Admissions and Enrollment

Admission to the School of Graduate Studies

To be considered for admission to a graduate program at Messiah University, applicants must complete the admission application and meet all of the stated requirements for the general application as well as the specific requirements for the chosen program. With the exception of the programs in Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy and the Dietetic Internship, admission decisions are processed on a rolling or continuous basis. No applicant will be considered until his/her application file is complete. Acceptance is limited to the semester indicated on the student’s application.

Admission Requirements

  • Degree-Seeking, Non-Degree Seeking, and Certificate Students.  The minimum requirements for all students seeking admission into graduate programs for the purpose of earning a degree, Certificate of Graduate Studies, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS), personal enrichment, Act 48 credit, or other purposes not leading to a degree include the following:
    • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree 
    • Official transcripts indicating the degree earned
    • Completed application
    • Cumulative GPA of 3.00 (< 3.0, may be considered on an individual basis)

    Programs may have additional requirements to be reviewed.

  • International Students. Messiah University School of Graduate Studies considers applications submitted by permanent residents/green card holders and non-U.S. citizens/international students for the majority of programs. However, the Dietetic Internship program cannot accept international students due to governmental regulations.

    A majority of Messiah University's graduate programs are delivered primarily or entirely online.  Those programs which are conducted entirely online (MBA, MSL, and MEd) can be completed from the student's home country. Due to governmental regulations, international students who wish to study full time in the United States must be aware that it is not possible to obtain an F-1 student visa for our degree programs, with one notable exception: if the program being pursued requires an on-campus intensive as part of the curriculum, Messiah University may be able to issue you the required paperwork for you to obtain a visa for the intensive portion of the coursework only. International students are encouraged to contact the Director of Graduate Enrollment for more information.

    International students must submit all transcripts (those from both U.S. and non-U.S. institutions) as part of their application. Messiah University requires a course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts and the transcript must be converted to the American grade point average system. Transcripts in a language other than English must also include an official English translation.

    Messiah University requires a course-by-course evaluation of international transcripts including a conversion of the GPA to the United States' grade point average system.  In addition, transcripts in a language other than English must be translated into English.  While there are several services that complete these evaluations, Messiah University highly recommends that all international transcripts be evaluated by World Education Services, Inc.  If utilizing WES, please order the WES Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation (fees are paid directly to WES when the evaluation is ordered).  If the WES Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation is ordered, there is no need to send an additional copy of your official international transcript to Messiah University, the WES Evaluation will suffice.  All transcripts and evaluations should be sent electronically to Messiah University to gradprograms@messiah.edu or to the designated Centralized Application System.

    All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. International students demonstrate proficiency by submitting official test scores from TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Messiah’s official minimum score for the TOEFL is an 80 ibt or 550 pbt. The official minimum score for the IELTS is a 6.5. 

    Test scores must be from the last two years or more recent.  Photocopies of score reports will not be accepted.  TOEFL scores should be sent directly to Messiah University (code 2411) from ETS.  IELTS scores should be mailed to Messiah University School of Graduate Studies.  International applications are not considered complete until Messiah University School of Graduate Studies receives official TOEFL or IELTS scores.  An offer of admission cannot be made nor can a visa document be issued if an application is incomplete. 

     The TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived for the following:

    1. Native citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Canada (except Quebec).
    2. Students who have studied full-time for at least two academic years within the last five years in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, or with English language instruction in Canada.  Transcripts are required that demonstrate that this requirement has been met.
    3. Students who have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, or Canada (except Quebec).

    Note:  Students who are citizens of India, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore or British Commonwealth countries are NOT exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

Regional Accreditation Policy

Messiah University will review applications for admission from students who have earned an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution that is not regionally accredited. The application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. During this review process, applicants may be asked to provide additional information, such as:

  • Documents that include the undergraduate institution’s history, faculty credentials, relationship to state or national educational agencies and accreditation status from all current, proposed and previous accrediting agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  • A list of regionally accredited institutions that have accepted students for graduate studies from their institution (as provided from an institutional representative)
  • Syllabi and/or course descriptions that demonstrate the student’s academic preparation
  • GRE, GMAT or other standardized tests 
  • Other information as requested by the Program Director

Upon favorable review, students may be granted admission. Provision of any/all information above does not guarantee admission. 

Admissions and Enrollment Definitions

Degree Seeking Admitted Students

Applicants who have met all requirements for admission and are moving toward candidacy for a master’s degree with full graduate status as described in the official letter of acceptance are considered to be degree seeking students.

Provisionally Admitted Students

Applicants who have submitted all graduate program application materials except official transcripts or letter(s) of reference may be provisionally admitted to Messiah University, pending Graduate Program Director approval. Those with provisional status have one semester to submit all of the required admissions materials. The student will not be eligible to register for a second semester until the provisional designation is removed. Any request for an exception to this registration block must be submitted to the Director.

Conditionally Admitted Students

Applicants whose application does not meet the criteria for degree-seeking or non-degree seeking status, but who appear to have the capability to successfully complete graduate courses may be admitted to Messiah University on a conditional admittance status. A conditionally admitted applicant must satisfy the conditions of his/her admittance in order to continue in the program. The specific conditions and length of time permitted to meet the stated conditions shall be detailed in a letter from the Director or Admissions Committee of the student’s chosen program.

Non-Degree Seeking Admitted Students

Applicants who meet all requirements for admission to a specific graduate program, but who do not intend to pursue an advanced degree at Messiah University may enroll as a non-degree seeking student. (Note: Not all programs admit non-degree seeking students). This classification includes students who may be taking graduate courses for transfer credits, personal enrichment, professional development credits, Act 48, continuing education or licensing requirements, etc. Students may take up to 9 credits as a non-degree seeking student. Any student changing from non-degree seeking to degree seeking must fulfill the admission requirements for degree seeking students prior to proceeding beyond the 9 credit limit for non-degree seeking students.

Deferred Admission Policy

Application for admission to the School of Graduate Studies at Messiah University is limited to the semester indicated on the student’s application. If a student’s plans change, she/he may defer acceptance for up to two semesters from the initial semester of acceptance. If a student defers, there is no guarantee that all coursework will be available upon their enrollment. Therefore, it is recommended that accepted students who are considering deferring enrollment consult with their Program Director prior to declaring their intentions. Note: Students accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, and Dietetic Internship Program may not defer their admission. See Program Director for more information.

Re-Enrollment Policy

Students who have withdrawn from the University (not enrolled in at least one course at Messiah University during the past semester – fall, spring or summer) must file an Application for Re-Enrollment with the Graduate Enrollment Office at least twenty (20) days prior to the beginning of the semester for which re-enrollment is being sought. Students who are granted a leave of absence will be considered withdrawn if they do not enroll in at least one course at Messiah University during the semester following their leave of absence. 

Students applying for re-enrollment who have earned graduate credits at another institution since their most recent enrollment at Messiah University, and who want those courses to be considered as transfer credits and/or for enrollment decisions, must submit official transcripts from each institution attended before a re-enrollment decision can be made.

To be eligible for re-enrollment, applicants must be in good standing with the University and the academic program must have the capacity to accept additional students. Additional conditions of re-enrollment may be imposed by the specific graduate program for which the applicant seeks re-enrollment.

Re-Admission Policy

Students who have not been enrolled in graduate courses at Messiah University for two years or more and wish to return must re-apply for admission to the graduate program by completing the full application.

 

Admissions Appeal Policy

A candidate who applies and/or interviews, but whose admission is denied, has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to the director of enrollment for graduate studies & adult education within 30 days of the original decision. The letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal. Students whose appeal is accepted will be reconsidered for admission by the respective graduate program..