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..