Catalog--Admission Regulations

The Graduate School

ADMISSIONS REGULATIONS

Masters Degree Programs	Admission of International Students
Education Specialist Program	Readmission
Doctoral Degree Programs	Miscellaneous Information
Non-Degree Status	Continuous Enrollment

Admission to the Graduate School is open to anyone holding a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants should have completed undergraduate or graduate work of sufficient quality and scope to enable them to successfully pursue graduate study. The University of Memphis offers equal educational opportunity to all persons, without regard to race, religion, sex, age, creed, color, national origin, or physical handicap.

Students are admitted to the University of Memphis through a cooperative effort of the Graduate School and the departments, colleges, and schools of the University. When the Graduate School receives the student’s application material, an official file is established and reviewed. The department then reviews the application file and makes a recommendation to the Graduate School. The Graduate School notifies applicants as soon as a decision has been reached.

Applicants are required to meet admissions criteria established by the Graduate School in order to enroll in graduate courses. In order to be admitted to a degree program in any academic unit, applicants are also required to meet any additional standards set by the unit or college. Applicants are selected on a competitive basis and, therefore, admission is not granted to all applicants who meet only the minimum requirements. Past behavior and classroom performance can be considered in admissions decisions. Some academic programs have individual application forms and additional requirements such as portfolios, proficiency examinations, auditions, etc.

Individual program requirements described in the University of Memphis Graduate Bulletin 2007-2008, are subject to change. Please contact the academic department or the Graduate School for changes. Domestic graduate admission applications will only be accepted through Self-Service Banner. The Office of Admissions no longer accepts hard-copy (paper) applications. Please visit the Graduate School homepage for program addresses, deadlines, and additional information. Deadlines and requirements may differ for each program.

Prospective students should check with the appropriate program for specific deadlines and admissions requirements. For admission to a degree program, applicants should allow approximately three to six weeks from date of receipt of complete application for the necessary credentials to be processed by the appropriate degree program and the Graduate School. Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure full consideration. Late domestic applicants may be admitted as graduate non-degree students and as such are not guaranteed placement in specific programs; some classes may be closed to non-degree students. International applicants should allow at least four months for the application process; they can not be admitted as non-degree students.

All applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee ($35.00 for domestic applicants; $60.00 for international applicants), unless previously paid. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

The University of Memphis requires all applicants born after January 1957 to have had the measles (MMR) vaccination after January 1, 1980, in order to be admitted. See "Miscellaneous Information" for additional information.

Return completed applications and required credentials to Graduate Admissions, 101 Wilder Tower, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152-3520. The applicant is advised to have all credentials on file well in advance (preferable six weeks) of the beginning of the term for which application is made.

See "Admission of International Students" below for details about additional requirements for international applicants.

All credentials become the property of the University and will not be forwarded or returned. If the applicant does not enroll, credentials will be maintained in active files for 12 months, after which they will be destroyed. After that time, candidates must reapply for admission and submit a new set of credentials if they wish to be admitted to the Graduate School. Students who do not enroll for a Fall or Spring semester must apply for readmission.

Admission to Masters Degree Programs

The following Graduate School admissions requirements are minimum standards that identify the pool of master's level applicants from which each academic unit makes its selection. International applicants should consult "Admission of International Students" below for further requirements.

Baccalaureate Degree: The applicant must provide an official transcript showing that a bachelor's degree was awarded by an accredited college or university. The applicant must have earned an acceptable grade point average. In addition, transcripts from any other college or university attended may be requested. (Students who received bachelor's degrees from the University of Memphis may disregard this requirement.) Only transcripts received directly from an issuing institution are considered official. For domestic students, signed and sealed transcripts that have been in the applicant's possession can be used for admission purposes; however, official transcripts may later be requested. Personal copies are not acceptable as official documents.
Entrance Examinations: New applicants to the Graduate School (except to the MALS program) must have taken an appropriate entrance examination within five years of the application date. Contact the appropriate program for information on which test(s) and what score(s) are acceptable. Scores on MAT exams written in less than two-month intervals are not acceptable. Test scores must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions from the testing agency. The University of Memphis institution code number for reporting ETS scores is R-1459. See program descriptions for more information on requirements. Some programs may waive the entrance examination requirement for applicants with exceptional credentials, extensive professional experience, or a prior graduate degree from an accredited institution. These waivers are at the discretion of the academic program. See individual program descriptions for details.
Program Requirements: Many academic units have separate departmental applications and/or additional requirements for admission. See program descriptions for more information on requirements.

Admission to Education Specialist (EdS) Program

The Education Specialist degree is designed for the educator-practitioner who desires post-master's training but who does not wish to earn a doctorate. This program is administered by the College of Education; please refer to the appropriate section of this Bulletin for a more complete description or contact the dean’s office in the College of Education for additional details.

Admission to Doctoral Degree Programs

The following Graduate School admissions requirements are minimum standards that identify the pool of doctoral level applicants from which each academic unit makes its selection. International applicants should consult "Admission of International Students" below for further requirements.

A Baccalaureate or Master's Degree as specified by the program: The applicant must provide an official transcript showing an earned bachelor's or master's degree, depending on program requirements. The degree must have been awarded by an accredited college or university. Only transcripts received directly from an issuing institution are considered official. For domestic students, signed and sealed transcripts that have been in the applicant's possession can be used for admission purposes; however, official transcripts may later be requested. Personal copies are not acceptable as official documents.
Entrance Examinations: New applications to the Graduate School require submission of an appropriate entrance examination test score that is not more than five years old. Contact your program for information on which tests and what score(s) are acceptable. Test scores must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions by the testing agency. The University of Memphis institution code number for reporting ETS scores is R-1459. Some programs may waive the entrance examination requirement for applicants with exceptional credentials, extensive professional experience, or a prior doctoral degree from an accredited institution. See individual program descriptions for details.
Program Requirements: Some academic units may have separate departmental applications and/or additional requirements, such as portfolios, proficiency examinations, auditions, etc. Refer to the appropriate program description in this Bulletin for details.

ADMISSION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The University of Memphis believes that the presence of international students on campus enriches the educational environment for all. The University is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students on the "F-1" student visa.

Prospective students should check with the appropriate program for specific deadlines. International applicants should file complete credentials at least four months before the beginning of the semester for which enrollment is sought. Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure full consideration.

Complete credentials include all the documents listed above under "Admission Requirements" as well as those listed below under "Additional Requirements."

The application should be completed and returned to Graduate Admissions, Wilder Tower 101, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, 38152-3370.

A non-refundable application and processing fee of sixty dollars US (US $60.00) is required of every international applicant, unless previously paid. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

International admission applications (graduate and undergraduate) will only be accepted through Self-Service Banner. The Office of Admissions no longer accepts hard-copy (paper) applications. Payment of the application fee is by credit card.

Applicants will be selected on a competitive basis and, therefore, admission will not be granted to all applicants who meet only the minimum requirements. Some academic units may have additional requirements such as portfolios, proficiency examinations, auditions, etc.

All transcripts, test scores, and other credentials must be accompanied by an official English translation of these documents and must be on file in Graduate Admissions at least four (4) months before the desired enrollment date.

Additional Requirements

In addition to admissions requirements described above, international students must supply the following:

TOEFL Scores: All applicants who will be attending the University on a visa and who are not native speakers of English and are not graduates of the University of Memphis must supply a minimum score of 550 on the paper or 210 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Some units, however, require a higher TOEFL score; check program descriptions for specific requirements. Testing locations and other information can be obtained from www.toefl.org or by writing to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, U.S.A. All test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University of Memphis, institution code R-1459.

Required Evaluation of Credentials: Applicants whose highest degree is from a foreign university must have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (http://www.wes.org). Their mailing address is World Education Services; P.O. Box 5087; Bowling Green Station; New York, NY 10274-5087. The course-by-course report is required. For general information on the equivalency of international degrees see the Graduate School website.

Affidavit of Support and Financial Statement: An applicant who holds or will require an "F-1" student visa must supply, on the form provided by the University, sufficient evidence of financial support for the applicant and all members of his/her family who will accompany the applicant to Memphis. This requires that the applicant certify that his/her intent is to attend the University full-time and that no employment, other than assistantships, will be required. An affidavit of support and financial statement are not required for admission; however, international students (F-1) requiring issuance of Form I-20 must supply sufficient evidence of financial support for the applicant and all members of his/her family requiring issuance of dependent Form I-20.

Health Certificate: Within 30 days from the first day of classes, each international student must submit a certificate from a licensed US physician or other qualified U.S. medical authority verifying freedom from tuberculosis. Failure to do so shall result in denial of enrollment. In the event that a student either has tuberculosis or has potential tuberculosis requiring medical treatment, continued enrollment will be conditional upon the determination by a licensed US physician that such enrollment does not present a risk to others and upon the student's compliance with any medical treatment program.

Health Insurance: All international students must purchase health insurance before they are allowed to enroll.

Readmission: International students who wish to apply for readmission to the University must meet the deadlines stated above.

Intensive English for International (IEI) Students

The Graduate School will conditionally admit highly qualified international students who do not quite meet our TOEFL standards if they simultaneously enroll in Intensive English and achieve fluency. Students will be given one year to meet the English requirement (level 5). Students will pay the IEI fees until they meet the language criterion. If they take courses outside of IEI, they will be charged additional tuition at the regular rate. They will not be eligible for assistantships until they are fully admitted.

OTHER ADMISSION REGULATIONS

Readmission

Once accepted into a degree program, a student is expected to enroll every semester thereafter (excluding summer sessions) and make satisfactory progress toward the degree. A student who does not enroll for one Fall or Spring semester must apply for readmission. Submission of an application for readmission does not ensure acceptance. An application for readmission may be rejected or additional requirements may be imposed on the student. A readmitted student must follow the rules, prerequisites, and degree requirements listed in the most current Graduate Bulletin.

Continuous Enrollment

Students writing a thesis or dissertation or engaged in a culminating or capstone project must enroll on a continuous basis (Fall and Spring) until the thesis, dissertation, or project is complete. Most programs require at least one culminating experience course; see specific program requirements for details. A student must be enrolled for at least 1 hour each Fall and Spring semester until the thesis, dissertation, or project is complete. A student must be enrolled in the Summer semester if the thesis, dissertation, or project will be completed then. Failure to so register will result in the student being charged tuition for each semester he or she did not enroll.

The only exception to this policy is if the student's major professor is on leave or otherwise unavailable. In such cases the approval of the appropriate college director and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies is required. In the case of serious medical circumstances, students may request a leave of absence, subject to the approval of the program graduate coordinator, the college director of graduate studies, and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies. Retroactive approval will not be granted. A leave of absence does not extend time limit to degree.

Admission to Non-Degree Status

Combination Senior: An undergraduate senior student may earn up to 12 hours of graduate credit while enrolled on a Combination Senior/Graduate Non-Degree basis. The student must have a total cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and must have filed with his or her Graduate School Academic Advisor a plan for completing the bachelor's degree within two semesters. Eligible students may enroll concurrently in undergraduate and select graduate courses. Approval to register for graduate credit does not imply approval for admission into a graduate program at the University or that the credit earned will be accepted towards a graduate degree. After the bachelor's degree is awarded, a Combination Senior/Graduate Non-Degree student must make formal application in order to be admitted to a graduate degree program. Courses taken for graduate credit may not be used for both the baccalaureate and graduate degree. Combination seniors are not eligible for graduate assistantships.

Graduate Non-Degree: This classification is for domestic students who wish to enroll in graduate courses but who do not wish to pursue a graduate degree at the University or whose applications are incomplete. Graduate non-degree applicants must show proof of having earned a baccalaureate degree at the time of application. At the end of the first semester of course work, the Graduate Non-Degree student may be required to furnish an official transcript showing at minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Academic units may restrict non-degree students to designated courses. Graduate Non-Degree students who decide to matriculate for a degree must make application to the Graduate School and must meet all admissions requirements. Master's students in programs requiring 36 credit hours or fewer are limited to 12 credit hours while in non-degree status. Students in degree programs requiring more than 36 hours must take at least 2/3 of the credit hours after acceptance into the program. Students should note that some academic units count coursework toward a degree only after admission or have more restrictive policies regarding the number of non-degree hours that count toward the degree.

Before registering for a second semester of graduate level coursework, the non-degree student is required to sign a release agreeing that additional coursework will not apply to degree programs.

Non-degree students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in graduate courses in order to re-enroll and are not eligible for graduate assistantships.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Hepatitis Vaccination

The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee mandates that each public or private post-secondary institution in the state provide information concerning Hepatitis B infection to all students entering the institution for the first time. Those students who will be living on campus must also receive information about the risk of meningococcal meningitis infection.

After reading this information and prior to registering for classes, you must complete and sign the waiver form to indicate that you have received the information and have chosen to have the vaccination, plan to have the vaccination, or chosen not to have the vaccination. The waiver form is on-line at: http://www.people.memphis.edu/%7Ehealth/ .

Measles Vaccination

The University of Memphis requires all students born after January 1957 to have had the measles (MMR) vaccination after January 1, 1980, in order to register. The vaccination is available in the University Health Center for a nominal fee.

Health Services

Limited medical services are available in the University Health Center upon presentation of a valid student identification card. Outpatient medical services, including general clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment; laboratory and X-ray; family planning; and a dispensary are available. Students are charged only for lab tests sent off-campus to a reference lab, for medicines (over-the-counter or prescribed by the center) purchased at the dispensary, and for family planning.

Entrance Examination Information

The GRE, PRAXIS I (PPST), and TOEFL can be taken on campus by computer. Call the University of Memphis ETS Computer-Based Testing Center (John W. Brister Hall 112) at 901-678-1457 to make an appointment.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Registration packets for the GRE may be obtained from Graduate Admissions (WT 101) or the Testing Center (JWB 112).

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): Arrangements for taking the GMAT can be made by writing to GMAT, Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, by calling 1-800-462-8669, or by using www.gmac.com.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT): Students who wish to arrange for the MAT should contact the Testing Center, JWB 112.

Residency Classification

Determinations concerning the classification of graduate students as in-state or out-of-state for fee purposes are made in Graduate Admissions. The determinations are based on the regulations and guidelines of the Tennessee Board of Regents. See "Expenses" for further information. The residency guidelines differ from and are independent of guidelines used to determine residency for other purposes, such as tax liability, driver’s licenses, voting, etc. If, for any reason, there is a question about a student’s residency classification for fee paying purposes, it is his or her responsibility to check with Graduate Admissions. Application for reclassification must be made to the classification officer on or before the last day of regular registration of that semester.

Veterans Services

Mission: The Office of Veterans Services, 003 Wilder Tower, provides assistance for eligible National Guard/Reserves, veterans, and/or dependents who enroll at the University of Memphis and who make application for programs of education or training, and VA tutorial services. Other assistance includes: liaison with Veterans Administration Regional Office, counseling, and counseling referral for personal, family, career, financial, and educational problems.

Application for VA benefits: Those who will be using VA educational assistance while enrolled at the University of Memphis should contact the Office of Veterans Services. They should also be prepared to furnish the following items as applicable:

The number 4 original or copy of the DD214 or other armed forces separation papers.
Copy of Delayed Enlistment Contract.
Copies of marriage licenses and children’s birth certificates.
Copy of final divorce decree if either veteran or spouse has been previously married.
VA file number if different from social security number.

Advance Pay: Advance payment is available for eligible veterans and dependents who plan to enroll on at least a half-time basis. Applications will be accepted in the Veterans Services Office as early as 120 days before the term begins but no later than 45 days before the beginning entry. Generally, the advance pay deadline for the fall semester is around July 15, while spring semester deadline is around November 15. Advance pay checks include an allowance for the month or fraction thereof in which the course begins and the allowance for the following month. Advance pay checks are mailed to the school for delivery to the student at registration. Initial applicants who do not apply for advance pay may expect their check to be mailed to their home within six to eight weeks after registration.

Enrollment Status: For VA benefits during the regular terms (Fall and Spring), 12 semester hours constitute a full-time load for undergraduate students; 9 hours is full-time for graduate students. However, training time for summer session at the undergraduate and graduate level is based on the number of semester hours attempted per term. The Veterans Administration places restrictions on those who receive veterans educational benefits. Some of these restrictions include: (1) regular class attendance, (2) satisfactory academic progress, and (3) adherence to a specific degree plan.

Degree Plan: Only courses that are required for the degree and major may be certified for VA pay. VA will not pay for repeat courses if the grade already earned is accepted by the U of M and will fulfill graduation requirements toward the declared degree and major (even if the course was taken at another institution with or without use of the GI Bill). VA will not pay for elective courses in excess of those needed to meet graduation requirements.

Although advisors are provided for veterans, this assistance does not relieve students of the responsibility for fulfilling all VA and University requirements.

Certification: Enrollment certifications are mailed and/or electronically submitted to the appropriate VA Regional Office upon receipt of the Veterans Request for Certification Form. Students are required to submit this form to the Veteran Services Office at the University of Memphis each semester. Students will be certified on a term-by-term basis. Pre-certification will be done only when a request for advance pay is made.

Termination of Benefits: VA benefits and Title IV funds for enrollment fees are subject to cancellation and immediate repayment if the recipient stops attending, whether or not he/she has withdrawn or dropped a course. The instructor will report the last known date of attendance as the student’s "unofficial withdrawal date." Students who stop attending will be assigned a grade of "F" in courses that do not reflect an official withdrawal.

ROTC Programs

Graduate students are eligible to earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force by completing 12 semester hours of the AFROTC advanced program in conjunction with their graduate studies. Applications are accepted during January and February for Fall semester entries.

Graduate students are also eligible to earn a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Army by completing 16 semester hours of the ROTC advanced program in conjunction with their graduate studies.