Dec 02, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Application Requirements



Each program requires official transcripts from each college or university attended from which the applicant has earned a degree (bachelor’s or higher) or post-baccalaureate credit. Unofficial or official transcripts may be submitted for all other institutions attended. Transcripts from the applicant’s undergraduate institution and in the case of some doctoral programs, master’s institution showing that the degree has been conferred are required within 30 days of the start of the matriculation term if the degree was not posted at the time of admission. Applicants who are currently or were an undergraduate or graduate student at Radford University do not need to request official transcripts from Radford University, the Graduate Admissions Office will obtain official Radford transcript and transcripts submitted for transfer credit on file with Radford University on the applicant’s behalf. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 is required; however, some programs have more stringent grade point average requirements noted below. Official test scores are required for some programs as also noted below. Most 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 financial aid, the deadline is December 1 (for fall admission).

 

Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.)

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, preferred 3.0 out of 4.0 in all undergraduate and/or graduate coursework; Official transcripts of all institutions the applicant has attended and shows the conferral of their bachelor’s degree; Transcripts must be sent within 15 days of the first semester of enrollment or admission will be rescinded; three letters of recommendation (all letters preferred from supervising health care professionals, professors, or employers; at least one letter must be from a supervising certified athletic trainer; verification of 25 observation hours with a certified athletic trainer, 50 observation hours preferred. Essay articulating the desire to become an athletic trainer. TOFEL for applicants from non-U.S. institutions; Completion of prerequisite courses with credit awarded, by May of the year you plan to begin the program. For the complete list please see the program requirements on the Graduate College’s website. Application deadline for submission is FEBRUARY 15.

Art (M.F.A.)

Studio Art: Minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall and in the major; two letters of reference; an essay/cover letter indicating professional goals; an Artist’s or Designer’s personal statement; BFA or a BA in art or graphic design, including at least 12 credit hours in upper level studio and 6 credit hours in art history, or a bachelor’s degree in any major with a strong portfolio showing evidence of equivalent proficiency, an electronic portfolio with 15-20 recent works in a single PDF document, optimized not to exceed 50mb; at least 15 images should be of work in your preferred medium; and a resume.

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; official GMAT or GRE score or approved compensatory materials; and a resume. If a student is accepted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, is an active student in the Davis Fellows program, or earned a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00, the GMAT/GRE exam requirement will be waived when applying to the M.B.A. program. Additionally, candidates with 5 or more years of professional experience may request a waiver of the GMAT/GRE exam requirements during the application process.

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

Complete application through CSDCAS and the Supplemental Graduate Application for CAS Applicants with $50 non-refundable fee. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and 3.0 in all major core courses. If undergraduate degree is not in Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD), a minimum of 28 hours in supporting undergraduate COSD courses are required for regular status.; All academic transcripts to be evaluated, including any community college transcripts and dual-enrollment coursework; a personal essay; Contact information for three recommenders. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit information of faculty within their major who can speak to potential success in our graduate program.; Optional GRE scores; In lieu of the GRE, please complete only the Casper assessment in Altus Suite as a part of the application. To complete Altus Suite visit TakeAltus.com to create an account and complete the Casper assessment.  and a personal essay. Application Deadline: February 1 for fall admission. Applicants must have both the CSDCAS application and the Supplemental Graduate Application for CAS Applicants submitted before the February 1st deadline.

Counseling and Human Development (M.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 2.75 or higher; Official transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate achievement; three letters of reference; an admission writing sample essay, limited to 3 pages, including a description of the following: reasons for entering the program, insight into applying specifically to the Counselor Education program at Radford, personal and professional experiences that influenced the decision to pursue the counseling profession, personal characteristics you believe will contribute to being a successful counselor, and discuss what you plan to do with your degree. An interview may be requested. Application Dates: Priority admission deadline is February 15 for fall admissions.

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.

Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, in a human services field, conferred prior to starting the program. Minimum allowable graduate grade point average of 3.5; 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 2.90 grade point average required for admission; two letters of reference (only one of which may come from a Radford University criminal justice professor); resume; an original writing sample on any topic by the applicant consisting of five typed pages with peer-reviewed scholarly references, and 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 graduate study. Applicants who wish to be considered for funding for Fall semesters (when those opportunities begin) should submit applications by March 1st.

Data and Information Management (M.S.)

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited educational institution; GRE (GRE is not required for students who earned a Bachelor’s degree from the School of Computing and Information Sciences at Radford University within five years of applying to the graduate program; GRE is not required for students progressing towards a Bachelor’s degree from the School of Computing and Information Sciences at Radford University); three letters of reference from faculty members who are familiar with your academic performance in major coursework or from colleagues or supervisors who are familiar with your work. 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; two letters of professional recommendation; personal letter of application; and a 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.

Education (Ed.D.)

Hold a Master’s degree; Official transcripts from all colleges and universities other than Radford University, from which they have earned a degree or course credit; three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential as a doctoral student. One must be from a current or most recent employer and one must be from a professor or instructor familiar with applicant’s academic work; a writing sample describing career goals and how an advanced graduate credential through this program will assist the applicant in meeting those goals; complete a personal interview with the program faculty; and a resume. 

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); writing sample; and a resume.

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

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

Healthcare Administration (MHA)

Baccalaureate degree with a recommended grade point average of 3.0 or higher; recommendation forms from two references; must have completed a college level statistics course with a grade of “C” or higher prior to or during the first semester of the program; and a resume.

Health Sciences (D.H.S.c.) and (M.S. to D.H.S.c - Dual Track)

A master’s degree awarded by a regionally accredited institution in the field of healthcare, public health, education, management, or other health-related discipline; cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or better (on a 4-point scale) for all graduate degrees; Personal essay of approximately 400-600 words describing how this program will enhance the applicant’s academic and/or professional career goals; Current resume/CV documenting professional experience and educational achievements; Official transcripts from all institutions attended; Two letters of recommendation; Online interview required for all eligible applicants being considered for acceptance; Preferred three years experience working and/or teaching as a(n): professional clinical, public health practitioner, educator in a health-related field or healthcare administration, healthcare manager/administrator; Completed a master’s level statistics course, plus a master or doctoral level research methods or equivalent course.

Literacy Education (M.S.)

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

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

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; three letters of reference from professional source and a resume. An entrance audition may be required.

Nursing (M.S.N.)

Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) from a nationally accredited BSN or MSN nursing program; Current unrestricted Registered Nursing Licensure in the state or territory in which the student’s clinical practice will occur; A college level statistics course (3 credits) with a grade of “C” or higher; One recommendation from a professional contact who can address your potential for advanced nursing practice. CV or resume; This document should include education and professional practice; A two page essay describing career goals and how a graduate credential will assist in meeting those goals; Eligible applicants will be scheduled for an interview in person or virtually.

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 when applicable; 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 if applicable; current certification in BLS or ACLS;  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 post-secondary 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 Deadline: April 1 for fall admission. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis.

Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.)

Bachelor’s degree, required minimum overall GPA of 3.0; 3.25 preferred; Official transcripts of all undergraduate course work (and graduate coursework if applicable); grades of “B-” or better in prerequisite courses (see M.O.T. section); two professional letters of recommendation from instructors or employers; one letter must be academic. No personal references; professional resume; a two-page, double spaced Statement of Purpose - This is your opportunity to tell us why you want to earn the Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Radford University. In a two-page essay, discuss the development of your interest in occupational therapy, how your observation experiences have informed your understanding of occupational therapy as a profession and the people occupational therapists work with, and your aspirations and goals for a career as an occupational therapist.; minimum of 20 hours with an occupational therapy practitioner (OTR or COTA), 40 hours preferred; in at least two different practice settings. Experience with diverse populations and settings - Experience with diverse populations and programs is highly recommended in the form of work and/or volunteer experiences with individuals encountered in occupational therapy practice. Application Deadline: November 15 of the year prior to a student entering the MOT program. Applications for admissions to the M.O.T. program are reviewed by the Admissions Committee of the department.  A selected group of qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule a required virtual interview. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available seats in a cohort, the MOT Admissions Committee will prioritize applicant admissions.  Admission decisions are announced by the end of March.

Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in OT must also hold a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related Field of Study); Copy of current licensure as an OT; Essay on how you plan to utilize the OTD degree; three references; official transcripts from every institution you have attended; on-line interview; and a resume or CV

Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)

Completed application submitted through PTCAS: minimum bachelor’s cumulative GPA of 3.25 (based on a 4.0 scale); GRE; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology with labs, General Biology I or 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 (Please see the PTCAS application for more information related to the essay topic); minimum 40 hours clinical experience; interview may be required; no transfer credit allowed. See D.P.T. website for details. Application Deadline: October 1 for the submission of the PTCAS application and October 15 for submission of the Supplemental Graduate Application for CAS Applicants. Summer admission only.

Physician Assistant (M.S.)

Complete application through CASPA; recommended three references: one each from an academic advisor, a clinical supervisor and an employer; essay; bachelor’s degree from any discipline provided you meet the program’s course prerequisites; minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 on all undergraduate work. Must have earned a “C” or better on all prerequisite courses; Transcripts-send all transcripts to CASPA, not to the College. Students are to send transcripts to the College only after they are accepted and have paid their deposit; Healthcare Experience- All successful candidates must have at least 500 hours of healthcare experience, paid, volunteer, or as a student, prior to enrollment in the PA program. The 500 hours need not be completed by the time of application. Applicants with formal certifications in a health-related field should provide a copy of licensure or certification upon request; GRE- taken within the last 5 years and scores should be submitted directly to CASPA; Interview- interviews take place on campus and begin in September. You will be contacted by the program to schedule for an interview session. Applicants must have completed prerequisite coursework before beginning the program. For the complete list please see the program section of the catalog.

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

Minimum grade point average of 3.0; 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 applicant is interested in psychology and his or her future plans; a 1-2 page personal statement regarding your research interests that explicitly lists 2-3 members of the Psychology Faculty with whom you would be interested in doing research for - Clinical Counseling and Experimental applicants; and a resume. Application Deadline: February 15 fall admission only.

School Psychology (Ed.S.)

Minimum grade point average of 3.0; optional 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 and 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); short statement (approximately two pages) stating why the applicant is interested in this program and his or her future plans; and a resume/vitae 0 documenting relevant experiences; If not a Psychology major, 18 hours of undergraduate psychology coursework (preferred courses include: Tests and Measurements, Child or Adolescent Psychology, Human Development, Statics, Research methods, Abnormal Psychology or Exceptionalities, and Learning or Cognition) or the equivalent coursework and work experience as deemed acceptable by the school psychology program faculty. Admissions Interview - Interviews will be offered to selected applicants following initial review of all other application components. While in-person interviews are preferred, a limited number of virtual or distance interviews can be accommodated upon request. Application Deadline: February 15, fall admission only.

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; and a resume. 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; three letters of professional recommendation speaking to the applicant’s history of successful teaching experiences with students with or without special needs and your potential for academic and professional success in the field of special education; personal letter of application to the special education program area (see program section); current resume documenting all volunteer, internship and work experiences with infants, children and youth and past education; official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework. Compensatory application materials and interview required to assess applicants who do not meet all entrance requirements. Rolling admission but applications are encouraged to be submitted as early as possible. 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 Teaching Reading for certain specializations).

Strategic Communication (M.S.)

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

Initial Teaching Licensure

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

Non-Degree

Certification of eligibility for enrollment as a non-degree student in graduate coursework requires submission of any one of the following documents:

  • Official transcript showing most recent conferred degree (bachelor’s or higher)     OR
  • Certification of eligibility as a transient graduate student in good standing, with transfer permission at home institution for coursework to be completed at Radford University    OR
  • Educator’s Degree/Employment Verification Request Form for Non-Degree Enrollment      OR
  • Degree verification form, showing completion of a conferred baccalaureate degree

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Minimum grade point average of 2.75; official transcripts showing all degrees conferred; resume; additional documents as specified by the individual certificate option.