General & Non-Degree Seeking Admissions

The General requirements listed below apply to all SPCS graduate programs, both master’s degrees and graduate certificates, unless otherwise noted.

The Non-Degree Seeking requirements listed apply to anyone seeking to take graduate coursework without enrolling in a degree program.

  • General

    Admission to Graduate Programs

    Transfer of Graduate Credits

    Up to six semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred toward a graduate program in the School. Transfer credits may be accepted only from another regionally accredited institution of higher education. In order for graduate academic credits completed prior to admission into a graduate program to be considered, credits: (1) must have been completed within the past five years with a grade of 'B' or better; (2) must not have been used to satisfy requirements for another degree or certificate at the University of Richmond or another institution of higher education; and (3) must be approved by the Program Chair. Possible transfer credits completed while in the program must receive prior approval by the Program Chair. Except by waiver, no more than six hours may be transferred into a graduate program.

    Graduate Admission Process

    Students seeking admission to a graduate certificate or a master's degree program must complete the following:

    • File a Graduate Application with the School and submit the non-refundable $50 graduate application fee
    • Have official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities where college work was attempted forwarded directly to the School
    • Have three (3) letters of recommendation sent directly to the School (requirement differs for Graduate Certificate in Teacher Licensure Preparation and Master of Teaching)
    • Have official TOEFL scores sent (when applicable)

    Official documents verifying college and university work and test scores must be sent from the institution or agency responsible for the information directly to the School.

    Letters of recommendation should be substantive regarding the applicant’s potential to be successful as a graduate student and professional in their field. Letters from past or current supervisors and professors are preferred, and those from professional peers and coworkers who can offer meaningful input about the applicant’s abilities and potential may be appropriate as well. Letters from friends, family members, and subordinates are discouraged.

    Additional requirements vary by graduate degree programs. See the section that follows for the graduate program to which you are applying.

  • Non-degree Seeking

    Non-degree Seeking Admissions

    Admission as a Non-Degree Seeking (NDS) Student

    General

    Applicants who do not meet priority application deadlines for a given term may be able to enroll as a non-degree seeking student, depending on the completeness of the applicant's admissions file.

    Undergraduate

    Students may earn 12 semester hours at the undergraduate level within the school as NDS or Unclassified students, after which they will be encouraged to declare a major or explore options with a student advisor.

    Those enrolled as NDS students may take no more that nine (9) undergraduate semester hours during a single term.

    Graduate

    Students who wish to pursue non-degree graduate coursework in the School may enroll in a maximum of nine (9) semester hours of study at the graduate level provided the following conditions are met:

    • Students must submit a completed Non-degree Seeking Application.
    • Students must provide an official transcript from the regionally accredited college/university that conferred their baccalaureate degree, prior to registering for any graduate course.
    • Students must meet all prerequisite requirements of the course/courses in which they wish to enroll.
    • Students must obtain written approval from the program chair of the program in which enrollment is desired.
    • Students understand that credits obtained as a non-degree seeking graduate student may or may not apply at a later time to a graduate degree program in the School.

    The program chair may elect under special circumstances to permit a student to take more than nine hours of graduate credit for transfer to another institution of higher education, provided the student can document evidence of admission to a graduate program of study at that institution and acceptance of these credit hours toward the program. Additionally, the program chair reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy deemed appropriate to his/her program area.