Mar 28, 2024  
2015 - 2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015 - 2016 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Application Requirements



Each program requires official transcripts from each college and university attended. Transcripts from the student’s undergraduate institution and in the case of some doctoral programs, master’s institution showing that the degree was conferred are required. If you were an undergraduate or graduate student at Radford University, the Graduate Admissions Office will request your transcript. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 is required; however, some programs have more stringent requirements noted below. Official test scores are required for most programs (see specific program). All applicants must submit a resume.

Application Deadline: Unless otherwise specified, applications are accepted throughout the year.

Graduate College Financial Aid Deadline: For full-time students applying for graduate assistantships or other forms of financial aid, the deadline is March 1 (for fall admission).

Art (M.F.A.)

Studio Art: Minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall and in the major; two letters of reference; resume, Artist’s statement indicating philosophy, goals, individual artistic vision and preferred area of concentration; BFA in studio art or a BA in art or graphic design, including at least 18 credit hours in upper level studio and 12 credit hours in art history, CD or electronic portfolio with 20 recent works.

Design Thinking: Minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and in the major preferred; three letters of reference; undergraduate degree; resume or vita reflecting prior work experience/work history; evidence of creativity and leadership; statement of philosophy, overall goals and synopsis of why obtaining this degree is important for your future.

Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; two letters of reference; letter of intent; official GMAT or GRE score or approved compensatory materials; resume.

Communication Sciences and Disorders (M.A., M.S.)

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and 3.0 in all major core courses. If the undergraduate degree is not in Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD), a minimum of 28 hours in supporting undergraduate COSD courses is required for regular status; three letters of reference; GRE; personal essay, resume. Application Date: February 1 for fall admission.

Corporate and Professional Communication (M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; short essay/personal statement (see here ); GRE; three letters of reference; resume.

Counseling and Human Development (M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; GRE or MAT; three letters of reference; essay; resume. An interview may be requested. Application Dates: Priority admission deadline is February 15 for summer and fall admissions. The space-available admission deadline is April 15 for summer and fall admissions. Special consideration for late admissions will be considered on a case by case basis until July 15 for fall admission.

Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.)

Applicants must review the Psy.D. website (http://www.radford.edu/content/chbs/home/psychology/programs/counseling/Admissions.html) for detailed information regarding admission requirements.

Minimum allowable graduate grade point average of 3.5; GRE General Test; a letter of interest/personal statement describing the applicant’s professional and/or research experience, outlining the person’s career goals, and reasons for pursuing doctoral study; curriculum vita; an essay that addresses the applicant’s cultural background and experiences and the applicant’s thoughts regarding the etiology of client distress and the nature of the change process (limited to five pages); three reference forms AND the accompanying letters of recommendation, including at least one from a professor who can comment on the applicant’s academic skills and ability to pursue doctoral-level training and one from a supervisor who can speak to the applicant’s counseling skills and response to supervision. International applicants also need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Application Date: December 1 for fall admission.

Criminal Justice (M.A., M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.9; two letters of reference, only one of which may come from a Radford University criminal justice professor; resume; an original writing sample by the applicant consisting of five typed pages with peer-reviewed references on “the most important current problem in criminal justice.” Application Date: March 1 for fall admission.

Data and Information Managment (M.S.)

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited educational institution. Scores of 152 on the quantitative portion and 148 on the verbal portion of the Graduate Record Exam, or scores of 650 and 420, respectively, under the old scoring system.  An undergraduate course in Database Management Systems.  Deficiencies in this area may be resolved through additional coursework during the beginning of the program.  Completion of the Radford University graduate application process.  Verification of required immunizations.  Foreign applicants whose native language is not English must achieve an acceptable score on the TOEFL examination and submit an approved credential report for coursework completed outside the United States.  A TOEFL score of 87 for the online test or scores of 227 or 567, respectively, for the computer -based or paper-based tests.

Education (M.S.)

Minimum 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework; GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing); two letters of professional recommendation; personal letter of application; resume. Compensatory application materials or interview required to assess applicants who do not meet all entrance requirements. For those seeking initial teacher licensure, admission to the Teacher Education Program is required prior to field experiences, including passing scores on required teacher exams.

Educational Leadership (M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; three letters of reference (including one from school superintendent or designee and one from most recent principal); three years of K-12 classroom teaching experience; GRE or MAT; writing sample; resume.

English (M.A., M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; two letters of reference; sample of expository writing; GRE; resume.

Literacy Education (M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; two letters of reference; essay (see here ); copy of teaching license.

Music (M.A., M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; GRE, Major Field Test in Music or Praxis II (Content Knowledge); three letters of reference; written diagnostic exams in music, history and theory before the end of the first semester.

Nursing (D.N.P.)

Undergraduate course requirements in statistics, health assessment, and nursing research; Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (B.S.N), Master’s in Nursing (M.S.N), or B.S.N and graduate degree (M.S., M.A.) in another discipline; minimum 2,000 hours RN clinical practice; cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale at the undergraduate level, 3.5 GPA at the graduate level; competitive GRE scores; current certification in BLS or ACLS; current license to practice as a registered nurse in Virginia; complete Graduate College application; resume or curriculum vitae that includes prior education and professional practice; 3-5 page essay outlining applicant’s vision for a career as a DNP and how the DNP program would help the applicant achieve this goal; a sample of previous academic writing or publication; official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended; three letters of reference from professional contacts (at least one must be from a former nursing faculty member); three recommendation forms (these may be completed by the same three contacts who provide the letters of reference); personal interview with graduate nursing faculty. Application Date: February 1. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis.

Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)

Bachelor’s degree, minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.25; GRE; grades of B or better in prerequisite courses (see M.O.T. section); two letters of recommendation; professional resume; statement of purpose; 40 hours of observation; completion of a college or community course to learn a new occupation. Application Date: May 15 for fall admission.

Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

Completed application submitted through PTCAS: minimum bachelor’s GPA of 3.25 (based on a 4.0 scale); GRE; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology, General Biology I and II with labs, Chemistry I and II with labs, Physics I and II with labs, and Statistics/Biostatistics courses; courses in Abnormal Psychology, Biochemistry, Biomechanics, Kinesiology, Public Speaking and Technical Writing recommended; one academic/educational reference, one professional physical therapist reference and one work-related/volunteer reference; essay on how APTA Vision 2020 will impact the physical therapy profession and how it will affect the student’s practice; minimum 40 hours clinical experience; interview may be required; no transfer credit allowed. See D.P.T. website for details. Application Date: soft deadline is October 15, hard deadline is December 16.

Psychology (M.A., M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 3.0; GRE; three letters of reference (one from major department; if applicant is not a psychology major, a letter of reference from a psychology faculty member is needed); short statement (approximately two pages) stating why the student is interested in psychology and future plans; resume. Application Date: February 15 for fall admission.

School Psychology (Ed.S.)

Completed application form, GRE, at least two letters of reference. If an applicant has been employed by a school system since completing his or her master’s degree, at least one letter must be from a supervisor in the school system. Applicants will also need to submit a letter stating the applicant’s reasons for applying for admission to graduate study in school psychology, a current resume, and graduate transcript. Application Date: February 15 for fall admission.

Social Work (M.S.W.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall; minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all undergraduate social work courses (for advanced standing applicants) or in the last 60 hours of upper division coursework (for standard applicants); three letters of reference (at least one from a professor who can speak to academic potential and one from a supervisor in human services who can speak to practice skills; applicants for advanced standing are encouraged to provide a reference from their senior field instructor); previous experience in the field of human services as an employee, student and/or volunteer; personal essay; resume; official transcripts from all undergraduate (including community college) and graduate work. Refer to the School of Social Work’s website for further requirements. Advanced standing students begin in summer. Standard students begin in fall. For fullest consideration, applications for advanced standing status should be received by January 31 and applications for standard status by March 1. Applications received after those dates will be considered on a space-available basis.

Special Education (M.S.)

Minimum GPA of 2.75 in undergraduate coursework and 3.0 in graduate work, if taken; official GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing) or official passing scores on all the following: Praxis I, Praxis II, VCLA and VRA; three letters of professional recommendation speaking to the applicant’s success and capacity as a teacher of students with and/or without disabilities and potential for success as a graduate student and professional in the field of special education; personal letter of application to the special education program area (see program section); resume documenting all volunteer, internship and work experiences with infants, children and youth. Compensatory application materials and interview required to assess applicants who do not meet all entrance requirements. Rolling admission but applications must be received November 1, April 1 and July 1 for the following semester. For those seeking initial teacher licensure, admission to the Teacher Education Program is required prior to field experiences, including passing scores on VCLA and Praxis I (and VRA for certain specializations).

Initial Teaching Licensure

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; submit official transcripts showing baccalaureate degree conferred; three letters of reference; resume. Rolling admission.

Non-Degree

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; official transcript showing baccalaureate degree conferred; resume. Rolling admission.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; official transcripts showing all degrees conferred; resume. Rolling admission.