[1] The Admission Process
Application Process
For students wishing to pursue a specific graduate program, the admission process involves a mutual decision between the Graduate Dean and the appropriate department.
How to apply: Application information may be obtained by visiting the Graduate School website.
What You Need to Submit:
To complete your application for admission, submit the following to the Graduate Office:
- Application form
- Required application fee
- Official transcripts of all graduate work and an official undergraduate transcript from an accredited institution showing conferral of a baccalaureate degree. Official transcripts of undergraduate coursework completed at other institutions are not required. Applicants may, however, submit official transcripts of post-baccalaureate undergraduate coursework they wish to have considered in the calculation of the undergraduate GPA used to determine admission eligibility. (Programs may require additional transcripts where necessary to establish prerequisites. See Other Program-Specific Admission Requirements.)
- Other program-specific admission requirements
International applicants remain subject to the transcript, credential evaluation, and English proficiency requirements specified in Admission of International Students.
Review Process: Application materials are shared with the department for a recommendation about whether to admit a student to graduate studies and under which type of admission.
Other considerations
- Non-Degree/Visiting Students: For students not planning to seek a graduate degree at UCA or who are undecided (i.e., visiting or non-degree), the Graduate Dean will admit them to Graduate Studies if they meet Graduate School requirements for regular admission.
- Conditional Admission for Non-Degree Students: Prospective students who do not meet the qualifications for admission and are not seeking a degree may be admitted on a conditional basis after review by the Graduate Dean.
Important Information
Applications are retained for students who are admitted but do not enroll for three years. After three years, these credentials are discarded, making it necessary to reapply for admission and furnish all credentials again for evaluation. The credentials of applicants who were denied admission are also retained for three years.
- All materials submitted for admission become the property of the university.
- Falsification of any record, including the Application for Admission, is cause for immediate dismissal.
[2] Preferred Dates for Applications
Some programs with competitive admission have application deadlines and admit a limited number of students only at certain times of the year. Program deadlines can be found here.
Be sure to contact the department to confirm these dates, as well as any additional program-specific application requirements.
For programs without a specific application deadline, the preferred application date is March 1 for summer and fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.
To ensure time for processing, applications should be completed at least one month prior to the beginning of the term for which the student wishes to enroll. Applications must include official transcripts of all graduate work and an official undergraduate transcript from an accredited institution showing conferral of a baccalaureate degree, along with any optional official post-baccalaureate transcripts the applicant wishes to have considered in the undergraduate GPA calculation, and other program-specific admission requirements.
Although every effort will be made to accommodate late applicants, there is no guarantee that a late applicant will be allowed to enroll.
[3] Preference Given to Self-Managed Applications
After submission of the online application, students should verify receipt by the Graduate School of the official undergraduate transcript showing conferral of the baccalaureate degree, official transcripts of all graduate work, and any optional official post-baccalaureate transcripts submitted for consideration in the undergraduate GPA calculation, as well as receipt of other program-specific admission requirements. This type of self-managed application will be given priority in processing by the Graduate Office and will reach the department of choice more quickly for review.
[4] Other Program-Specific Admission Requirements
A graduate program may establish program-specific admission requirements beyond the Graduate School’s minimums. These requirements give departments evidence of an applicant’s preparation that grades alone do not provide.
A program may satisfy this through a standardized admission test, such as the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or through other application materials that demonstrate readiness for graduate work. Test scores supplement an applicant’s academic record rather than replacing it.
A program may also require official transcripts of undergraduate coursework completed at institutions other than the degree-conferring institution when those transcripts are needed to establish prerequisites. This is a program-specific admission requirement and applies only to applicants to that program.
Each program’s requirements appear with its admission requirements in this Bulletin.
If tests such as the GRE or GMAT are required, all applicants are encouraged to complete these tests early in their senior year of undergraduate work or before filing an application for admission to graduate studies. For further information on these examinations and places where they may be taken, applicants should contact the Graduate School (450-3124), the department in which they want to pursue a graduate degree, or University Testing Services (450-3209); information about testing is also available on the web at GRE or GMAT.
[5] Types of Admission
[5.1] Regular
To be granted regular admission to graduate school, students must have
- Obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution recognized by an accrediting organization identified by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Met one of the following GPA requirements: (a) a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.70 on a scale of 4.00; (b) at least a 3.00 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study, which may include post-baccalaureate undergraduate coursework; or (c) conferral of a graduate certificate or graduate degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, as documented on an official transcript.
- Achieved a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA on any graduate course work previously attempted, combined across UCA and any other accredited institution.
- Met any additional program-specific admission requirements (e.g. minimum test scores, interview, statement of purpose) specified by the department/program. (See program requirements in this Graduate Bulletin.)
Note: Meeting a GPA requirement under item 2 above, or admission under 5.1.1, does not exempt an applicant from the requirements of section [6], Admission of International Students, including English proficiency and credential evaluation, where those requirements apply.
Note: Immunization Requirement: Students who plan to attend UCA must submit an official copy of their immunization record, or an approved exemption, to the Graduate School or Student Health. Immunizations must comply with Arkansas Department of Health Rules and Regulations, and a student may not register for classes without an approved record.
Students in a 100% online program who will not visit campus at any point during the program are exempt from this requirement. Because the exemption depends on remaining off campus, a student who claims it may not visit the library, attend sports events or graduation ceremonies, meet with an advisor in person, use the Student Recreation Center, or take part in any other on-campus activity.
[5.1.1] Regular Admission by Exception
A graduate program may admit to regular admission an applicant who does not meet the GPA requirements in 5.1(2) but who demonstrates, through objective and verifiable evidence, the capacity to succeed in graduate study. An applicant admitted under this section holds regular admission status. Admission under this section is available only for admission to a degree or certificate program. It is not available for non-degree, visiting, concurrent, or dual-enrollment status.
(a) Eligibility. To be admitted under this section, an applicant must
• Meet the requirements of 5.1(1), 5.1(3), and 5.1(4), which are not subject to exception;
• Present a cumulative undergraduate GPA of not less than 2.50 on a scale of 4.00; and
• Present one or more of the forms of evidence described below, documented by the admitting program.
(b) Basis for admission. A program is not required to establish or submit standing admission criteria under this section. The program identifies which of the following forms of evidence the applicant presents and documents them in the submission. Permissible evidence is limited to the following:
• Years elapsed since conferral of the baccalaureate degree, considered together with at least one other form of evidence listed below;
• Documented full-time professional experience in a field related to the program of study, verified through employment records, position descriptions, or supervisor statements;
• Current professional licensure, certification, or credentialing relevant to the program of study;
• Standardized examination scores at or above a level established by the program; or
• Other objective and verifiable evidence that the program determines to be comparable to the forms listed above.
An admission under this section may not rest on an applicant’s personal statement, essay, or self-reported account of prior academic performance. No program is required to use this section, and a program may decline to admit any applicant under it.
(c) Limits. A program may admit under this section no more than three applicants in an academic year. For purposes of this limit, a program is a single degree or certificate program as listed in the Graduate Bulletin, and an academic year begins with the fall term.
(d) Submission and processing. A program admitting an applicant under this section submits the admission to the Graduate School, identifying the evidence relied upon and attaching documentation of it. The submission must be signed by the program director or coordinator and by either the department chair or the dean of the college. The Graduate School verifies that the requirements of this section are satisfied, processes the admission, and notifies the applicant in writing. The Graduate School may decline to process a submission that does not satisfy the requirements of this section.
A decision not to admit an applicant under this section is not subject to appeal. An applicant who is not admitted under this section may be considered for conditional admission under 5.2.
[5.2] Conditional
Conditional admission may be granted when recommended by a department and approved by the Graduate Dean. For each conditionally admitted student, the Graduate School and/or appropriate department will specify on the admission review form the conditions for obtaining regular admission status, including a specified deadline, if applicable, for meeting these conditions. Conditionally admitted students are ineligible to receive financial aid, including graduate assistantships.
With good justification, this classification can be used when students
- Have not met the minimum GPA requirement for regular admission; [Note 1]
- Have not submitted all required program-specific admission materials prior to initial enrollment; [Note 2]
- Have not met the more stringent admission requirements specified by programs; or
- Need to complete prerequisites specified by the department offering the graduate program of interest. [Note 3]
Notes on Conditional Admission
Note 1
In the case of failing to meet minimum GPA requirements for regular admission, the student is admitted under conditional status. The student will remain in this classification until successfully completing the requirements for regular admission status (Good Academic Standing) outlined below.
Pathways to Good Academic Standing
1. Standard Review. Evaluation for Good Academic Standing occurs at the conclusion of the semester in which the student reaches or exceeds the nine-hour threshold. At the time of this mandatory review, the student must hold a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00 calculated across all institutional and program coursework taken after the date of conditional admission. If this GPA is achieved, the student is reclassified to regular admission status and placed in Good Academic Standing. All coursework must apply toward the student’s degree program and be approved by the appropriate departmental chair.
2. Early Success Track. Students may be reviewed for immediate reclassification to regular admission status (Good Academic Standing) prior to the nine-hour threshold if they complete six (6) semester hours with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.50 or higher across all institutional and program coursework taken after the date of conditional admission. All coursework must apply toward the student’s degree program and be approved by the appropriate departmental chair.
If the required 3.00 GPA is not achieved at the time of the mandatory review, the student will be denied further graduate enrollment at the University of Central Arkansas.
Note 2
Note 3
[5.3] Enrollment Statuses for Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students may apply to take graduate-level courses concurrent with the completion of their undergraduate studies. Two enrollment statuses have been created to meet this need and are detailed below. Applications for either status must be filed with the Graduate School at least six weeks prior to the start of registration. Undergraduate students may apply for either enrollment status as is appropriate to their qualification and semester of undergraduate study. However, any student may benefit from either the concurrent or the dual-enrollment status during their studies—not both. The total number of graduate-level hours available to complete under either status option is eight (two three-hour courses with, if applicable, associated one-hour lab components), unless otherwise specified by a program. All courses must be associated with a single graduate program.
Approval of either enrollment status does not admit a student to graduate study at the university and is subject to approval by the program coordinator, the department chair, and the Graduate Dean. The student’s total credit load (graduate and undergraduate courses) will not exceed 15 credit hours during any semester of concurrent or dual-enrollment status.
[5.3.1] Concurrent
If a senior is in the last term of enrollment before receiving a baccalaureate degree from the University of Central Arkansas and is otherwise fully qualified to enter graduate study, that student may be admitted to concurrent status. This status allows the undergraduate student to enroll in graduate courses; however, the graduate course credits are not applied to the baccalaureate degree. The student’s entire program is subject to the regulations and requirements for graduate study. Concurrent enrollment is not available for education, nursing, occupational therapy, or computer science students.
[5.3.2] Dual Enrollment
If a senior is in good standing and has either a minimum of 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours, the student may be admitted to dual-enrollment status and receive undergraduate degree credit for the graduate course(s). Courses for dual enrollment are limited to cross-listed courses at the 4000/5000-level. Hours for completed graduate coursework with a grade of C or better may count toward the student’s undergraduate degree. Hours for completed graduate coursework with a grade of B or better may also count toward a graduate degree. Students interested in dual enrollment should contact their department’s Graduate Program Coordinator prior to the semester(s) in which they wish to be dual enrolled. Not all programs allow students to participate in dual enrollment.
[5.4] Non-degree
Students who possess the minimum GPA for regular admission may choose to be admitted as a non-degree student. This classification is reserved for students who are undecided about their major field of emphasis, who choose to take work for upgrading their professional skills, or who wish to enroll in work for transferring to another graduate school. Any work taken by a non-degree student may subsequently be applied to fulfilling degree requirements when the student applies and is admitted to a degree program if the hours taken are applicable to the program. Certain limitations may apply.
Non-degree students are limited to taking at most nine graduate-level credits. The credits may be taken simultaneously or in sequence. Students must meet the same course prerequisites as degree-seeking students. The credits may be from 5000- to 9000-level courses; however, the student must meet with an advisor prior to registering for courses and develop a plan of study.
Enrolling in the courses requires the authorization of the Graduate Program Coordinator and relevant faculty for the program in which the courses are offered. The chair of the department in which the courses are being offered shall be informed of the authorization for the non-degree student to enroll in courses. Students must maintain a 3.0 or better in their courses to sustain their ability to enroll in additional courses as a non-degree student. In certain situations, a student may be permitted to complete more than nine hours of graduate coursework as a non-degree student. The Graduate Program Coordinator must submit the request for this exception to the Graduate Dean for approval.
[5.5] Visiting
Students pursuing a graduate degree from another institution and wishing to take a graduate course at the University of Central Arkansas may be admitted as visiting students. A letter of good standing from the Graduate Dean of the college or university where the student is attending will allow admission for one semester only.
[6] Admission of International Students
All application materials for international applicants must be submitted through the online application portal, Slate. The complete application includes the application form, all required supporting documents, and the application fee. Applications are reviewed by the Center for Global Learning and Engagement and the Graduate School. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
[6.1] English Proficiency
International applicants to the Graduate School whose first language is not English must demonstrate a satisfactory level of English proficiency. Students need a strong command of the English language to perform at the graduate level, especially in interactive programs which emphasize teamwork and effective oral and written communication.
The Center for Global Learning and Engagement maintains a list of English proficiency requirement exempt countries. Applicants from those countries whose first language is English and who graduated from a university where English was the language of instruction are not required to submit proof of English proficiency.
The following applicants must submit a qualifying English proficiency exam score to be considered for admission:
Applicants whose first language is not English and who have earned bachelor’s degrees or graduate degrees (excluding graduate certificates) at an educational institution where English was not the language of instruction.
Applicants must submit one of the following to demonstrate English proficiency:
- TOEFL score of 4.5 or higher (effective January 21, 2026)
- TOFEL score of 79 or higher (for individuals who took the test before January 21, 2026)
- IELTS score of 6.5 or higher
Individual departmental graduate programs may set higher minimum scores, either for the overall score or any individual subscores, or both.
The English proficiency requirement may be waived at the discretion of the academic department chair if the last four semesters of full-time academic coursework have been completed at an accredited institution in the United States with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
[6.2] Transcript Requirements
International applicants to the Graduate School must submit transcripts to the University of Central Arkansas. Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by a UCA-recognized third-party credential evaluation. An exception to the credential evaluation requirement will apply to applicants who completed an undergraduate degree at a foreign institution but subsequently completed a graduate degree at an accredited institution in the United States. Academic departments may request third-party credential evaluations to establish evidence of required prerequisites. The Center for Global Learning and Engagement maintains a list of UCA-recognized third-party credential evaluators.
[6.3] Other Required Documentation
Applicants needing immigration document issuance necessary for applying for student visas, must also submit documentation of financial support and other related forms. Students must demonstrate the financial capacity as required per immigration regulations and as per any Exchange Agreement or other agreements which may exist and apply to the students’ situation. Such applicants must also submit a copy of the biographical page of their passport.
[6.4] Contact Information
Detailed information for international students is available from the UCA Center for Global Learning and Engagement:
Schichtl Hall, Suite 120
201 Donaghey Avenue
Conway, AR 72035-0001 USA
Phone: (501) 450-3445 (voice)
E-mail: internationaladmission@uca.edu
Web: https://uca.edu/global/
[7] Admission to Graduate School Does Not Imply Candidacy for a Degree
A student becomes a candidate for an advanced degree only by demonstrating the requisite preparation and ability through study at UCA. Requirements specified for admission to graduate school and for any advanced degree are minimum requirements. Additional requirements may be specified by departments depending upon the student’s undergraduate preparation and the particular field of graduate work chosen.