Admission to the School of Graduate & Professional 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, Master of Science in Athletic Training, and the Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/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
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 & Professional 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, Master of Science in Athletic Training and Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/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 – and were not on leave of
absence/medical leave) 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/medical leave 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/medical leave.
If students applying for re-enrollment have earned graduate credits at another institution since their most recent enrollment at Messiah University, they must submit official transcripts from each institution attended if they want the credits to be applied as transfer credit and/or for enrollment decisions. A re-enrollment decision will be made upon review of the official transcript(s).
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. Students are required to complete the curriculum and graduation requirements in effect at the time the Re-Enrollment application is filed, which may result in different courses, credit amounts, or other requirements from their initial registration.
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, graduate and professional studies 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..