complete a new application for Admission.
CREDIT FROM A PREVIOUS MASTER'S DEGREE
Procedures:
A baccalaureate graduate of a regionally accredited four-year college or university who lacks certain necessary records may be granted temporary admission. Such records should be completed before the end of the term for which the student was given temporary admission. Students from non-accredited or otherwise accredited institutions are not eligible for temporary admission. (See Unaccredited or Otherwise Accredited Student Admission requirements.)
The minimum number of credit hours required for graduate programs varies. Additional course work may be required for a student with academic deficiencies and/or limited background and experience. This requirement may be made by the student's advisor or advisory committee with the concurrence of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Credit hours earned in this capacity will be in excess of the minimum number of semester hours required for the degree.
Resident credit for a program is determined by deducting the transfer/transient credit hours allowed in the program from the total hours required for the program.
1. The M.S. or Masters in Education, Conducting, Nursing, Sport and Fitness Management, Management, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, International Relations, Environmental Analysis, Management, Business Administration and Criminal Justice programs allow twelve semester hours of transfer credit. All other master's degree programs allow a maximum of six semester hours of transfer credit unless otherwise approved by the Graduate Council. Students are advised to consult their program advisors for current policies regarding transfer credit.
2. Hours accepted as transfer credit must have been earned from a regionally accredited graduate school, taken for graduate credit, and a grade of ''B'' or higher must have been earned in each course. The alpha grade will be the determining factor in evaluating the credit; pluses and minuses will be ignored. Transfer credit may not be used to improve the Troy University grade point average.
3. No more than 6 semester hours of credit earned on one master's degree may be applied to the requirement for a second master's degree and is subject to departmental approval.
4. For the sixth-year program, graduate level work earned after completion of the master's degree program up to a maximum of 6 semester hours may be accepted with the approval of the student's advisory committee.
5. To be acceptable as transfer credit, all hours must have been earned within eight years of the date of degree completion of the graduate program at Troy University or at one of its degree granting branches. Credit accepted as transfer credit, which becomes over eight years old before the Troy University degree requirements are completed, will become invalid and will not be counted toward graduate degree requirements.
6. For students beginning graduate studies in the College of Education after January 1, 1983, the transfer/transient credit policy (1-4 above) will be applied to all students seeking NCATE (National Council For Accreditation of Teacher Education) approved programs. This regulation applies to all sites within the Troy University System. A maximum of 12 semester hours may be transferred to Troy University Troy from Troy University Dothan and Montgomery. Students are advised to consult with their program advisors for current policies regarding transfer credit.
7. At military sites where Troy University is replacing another university, students will be permitted to transfer six courses (18 semester hours). This rule applies for one calendar year from the start of the Troy University program and only for students who have been in attendance at that site.
No credit may be transferred to a Troy University graduate program until a student is unconditionally admitted and has completed a minimum of 6 semester hours with the university.
Procedures to follow in petitioning for Transfer Credit:
Submit a ''Petition for Transfer of Graduate Credit Form'' to the Troy University Graduate School office and attach the following documents:
1. A copy of the transcript showing the course(s) taken.
2. A course description taken from the college catalogue where the course was taken.
3. Copy of course syllabus.
4. Evidence that the course was taken for graduate credit or would have been accepted as graduate credit if not indicated on the transcript and a grade of ''B'' or better was earned.
5. Course substitutions, as applicable. The graduate office will notify students of completed action taken on a petition.
TRANSFER FROM UNACCREDITED OR OTHERWISE A C C R E D I T E D INSTITUTION
If a student meets regular admission standards and has earned graduate level credit at an unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution of higher learning, the student may receive relevant transfer credit. However, the credits will not be accepted until the student has completed 12 semester hours and has maintained the grade point average necessary for good standing. Credits will be reviewed and approved by the dean of the discipline. A determination will be made based on (1) the unaccredited or otherwise accredited institution’s affiliation with the former agencies: Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA) and Commission on Recognition of Post Secondary Accreditation (CORPA), (2) Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or (3) acceptance of credit by at least three other regionally accredited institutions located in the area of the unaccredited institution. Contact the Dean of Enrollment Management or the TROY Global Campus site director for more information.
CORRESPONDENCE CREDIT
Credit earned through correspondence will not be acceptable for graduate work.
PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION CREDIT (PME)
Troy University awards transfer credit for specific Professional Military Education (PME) courses completed at select military service schools for which credit is recommended by the American Council on Education and approved by each appropriate College’s dean. The number of hours granted for each program is limited to a maximum of 12 semester hours. Please consult the current Troy University PME Matrix for individual program acceptance. No credit may be granted for work that will be over eight years old at the time of graduation from the Troy University program for which transfer credit was requested. No waivers will be permitted.
Students who have been granted unconditional admission to the Graduate School, (or students within the Troy University System who have been granted conditional admission) and are in good standing, may take approved graduate level courses at another regionally accredited graduate school. Transient credit taken outside the Troy University System does not count toward Troy University residence credit or Troy University grade point average (GPA). Students in the Nursing, Educational Leadership, Management, Public Administration, International Relations, Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Environmental Analysis and Management programs are limited to a combined total of 12 semester hours. Approval to enroll in such courses must be obtained from the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies prior to enrollment in the course. Approval forms may be obtained from the graduate office or for TROY Global Campus students, from the T S U Representative. A grade of ''B'' or higher must be earned in each transient course. Military senior service schools credits, if appropriate for the degree, may be accepted as transient credit based on Troy University evaluation of American Council on Education recommendation.
SHIFTING OF CREDIT BETWEEN GRADUATE PROGRAMS WITHIN THE Troy University SYSTEM
Students may shift credit from their current graduate program to a future graduate program since it is not possible for them to be concurrently enrolled in two graduate programs. They must request, in writing, that the course(s) not be applied toward their current program only if a "B" or better grade has been obtained, but to another Troy University graduate program at some future date, normally not to exceed two terms. The course(s) to be shifted will not be used in the computation of the GPA for the current degree program and will not be included on the student's Admission to Candidacy form or on the graduate checklist for the current program. When a student enrolls in the other graduate program, the shifted course(s) will be posted to the new program. NOTE: Students using VA benefits should be aware that the VA may not pay for courses taken in a second program until course work for the first program is completed. (See the VA certifying official for further details.)
Students admitted conditionally may take a maximum of 8-9 semester hours per term until the ''conditions'' are removed. Students with a temporary admission status and Graduate Assistants are limited to 8-9 semester hours per term. The maximum load for unconditionally admitted graduate students is 8-12 semester hours per term. With the approval of the student's major advisor and the appropriate dean, the maximum load may be increased to 16 semester hours for unconditionally admitted students. Students who schedule an overload may not reschedule an overload in the subsequent term unless they maintain an overall grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale during the term in which the overload was scheduled.
Students who register for course work in excess of the approved load and violate the University's policy regarding course load will be required to drop the overload or lose the excess credit.
