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Admission

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Graduate students are admitted to Marymount University as degree-seeking, graduate- and post-master’s-certificate seeking, and nondegree or visiting students. Through Marymount’s Educational Partnerships program, individuals may be enrolled off-site as degree- or certificate-seeking students. International students may enroll as degree- or certificate-seeking students. Application procedures for students in each category follow.

Graduate Student Admission

In making decisions for admission, Marymount University takes into consideration an applicant’s previous college or university coursework, work experience, and positive recommendations, as well as test scores, interviews, and an applicant’s personal statement, when applicable.

Degree-Seeking Applicants

For all programs, applicants who have or will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment are eligible to apply, and must submit the following items to be considered for acceptance:

a completed application form with the nonrefundable $40 application fee
a current résumé
official transcripts showing all postsecondary coursework (delivered in a sealed envelope that bears the registrar’s signature and/or seal or via an authorized online delivery system)

These items are university wide requirements for every program.

Schools and individual graduate programs vary in their requirements for standardized test scores*, portfolios, interviews, recommendations, work experience, or other criteria. Some programs have specific application deadlines. For detailed information, students should consult the section for the school or program to which they are applying.

Unless otherwise noted, students who are admitted can choose to enroll on a full- or part-time basis for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

*NOTE: All scores should reflect testing within the last five years or be subject to review by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Applicants who already hold a master’s degree are not required to submit GRE, MAT, LSAT, or GMAT test scores, with the exception of applicants to the Counselor Education and Supervision Program and Physical Therapy Program. Applicants to these programs must submit GRE scores, even if they have a master’s degree in another field. Acceptable Praxis Core Math or SAT/ACT Math and Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) scores are required for admission to all teacher licensure programs.

Students Living Outside Virginia Enrolling in a Marymount Online Program

Many states impose special regulations requiring state-level approval for universities to enroll residents of their state into an online academic program. Please see the graduate admissions web page for more information about these regulations and to access a full list of states in which Marymount University is authorized to offer online programs.

International Student Applicants

An international student is defined as an individual wishing to enroll who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a permanent U.S. resident.

Visitors in B-1/B-2 status are not eligible to register. These individuals must change their status to an F-1 student visa in order to study at Marymount University. Contact the International Student Services Office or Office of Graduate Enrollment Services for more information regarding this immigration regulation and other immigration-related questions.

Eligible international students must submit the following items to be considered:

a completed application form with the nonrefundable $40 application fee
evidence of graduation or expected graduation from an accredited college or university in the form of an official transcript or letter on institutional letterhead from a representative of that institution
an official course-by-course transcript evaluation for university coursework completed outside the United States, including subjects studied, and U.S. semester credit and grade equivalent for each course, and U.S. grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale

For the transcript evaluation, applicants are responsible for the timely translation and evaluation of documents and for all costs and fees associated with these services. Approved evaluation agencies are World Education Services, Inc., P.O. Box 5087, Bowling Green Station, NY 10274-5087; World Educational Credentials Evaluators and College Planning, P.O. Box 341468, Tampa, FL 33694; and Josef Silny and Associates, Inc., 7101 SW 102nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33173.

acceptable standardized test scores (see Note under preceding "Degree-Seeking Applicants" section)

In order to be considered for admissions, nonnative speakers of English must submit a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE), or successfully complete ELS Level 112, Inlingua Level 8 intensive program with a score of at least 85%, LADO Levels 9 and 10 with a score of at least 85%, or all of the following at Mentora College: any advanced electives: English for specific purposes class with the final score of 85% or higher, any Mentora College test preparation program with the final score of 85% or higher, any Mentora College certificate program, and receive a satisfactory reference letter from their teachers stating that the student is ready for university-level academics at Marymount University.

Minimum Score Requirements for Nonnative Speakers of English

TOEFL	600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, range of 96 to 100 Internet-based
IELTS	6.5 overall
PTE Academic	58

Applicants who have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school where the language of instruction is English are exempt from this requirement.

Upon acceptance, a completed International Student Supplemental Information (ISSI) form, available at www.marymount.edu/Admissions/International, is required.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission is an option for international graduate applicants who meet all admission requirements except demonstrated English proficiency. Students seeking conditional admission must be enrolled in one of Marymount University's Partner Language Institutes. These programs help students develop their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to a level appropriate for university study. Completion of an intensive English program other than programs listed does not meet the conditional admission requirement.

ELS Educational Service's English for Academic Purposes Program: Students who demonstrate completion of ELS Level 112 will be fully admitted and may enroll in a degree program without presenting a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. More information about the program can be found at www.els.edu.

Inlingua: Students who demonstrate completion of a Certificate of Completion of Level 8 intensive program and present an official transcript from Inlingua will be fully admitted and may enroll in a degree program without presenting a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. More information about the program can be found at www.inlinguaenglish.edu.

LADO International Training Institute: Students who demonstrate completion of a Certificate of Completion of Level 10 intensive program and present an official transcript from LADO will be fully admitted and may enroll in a degree program without presenting a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. More information about the program can be found at www.lado.com.

Mentora College: Students demonstrate completion of any advanced electives: English for specific purposes class with the final score of 85% or higher, any Mentora College test preparation program with the final score of 85% or higher, any Mentora College certificate program, and receive a satisfactory reference letter from their teachers stating that the student is ready for university-level academics at Marymount University will be fully admitted and may enroll in a degree program without presenting a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score. More information about the program can be found at www.mentoracollege.edu.

Applicants to the counseling (M.A.), Master of Education (M.Ed.) licensure programs, family nurse practitioner (M.S.N.), forensic and legal psychology (M.A.), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) programs are not eligible for conditional admission.

Deadlines for Students in Need of an I-20

Admission applications and all supporting documents must be received no later than the date indicated for the corresponding semester:

For fall semester (late August to mid-December): July 1

For spring semester (mid-January to early May): November 1

For summer semester (late May to early August): March 15

Note for International Applicants:

Due to the sequencing of courses in some graduate programs, international students enrolling for the first time in either the spring or summer semester may find it difficult to maintain full-time student status taking only courses required by the program. International students who want to begin a graduate program in the spring or summer should consult with the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services first and/or the program director about potential scheduling challenges.

International students in need of an I-20 form must adequately document financial resources for the program’s duration. A student should submit the documents required for an I-20 immediately after they are offered admission. An I-20 will be issued when

the applicant has been admitted
original financial documentation showing the appropriate amount as outlined on the Declaration of Finances form, such as a certified bank statement, has been received. These documents must be less than 6 months old, bear the student name or the name of the sponsor who signed the financial declaration, and must show liquid assets such as cash deposits, certificates of deposit, saving accounts, etc. Statements regarding property, jewelry, cars, loans and other non-liquid assets are NOT acceptable. Statements regarding investments such as stocks and bonds are also not acceptable
Declaration of Finances form has been received
a copy of the ID pages of the applicant’s passport has been received
a deposit has been paid, if applicable

In cases where applicants have been previously enrolled in the United States, they must also submit

a Transfer Clearance Form
copies of all previous I-20s
a copy of their visa; and
a copy of the back and front of the I-94 card

Graduate and Post-Master’s Certificate-Seeking Applicants

The following are required for graduate and post-master’s certificate-seeking applicants in order to be considered:

a completed graduate admission application with the nonrefundable $40 application fee
transcripts reflecting postsecondary work and showing successful completion of at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (applicants to a post-master’s certificate program must also present evidence of a master’s degree)
an interview with the appropriate program representative, if required by the program

Students admitted to certificate programs are limited to enrollment in those courses and prerequisites that fulfill certificate requirements. Marymount graduate certificate coursework that is applicable to a given master’s degree may be applied to that degree; however, students must apply for degree status prior to or upon completion of the certificate. No more than 18 credits of courses earned in certificate programs may be applied to graduate degree requirements. Completion of a certificate offering does not guarantee admission to a degree program.

International students must follow the admission procedures for international applicants. (See International Student Applicants.)

Nondegree Applicants

Some programs offer nondegree applicants admission to a limited number of graduate courses taken to increase vocational fitness and to learn about recent developments in a field of interest. Such students are urged to seek academic advice from the appropriate graduate program coordinator before registration. Students in nondegree status are not eligible for federal financial aid. Students visiting from other institutions also enroll as nondegree students.

The following are required in order to be considered for acceptance:

a completed graduate admission application with the nonrefundable $40 application fee;
transcripts reflecting postsecondary work and showing at least a bachelor’s degree; and
an interview with the appropriate program representative, if required.

Nondegree Enrollment

Nondegree admission is limited to two consecutive semesters. During these two semesters, a student may enroll in a limited number of credits. Students interested in nondegree studies should consult the school or program section in which they are interested to learn the number of nondegree credits permitted and if there are further details or restrictions concerning nondegree studies.

Students who wish to continue graduate study beyond the limits for nondegree status must apply for program admission and meet all regular admission requirements for the degree program. Graduate credits earned at Marymount University while a student is enrolled through nondegree status may be applicable to graduate degree requirements or electives.

Off-site Special Program Applicants

Students enrolled in off-site programs through Marymount’s Educational Partnerships program are required to submit official transcripts and, depending upon their academic objective, follow admission requirements consistent with degree- or certificate-seeking students.

Students who complete certificate programs and wish to be admitted as degree-seeking students must apply for admission to the degree program. Completion of a certificate offering does not guarantee admission to a degree program.

Notification

Marymount University has a rolling admissions policy, unless otherwise noted in this catalog or on the Admissions website at www.marymount.edu/Admissions. The university notifies applicants as to whether they have met the criteria for admission after the application procedure is completed and the Admissions Committee has acted on the application.

All acceptances to Marymount University are tentative until the applicant’s final college grades are received and conditions of the acceptance, if any, are met.

Provisional admissions may be offered for which students must meet the provisions outlined in the official admission letter in order to continue in the program.

Deferral of Enrollment

For certain programs, offers of admission may be deferred up to two times, not to exceed one year. A request for a deferral of enrollment must be in writing. Updated transcripts must be provided prior to enrollment.

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