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
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.
* Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Ministry offered through the Graduate School of Theology are exempt from the GPA minimum.
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:
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:
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:
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.