East Carolina University is an equal educational opportunity institution. In keeping with this policy the university makes no distinction in the admission of students or in any other of its activities on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, handicap, or national origin.

APPLICATION

Complete applications include completed application form, official transcripts of all prior academic work, letters of recommendation, appropriate standardized test scores, statement of residence, and application fee of $40.  Application forms may be obtained from East Carolina University Graduate School, Greenville, NC  27858-4353.

The dates below are deadlines for receipt of the application form by the Graduate School.  Early application is encouraged, particularly if application for an assistantship is contemplated.  Students are encouraged to inquire about individual programs as early as possible since some programs review applications only at fixed times during the year.

Master's degree candidates planning to enroll in the fall who wish to be considered for out-of-state tuition waivers must submit applications by February 1.  If applications are received after that date, waivers will be considered only as funds are available.  Applications for the family nurse practitioner concentration in nursing are due March 1.

ADMISSION

To qualify for regular admission to a graduate degree program an applicant must have a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional association and have either an overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work or a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in either the undergraduate major or work taken during the senior year. A satisfactory standardized test score is also required for all programs. Applicants to the EdD program must also have a master's degree from an accredited institution. Individual programs may have more stringent standards, and some need additional information and credentials. It is important that applicants discuss the process with the director of the program to which they apply as early as possible. Each graduate program decides on the admissibility of its students. Some programs will recommend admission by exception for a limited number of students who do not qualify for regular admission if the students have other offsetting strengths. Students with marginal credentials are advised to consult with the program director about their admissibility.

Applicants for admission to the Graduate School are required to complete a self-managed application prior to consideration for admission. This application requires that the student manage the application process by completing the appropriate forms, gathering the necessary transcripts and letters of recommendation, and returning the forms as one package to the Graduate School. Graduate School applications can be acquired by phone at 252-328-6012, by email at www.gradschool@mail.ecu.edu, or from the Graduate School’s home page www.research2.ecu.edu/grad/.

One official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate course work taken at all institutions attended since graduation from high school is required. The applicant must request a sealed copy of an official transcript from the registrar of each school attended. The student will forward the transcripts to the Graduate School as part of the self-managed application.

Three letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to the applicant's academic competence or ability to do graduate work must be collected by the student and included in the self-managed application sent to the Graduate School. The School of Business does not require letters of recommendation for its applicants.

Scores from one or more standardized tests are required for admission to all graduate programs.  Applicants must request the testing service to forward the results to the Graduate School.  Examinations must have been taken within the past five years. 

The general test of the Graduate Record Examinations is required for programs in anthropology, biology, molecular biology, chemistry, communication sciences and disorders, computer science, economics, English, environmental health, geography, geology, history (MA), physical therapy, physics, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, speech-language and auditory pathology (MS), and all PhD programs.  The subject test of the Graduate Record Examinations is required for applicants to the clinical psychology program. The Graduate Management Admission Test is required for the graduate programs in accounting and business administration.  The general test of the Graduate Record Examinations or the Miller Analogy Test is accepted by all other master's programs, including all MAEd programs, and the EdD program.

Many programs do not require entrance exam scores for holders of the master's degree or more advanced degrees.  However, biology, business administration, child development and family relations, communication sciences and disorders, counselor education, economics, educational leadership, exercise and sports science, health education, history, mathematics, molecular biology, nursing, psychology, public administration rehabilitation studies, social work, and speech-language and auditory pathology (MSSL) programs require entrance examination scores for all applicants.

The master of music degree with a major in education and all MAEd programs except adult education and instructional technology-computers require North Carolina Teaching Licensure for admission.

The admissions requirements for graduate certificate programs depend upon the program. Some certificate programs require that the applicant be enrolled in a degree program while other certificate programs are designed for any person holding a baccalaureate degree.

Applicants are admitted to degree and certificate programs only upon the issuance of a formal letter of admission by the Graduate School.

Requirements for admission to the summer session terms are the same as those for regular semesters of the academic year. However, some programs cannot be initiated in the summer session.

ECU seniors who are within 6 s.h. or less of completion of all undergraduate degree requirements may apply for admission to graduate degree programs.  If admitted prior to the semester or summer term during which 6 s.h. or less and any remaining requirements must be completed, they may enroll in 5000- or 6000-level courses applicable to graduate degree requirements. Successful applicants must complete all remaining undergraduate degree requirements during the semester or summer term to which they are admitted. Failure to fulfill this requirement will result in cancellation of admission to graduate degree study and enrollment in any 6000-level courses will be invalidated.

Students wishing to take courses at off-campus centers for graduate degree credit must be admitted to a graduate degree program.  Similarly, students who enroll in graduate courses in extension offered by the Division of Continuing Studies and who seek graduate degree credit must be admitted to a graduate degree program.  Course credit earned at resident centers or in extension prior to admission to a graduate degree program cannot be counted toward graduate degree requirements.  Requirements for admission are the same as those on the main campus in Greenville. Information about graduate courses offered at resident centers and in extension by the Division of Continuing Studies is available at resident centers and from the Division of Continuing Studies on the Greenville campus.

A graduate student in good standing at another institution may be admitted to a specific graduate course or courses without furnishing transcripts and examination scores if the dean of the student's graduate school so requests in writing.  Students enroll as nondegree-seeking students.

Incomplete applications will be destroyed one year after the beginning date of the term of intended enrollment. Applicants may request that copies of transcripts be returned before the year is over, or they may request that their applications be continued for another year.

NONDEGREE ADMISSION

The nondegree student classification is a temporary graduate classification.  It may be used by those who need course credit for a post baccalaureate certificate or teacher licensure, who have expectations of enrolling in a degree or CAS program, or by those who desire professional or personal enrichment.  To be allowed to enroll in the nondegree classification, a student must present a nondegree application supported by a transcript or other document showing a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.  A $45 processing fee will be charged. Credits earned as a nondegree student may be counted toward graduate degree requirements only under the following conditions

1. When a student is admitted to a degree program, a maximum of 9 s.h. of course work taken as a nondegree student may apply toward the credit requirement of the degree program.
2. Requests for degree credit for courses completed as a nondegree student are considered after admission to a graduate degree program.  All nondegree course work accepted for degree credit must be approved by the chair of the student's department.  All requests for degree credit must be approved by the dean of the Graduate School.
3. Course work taken as a nondegree student carries with it no implication that the student will be admitted to a degree program in the Graduate School.
4. The credit for course work taken as a nondegree student must be satisfactorily incorporated within the applicable time frame for completion of all degree requirements.
5. Nondegree students are expected to familiarize themselves with Graduate School policies and to seek further advice or clarification.

Nondegree application forms can be obtained from the Graduate School and should be returned to the Graduate School, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353.  Students should submit nondegree applications no later than one week prior to registration day.

READMISSION

Any student who interrupts his or her graduate program by not registering for courses on or off campus during any one semester of the regular academic year must apply for readmission before being allowed to resume graduate work.  Applications for readmission are to be made on forms furnished by the Graduate School.  A $15 processing fee will be charged.  These applications should be presented to the Graduate School at least one week prior to the opening of registration for the semester or summer term in which the student wishes to resume graduate work.  Degree or CAS students who do not enroll on or off campus during the semester or summer term to which they were admitted must file an updated application.  Forms can be obtained from the Graduate School office.  A $15 processing fee will be charged.

When a graduate program is interrupted for one calendar year, the student will not be readmitted unless he or she meets admission requirements current at the time of the request for readmission. The Graduate School Administrative Board will consider requests to waive this rule in specific cases when a student's major school or department recommends waiver.

MEDICAL HISTORY/IMMUNIZATIONS

All new students (degree and nondegree) will receive a report of medical history form with the letter of acceptance.  This report, which includes a record of required immunizations, must be completed and returned to the Student Health Service.  Students will not be allowed to pay fees and begin attending classes if this report is not on file with the Student Health Service.

PREREQUISITES

The dean of the school or chairperson of the department in which the candidate wishes to work will consult with the student concerning any deficiencies in his or her undergraduate program. Required make-ups may be removed at East Carolina University or at any other approved and regionally accredited institution.

Prerequisites are stated as integral parts of various programs, entrance requirements for degree programs, and sequential progression into subject matter.  Students are not allowed to enroll in courses for which they have not met the prerequisites. 

PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS

It is important to note that published descriptions of school or departmental graduate programs establish only minimum requirements. Every school or department possesses and reserves the right to require individual students to enroll in additional courses or perform additional tasks in order to meet school or departmental requirements for breadth and quality in the completion of graduate programs.

While such modifications are ordinarily made a matter of record at the beginning of a student's program, schools and departments have the prerogative to make changes in a student's program at any time prior to graduation.