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, a $50 non-refundable application fee, and an official transcript certifying completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Some programs will require additional materials including a valid teaching certificate, Praxis scores, letter(s) of reference or personal goal statement. Applications are available on the College website (www.mcdaniel.edu) and from the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.

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. Filing a complete application packet will expedite its processing and students should allow at least two weeks for their materials to be processed.

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.

Applicants who meet the entrance standards of the program to which they apply will be initially accepted. Full acceptance will be granted after students have successfully completed at least nine credits of graduate coursework and met specific program requirements.

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.

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.

1. Initial Admission

Applicants for degree programs are first admitted after submitting: (1) the Application for Graduate Study with a non-refundable fee, (2) official transcripts certifying completion of an undergraduate degree from an 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.) Students seeking a master’s degree remain in this initial acceptance category until they successfully complete nine credits of graduate work at McDaniel College, and meet program specific expectations.

Some programs may have additional requirements for initial acceptance. See 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.

2. Full Acceptance

After successfully completing at least nine credits in their program of study and meeting other specific requirements articulated by individual programs (letters of recommendation, test scores (if applicable), interview, particular courses) students will be sent confirmation of their full acceptance into the program. See the Programs of Study for specific acceptance requirements in each 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 an 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.

Credit earned at another institution must be presented to the program coordinator or academic adviser for approval. Specific restrictions are:

1. transfer credit must be from institutions accredited by accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
2. the work must be equal in scope and content to that offered by McDaniel College;
3. only grades of A and B may be transferred;
4. a maximum of six graduate level transfer credits may be accepted from other accredited institutions or from a previous McDaniel College master’s degree; HRD and CED (School Guidance) students may transfer up to nine credits; CED (Community Mental Health) students may transfer up to 12 credits;
5. individuals seeking a second Master’s degree must earn a minimum of 60 graduate credits;
6. credits may be earned no earlier than six years prior to beginning the master’s degree program; and
7. official transcripts must be submitted before credits will be posted on a student’s McDaniel record and catalog course descriptions may be requested.

In addition to the general admission requirements, international students whose native language is not English must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students must achieve a score equivalent to 79-80 or higher on the Internet based exam to be accepted for admission. In addition, international students must comply with other requirements issued by the International Programs Office.

International applicants with F-1 visas should contact the Director of Graduate Marketing and Admissions (410-857-2512) to obtain the international packet of information which includes declaration of finance forms. When all completed documents are submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions and approved, and when accepted to the Graduate and Professional Studies program, international students should contact the Director of Graduate Marketing and Admissions to apply for an I-20 for study at McDaniel College.

International students are required by law to be enrolled for a minimum of nine credits each semester. In addition, they are required to meet with the Director of Graduate Marketing and Admissions at the beginning of each semester to verify attendance at the College.

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.

McDaniel College is dedicated to personal advising and close interaction between faculty and students. After being accepted, degree-seeking students are expected to schedule an appointment with their program coordinator or assigned academic program adviser to develop a comprehensive understanding of the program’s requirements and expectations, to assess academic preparation and prior academic work and to plan a program of study.

Students and their advisers will at this point establish and agree on a program plan which should be followed unless changes are approved by the program coordinator. Students are encouraged to meet or otherwise stay in contact with their advisers throughout their program of study to discuss academic progress, personal and professional goals and address any challenges or concerns.

Academic advisers are expected to provide sound and accurate guidance but the final responsibility for knowing the program requirements and academic policies rests with the student. Program handbooks, available online and from advisers, explain the programs in detail and outline any additional requirements.

The Archway has many tools to help students through program planning at McDaniel College.  One of these is called the Program Evaluation.  This tool is designed to help students monitor their progress within their program of study.  Students may view their program live, help determine what classes they have left to take and those that have been complete.  If transfer credits or courses have been waived, these will appear on the evaluation as well.  Questions or changes to a Program Evaluation should be directed to the academic adviser or the Registrar’s Office.