Curriculum & Instruction

The following are requirements for admission:

1. Prerequisite Degree -­-  The applicant must possess a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Minimum GPA -­-  The applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the undergraduate level leading to the Bachelor Degree. An applicant who possesses a Masters Degree or has undertaken any graduate-level work before applying must have an average of at least 3.0 in their graduate work. All calculations are based on a 4.0 scale.
3. Transcripts -- All applicants are required to upload their unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of degrees. The university defines “unofficial” transcripts as transcripts that have been in the hands of students, are typically printed on plain paper, and do not have a college seal or registrar's signature. Applicants should NOT send official transcripts as part of the application process.
   • Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
4. No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score required
5. A statement of the applicant's academic and professional goals. Specific directions detailing what is to be included in this statement are located on the UC Graduate School admission website. This goal statement serves two purposes. It will be used as a sample of your writing quality and to ensure your goals match with the program. The applicant should explain specifically what areas she or he would like to study so that an appropriate advisor may be assigned to the applicant if admitted into the program.
6. A résumé relevant to academic and professional data -- The submission should include the applicant's name; address; phone; email; colleges attended with degrees, dates conferred, and grade point average; employment history; professional experience; present employer; and names of references.
7. At least two letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s academic and professional abilities. If possible, at least one letter should be from a faculty member in higher education.
8. Candidates who graduated from a non-­-accredited college or university or who do not meet the minimum grade point averages required for admission may be admitted by a committee of faculty members from the program to which the candidate applied based upon an evaluation of evidence submitted by the candidate. As a minimum, the evidence must address mastery of the knowledge prerequisite to the courses required by the program, acceptable writing skills, the ability to engage in critical thinking, and a personal commitment to completing the program. The evidence must convincingly demonstrate the candidate's potential for success in graduate-level work.
9. Candidates who are not accepted for admission into a Master’s Degree program may not apply to the same program for at least one academic semester. During that period, such applicants may be encouraged by the program to enroll in appropriate course work to develop the knowledge, skills, and values deemed necessary for admission into the program, or to demonstrate that the applicant already possesses such qualifications. Whether such coursework may apply to the degree program is left to the discretion of the program. Completion of this coursework does not guarantee admission into the program.
10. Advanced standing for a limited amount of coursework taken prior to admittance to the program is possible. Graduate course work completed 5 or more years prior to admission will not be applied to the requirements.
11. Providing academic records after admission -- Once an applicant has been extended an offer of admission to the University of Cincinnati and has accepted the offer, s/he must submit an official transcript showing conferral of a baccalaureate degree or higher as soon as possible to the address below. The university defines “official” transcripts as transcripts that have been received from a secure, authenticated issuing institution and bears validation (e.g., a seal, logo, or watermark), including a date, and an appropriate signature. Official transcripts MUST be sent forward in their original, sealed envelope. The absolute final deadline for submission of official transcripts is one week before the start of the student’s first semester. Students will NOT be allowed to complete a full semester without providing verification of an earned baccalaureate degree or higher. Any discrepancy later found between student-provided unofficial transcripts and official transcripts will be grounds for dismissal. Official Transcripts should be sent to one of the following addresses:
    1. Regularly U.S. Postal Mail:
       • Graduate School
         University of Cincinnati
         110 Van Wormer Hall
         P.O. Box 210627
         2614 University Circle
         Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627
    2. Delivery via parcel delivery service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.):
       • Graduate School
         University of Cincinnati
         2614 University Circle
         110 Van Wormer Hall
         Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0627