Admission

The Graduate College is the central contact office for all prospective students. The office provides information on the application and admission processes, academic programs and other aspects of the university.

Application and Admission

Application Process

Any student who wishes to enroll in a class for graduate credit must complete an Application for Graduate Admission.  A $25 application fee must accompany the application.

Individuals interested in applying for graduate studies may apply on line at:  https://apply.nsuok.edu/Admission . 

Required documents for admission are to be sent to the Office of the Graduate College, A-111, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464-2399, at least one month prior to the first enrollment for graduate credit. An earlier deadline and additional materials may be required for some of the degree programs. One copy of official transcripts of all previous course work must be sent directly from colleges and universities attended by students to the Graduate College. Test scores and other documentation needed to determine admissibility must also be submitted. When the applicant is approved for admission to the Graduate College, he/she will be notified in writing and assigned to an academic advisor.

Admission to Graduate College

A graduate student who misses two consecutive semesters is subject to current admission criteria and program standards upon reentering. The minimum requirements for regular admission to the Graduate College are:

1. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
2. A grade point average of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate course work attempted; or a 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework attempted; or a minimum score on the appropriate graduate entrance exam.  A student who is a graduate of a fully accredited institution which does not indicate grade points on transcripts must submit scores on the Miller Analogy Test or the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination before being considered for admission to the Graduate College.  The scores must place the student in the upper three-fourths of college graduates according to national norms.
3. All master’s degree candidates must take one of the following entrance exam tests MAT, GRE, or GMAT before the close of the first semester of enrollment in graduate studies. The degree program being pursued determines the test to be taken and the minimum score that is required.
4. Proof of citizenship for a U.S. citizen born outside of the United States and for a resident alien. An international applicant for whom English was the first language and is the spoken language in the home must sign a statement to that affect.
5. A score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL for all applicants, U.S. citizens or international applicants, for who English is a second language.

An applicant who is a graduate of a fully accredited institution but does not possess the minimum undergraduate grade point average for admission may be admitted on a regular basis, provided the score(s) from the appropriate aptitude test of the degree program are met. Because the minimum test scores vary according to program, please see the specific program admission requirements for more information.

Graduates from universities which are not fully accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association will be admitted to graduate study in academic areas in which all undergraduate prerequisites have been met through validation of credit or through the earning of credit at a fully accredited institution. In addition, applicants must submit test scores of the Miller Analogies Test or the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination. MBA applicants must submit scores of the Graduate Management Admission Test. The test results must place the student in the upper three-fourths of college graduates according to national norms.

The catalog in effect at the time of the student’s initial full-time enrollment in a State System college or university shall govern lower-division prerequisites and general education requirements, provided that the student has had continuous enrollment. The catalog in effect at the time the student completes a degree plan will govern the degree requirements for the major and minor, provided that the student has had continuous enrollment. Continuous enrollment will be defined as not being out of a State System college or university for more than three consecutive enrollment periods. Students who have been out three semesters must file a new degree plan and will be subject to any new degree requirements.

Conditional Admission

A person with an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may be admitted conditionally for graduate studies with a 2.3 overall grade point average in all undergraduate course work attempted or a 2.5 in the last 60 semester hours attempted based on a 4.0 scale. The individual who is given conditional admission must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in the first twelve hours of graduate course work attempted to continue in graduate studies.

Provisional Admission

An NSU senior who is enrolled in sufficient work to complete requirements for the bachelors degree but who is not enrolled for a normal study load may be admitted on a provisional basis for graduate studies. Students must be admitted to the Graduate College before they may enroll in graduate courses. The student may enroll in courses for graduate credit, provided the total enrollment does not exceed sixteen hours in a semester or nine hours in a summer term and provided the student meets regular admission requirements. Graduate credit will not be applicable to a graduate degree for such students unless bachelors degree requirements are satisfied at the end of the semester of concurrent enrollment.

International Student Admission

The application for admission and all supporting documents other than transcripts and test scores must be received directly from the student. Transcripts from other institutions must be received directly from the registrars of the institutions. Test scores must be received directly from the testing center.

Applications cannot be accepted from third parties, agents, or agencies acting for the student. The student must correspond directly with the University.

In addition to the requirements for admission to the Graduate College, an international student must also satisfy the following:

1. Knowledge of English Language
   The State Regents require a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score for admission to a State System institution.  Those not meeting these standards must have a minimum score on TOEFL or IELTS and must successfully complete a minimum of 12 weeks of study at an approved intensive English program (IEP). The requirements are as follows:  Graduate (minimum scores): 550 or higher on paper based TOEFL or 79 on Internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS OR 500 or higher on paper based TOEFL or 61 on Internet based TOEFL or 5.5 or higher on IELTS AND completion of 12 weeks of intensive English Study.
    
2. An individual not eligible for admission under this standard may be admitted conditionally for one semester at a state system institution if the individual presents a TOEFL minimum internet score of 61 and has subsequently completed twelve weeks of study at an English language school operated by an institution of higher learning or a private school approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
   
   An international applicant for whom English was the first and is the spoken language in the home must sign a statement to that effect.
    
3. Application and Supporting Documents
   1. A complete Application for Graduate Admission to Northeastern.
   2. An official transcript of college or university records for all schools previously attended. In addition, complete and official English translations must be furnished with the original documents. All academic records must be signed by the appropriate school or government official and must include the seal of the school or government. The transcript must be sent directly from the schools to NSU.
   3. Three letters of reference from school officials of schools attended showing applicant’s rank in class, comparison with classmates, and length of time the writer has known the student.
   4. Aptitude test scores no more than five years old.
   5. Additional documents as program requires.
4. Financial Support
   Submit written proof on the appropriate certification form (provided in the admission packet) of the student’s ability to take care of at least one year’s education-related expenses in any one of the following forms:
   1. Official confirmation by the student’s government of an adequate grant, scholarship, fellowship, or loan made available for the specific purpose of educational expenses of the student.
   2. Official confirmation by an educational or other organization or agency of adequate funds made available for the specific purpose of the students study in the United States;
   3. Official confirmation by the student’s government, through a central bank, for permission to transfer adequate funds to the United States for the specific purpose of education;
   4. Official confirmation by the student’s parents, through a central bank, of adequate funds committed to support payment of all educational expenses; Any other source of financial support is considered not satisfactory.
5. Accident, Health, and Hospitalization Insurance
   Submit an official copy of a document showing the student has an accident and hospitalization insurance policy in force for the period of the first years attendance at the University. Information on student insurance is available at the Office of Student Affairs and must be purchased for at least one year.
    
6. Other Documents
   At the time of enrollment, the student must present a valid passport with an F-1 visa and 1-94 form showing the date for stay in the United States.

Conditions one, two and three must be met and documents received in the Graduate College before admission to the University can be considered. All of these conditions must be met prior to the student’s departure from the student’s home country.

If the student meets all requirements for admission including proficiency in English, a notice of acceptance for admission and a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) will be sent to the student. The student must then take the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) to the United States Consulate and apply for a United States Student Visa.

Conditions four and five must be completed upon arrival in the United States and before enrolling.

Once a student has been admitted under “International Student Admission”, s/he will be issued an “I-20” and NSU will be considered their home institute. If for any reason, the student transfers the I-20 to another institution; his/her status at NSU will become inactive or non-degree seeking. Written permission from the new home institution will be required if an international student wished to enroll in any classes at NSU after making the transfer. To return to NSU, a complete international application packet must be submitted for review and consideration. All international students must be continuously enrolled and must take a minimum of nine hours of graduate course work each semester, with the exception of summer session, to stay in status. Students must also have a Degree Plan and Statement of Understanding on file in the Graduate College office before the close of the first semester of graduate studies.

It is the student’s responsibility to stay abreast of the federal regulation changes as they are made by INS. You may review these regulations by visiting the website of http://www.uscis.gov.

A change of address must be submitted within ten days to both the attending college and to INS using INS from AR-11. The form is available at the website of http://www.uscis.gov.  

Non-Academic Criteria

1. In addition to academic requirements for admission, students must be in good standing and eligible to re-enroll at a college attended and,
   1. not expelled, suspended, denied admission or readmission,
   2. not convicted of a felony or lesser crime or moral turpitude,
   3. not acted in a manner that would be grounds for expulsion, suspension, dismissal or denial of readmission.

And, if the institution finds than an applicant falls into a category above, then the institution shall deny admission if it decides that any of the events described in a, b, or c indicates unfitness.

If an applicant is denied admission on any of the foregoing grounds, there must be substantial evidence supporting the basis for denial. In addition, the applicant must be afforded adequate procedural safeguards, including the following:

a. be advised of the grounds of the denial;
b. be informed of the facts which form a basis of the denial, and
c. be afforded an opportunity to be heard.

2. Physical, emotional and mental status of the student must be such that no danger is presented to him or others while attending the university. If there is any question of the status of the student, the university may require a diagnostic examination.

Graduate Admission Examinations

All graduate programs require a graduate admission examination, such as the Graduate Record Examination, the Miller Analogies Test, or the Graduate Management Admission Test. The program which the applicant is pursuing determines the test to be taken and  the score needed. Test scores must be no more than five years old at the time of application for admission. More information on graduate admission examinations may be found on the NSU Graduate College website.

Admission to the Degree Program

Most degree programs have additional admission requirements beyond the general admission requirements to the Graduate College. Specific undergraduate course work is one, but not necessarily the only one, of the requirements for entry into a degree program. See the specific program being pursued for detailed information.

Graduate students changing from one program to another program are subject to the admission criteria and program standards of the new program at the time of the requested change.