Application Process
Applications for admission to Graduate Studies at the university are available on the university web site, in the Graduate Studies office, or in academic offices with graduate programs. Applications must be submitted no later than four weeks prior to the beginning of a session.
State law requires the meningitis vaccine for students, which must be received at least 10 days before but not more than 5 years before the first day of class. Students 22 years or older by the first day of class or students enrolled only in online courses are exempt. See LCU.edu/meningitis for more information.
Students entering a program to prepare for licensing or certification should be aware that a licensing or certification authority may require a criminal background check and may consider individuals with convictions or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense to be ineligible. Students with a concern have the right to request that the licensing authority issue a criminal history evaluation letter regarding their eligibility. For more information, consult the specific licensing or certification authority.
Unless otherwise indicated, programs preparing students for licensure or certification meet the licensing or certification requirements for the state of Texas. Applicants to these programs who plan to seek licensure or certification in a state other than Texas should confirm that the program meets requirements for licensing or certification in the state prior to enrolling. For more information, please see the disclosures for programs leading to professional licensure or certification.
After applications are processed and required documents are received, the applicants will be notified of their admission status. Applicants are not accepted until an official letter of acceptance is issued. For further information regarding the application process, please contact the Graduate Studies office at 800.933.7601, 806.720.7599, or GraduateAdmissions@LCU.edu.
Admissions Considerations
- The university is open to all persons regardless of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, or disabled condition who are otherwise eligible for admission as students.
- To be considered for admission to distance education programs, the university must have prior state authorization to enroll students from the state the student is located in.
- The university will exercise due diligence and may deny admission to otherwise qualified individuals who have a history that indicates their presence might endanger members of the university community.
Admission Standards
Applicants must submit an official transcript bearing a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 120 academic hours from a regionally accredited college or university. Baccalaureate degrees earned from non-regionally accredited institutions must be evaluated to determine adequacy of preparation. Courses taken for the degree must include a minimum of 39 upper level hours. Hours awarded for life or work experience will not satisfy upper level requirements. Vocational courses will not be counted toward the 120 academic hour requirement. Evidence of grade point averages, degrees, and test scores must be on official transcripts or official score reports. Students on probation or suspension at other institutions are not eligible for admission.
Unconditional Admission
Applicants for graduate programs must also meet the following requirements for unconditional admission.
- Demonstrated capacity for graduate-level study, as follows:
- GPA of at least 3.0 on a baccalaureate degree,* or
- cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for the last 60 credit hours of baccalaureate studies, or
- cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in twelve or more graduate credit hours in a discipline relevant to the program for which the applicant seeks admission.
- Favorable letter of reference from professional contact.
- Favorable letter of reference from personal or academic contact.
* Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry offered through the Graduate School of Theology are exempt from the GPA minimum.
Additional Program Admission Requirements:
- Graduate Business (Accounting):
- Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one personal)
- Demonstrate successful completion of the following undergraduate courses (or accepted equivalent courses):
- ACC2301 Principles of Financial Accounting
- ACC2302 Principles of Managerial Accounting
- ACC3301 Intermediate Accounting I
- ACC3302 Intermediate Accounting II
- ACC3303 Cost Accounting
- ACC3305 Special Problems in Accounting
- ACC3320 Business Ethics for Accountants
- ACC4305 Income Tax I, ACC4308 Auditing
- ACC4310 Accounting Systems and Analytics.
- Graduate Counseling (Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling with Clinical Mental Health Counseling emphasis):
- Professional resume
- Additional professional reference
- Interview
- Criminal background check is necessary for counselor license.
- Graduate Counseling (Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling with Marital, Couples, and Family Therapy emphasis):
- Professional resume
- Additional professional reference
- Interview
- Criminal background check is necessary for counselor license.
- Graduate Counseling (Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling with School Counseling emphasis):
- Professional resume
- Additional professional reference
- Interview
- Teacher certification, teaching experience, and a criminal background check is necessary to apply for licensing as a school counselor in Texas
- Applicants who earned degrees from outside the United States must also score 26 or higher in each section of the TOEFL IBT
- Applicants from other states should evaluate the program to determine if it is acceptable for certification in their states.
- Graduate Education:
- Permission of department with professional resume
- Applicants who earned baccalaureate degrees from outside the United States must also score 26 or higher in each section of the TOEFL IBT
- No previous misdemeanor or felony convictions. The State Board will conduct a background check prior to issuance of certification.
- Some programs will require prior Texas teacher certification, teaching experience and additional recommendations
- Programs meet the requirements for certification in the state of Texas. Students interested in seeking certification in states other than Texas should notify the Director of Certification in the School of Education for more information.
- Graduate Exercise and Sport Sciences (Master of Science in Human Performance):
- Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one personal)
- Demonstrate successful completion of the following undergraduate courses (or accepted equivalent courses):
- BIO2401/2001 Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- BIO2402/2002 Human Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- ESS3371 Physiology of Exercise
- Statistics (3hrs)
- Recommend but not required completion of the following undergraduate courses (or accepted equivalent courses):
- ESS2314 Human Movement
- ESS3329 Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
- ESS3340 Motor Learning and Control
- ESS4301 Biomechanics
- ESS4350 Principles of Strength and Conditioning
- Graduate School of Theology (Master of Arts in Christian Ministry):
- Additional letter of reference, to include one each: academic, professional, and personal
- A personal essay of background and professional aims
- Interview
- Approval by Graduate School of Theology admissions committee
- Graduate School of Theology (Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry)
- Submission of completed Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry questionnaire
- Submission of current background check
- Graduate Nursing (Master of Science in Nursing—Education/Leadership track):
- Official transcript from nursing school
- Evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse
- Completion of background check
- Graduate Nursing (Master of Science in Nursing—Family Nurse Practitioner track) (An application evaluation scale will be used to determine applicants to be interviewed. Applications accepted September 1 – May 1):
- Official transcript from nursing school
- Evidence of current Texas licensure as a registered nurse
- Completion of background check
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred
- 2 years full-time Registered Nurse (RN) work experience
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Submission of personal essay specifying interest in becoming a family nurse practitioner, long term-career goals, and why admission is sought in this graduate program
- Submission of professional resume or curriculum vitae
- Faculty interview
- Favorable letter of reference from either a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Physician.
- Graduate Nursing (Post-MSN Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)):
- Evidence of current licensure as a registered nurse in the United States
- Evidence of current certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) (Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Specialist)
- Evidence of current employment as an Advance Practice Registered Nurse
- Proof of current liability insurance
- Master of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited college or university with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or accreditation from American Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
- Completion of MSN with minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completion of Graduate level nursing research course
- Three letters of reference attesting to the applicant’s academic ability and leadership potential, including one from a current professional colleague
- Personal Statement
- Interview with DNP faculty
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- Current curriculum vitae or professional resume
- Official transcripts from all institutions formerly attended.
- NOTE: All transcripts must be from regionally accredited colleges or universities with nursing program accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or accreditation from American Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), formerly the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
- Completion of criminal background check
- Non-refundable Application Fee
- LCU Credit Agreement
Appeals for Admission
Applicants not meeting standards for unconditional admission may submit a letter of appeal to the Graduate Studies office.
Admission for Undergraduate Students
LCU students who are within 12 hours of completing their baccalaureate degree, who meet all other graduate unconditional admission requirements, may be conditionally approved for concurrent pre-enrollment in an LCU graduate program (dependent upon graduate program requirements). Students will be prohibited from enrolling in more than 15 hours of combined graduate and undergraduate hours and will be limited to 6 graduate hours or less during the long semester. Enrollment as a conditional student is limited to 6 graduate hours.
If eligible for financial assistance, the student will only be awarded aid for the undergraduate-level enrollment. Continued enrollment at the graduate level, re-evaluation of academic standing, and eligibility for graduate-level financial aid will be determined only upon successful posting of a baccalaureate degree.
Undergraduate students are not eligible for conditional admission to the MSN-FNP track.
Undergraduate students pursuing the 150-hour BBA/Master of Accounting (MAcc) program may be eligible to enroll in up to 6 hours of graduate coursework prior to being within 12 hours of earning a baccalaureate degree. This exception is specific for the BBA/MAcc program and acceptance is dependent upon successful completion of program prerequisite requirements and advisor recommendation. Students will be eligible for unconditional admission to the graduate-level MAcc program upon successful completion of the baccalaureate degree.
LCU undergraduate students pursuing one of the Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Sciences majors, who meet all other graduate unconditional admission requirements, may have an opportunity to take up to 12 hours of graduate coursework after completion of 90 undergraduate hours, prior to completion of their bachelor’s degree. This exception is specific for the B.S. in Exercise and Sport Sciences programs and acceptance is dependent upon successful completion of program prerequisite requirements and advisor recommendation. Students will be eligible for unconditional admission to the graduate-level Master of Science in Human Performance program upon successful completion of the baccalaureate degree.
Non-Degree Admission
Individuals may apply for non-degree seeking status if desiring to transfer earned graduate hours to another institution. Non-degree admission is not available to the MSN-FNP track.
Required documentation will include:
- Application and application fee
- Official transcript(s) showing a bachelor’s degree and any previous graduate work
- Students wishing to transfer graduate hours to another institution must provide a Letter of Good Standing as documentation of enrollment in a university graduate program and the approval of that university to enroll in coursework at LCU.
Students admitted with non-degree seeking status are prohibited from earning more than 12 semester hours at that status, and no more than 12 hours earned in that status can apply towards a degree, if part of the degree plan. Students admitted as non-degree seeking, are not eligible for financial assistance and must reapply for admission each enrollment period.
Readmission
Contact the Graduate Studies office.
Transfer Credit Policy
Graduate courses accepted for transfer credit must be of an appropriate level and content, and the student must have earned a grade of B or higher.
Teacher credential must also be evaluated for credit earned at non-regionally accredited institutions.
Students may petition the department to accept:
- up to 9 transfer hours for 30 hour master’s degrees
- up to 12 transfer hours for 35-37 hour degrees
- up to 15 hours for 48-49 hour degrees
- up to 18 hours for 60 hours degrees.
Transfer credit is granted only after applicants are accepted for admission.
Application of previously earned graduate credits
All graduate credit hours earned at LCU and those accepted for transfer credit will be evaluated and applied as directed by the program coordinator or the program’s academic dean. Upon admission to most programs, graduate credits earned within the past seven years will be applied to that program’s requirements. Graduate credits older than seven years will be applied toward program electives or not counted toward the degree.
Some LCU graduate programs do not accept previously earned graduate credits, and some only accept graduate credits earned within fewer than seven years. Students who wish to appeal how previously earned graduate credits are applied must do so in writing to the program’s academic dean.
Exceptions: The MSN-FNP track and Post-MSN Certificate FNP track will only accept up to 9 hours of non-clinical based transfer credit (if credits were completed within 2 years of application to the LCU MSN-FNP or Post-MSN certificate FNP program). Transfer credit acceptance is based on the approval of the graduate nursing director. The Post-MSN Clinical DNP program does not accept transfer credit.
International Student Admission
This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll international students on F-1 status. International student immigration policies are governed by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services of the United States Homeland Security. Federal law governs immigration requirements for applicants who are not citizens of the United States. International applicants must meet general and program admission standards to be admitted. The following additional items must be submitted to the graduate admissions office at least 60 days before the entry date. The university can issue an I-20 to immigrating international students only when all documents are received. Any costs associated with the application or for delivery of the I-20 are the responsibility of the international applicant.
It is the responsibility of the student to meet and maintain eligibility to be an international student on F-1 status. Immigration regulations change frequently. Students should contact the Designated School Official (DSO) for updates. The following additional items must be submitted to the graduate admissions office before the university can issue an I-20 to immigrating international students:
- $200 tuition deposit
- Copy of passport
- Recent photograph
- Completed health form
- Immunization Record demonstrating required immunizations
- Global evaluation of transcript–official transcripts from institutions outside the United States must be accompanied by official course-by-course English translation of college transcripts showing course titles, grades awarded, degree awarded, and date degrees awarded.
- Verification of source of support
- TOEFL English Language Test–minimum composite score of 525 on the TOEFL-CBT or 71 on the TOEFL-IBT must be achieved for admission. A score of 5.5 or higher on the IELTS will be accepted in place of the TOEFL. See following section regarding TOEFL exemptions.
- Statement of Purpose
- Signed F-1 Status Contract
- Transfer Form-applies to students who have previously studied in the US
International students immigrating to the United States to attend classes must report to the Designated School Official (DSO) in the Graduate Studies office within 15 days of the program start date listed on the I-20.
International students will be required to pay the remainder of the first semester’s balance in full prior to the beginning of classes.
International Students from English Speaking Countries
English-speaking applicants from native English-speaking countries, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the British Caribbean Islands, Canada, Ireland, Israel, the United Kingdom, and Kenya are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
International Student Transfers
International students transferring from another institution must apply for admission, be accepted, and request and receive a transfer in SEVIS from their former institution. Transferring international F-1 status will be issued after the release date of the former institution and students must transfer within 30 days of the release date. Transferring students must begin classes during the semester indicated in the admission letter and within five months from the release date of the prior school.