GRADUATESCHOOLAPPLICATION Graduate students with a strong sense of purpose and high aspirations for the future find an exciting environment for meeting the challenges of advanced study at UMBC, a rising research university in the Baltimore-Washington corridor. ADMISSION PROCEDURES Standardized Tests CATEGORIES AND PROGRAMS OF ADMISSION Responsibility for admission to graduate UMBC normally requires the submission Applicants may be offered admission to study at the University of Maryland, Baltimore of scores earned on the Graduate Record the Graduate School in full graduate status, County resides with the office of the Dean Examination (GRE) General Aptitude test (verbal, provisional status, post-baccalaureate of the Graduate School and Vice Provost quantitative and analytical writing scores). certificate or non-degree status. Some programs also require applicants to for Research & Planning. Students admitted to full status must submit scores earned on the GRE Advanced The admissibility of applicants is a two-part have submitted complete, official documents (subject-specific) test or other standardized process. The academic departmental graduate indicating a completed baccalaureate degree tests. Consult the Web site for specific exami- admission committee or graduate program from a regionally accredited institution or nation requirements. GRE scores are used as director makes an initial determination of the equivalent foreign educational institution, official part of the data on which admission decisions candidate’s admissibility. This determination standardized test score reports and be fully are based, but they are seldom the sole cri- is reviewed by the Graduate School, which qualified in the judgment of the individual terion for admission. Information on the GRE then issues an official decision letter. In all program and the Graduate School. may be obtained from the Graduate School cases the University of Maryland, Baltimore office or from the Educational Testing Service Provisional admission is used to admit any County administers its admissions, educational (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey, USA. degree-seeking student who fails to meet services and supporting services in a manner the regular requirements or standards for that does not discriminate by race, religion, Language Requirements admission, but who demonstrates potential age, national origin, sex or handicap. Complete for academic success in graduate studies. enrollment and degree requirements are All applicants are expected to read, speak, write and understand the English language fluently Provisional admission may also be assigned outlined in the Graduate School Catalog. All to candidates who lack adequate prerequisites graduate students are expected to abide by upon entering a graduate program. Applicants whose native language is not English must for a given program or who are admitted with- UMBC policies, requirements and procedures out complete and/or official documentation. upon enrollment. take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International applicants with a post- Students interested in enrolling in a post-bac- ADMISSION CRITERIA AND STANDARDS secondary degree from a U.S. institution will calaureate certificate program may be admitted not be required to take the TOEFL. The mini- degree or certificate-only students. They typically Grade Point Average (GPA) mum acceptable TOEFL score established by desire an added credential to enhance employ- the university for admission is 550 for the The minimum standard for full admission ment or career advancement opportunities. paper-based test, 213 for the computer- to the Graduate School is a “B” average or 3.0 Applicants should complete the certificate appli- based test and 80 for the internet-based on a 4.0 scale in a program of study resulting cation form if they are interested in obtaining test; some programs require a higher score. in the award of a baccalaureate degree from only a certificate and not a degree. The degree- TOEFL information and applications are a regionally accredited college or university seeking form should be completed (with both the available from ETS. or an equivalent degree from a comparable desired certificate and program indicated) if the foreign institution. In addition, the student’s International students who receive a teaching applicant is interested in both the certificate and undergraduate program must reflect successful assistantship are required to take a test in degree. See the Graduate School Catalog or our completion of the prerequisites for graduate spoken English upon arrival. Graduate students Web site for more information on the certificates study in the chosen field. Official transcripts whose work or tests show English language offered by UMBC. from ALL post-secondary institutions must deficiencies will be required to take remedial Non-degree status is designed for students be submitted to the Graduate School as part English instruction at their own expense. seeking admission for the purpose of enhancing of the application packet. their knowledge by completing one or more Program-Specific Criteria Standards for admission to a doctoral program graduate courses. A non-degree application are generally higher than those for admission In addition to official transcripts, test scores form is required for this category of admission. to a master’s program. These standards are and letters of recommendation as evidence Students interested in pursuing the Combined based on specific recommendations made by of academic potential, some programs require Bachelor’s/Master’s Program should make the admitting department in conjunction additional evidence of ability to succeed in their intentions known to their departmental with the Graduate School. the respective graduate program. These assess- chair, undergraduate advisor or graduate pro- ment tools may include a portfolio, an interview gram director early in the junior year. Detailed or other assessment means. Applicants are information about this program is available encouraged to review the specific requirements from the Graduate School Catalog or from of the graduate program to which they are the individual departments. applying. APPLICATION GUIDELINES 2 The Golden-ID Program permits Maryland United States who wish to transfer to UMBC APPLICATIONS IN THE FINAL YEAR residents 60 years of age and older to take must secure proper immigration documents OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDY graduate courses at little cost. The applicant to be granted permission to transfer. Students Students in their final semester of work must be at least 60 years old by the date who arrive unaccompanied in the U.S. but plan toward a bachelor’s degree may be offered of registration and retired or working no more to bring dependents later must complete at admission pending the filing of supplementary than 20 hours a week. Qualified individuals least one semester of study before requesting official transcripts recording the satisfactory may apply as degree-seeking, post-baccalaure - visa documents to bring dependents to the completion of the remaining course work and ate certificate or non-degree-seeking students. U.S. They must show adequate financial the award of the degree. Students admitted This program enables qualified persons to have resources, as F-2 dependents are prohibited pending receipt of a baccalaureate degree tuition and some fees waived. Indicate on page from all employment. must submit an official transcript reflecting two of the application form your qualification for all course work and award of the degree within and interest in this program. Financial Resources three months following such award. Applicants Each international applicant must certify INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS engaged in graduate study at another institution that he or she has sufficient funds (exclusive are also subject to this policy. It can take many weeks to complete the of travel expenses) for university tuition, fees, processing and assessment of an application books, supplies and living expenses. Acceptable OFFERS OF ADMISSION from overseas and at least two months for sources of and documents for certifying financial Offers of admission are made by the Office student visa processing. International appli - support include: of the Dean of the Graduate School and Vice cants, therefore, are encouraged to pay strict 1. A notarized letter indicating full name, Provost for Research & Planning and specify attention to application deadline dates and occupation and address from a parent the time of entrance. The offer of admission to submit all required documents as early as or sponsor who can assure the financial requires a response. If the applicant wishes possible. Some applicants may be requested responsibility for the applicant’s education to accept, decline or change the effective to have a credentials evaluation performed and living expenses. date of the offer, for one semester or one by an outside agency. 2. An original current statement from a bank year, the Graduate School must be notified in At minimum, international applicants must confirming that sufficient funds are available. writing or the offer of admission becomes hold a degree that is equivalent or comparable As costs and fees change, it is best to check void. Failure to notify the Graduate School to a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree, and they with the IES Office at UMBC to determine before the first day of class or failure to reg - must have a cumulative grade point average the exact amount required to cover ister for the authorized term voids