Graduate Catalog 2008-2009

Application Procedure :: Admission Procedure :: Provisional Acceptance :: Transfer Credit :: Period of Deferral

Admission requirements vary by program. All programs require a bachelor's degree earned from a regionally accredited institution. International students may present transcripts that are not regionally accredited. These transcripts must be evaluated for equivalency to a U.S. College degree. Graduate & Continuing Studies will not review transcripts or applications until the student's application file is complete.

Application Procedure

The application process includes submission of the following:

• Completed and signed Graduate Application

• Non-refundable application fee of $40

• Official transcript indicating conferred bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework, with a qualifying GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate and/or graduate coursework

• Three letters of recommendation from professionals in the field

• A 300-500 word essay explaining the personal characteristics that make the applicant an ideal candidate to study in the graduate program

• A current resume

• International students must submit scores from the TOEFL examination. International students are required to complete the TOEFL examination with a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test or 79-80 on the Internet-based test.

Additional application requirements include:

• For the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction:
• A 3.5 cumulative GPA in the last 60 credit hours of coursework taken or a 3.0 cumulative GPA with Portfolio Review done by Department
• A personal interview

• For the M.Ed. in Counseling:
• A criminal background check through the Family Safety Care Registry (FSCR) for applicants to the M.Ed in Counseling program
• A personal interview

• For all programs:
• A personal or phone interview

Applicants may submit application materials online or by mail to Stephens College, Graduate & Continuing Studies, 1200 East Broadway, Box 2083, Columbia, Missouri 65215.

Admission Procedure

The Dean of Graduate & Continuing Studies reviews completed application files and extends an offer of admission to those who meet the admission requirements.

Provisional Acceptance

Applicants may be accepted on a provisional basis if approved by the Dean of Graduate & Continuing Studies. Provisional acceptance allows students to enroll in classes for one semester. Students accepted on a provisional basis may not enroll for the next semester until their file is complete and they are officially accepted. Academic provisions may warrant an extension of provisional acceptance for one additional semester.

Transfer Credit

Graduate students pursuing their first master's degree may transfer a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit to their Stephens College program. These graduate credits can be earned prior to admission to Stephens College or upon approval of the graduate program director after admission to Stephens College. The total amount of graduate transfer credit for a student pursuing their first master's degree cannot exceed nine semester hours without permission from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Students who have already earned an advanced degree and wish to pursue a second master's degree may transfer up to 50 percent (50%) enter into Stephens College to pursue a second or more master's degree may transfer in up to 50 percent but not to exceed 24 credit hours of relevant, graduate-level coursework with the approval of the program director.

Period of Deferral

Students may have extenuating circumstances that prevent them from beginning the semester for which they applied.  Students may defer an offer of admission for one calendar year (i.e. if accepted for Fall semester, the student has until the next Fall semester to enroll), after which they will be considered inactive and must reapply for admission.