General Requirements
All graduate programs at Columbus State University require that students
hold a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by one
of the regional accrediting associations. Specific admission requirements
for each graduate program are included with the description of that
program in the section, Graduate Academic Programs.
Every applicant must submit a formal application to the Admissions Office
along with a $25, non-refundable, application fee. Georgia residents 62
years of age or older and soldiers serving on active duty are exempt from this fee. Documentation will be required when the application is submitted. All applicants, with the
exception of foreign nationals, must
provide Social Security numbers, which can be obtained at any Social
Security office (for institutional purposes only). As required under the University System of Georgia policy, a completed
certificate of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus
and varicella must be
received before enrollment. Forms are available in the Admissions Office
or on the web at
http://www.colstate.edu/future/forms.asp.
Admission credentials must be filed on or before the deadline date
listed on the calendar in this catalog. Official consideration is given to
an application only after all credentials are received. Ordinarily,
application processing requires from three to six weeks. Applicants who
wish to delay their date of entry to the University should notify the
Admissions Office in writing. After a year has elapsed, a new application,
application fee, and credentials must be submitted.
Students furnishing the University with false, incomplete, or misleading
information relating to their application or academic record will be
subject to denial or dismissal.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council regularly monitors admission policies and academic
standards for graduate programs. This committee is composed of an
associate vice president for academic affairs, one academic dean, the
directors of each graduate program, one faculty member from each graduate
program, and four at-large graduate faculty members.
Official Transcripts
Applicants seeking admission to a graduate program must request that an
official transcript from each college and university attended be sent
directly to the Admissions Office. Applicants seeking admission to a
specialist in education program need only request an official transcript
from the institution where the master's degree was awarded. Transcripts
received from other institutions become the property of Columbus State
University and will not be released to the student or a third party.
Test Scores
Applicants are required to furnish the Admissions Office with official
test scores as specified below:
- The
general portion of the Revised Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with
"writing assessment" component for Master of Education (MEd) programs, the Master of
Music (MM) program in music education, Master of Science (MS) programs
in the College of Education, and Specialist in Education (EdS)
programs.
- The
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) for the Master of Business
Administration (MBA) program
- The
general portion of the GRE, the MAT, or the GMAT for Master of Public
Administration (MPA) programs
- The
general portion of the GRE for the Master of Science (MS) programs in
applied computer science and environmental science
Arrangements
to take the GRE and MAT at Columbus State University can be made
by calling the Testing Center at (706) 568-2226. Testing information for the GMAT can be found at
www.mba.com. Scores from tests taken
more than five years prior to application for admission to a graduate
program (10 years for EdS applicants) will not be accepted.
Classification of Students
Students are admitted to graduate study under one of the following
classifications:
Regular graduate student. A prospective candidate for a
degree whose undergraduate record and examination scores indicate a
strong possibility of success in graduate study. An applicant is
admitted upon the recommendation of the appropriate graduate program
director.
Provisional student. A prospective candidate for a degree
who does not satisfy full admission requirements will be classified in
this category under conditions specified by the appropriate graduate
program director. A student initiating graduate work under this
classification may continue in a degree program when the conditions
specified at the time of admission have been met and the student has
been reclassified. The provisional category does not apply to EdS
programs or international students in F-1 status.
Transient student. A student in good academic standing in a
recognized graduate program at another institution. An applicant must
submit an application, application fee, and a statement from the
registrar at the home institution certifying good academic standing.
Transient students may enroll for one term. The director of admissions
will consider additional semesters on a case-by-case basis.
Audit student. An applicant who wishes to audit courses is
required to submit an application for admission, the application fee,
and a transcript showing that a baccalaureate degree has been earned.
Audit students must pay all regular fees. Credit will not be granted at
a later time for courses in which a graduate student was registered as
an audit student.
Non-Degree. For students who are seeking re-certification,
endorsement, or professional development. Students classified as
non-degree can not use these credits toward any degree at Columbus State
University unless previously approved by the appropriate graduate
program director. Non-degree students must meet degree admission
requirements prior to enrolling in College of Education graduate
studies.
Transfer Credit
A maximum of nine semester hours of credit, taken as a graduate student
at an accredited graduate school, may apply toward a master's degree
provided the credit was earned not more than seven years prior to the
date of completion of the degree. A maximum of six semester hours of
credit transferred from an accredited graduate school may apply toward
an EdS program. Grades of "C" or below will not be accepted by the
College of Education.
Readmission Requirements
Former students who wish to enroll in Columbus State University after an
absence of one to three years must submit an application for re-entry to
the Admissions Office. A graduate student who has not been enrolled in a
graduate program at Columbus State University for more than three years
must reapply for admission and meet current admission requirements.
Procedures for students academically ineligible to enroll following the
completion of the last semester at Columbus State University are found
under the academic standing heading in the Graduate Academic Regulations
section.
International Students (and Non-Native Speakers of English)
International students must provide all credentials required of U.S.
students. In addition a professional transcript
evaluation of all non-U.S. accredited institutions and an acceptable
level of proficiency in the English language are required. Applicants
whose native language is not English must provide:
- Official
results of the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) showing a minimum paper-based score of 550, a minimum computer-based score of 213, or a minimum Internet based score of 79 or
- A
baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the
United States
If the applicant will be attending Columbus State University on an F-1 student visa, a financial guarantee and supporting bank documents are required. Application
forms and detailed procedures for enrolling as an international student
can be obtained from the Admissions Office at Columbus State University
or on the web at
http://international.columbusstate.edu.
A professional transcript
evaluation (course-by-course) of all non US accredited college transcripts is
required for admission.
Georgia Residency
Requirements
See Definition of Legal Residence under Expenses section of this catalog.
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