Eligibility and Admission Requirements
Q. Am I eligible to apply for graduate study at UNC Charlotte?
A. To be eligible to apply for graduate study at UNC Charlotte, applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree (or its U.S. equivalent) from a regionally accredited college or university.
Exceptional UNC Charlotte undergraduate students (3.2 overall GPA) may be considered for early-entry to a 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. Not all graduate programs offer this option.
Details about admissions requirements are found online in the Graduate Catalog and on the Admissions Information webpage.
Graduate Programs Offered
Q. Where can I get information about the departments at UNC Charlotte and its graduate programs?
A. The Graduate Programs page has a list of all graduate certificate, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered, links to departmental websites, and contact information for the graduate coordinator/director of every program. While the Graduate School can answer your general questions about admissions, the graduate coordinator/director can answer your academic questions about the program to which you are interested in applying.
Application Procedures
Q. How do I apply for admission?
A. Apply online at www.uncc.edu/gradmiss/p_app_instructions.html.
Q. Can I apply on paper?
A. Paper applications are not accepted. If you need assistance in completing the online application, contact the Graduate School at 704-687-3366 or gradcounselor@uncc.edu.
Q. Can I apply to more than one graduate program?
A. Yes, an online application and fee is required for each program to which you apply. Additionally, you may apply for different programs for the same term. Important Note: You will need to create a separate and unique account for each application you submit online.
Q. Do I need to submit a separate application to a department in addition to the application for graduate study?
A. No, our online application is a common application used for all certificate and degree programs; however, the program to which you apply may have special application requirements such as essays or portfolios. Please review the application requirements for your particular graduate program.
Q. I applied to a graduate program but was not admitted. Do I need to send a complete application when I reapply?
A. You must submit a new online application and pay the fee. If you are reapplying to the same program, you may contact the Graduate School to inquire if your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores are still on file as materials are kept for only one year.
Q. Should I wait until I take the standardized test and receive my scores before submitting my application?
A. No. Submit your application as soon as possible.
Q. Can I request my credentials (i.e. transcripts, recommendations, etc...) be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions prior to submitting my application?
A. Request your official transcripts be mailed directly to you in sealed envelopes. Make sure you request transcripts from each and every institution you attended after high school as transfer credit posted on another institutions' transcript is not substituted for the official transcript. While we strongly encourage you to have reference submitted online, if that is not possible, please collect your paper references in sealed envelopes. Once you have collected all of your transcripts and/or references, please mail all the material to the Office of Gradaute Admissions at one time. It is also helpful for you to include your Applicant ID number with your material which will enable us to quickly match your material to your application.
Q. How can I check the status of my application?
Follow the progress of your application status online by logging back into your application (https://www.uncc.edu/gradmiss/Secure/OnlineApp/OnlineApp.asp) using the same PIN and Password assigned to you when you first created your application account. If you do not remember your PIN and Password, simply click on "Forgot your PIN or Password?" located in the User Login box.
Q. Once I submit my materials to the Graduate School, can they be returned to me?
A. No. When credentials are submitted to the Graduate School, they become University property and cannot be returned to you or forwarded to another institution.
Deadlines
Q. When is the application deadline?
A.
The application deadline is the date by which the Office of Graduate Admissions should have already received your online application and all of its requirements, including test scores. Thus, you are strongly encouraged to apply and submit your material early. While most graduate programs follow the Graduate School's standard application deadlines, some programs have early deadline dates and only admit once a year. Consult the Graduate Programs webpage to determine when you should apply.
Application Fee
Q. What are the payment options for the application fee?
A. Payment of the US $55.00 application fee using a credit card is required before the online application can be submitted. Once you have submitted your application for admission via the ApplyYourself system, the 'Payment Received' form will be visible. You must print the Payment Received form and submit it with your supporting documents (ie: transcripts) to the Graduate School. The application processing fee is non-refundable. If submitting multiple applications, note that a US $55.00 fee is required for each application
Q. Is the application fee refundable or are fee waivers granted?
A. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
Q. I would like to withdraw my application. Will the application fee be refunded?
A. No, the application fee is non-refundable.
Transcripts
Q. Do I need to have transcripts sent from every college I attended?
A. Yes, we require a transcript 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.
Q. Where do I send my transcripts?
A. You should collect all your transcripts and keep them in sealed envelopes. Then, after you submit your online application, you should attach them to the payment voucher and mail them to the Graduate School along with any other supplemental materials you wish to be included with your application.
Recommendations
Q. Whom should I pick to write my recommendations?
A. Academic recommendations are acceptable along with workplace supervisors. Some programs have specific guidelines about who you should ask, so be sure to check the program requirements.
Q. Have all my recommendations been received?
A. Return to your online application. Enter your PIN and password in the User Login box on the right side of the page. Scroll to “Recommendation Providers” where you will see the status of each recommendation.
Q. How can I send email reminders to my recommendation providers?
A. Return to your online application. Enter your PIN and password in the User Login box on the right side of the page. Scroll to the bottom of the first page and click on “Application for Admission.” Click on “Recommendations” in the red area. Then, scroll to the button called “Recommendation Provider List” and click on it. Mark the providers to whom you wish to send a reminder by clicking on the checkbox beside each name. Click on the “Resend” button. Note that you cannot send an email reminder in this way to a provider whom you indicated will be submitting an off-line recommendation.
Q. How can I change information on an online recommendation request that has already been entered into my online application?
A. Once you enter the name and email address of a provider, a message to that person is sent immediately even though you may not have submitted the application yet. While you will not be able to change any information, you can add additional recommenders.
Q. How can I change one of my recommendation providers?
A. Once you have entered the name of a recommendation provider along with his/her correct email address, a request is immediately sent to that person even though you may not yet have submitted your application. If you wish to add or delete a provider, or resend a request to someone whom you have already named, you should go to the “Recommendation Provider List” in your online application as described above. You will see the providers that you originally entered, and you can use the add, delete, and resend buttons to perform those actions as needed. Note that if you originally indicated a provider would submit an off-line recommendation, you cannot send him/her a reminder using this method. You will need to contact him/her by separate email, regular mail, or phone.
Q. My recommender cannot get the recommendation link to work, and I’ve already submitted the application. Is there another way for him/her to send the recommendation?
A. Sometimes, depending upon the type of computer and browser a person is using, the online recommendation submission process does not work. Suggest that your recommender contact the Apply Yourself Technical Support Desk from within the recommendation form by clicking on the button, “Tech Support,” which appears at the top of each page, for advice and help. Utilization of this feature allows the recommender to write an explanation about the problem. In addition, information about the type of computer and software being used is also communicated to Apply Yourself, so they will have all necessary information to assist with the problem.
Statement of Purpose
Q. What should I write in my statement of purpose?
A. Some programs have specific instructions and guidelines for what you should included in your statement of purposes, so please follow the guidelines recommended by the program to which you are applying. If no specific guidelines are listed, the Graduate School recommends you describe your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
Q. How do I submit my statement of purpose?
A. We recommend you write your statement of purpose in MS Word before applying. When you apply online, you will be asked to upload your statement.
Standardized Tests
Q. Where should I have my GRE, GMAT, Miller Analogies and/or TOEFL scores sent?
A. Applicants should have scores sent directly to the Graduate School. See Graduate Test Information for the school codes and other details.
Q. Do I need to take the GRE, GMAT or Miller Analogies Test?
A. All applicants to graduate programs must take one of the required tests. If you are applying to a graduate certificate, the test may not be required. Check the Graduate Programs webpage for required tests. Also, consult the Graduate Test Information for details about standardized tests.
Q. Do I need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
A. Success at UNC Charlotte depends upon the student’s ability to converse in, write, and understand (American) English. To assure such competence, the university requires any applicant whose native language is not English, and/or who has been educated primarily outside of the U.S., to submit official TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB scores. To be considered official, the scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to UNC Charlotte. Scores older than two years will not be accepted. For more details, view the Graduate Test Information.
Q. My test scores are not recent. Will you accept them?
A. GRE, GMAT, and MAT scores are valid for five years from the date you took the test. TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores are valid for two years from the date you took the test.
Admission Decision
Q. When will a decision be made on my application?
A. Every department has different timelines. Continue to check the status of your online application as you will be able to see the admissions decision once it has been made.
Q. Can my application be evaluated before the test scores arrive?
A. Test scores are a component of the admissions application; therefore, no review or decision will be made until all application credentials (including official test scores) are received.
Once You Are Admitted
Q. What is the policy on deferred admission?
A. We encourage you to apply for the term in which you wish to enroll. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from enrolling in that year, you must submit a new online application and fee.
Q. What constitutes a full-time load in graduate school?
A. Generally, full-time graduate students take three courses (nine hours) per semester. Some programs require students to take twelve credit hours per semester.
Q. How much does graduate school cost?
A. Current rates for tuition and fees are available online.
Q. Is financial aid available?
A. Refer to the Graduate Student Support webpage.
Q. Is housing available for graduate students?
A. While many graduate students live off campus in nearby apartment houses, the university provides limited housing on campus for graduate students.
Q. Can I transfer credit to UNC Charlotte?
A. While policies differ from program to program, most will accept up to six credits of coursework taken from another regionally accredited university. See the Graduate Catalog and consult with your graduate coordinator/director.
Q. Can I pursue my graduate education on a part-time basis?
A. It depends. While most programs accept part-time graduate students, some are for full-time students. Check your program’s website for complete information.
Q. Are classes scheduled at convenient times on a part-time basis?
A. Many programs offer evening courses that generally meet once a week. Again, this varies depending on the program.
Q. My address has changed. Who should I notify?
A. If you are an applicant or current student your contact information can be updated using the student portal 49er Express.
Q. How can I find what classes are offered this semester?
A. View the current schedule of classes.
Q. Where do I get answers about the registration process?
A. View the Registrar’s webpage on Questions about Registration.
North Carolina Residency for Tuition Purposes
Q. I am classified as an out-of-state student. What are the requirements to be classified as an in-state student, and how can I change my classification?
A. The requirements for North Carolina Residency for Tuition Purposes are located online. In addition, the Graduate School hosts regular monthly workshops for you to attend.
Once a person has been classified as an out-of-state student, he/she may complete a NC Residence for Tuition Purposes Application to have his/her classification reviewed.
Visiting Campus
Q. Do you offer a virtual tour of the UNC Charlotte campus?
A. While we do offer an online Virtual Tour, we hope you will be able to visit our beautiful 1,000 acre campus in person. Directions and a Campus Map are available online.
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