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 www.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.
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 graduatestudies@lcu.edu.
Applicants must submit an official transcript bearing a baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 120 academic hours from a regionally accredited college or university. 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.
Applicants for graduate programs must also meet the following requirements for unconditional admission.
Additional program admission requirements:
Applicants not meeting the unconditional standard may submit a letter of appeal to the Graduate Studies office.
LCU undergraduate students who are within 12 hours of earning a baccalaureate degree, and who meet all other unconditional graduate admission requirements, may be permitted to concurrently enroll in undergraduate and graduate coursework as programs permit. 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. If eligible for financial assistance, the student will only be awarded aid for the undergraduate-level enrollment.
LCU students who are within 12 hours of completing their baccalaureate degree may be conditionally approved for pre-enrollment in an LCU graduate program. Enrollment as a conditional student is limited to 6 graduate hours. 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 admission to the MSN-FNP track.
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.
Contact the Graduate Studies office.
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 wishing to appeal results of transfer credit evaluations may do so, in writing, to the appropriate dean, whose decision is final. 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; and up to 33 hours for the 72 hour degree. The MSN-FNP track will not accept transfer credit. Transfer credit is granted only after applicants are accepted for 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.
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 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.