Thomas L.
Reynolds, Associate Provost for Graduate
Programs and Dean of the
Kent E. Curran, Senior Associate Dean of the
Johnna W. Watson, Associate
Dean of the
Linda J. Dunatov, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Affairs
Greet Provoost, Assistant Dean for International Student Affairs
Nancy A. Gutierrez, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Claude C. Lilly
III, Dean,
Mary Lynne
Calhoun, Dean,
Robert E. Johnson,
Dean, The
Karen Schmaling, Dean,
Mirsad Hadzikadic, Dean,
History and Organization of the
The
The executive and
administrative affairs of the
The Graduate Council
The Graduate
Council, whose voting members are elected by the Graduate Faculty, reviews,
develops and makes recommendations concerning
The
Graduate Faculty
In accordance with criteria developed by each graduate program
or unit and approved by the Graduate Council, the Dean of the
The Graduate Directors and
Coordinators
Each graduate program, and in some cases certain program areas within a discipline, has either a Graduate Director or Coordinator. This individual is a member of the Graduate Faculty and is responsible for coordinating various functions of the departmental graduate program. Directors and Coordinators assist students with understanding program requirements (along with the student’s specific advisor) and can answer program specific questions such as transfer credit, prerequisites, program specific admission requirements, etc.
GRADUATE
PROGRAMS
Doctoral or Master’s Degree Programs
UNC Charlotte offers 12 doctoral and 56
master’s degree programs. To be admitted to a degree program, an applicant must
meet all the requirements for admission, be recommended by the department in
which he/she proposes to study and receive the approval of the
Graduate Certificate Programs
Graduate certificate programs are mechanisms for students who wish to complete a coherent graduate program in a defined area in which they do not wish to pursue a degree. Students are admitted to a specific graduate certificate program and are advised by faculty in the unit offering the graduate certificate. Since the graduate certificate is not a degree, students may apply the credits earned in the certificate program toward a degree that they pursue either concomitant with pursuing a graduate certificate or after the certificate has been awarded.
Post-Baccalaureate Study
Applicants seeking to take courses beyond
the baccalaureate degree for licensure, license renewal, for transfer to
another institution, as prerequisites for admission to a graduate degree
program or for personal satisfaction may be admitted as post-baccalaureate
students. A post-baccalaureate student who is subsequently admitted to full
standing in a graduate degree program may, with the recommendation of his/her
advisor and the approval of the
Post-Baccalaureate study is not available to international students on, or intending to be on, F-1 or J-1 student visa/status, except for those with a valid Employment Authorization Document participating in Post Program Completion Optional Practical Training (for F-1) or Academic Training (for J-1)
Readmission – All Students
Post-baccalaureate, graduate certificate
and degree students whose enrollment is interrupted will remain eligible to
register for two calendar years without having to reapply for admission to the
University if they are in good standing and have not exceeded the six or
eight-year limit for their academic program of study. After an absence of more
than 24 months, the student must apply for readmission; acceptance is subject
to department, program and
Early-Entry to Graduate Programs
Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may be accepted into some master’s programs and begin work toward a graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. In those programs offering this option, an applicant may be accepted at any time after completion of 75 or more hours, although it is expected that close to 90 hours will have been earned by the time the first graduate course is taken. These students will have provisional acceptance status, pending the award of the baccalaureate degree.
To be accepted in this program, an undergraduate student must have at least a 3.2 overall GPA and have taken the appropriate graduate standardized test and have earned an acceptable score. A given program may have more rigorous admissions criteria. If an early-entry student has not met the normal admission requirements of a 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA and a 3.0 junior-senior GPA at the end of his/her baccalaureate degree, she/he will be dismissed from the graduate program.
Students accepted into an early-entry program will be subject to the same policies that pertain to other matriculated graduate students. Generally, it will be assumed that early-entry students will finish their baccalaureate degrees before they complete 15 hours of graduate work. No courses taken before admission to the graduate program may be applied to a graduate degree.
Some early-entry programs are also accelerated. Under this model, ordinarily up to six hours earned at the graduate level may be substituted for required undergraduate hours. In other words, up to six hours of graduate work may be “double counted” toward both the baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Individual programs may allow additional hours at the graduate level to be substituted. In no case may more than 12 hours be double-counted.
Not all graduate programs have the early
entry option. Inquiries should be addressed to the appropriate department or to
the
New Graduate Student
Orientation
The
The orientation programs offer information about various University programs and services for graduate students; provide publications, including the New Graduate Student Handbook, to serve as resource guides for students; various content workshops on issues relevant to graduate education and graduate student life; and provide opportunities for students to ask specific questions.
Many of the individual graduate programs conduct discipline-specific orientation programs for their new graduate students. Degree students should contact their major department for information on programs that may be available. In addition, the International Student/Scholar Office (ISSO) conducts orientation sessions specifically designed for international graduate students.
Student Involvement
Students at UNC Charlotte are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities. UNC Charlotte acknowledges that graduate students have many, many priorities in their lives. However, as with so many other aspects of one’s life, active involvement enhances the experience.
Graduate and Professional Student
Government
The Graduate and
Professional Student Government (GPSG) ) is
the governing and primary organization for graduate students to present their
needs to the University. The purpose of the Graduate and Professional Student
Government (GPSG), according to the by-laws, is to serve as an appropriate
voice on campus for graduate students, to meet the various needs of graduate
students, and to establish a liaison between graduate faculty, graduate
students, and the University. All graduate students are members of the GPSG.
In the spring of
1998, the Graduate Student Association successfully petitioned the student body
through a referendum on the spring student body elections. The results of this
referendum provided a significant change in the student body constitution and
provided for the Graduate and Professional Student Government to become a
separate governing body and representative organization for graduate students.
In outlining the reasons for this separation, the GPSG cited the need for a
GPSG office and the graduate student share of student activity fees to support:
departmental graduate student associations, graduate student travel to read
papers at academic
During the
1998-1999 academic year, GPSG began functioning as its
own governing body. In the 1999-2000 academic year,
the recognition of current (and new) graduate student organizations and the
funding of these groups, including the GPSG, became the responsibility of the
Graduate and Professional Student Government. Since the inception of the GPSG
in its current structure, the availability of student activity fees to graduate
students directly have increased dramatically. With this new governing
structure, the GPSG has been very successful in advocating for and supporting
graduate student needs. An annual Research Fair competition was begun in the
spring of 2001 to showcase and reward excellence in graduate student research
across all disciplines. GPSG continues to be active in new graduate student
orientation, encouraging and recognizing graduate student organizations and
increasing the amount of student activity fee support for graduate students.
Each graduate program has the opportunity to be represented on the GPSG senate.
More information about this opportunity can be obtained from the Assistant Dean
for Graduate Student Affairs at 704-687-3375.
The GPSG Office is
located in the
Graduate Student Organizations
There are a number of graduate student organizations directly associated with academic programs. They include:
American Society of Precision Engineering
Association of Biology Graduate Students
Association of Chemistry Graduate Students
Association of Graduate Information Technology Students
English Graduate Student Association
Gamma Theta Upsilon (Geography)
Graduate Economics Student Society
Graduate History Association
Graduate Public Health Association
Graduate Public Policy Association
Graduate Social Work Association
Graduate Sociology Association
Graduate Student Nursing Organization
International Society for Optical Engineering
Masters of Architecture Student Society
Masters of Business Administration Association
Masters of Public Administration Student Group
Mathematics Graduate Student Association
Information on each group is available from
the academic program department. Some groups have information available on the
Student Life Website at: http://www.uncc.edu/cone/clubs/.
Please see
additional information on the various programs, offices and services at UNC
ADMISSION TO THE
Admissions Information
The University considers all applications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or religion. All relevant factors are considered, with major emphasis being placed on the academic history of the applicant. The intent of the University is to offer admission to those applicants whose credentials indicate a strong likelihood of success in their selected curricula.
The University reserves the right to withhold or rescind the admission of an applicant who fails to meet any of the requirements for admission at the time of matriculation. Additionally, meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program and the University reserves the right to restrict enrollments when necessary because of budgetary or other constraints.
Application Materials
A separate application and processing fee must be submitted for each graduate program of study for which a student applies. Requests for application materials and additional information about graduate programs should be directed to one of the following.
Applicants Should Contact
Office of Graduate Admissions
UNC
Telephone: 704-687-3366
Fax: 704-687-3279
World Wide Web: http://www.uncc.edu/gradmiss
(International Students should also see : http:// www.uncc.edu/intradmn)
E-Mail
For
Domestic Applicants
E-mail: gradadm@email.uncc.edu
For International
Applicants
E-mail: intlgradadm@email.uncc.edu
Application Deadlines
Students are encouraged to apply and to submit all supporting documents well in advance of the published deadlines. Some programs have earlier deadlines and may only admit to a particular term. Please contact the department offering the program to which you are applying for specific deadline information. The University may alter the date for acceptance of applications without further notice in accordance with available resources and the enrollment limitation established by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Term of Entry: Application Should Be
Completed By:
Fall May 1
Spring October 1
First or Second Summer Session April 1
Application Processing
Applications of US
Citizens, US Permanent Residents, Asylees and
Refugees are processed as “domestic” applications. Applications of students on,
or intending to be on, temporary visa/status in the
Application Processing Fee
A non-refundable
$55 processing fee (drawn on a U.S. bank) must accompany each application that is submitted. Acceptable forms of payment are
a personal check or a money order made payable to UNC Charlotte. Please make
sure that your name is clearly noted on the check or the money order as the
intended applicant. Applications received without the required fee will remain
on file, unprocessed, in the
Application Status
Applicants will be notified once the application for admission has been received. Applicants can monitor the status of their applications via the Graduate Admissions Website: http://www.uncc.edu/gradmiss.
(For Doctoral Degrees, Master’s Degrees, and Graduate
Certificates
Full Standing
Applicants who meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study plus any additional requirements specified by the college or department of academic concentration for the degree sought will be admitted to full standing.
Note:
Summer Session
Entry Term Enrollment is generally available to international students already
in the
Provisional Standing
Applicants to graduate programs who have not yet completed their undergraduate or masters degree will be provisionally admitted, pending the University’s receipt of final transcripts (and/or diploma / degree certificates) indicating the award of the baccalaureate or masters degree. Students will have a maximum of one semester on provisional admission. Failure to produce the proper credentials during the first semester following provisional admission will result in a hold on registration.
Deferment Policy
An applicant who is admitted to a graduate program of study who fails to enroll for the term to which he/she has been admitted is presumed to have withdrawn his/her application. The application may be reinstated if the request to do so is received within one year from the originally requested term of entry. This request should be in writing and addressed to the Office of Graduate Admissions at least six weeks prior to the term in which the applicant seeks to register. Students are eligible to update an application for admission for one year from the original term of application. Applications and supporting documents for persons who are admitted to a graduate program but do not enroll are maintained on file for one year from the original term of application. Note that some programs require an applicant's credentials to be re-evaluated before deferring admission to a later term. International students on, or intending to be on, F-1 or J-1 visa status may be required to provide updated proof of legal status and financial resources.
Policy on Updating
Applications
Applicants who do not submit their materials in time to be considered for admission to the requested term are expected to notify the Office of Graduate Admissions to request consideration for admission to a subsequent term. Students are eligible to update an application for admission to a subsequent term for one year from the original term of application. Incomplete applications (including test score reports) are maintained on file for one year from the original term of application. Supporting credentials received without an application will be maintained on file in the Office of Graduate Admissions for one year. All applications for persons who are not admitted are maintained on file for one year. Students whose admission to UNC Charlotte was denied may not update their application to a future term, but must reapply for admission i.e. submit a new application, application fee and supporting credentials/forms.
GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Doctoral Degree Programs
In order to be
considered for admission to a doctoral program, an applicant must have a
bachelor’s degree (or its
To be admitted after a master’s program, an applicant should have earned an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in the graduate degree program. To be admitted after a bachelor’s program, an applicant should have earned an overall GPA of at least 3.0, including a 3.0 for the last four semesters of his/her bachelor’s degree.
The application package must include:
1) An application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, accompanied by a $55 application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable. Materials submitted in support of this application cannot be returned.
2) Two official transcripts of all academic work attempted beyond high school. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is unacceptable and official transcripts of these credits must be supplied.
3) Official agency reports of satisfactory test scores as specified in the section on graduate programs in this Catalog. GRE/GMAT scores are reportable from ETS for a period of five years from the date of the exam. Therefore, GRE/GMAT scores more than five years old are not accepted since they cannot be officially reported. Likewise, MAT scores more than five years old are not accepted. For additional information regarding test score requirements, please see the Test Information section of this Catalog.
4) At least three evaluations from persons familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications.
5) An essay (Statement of Purpose) describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study (Note: Some academic programs have specific items for the applicant to address in the Statement of Purpose; please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions or the academic department for specific requirements).
6) Submission of official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if English is not the applicant’s native language and he or she has not earned a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution. Required is either a minimum score of 557 on the paper-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 220 on the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 83 on the Internet based TOEFL, a minimum score of 78 percent on the MELAB, or a minimum overall bandscore of 6.5 on the IELTS. Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received an associate’s degree or higher in one of the following countries, are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement: Australia, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States.
International Students should see the Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants section of the Catalog for additional requirements.
Note:
Applicants with records of high quality who
do not fulfill these requirements should discuss with the graduate program
coordinator other factors that may have a bearing on admission. Some programs
have higher standards or additional admission requirements. Additionally, there
may be prerequisites for certain doctoral programs. Students should consult the
graduate coordinator for the doctoral program to identify prerequisites. A
separate application for admission is required for each graduate,
post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte.
Master’s Degree Programs
The applicant must
possess a bachelor’s degree, or its
The application package must include:
1) Application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, accompanied by a $55 application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable. Materials submitted in support of this application cannot be returned.
2) Two official transcripts of all previous academic work attempted beyond high school. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is unacceptable and official transcripts of these credits must be supplied.
3) Official agency reports of satisfactory test scores as specified in the section on graduate programs in this Catalog. GRE/GMAT scores are reportable from ETS for a period of five years from the date of the exam. Therefore, GRE/GMAT scores more than five years old are not accepted since they cannot be officially reported. Likewise, MAT scores more than five years old are not accepted. For additional information regarding test score requirements, please see the Test Information section of this Catalog.
4) At least three evaluations from persons familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications.
5) An essay (Statement of Purpose) describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study. (Note: Some academic programs have specific items for the applicant to address in the Statement of Purpose; please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions or the academic department for specific requirements).
6) Submission of official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Batter (MELAB) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if English is not the applicant’s native language and he or she has not earned a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution. Required is either a minimum score of 557 on the paperbased TOEFL, a minimum score of 220 on the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 83 on the Internet based TOEFL, a minimum score of 78 percent on the MELAB, or a minimum overall bandscore of 6.5 on the IELTS. Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received an associate’s degree or higher in one of the following countries, are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement: Australia, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States.
International Students should see the Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants section of the Catalog for additional requirements.
Note:
Acceptance into each program must be approved by the department
or college offering the program and by the
Graduate Certificate
Programs
The applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a regionally accredited college or university.
The application package must include:
1) An application submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, accompanied by a $55 application fee, which is neither deductible nor refundable.
2) An overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all of the applicant’s previous work beyond high school. The average for the junior and senior years must be a 3.0 or better. If the applicant has earned a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e. master’s, doctoral), grades in that program will be taken into consideration.
3) Two official transcripts from each institution where academic work was attempted beyond high school.
4) Submission of official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if English is not the applicant’s native language and he or she has not earned a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution. Required is either a minimum score of 557 on the paperbased TOEFL, a minimum score of 220 on the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 83 on the Internet based TOEFL, a minimum score of 78 percent on the MELAB, or a minimum overall bandscore of 6.5 on the IELTS. Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received an associate’s degree or higher in one of the following countries, are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement: Australia, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States.
Some programs may also require:
Standardized test scores, a personal statement (Statement of Purpose) outlining why the applicant seeks admission to the program, and additional admission requirements as specified in program descriptions.
Note:
There may be prerequisites for a graduate certificate program. Students should consult the coordinator for the graduate certificate program to identify prerequisites. Admission to a graduate certificate program does not ensure admission into a graduate degree program. A separate application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte.
International Students should see the “Additional Admission Requirements for International Applicants” section of the Catalog for additional requirements.
Post-Baccalaureate Study
The applicant must
possess a bachelor’s degree, or its
Note:
A separate
application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate,
and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte. A post-baccalaureate student who
subsequently applies and is admitted to a degree program may, with the
permission of his/her advisor and the
Additional Admission
Requirements for all International Applicants
1) Submission of official scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Required is either a minimum score of 557 on the paper-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 220 on the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 83 on the Internet based TOEFL, a minimum score of 78 percent on the MELAB, or a minimum overall bandscore of 6.5 on the IELTS. Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received an associate’s degree or higher in one of the following countries, are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement: Australia, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States.
2) Submission of the Immigration Status Form – Page 1.
Additional Enrollment
Requirements for International Applicants on, or Intending to be on, F-1 or J-1
Visa Status
1) Statement of Financial Responsibility, to be completed by the applicant, indicating his/her sources of funds and understanding of the cost of study and stay at UNC Charlotte. .
2) Affidavit of Financial Support, to be completed by the applicant’s sponsor, indicating that sufficient funds are available through the sponsor to cover the applicant’s cost of study and stay at UNC Charlotte.
3)
Supporting bank letter/statement: in the
sponsor’s name indicating the amount of funds available.
4)
International Students on F-1 or J-1 status,
transferring to UNC Charlotte from an institution of higher education within
the
Students who are awarded financial aid by UNC Charlotte may subtract the amount of the financial aid from the required proof of financial resources as listed above.
Note:
All applicants
submitting transcripts and degree certificates from non-U.S. educational
institutions should note that bachelor’s degrees awarded by non-U.S. schools
may or may not be considered equivalent to the
Form I-20, for
students on, or intending to be on, F-1 visa status, will not be issued until
the applicant has been admitted to a degree program, proof of sufficient funds
has been reviewed and approved, immigration status has been verified and
financial responsibility has been proven.
Test Information
Applicants should
have their test scores sent directly from the testing agency to the Office of
Graduate Admissions (not to the department in which they wish to study). For GRE, GMAT and TOEFL, UNC
A student who has already earned a Ph.D.,
M.D., or J.D. from a
A student who has already earned a Master’s
degree will not be required by the
A student who has taken the GRE, GMAT or MAT but has not earned a degree must be able to submit official scores that are not over five years old. If the student has not taken the test within five years, he or she must re-take the test.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) )
Sylvan Learning
Systems, Inc., administers the computer-adaptive GRE
at Sylvan Technology Centers several times per week throughout the
Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
The Psychological
Testing Corporation administers the MAT. To schedule a test, please call
1-800-228-0752. The
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) )
Sylvan Learning
Systems, Inc., administers the computer-adaptive GMAT
at Sylvan Technology Centers several times per week throughout the
Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) )
The TOEFL is
offered at the
The MELAB assesses Advanced level English language competence of adult non-native speakers of English, and scores on this battery may be submitted in lieu of TOEFL or IELTS scores. For further information, visit http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/melab.htm
International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) )
The IELTS assesses the complete range of English language skills which students studying in English commonly encounter. For further information, visit http://www.ielts.org