Admissions

Candidates for admission to graduate study are assessed on an individual basis. Admissions requirements vary for each program but all programs require a set of documents including an application form and an official transcript certifying completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.  All letters of recommendation, scores, interviews, resumes, and essays must be submitted prior to acceptance into the program of application.

Applications are accepted and processed throughout the year but the College recommends that students submit their applications and supporting materials well in advance of the start of the semester in which they plan to enroll.

Recommended Application Filing Dates:
Fall Semester – August 1
Spring Semester – December 15
Summer Session – May 1

These filing dates are after the opening of registration for those semesters so students wishing to have the greatest choice of courses should submit their applications earlier.

Since master’s degree programs have specific requirements, students should meet with their advisers early in their course of study to develop individual program plans.

Applicants for degree programs are admitted after submitting: (1) the Application for Graduate Study with a non-refundable fee, (2) official transcripts certifying completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university (McDaniel College graduates do not need to submit a transcript) and (3) program specific materials such as goal statements, valid teaching certificates or letters of recommendation (see the Program of Study.)

Some programs may have additional requirements for initial acceptance. Refer to the Program of Study.

Students changing from non-degree to degree-seeking status may, with the approval of the program coordinator, apply a maximum of nine credits to the new program.

The non-degree category is designed for students who are not immediately interested in receiving a degree, but who wish to enroll in or attend graduate classes. Examples of the types of individuals who may seek non-degree status include:

• Persons who already hold advanced degrees and wish to take additional courses in their own fields or in another area;
• graduate students who are in good standing at other institutions who wish to enroll temporarily at McDaniel College and then return to their home institution;
• persons who wish to take graduate level courses to meet certification requirements, but who are not seeking entry into a degree-granting program; and
• individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees who are interested in intellectual enrichment.

Students who wish to register for a class as a non-degree student may do so by submitting an Application for Graduate Study and an official transcript certifying completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. This application
form must be sent together with the non-refundable fee.

If a student changes status from non-degree to degree-seeking, generally a maximum of nine credits earned as a non-degree student may be applied to the degree program as approved by the program coordinator.

In addition to the general and program-specific admissions requirements, international applicants must have their transcripts evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service and must be equivalent to a four-year baccalaureate degree.  McDaniel College recommends World Education Services (wes.org) but will accept an evaluation from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces.org) member.

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination to the Graduate Admissions Office. 

Submission of TOEFL or IELTS scores is waived for applicants who have a degree from an accredited US college or university. Applicants who can provide other evidence of English-language study or proficiency should contact the admissions office. 

Students demonstrating English-language proficiency through examination must achieve the following scores:

TOEFL
•    79-80 or higher on the internet-based exam
•    213 on the computer based exam
•    550 on the paper exam

IELTS
•    6.0

In addition, international students must comply with other requirements issued by the International Programs Office.

International applicants with F-1 visas will need to show proof of financial support for the first year of study. These forms will be shared with the applicant from Admissions. When all completed documents are returned to the admissions office and approved, the visa (I-20) process will begin.

International students are required to be enrolled for a minimum of six credits each semester. In addition, they are required to meet with the Graduate DSO at the beginning of each semester to verify attendance at the College.

An Application for Graduate Study will be retained for one year beyond the term to which an applicant has applied and not attended graduate courses. If after that one year, an applicant would wish to begin graduate study at the College, he or she will be required to submit another Application for Graduate Study and the nonrefundable fee.

Transcript records are permanently held by the Registrar’s Office. Documentation pertaining to the registration for each semester is held only for a period of one year. If any questions should arise regarding documentation of enrollment more than one year beyond registration for a course, it will be the student’s responsibility to produce proper documentation to support any claim for a change to their record.

Undergraduates at McDaniel College may enroll in graduate courses once they have successfully completed at least 80 credits in their undergraduate program. Students must have the approval of both the Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies and the Dean of Student Academic Life prior to registering for graduate courses. Students must be formally admitted to one of the College’s five year programs or meet the GPA required for admission into the program in which the course is offered. Normally limited to one or two courses, these credits may count toward either the undergraduate or graduate degree at McDaniel College but not both.