Admissions

Departments make admissions decisions based on the compatibility of the applicant’s goals with departmental resources, the availability of spaces for new students, and a holistic evaluation of the applicant’s potential for success in the program. Other considerations might typically include standardized test scores, grades and/or GPAs, letters of recommendation, writing samples, research or applied experience, and interviews.

To be considered for admission, the applicant must satisfy the following requirements:

1. The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or provide proof of equivalent training from a recognized academic institution outside the United States. Equivalency is determined by international evaluators in the Graduate School.
2. The applicant must be in good standing at the institution last attended.
3. The applicant must submit standardized examination scores (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and/or IELTS) if required for application to the degree program. Applicants with an earned doctorate (Professional, EdD, PhD) from an accredited institution whose instruction is in English may be exempted from this requirement.
4. The successful applicant normally will meet one of the following: a) a GPA of at least 2.75 on all undergraduate course work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree; b) a GPA of at least 3.0 on all graduate course work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree; or c) an acceptable GRE or GMAT score as determined by the program to which the applicant applies.
5. Applicants whose native language is not English must submit: 1) TOEFL scores of at least 550 on the written test (213 on the computer-based test); 2) 79 on the Internet Based Test with at least 16 in each section; 3) IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or 4) demonstrate English proficiency during an oral examination (interview) satisfactory to the examining committee and approved by the graduate dean.
6. The applicant must be recommended for admission by the graduate faculty in the applicant’s area of study. Departments may (and frequently do) establish higher standards than those described here, and may require that applicants submit additional materials. Applicants should contact the department to which they seek admission for information about additional requirements.
7. The applicant must disclose all institutions beyond secondary school, including Auburn University, which the applicant has previously attended; similarly, all course work and/or degrees must be disclosed. Withholding information requested on the application for admission, including attendance at any other institution, or giving false information, may make the applicant ineligible for admission to the university or subject to dismissal.

Final evaluation of application files will not occur until all of the above requirements have been met. Applicants will be notified by the dean of the Graduate School when an admissions decision has been made. Some departments, operating with a limited number of spaces for students each year, make final decisions for the fall semester in early spring.

Policies and Procedures for Admissions

Auburn University is an equal-opportunity educational institution, and as a matter of policy, does not discriminate in its admissions policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, or national origin. Applications for resident and non-resident students are accepted for all curricula; however, the number of students and academic credentials of the applicants accepted for admission are determined by the availability of facilities and faculty.

Admission of Transfer Students

Transfer applicants must provide official transcripts (not duplicated or faxed copies) from each college attended, including any at which the applicant enrolled while in high school. A minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale on all college work attempted and eligibility to re-enter the institution last attended are required to be considered for transfer admission.

Application for Admission

To apply for graduate study, submit to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. A formal application. Applications for admission are submitted online at applygrad.auburn.edu/portal/apply. Domestic applications must be accompanied by a fee of $60; international applications must be accompanied by a fee of $70. These fees may be paid online via credit card.
2. Unofficial transcript(s) from all institutions that were attended. If admitted to a program, applicants will be required to submit a final official transcript from each institution, sent directly from the institution(s), prior to registration. Official transcripts may be sent at any time but will be required before registration. An applicant who, because of current enrollment, cannot provide final transcripts at the time of application, should submit the incomplete transcripts from the current institution. Applicants do not need to provide transcripts for credits earned at Auburn University.
3. Standardized general test scores may be required for graduate program admission. A waiver of standardized test scores may be available in certain circumstances—please check the Graduate School’s Test Score Waivers webpage for current information. Prospective graduate applicants should check with individual departments for specific program admission requirements. International applicants must also submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. Applications and dates for these tests may be obtained at many colleges and universities; by writing the Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000; by telephoning (609) 771-7670 for the GRE, (609) 771-7330 for the GMAT, or (609) 771-7100 for the TOEFL; or by accessing the Educational Testing Service website at www.ets.org.
4. Additional Materials. Academic programs typically require additional materials to evaluate an applicant’s potential for graduate study. Prospective students must also contact the department in which they wish to study to obtain information regarding additional admission requirements, such as writing samples and letters of recommendation. With the exception of the application, official transcripts, and standardized test scores, which should be sent to the Graduate School, materials requested by programs should be sent directly to the academic department.

Admission to any graduate degree program is granted by the dean of the Graduate School upon the recommendation of the department of proposed study. Applications and all other relevant material must be received by the Graduate School at least 45 days before the first day of class of the semester in which the student wishes to begin graduate study. International applicants should submit all required materials at least 90 days before the first day of class of the semester in which the student wishes to begin graduate study. However, most academic units make admission decisions several months in advance. Thus, applicants should check with the department to which they seek admission to determine when materials should be submitted. Approval is valid for a maximum of 12 months beyond the beyond the entrance date given on the application, with the approval of the program admitting the student. If the student does not register during this period, a new request for approval must be submitted. Application materials become the property of Auburn University and may not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to other institutions.

Admission of Transient Graduate Students

A graduate student in good standing in an accredited college or university may be admitted as a transient when faculty and facilities are available. To be eligible, the student must submit a special Graduate Transient Form prior to the beginning of the semester for which transient status is requested. The form, available from the Graduate School or on the Web at www.grad.auburn.edu, must bear the signature of the student’s department head and graduate dean or his/her designee. Transient status is granted for one semester only and does not constitute admission or matriculation as a degree candidate.

Provisional Admission

First-time applicants to Auburn University’s Graduate School who hold the bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution (or who provide proof of equivalent training from a recognized academic institution outside the United States) and who are otherwise academically qualified but who do not meet certain other requirements for admission may be admitted on a provisional basis.

These other requirements include but are not limited to the following: 1) scores above the minimum required on standardized tests of English language proficiency, 2) scores above the minimum required on the GRE or GMAT, or 3) the submission of official documentation (e.g., transcripts).

Departments may set higher standards or may not consider students for provisional admission.

International students whose English language proficiency is marginally below the Graduate School’s required levels are required to enroll in Auburn University’s Auburn Global program and satisfy proficiency requirements before enrolling in graduate-level course work.

Other students who are admitted on a provisional basis are given an opportunity to demonstrate that they can perform graduate-level work and can be expected to make reasonable progress toward earning a graduate degree. They may also be required to remedy deficiencies in undergraduate preparation by taking upper-division courses.

Provisionally admitted students must demonstrate their ability to perform at the graduate level by obtaining a “B” grade point average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in their first 12 semester hours of graduate-level work. These 12 semester hours must be completed within the first three consecutive semesters following admission.

Students admitted on a provisional basis will be fully admitted to the Graduate School only when all conditions for admission have been met, including the completion of at least 12 semester hours of approved graduate-level courses at Auburn University with a grade point average of at least 3.0.

Students admitted provisionally who fail to satisfy all conditions for admission within the allotted time period will be dismissed from the Graduate School.

McNair Scholars

The Graduate School recognizes the achievement of students who have successfully completed a Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program by waiving the Graduate School application fee. A letter confirming participation in the program is required.

Active Military Personnel

The Graduate School recognizes the contributions of students actively serving in the United States military by waiving the Graduate School application fee. A letter confirming active duty status is required.

Correspondence Work Unacceptable

Study by correspondence shall not be counted toward a graduate degree.

Student Classifications

For administrative purposes, Auburn University students are assigned to a class level. Those that apply to graduate students are:

• MST — Students who hold full admission to Master’s programs.
• EDS — Students who hold full admission to Specialist in Education programs.
• PHD — Students who hold full admission to Doctor of Philosophy programs.
• GCRT — Students admitted to an approved Graduate Certificate program.
• GND — Students who hold a Bachelor’s degree (or post-baccalaureate degree) may apply for admission to the Graduate School as a non-degree student for personal development, to obtain or renew certification, or to take a limited number of courses preliminary to enrolling in a graduate degree program. No more than 12 hours of credit earned while enrolled as a non-degree student may later be counted toward a graduate degree; however, students officially enrolled in an approved graduate certificate program may count up to the maximum number of credit hours allowed by the certificate program toward a graduate degree. Non-degree students who later decide to pursue a graduate degree must re-apply for admission to the Graduate School and the graduate degree program.
• GPR — Students who meet requirements for provisional admission except that they have not taken the GRE or GMAT (if required by the admitting program) or have not submitted all transcripts. This classification is for one semester only, and satisfactory scores and/or all transcripts must be submitted by the end of that semester. This classification cannot be used by international students, who must submit official transcripts and satisfactory scores on all required examinations before they are admitted.

Master's Accelerator Program

The Master's Accelerator Program (MAP) eases the transition from a bachelor’s degree in your home country to graduate school in the U.S. It provides three simple routes to enter your graduate program at Auburn. MAP combines credit-bearing courses from your master’s degree with additional support, teaching, and cultural experiences, helping to ensure your future success. All MAP students complete a comprehensive series of English language, research, and professional development modules (the Professional Development Suite), and a series of credit-bearing graduate courses (the Academic Suite) prior to transferring into their intended degree program.

Auburn Global offers four ways for international students to enter their graduate program. The entry path that is best for you will depend on your qualifications and personal preferences. Choose from the Integrated Master’s Accelerator, the Master’s Accelerator (one term) or Master’s Accelerator (two or three terms). For more details on these options see: http://www.auburnglobal.org/about-map. Students in the Master's Accelerator Program are enrolled in a minimum of 14 clock hours in Fall and Spring semesters, and 9 clock hours in summer.

Auburn offers 23 graduate programs through the Master’s Accelerator Program, in engineering, education, mathematics, and public administration, and community planning.

MAP students take a core curriculum* and credit bearing courses from their chosen master’s degree.

*This is a sample curriculum and may be subject to change.