The Graduate School

Ron Vetter, Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School

Graduate School

Successful completion of a graduate program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington requires the student to demonstrate a depth and sophistication of knowledge, performance in certain skills, and/or professional, laboratory, or field experience substantially beyond the level required for a baccalaureate degree. The particular requirements for academic rigor and professional competencies, and the tools for measuring them, are defined by the discipline at a level consistent with national norms or standards for the certificate or degree.

Consequently, all graduate programs and the courses that support them are progressively more advanced in academic content than undergraduate programs and courses, include knowledge of the literature of the discipline, ensure ongoing student engagement in original research and/or appropriate professional practice and training experiences, and foster independent learning.

The Graduate School at the University of North Carolina Wilmington administers programs of study leading to the Master of Business Administration; the Master of Education; Master of Science in biology, chemistry, clinical research and product development, computer science and information systems, environmental studies, geoscience, gerontology, instructional technology, mathematics, marine science and marine biology; Master of Arts in criminology and public sociology, English, history, liberal studies, psychology and Spanish; the Master of School Administration; the Master of Arts in Teaching; the Master of Science in Accountancy; the Master of Fine Arts in creative writing; the Master of Science in Nursing; Master of Public Administration; Master of Social Work; Ph.D. in marine biology; Ed.D. in educational leadership and administration; Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs in applied statistics, conflict management and resolution, environmental studies, geographic information science, gerontology, Hispanic studies, instructional technology specialist; and Post-Master’s Certificate Programs in liberal studies, nurse educator and family nurse practitioner.

Each of these programs provides capable students with an opportunity to pursue advanced study, training, and research designed to enhance their academic and professional development. More detailed descriptions of these programs appears separately in the following pages.

Admissions

General Admissions Requirements

For admission to a graduate degree program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, the applicant must (1) hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution.  (2) have a strong overall academic record with a B average or better in the basic courses prerequisite to the area of proposed graduate study; and (3) meet additional admission requirement(s) as outlined by the graduate program.  The Graduate School will determine equivalency of international baccalaureate degrees.

Applications for admission to most graduate degree programs should be filed in the Graduate School at least sixty (60) days in advance of the term in which admission is sought; most programs require earlier deadlines. All applicants must apply through the Graduate School web site www.uncw.edu/grad_info/

A student who leaves the University and who does not register for at least one semester must apply for readmission to the Graduate School. Each student admitted to a graduate degree program must have a completed medical report form on file at UNCW before initial registration may be effective. In addition, an immunization record for each newly admitted UNCW graduate student, regardless of status, is required by law to be on file at UNCW prior to enrollment.

Graduate students are subject to the same university policies and regulations as undergraduates unless otherwise stated.

Specific admission requirements are listed under each degree program.

Regular Admission With Deficiencies

A student whose grades and/or test scores and admissions portfolio are at an acceptable level but who does not have the undergraduate background expected by the academic unit and the Graduate School may be assigned deficiency courses. The letter of admission lists the deficiencies that must be completed before the student advances to candidacy. It may be required that some or all deficiencies be completed before the student enrolls in specific degree courses. Deficiency courses are taken in addition to those normally required for a degree.

Provisional Admission

A student who does not meet minimum academic standards but has counterbalancing evidence to suggest the potential for success may be admitted on a provisional basis. Provisional admission provides an academic unit with more evidence on which to base its admission decision. A student must obtain a grade of B or better in all courses taken while in provisional status. Normally, the academic unit reviews the student’s status following completion of nine hours of approved graduate study. At that time, the academic unit recommends to the Graduate School a change in status to either regular admission or withdrawal from the program. A student who has completed provisional requirements should check with the academic unit to verify that the change of status has been recommended. A provisional student may also be assigned deficiency courses.

Non-Degree Students (Special Graduate Status)

In some cases, students who are not seeking a graduate degree maybe permitted to take graduate courses. Such permission to take graduate courses does not constitute admission to a graduate degree program. Non-degree graduate students are not candidates for degrees. Enrollment must be maintained in at least one graduate course each semester. The undergraduate grade-point averages for non-degree graduate students are expected to meet the same standards that apply to the admission of graduate students in full standing. Students that are later accepted to a degree program may, with approval, have up to 10 hours applied toward the degree. Normally, non-degree status is not available and does not apply to students interested in taking courses in the Cameron School of Business Administration. Admission requirements may vary for each academic unit, and students seeking non-degree status therefore must determine and meet these conditions prior to completing their application. Any individual having an interest in applying for admission as a non-degree graduate student should contact the Graduate School.

Re-Enrolling

A student who leaves the University and who does not register for at least one semester (fall or spring, not applicable for summer) must apply for readmission to the Graduate School. The reenrollment application is available through the Graduate School web site www.uncw.edu/grad_info/

Admissions – International Students

International students must present evidence of their ability to speak, read, and write the English language and to meet fully the financial obligations associated with their study at the University. Students from foreign countries where English is not the primary language or that did not earn their baccalaureate degree from an accredited US institution, must present the results of the TOEFL examination (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), as a part of their application for admission. A minimum score of 550 (paper test), or a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) is required for admission to all programs, or IELTS minimum score of 6.5 or 7.0 to be eligible for a teaching assistantship, but this score does not guarantee acceptance.  A financial responsibility statement must also be submitted.

In addition to the TOEFL, international applicants who do not speak English as a primary language and who wish to become teaching assistants are required to demonstrate competence in oral communication skills if the teaching assistantship involves classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, or tutoring. A minimum score of 45 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or a minimum of 25 on the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT or an examination of comparable score on an equivalent test is required to be eligible for an instructional assignment. Minimum score criteria may be higher for some graduate programs.

Policy Statement for Graduate Students Working on Campus

Graduate students may be employed as a teaching/research assistant or in another flat-rate assignment on campus. Normally, these assignments do not exceed 20 hours per week during the regular fall or spring term. Additional hourly work on campus may be approved by the Graduate School on a temporary, case-by-case basis; however, the total assignment should not exceed 30 hours per week.

It is the responsibility of each academic unit to ensure that academic progress is a priority and work assignments do not interfere with a student’s progress toward the degree.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex (such as gender, marital status, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Any student who supplies false or misleading information or who conceals pertinent facts in order to enroll in the University of North Carolina Wilmington is subject to immediate dismissal from the University.

Application forms and other admissions information may be obtained through the Graduate School web site www.uncw.edu/grad_info/ Contact information: Graduate School, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-5955, (910) 962-3135 or (910) 962-4117 phone, (910) 962-3787 fax.

Department and Prerequisite Abbreviations

The following standard list of abbreviations are used for stating department and prerequisite abbreviations: