Graduate Admissions

Review admissions requirements to all of our graduate programs, both master’s degrees and graduate certificates.

General Requirements

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 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.

Program Requirements

  • HR Mgmt

    Admission to the Master of Human Resource Management and the Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management

    Students seeking admission to the Master of Human Resource Management or the Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management must have the following (in addition to the admission requirements for all graduate programs):

    • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent)
    • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted

    Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis for conditional admission. To remain in the program, conditionally admitted students must earn a minimum 3.0 grade point average in the first three semester hours taken following conditional admission.

  • Liberal Arts

    Admission to the Master of Liberal Arts

    Students seeking admission to the Master of Liberal Arts must have the following (in addition to the admission requirements for all graduate programs):

    • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent)
    • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted
    • A one-page statement of purpose which clarifies the student’s goals and gives a broad indication of the type of focus the student wishes to pursue.
  • Nonprofit Studies

    Admission to the Master of Nonprofit Studies or Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Studies

    Students seeking admission to the Master of Nonprofit Studies or the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Studies must have the following (in addition to the admission requirements for all graduate programs):

    • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent)
    • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted
    • Successful interview with the program chair or designee

    The three letters of recommendation should be substantive regarding the applicant’s potential to be successful as a graduate student and professional in the nonprofit sector. Letters should be written by those who have supervised or held responsibility for evaluating the applicant’s academic, professional, or nonprofit-related activities. At least one of the recommendations should come from a nonprofit perspective.

  • Curriculum & Instruction

    Admission to the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

    Students seeking admission to the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction must have the following (in addition to the admission requirements for all graduate programs):

    • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent)
    • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted. Students who do not meet grade point average requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    • A current résumé
    • Successful interview with the program director or designee

    Recommended Qualification

    In addition to the above requirements, it is recommended that applicants to the programs have a strong foundational knowledge in K-12 education demonstrated by possessing a valid teaching license or classroom teaching experience.

  • Educ. Ldsp. & Policy Studies

    Admission to the Graduate Program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

    Students seeking admission to the Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies must have the following (in addition to the admission requirements for all graduate programs):

    • A graduate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent)
    • A grade point average of 3.0 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted. Students who do not meet grade point average requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    • Successful interview with the program director or designee
    • Written statement of your professional intent and rationale for obtaining a degree in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

    The three letters of recommendation should include an individual who can attest to the candidate's academic ability and potential as a graduate student and from supervisors who can attest to the candidate’s demonstrated leadership ability. The supervisor recommendation might include a school principal or school superintendent. At least one of the recommendations should derive from the K-12 perspective.

    Master of Education

    Students seeking admission to the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies must demonstrate all of the same criteria as for the Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies except they need only to have completed at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent).

    Recommended Qualification

    In addition to the above requirements, it is recommended that applicants to the programs have a strong foundational knowledge in K-12 education demonstrated by possessing a valid teaching license or classroom teaching experience.

  • Master of Teaching

    Admission to the Master of Teaching

    Student seeking admission to the Master of Teaching program must have the following:

    • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or international equivalent)
    • GPA of 2.7 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted
    • 2 official digital transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, submitted as follows:
    • Passing scores on the Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA, see details below)
    • Brief explanation of why you want to become a teacher along with a current résumé submitted to the School
    • 2 professional references (MT Applicant Rating Forms)
    • Successful admissions interview with the program director or designee

    Testing Requirements for Admission

    Passing scores on the VCLA must be submitted directly to the School’s Education program, to the attention of Kris Waikart (kwaikart@richmond.edu). She is also available for registration support.

    Test Score Requirements

    • Reading subtest (code 091) passing score: 235
    • Writing subtest (code 092) passing score: 235
    • Combined test passing score: 470

    Candidates who have passed previous testing requirements for admission should contact Kris Waikart.

  • Teacher Licensure Prep

    Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Teacher Licensure Preparation (TLP)

    Students seeking admission to the Graduate Certificate in Teacher Licensure Preparation must have the following (in addition to the admission requirements for all graduate programs):

    • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or international equivalent)
    • A grade point average of 2.7 or higher on all college or university academic work attempted
    • 2 official digital transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, submitted as follows:
    • Passing scores on the Virginia Communication & Literacy Assessment (VCLA, see details below)
    • A brief explanation of why they want to become a teacher along with a current résumé submitted to the School
    • Two (2) professional references (“TLP Applicant Rating Forms”) submitted directly to the School
    • A successful interview with the program director or designee

    Students who complete the Teacher Licensure Preparation program have two years, after completing the Teacher Licensure Preparation program, to apply to the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction degree program.

    Testing Requirements for Admission

    Passing scores on the VCLA must be submitted directly to the School’s Education program, to the attention of Kris Waikart (kwaikart@richmond.edu). She is also available for registration support.

    Test Score Requirements

    • Reading subtest (code 091) passing score: 235
    • Writing subtest (code 092) passing score: 235
    • Combined test passing score: 470

    Candidates who have passed previous testing requirements for admission should contact Kris Waikart.