Applying to Graduate School

Application Process: Step by Step

1. 1. Create an online account using a personal email address. Use an email account you will have access to for at least 6 months. You will be emailed a PIN to set up an account. (If you are currently a UCA student, this account is different from your MyUCA account)
   2. Select the Graduate School application option.
   3. Complete the application and submit it.
   4. Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee.
   5. After paying the application fee, upload all the required documents (if applicable) on the applicant status page.
   6. Send official transcripts to the Graduate School. 

Apply Now!   Check Your Application Status

*Chrome is the recommended browser to complete the application.

International Students 

• To apply,  create an online account, complete the application, and pay the $50 Center for Global Learning & Engagement application fee. The Graduate School does not grant application fee waivers to international students. Applicants will need to have a debit/credit card to pay the non-refundable application fee.  To ensure the accuracy of immigration documentation, a copy of the biographical page passport is required. To see the requirements and deadline for international students, please visit their website. 

CAS Application Programs

• Athletic Training (MS)
• Communication Science and Disorders (MS)
• Occupational Therapy (OTD)
• Physical Therapy (DPT)

Applicants interested in the program above should apply to the Graduate School AFTER  they have:

1. 1. 1. Applied through the CAS system,
      2. Been accepted into the program at UCA
      3. Been instructed to apply to Graduate School by the department at UCA.

Admissions Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.70 on a scale of 4.00 OR at least a 3.00 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study. Programs GPA standards may be higher. 
• Minimum 3.00 GPA on any graduate coursework taken at another accredited institution
• Test Scores –  Most of our programs do not require standardized test scores. 
  • If the program requires a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or GMAT test score, the scores must be less than five years old.
  • Register to take the GRE on the ETS website and send your scores to UCA. 
  • UCA’s GRE institution code is 6012. See the  Graduate Bulletin for program-specific admission requirements. For students who qualify,  there is a fee reduction voucher available from ETS. 
• Program-specific admission requirements – These vary by program and include items such as test scores, interviews, etc.  

Transcripts

During the application process, applicants should request that their school send office transcripts to:
University of Central Arkansas
Graduate School
201 Donaghey Ave
Torreyson West, Suite 328
Conway, AR 72035
ucagradschool@uca.edu (electronically)
*Current or former UCA students do not need to send their UCA transcripts to the Graduate School.

Application Deadlines

It is recommended that you submit your  Graduate School application at least one month before the semester you wish to start. Three months prior to your starting semester is preferable. Although every effort will be made to accommodate late applicants, there is no guarantee that a late application will be accepted and/or able to enroll in desired classes.

Some programs have firm application deadlines that may be up to one year before the entry term, so check the graduate bulletin for program deadlines.

Application Fee Waivers

Application fee waivers are available for applicants who are veterans or dependents of veterans. To be eligible for the veteran application fee waiver,  you must submit a DD-214 with the application. This document is proof of active duty status, retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States. This will be identified in the lower section of the DD-214 Member 4-copy. It will say (Honorable). If the form states something other than honorable, you are not eligible for a waiver. If a service member is still currently on Active Duty they must submit a letter from their Commanding Officer stating the status of duty.

 Immunization Records

Students who plan to attend UCA must provide proof of immunizations. To register for classes, these immunizations must comply with the Arkansas Department of Health Rules and Regulations. The only exception to this policy is for online students who will not visit campus at any time during their program. Without an approved immunization record, the student cannot make library visits, attend sports events, make in-person advising visits, use the HPER facility, attend graduation ceremonies, or participate in other on-campus events and activities. An applicant must provide an official copy of his/her immunization record or proper exemption to Student Health.

Non-Degree Seeking 

A non-degree seeking student can take up to 9 credit hours of graduate-level courses without being admitted to a specific graduate program. These credits can be taken simultaneously or in sequence. This is for students who are undecided about their major, want to upgrade their professional skills or want to transfer to another graduate school. Completed courses with a C or better can applied to degree requirements if the student is accepted into a degree program. Some departments may limit enrollment to students admitted to their degree program. Before applying please check the schedule of classes to see if the course is available for the term,  and contact the department to make sure there is space available for additional students. 

Options for Current Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate seniors at UCA have the option to take graduate courses while still pursuing their bachelor’s degree.  Applicants need to apply at least six weeks prior to the start of registration. Please review the enrollment options below.

Computer Science or Cybersecurity  4+1 Program

A UCA undergraduate computer science student may be permitted to register for graduate credit for the last twelve months before completing a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science, provided that the following conditions are met:

1.  Admitted to and in good academic standing in UCA’s BS in Computer Science or Cybersecurity  program
2. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher
3. Completion of a minimum of 75% of the required 3000-level CSCI/CSEC courses (with no Ds)
4. Must be within 12 months of completing the BS program in Computer Science or Cybersecurity
5. May not exceed eighteen (18) credit hours in any semester of combined degree registration
6. Must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in each semester of combined degree registration

PLEASE NOTE: Students who do not comply with the conditions of the combined admission option will not be allowed to enroll in classes. Students who fail to complete the BS degree at the end of the permitted time will not be allowed to continue in Graduate School until all requirements for the undergraduate degree have been met.

BS/MS students may not hold a graduate assistantship while they are undergraduate students. Once fully admitted to the graduate school, the student will be eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship. For specific information, please contact the Graduate School Office at ucagradschool@uca.edu.

How to Apply

Complete the Graduate School online application. Choose the Graduate School application option.  On the Field of  Study application page, choose Undergraduate Enrollment as the program type and choose Computer Science BS/MS (4+1) or Cybersecurity BS/MS (4+1) as the Degree program. Answer Yes, to the question BS/MS program. There is no application fee.

Dual Enrollment

A UCA undergraduate senior in good standing and has either a minimum of 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours, may request permission to enroll in up to 8 hours of graduate coursework and receive undergraduate degree credit for the course(s).

• Courses for dual enrollment are limited to courses at the 4000/5000-level (5000-level courses only)
• The total credit load for the semester must NOT exceed 15 credit hours
• The course will be financial aid eligible if the course(s) completes a requirement for a bachelor’s degree.
• Courses may count on the undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Courses with a C or better will count towards the undergraduate transcript. Courses with a B or better will count towards both the undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

Concurrent Enrollment

• Courses are NOT eligible for financial aid
• Courses will be counted on the graduate transcript only
• Credit will only be received if the student completes their bachelor’s degree during the term the graduate courses are taken
• The total credit load for the semester must NOT exceed 15 credit hours
• This program is not available for education, nursing, occupational therapy, or computer science students. (Computer Science majors may apply for the BS/MS 4+1 program)

Undergraduate students interested in the enrollment programs should contact their department’s Graduate Program Coordinator before the semester in which they wish to enroll. Not all programs allow students to participate.
Such permission 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.

How to Apply

Complete the  Graduate School online application. Choose the Graduate School application option. On the Field of Study application page, choose Undergraduate Enrollment as the program type and choose Concurrent/Dual Enrollment as the Degree program

Have questions? Contact us at ucagradschool@uca.edu