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GENERAL ADMISSION INFORMATION

This information is intended to provide you with the necessary information, instructions, and forms needed to apply for admission to the Graduate School at Valdosta State University. Most of your questions regarding the application process should be answered here; however, if you have additional questions, please feel free to contact the Graduate School. Applicants are responsible for providing all the application materials required for admission. All applicants will be notified of the receipt of the application and supporting documents.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION/ READMISSION

The application for admission/readmission must be completed in full by appling on line at the following link: Apply On Line. All other supporting documentation must be submitted to the Graduate School.
Former VSU graduate students who have not been enrolled within the last year must apply to the Graduate School for Admission/Readmission.

Applicants who have attended other institutions since attending VSU must submit one official transcript from those institutions to the Graduate School.

APPLICATION FEE

Students must apply on line through the following link: Apply On Line. The non-refundable application is $35 payable by credit card or check card.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
- One official transcript must be submitted from every college and university attended even if the courses from one school appear on the transcript of another. Transcripts of work at VSU only will be obtained by the Graduate School.
- Transcripts are considered official when they bear an official seal and signature and are sent to the Graduate School in sealed envelopes.
- International Students: Official transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an International Educational Evaluation Service before being sent to the Graduate School. Web site links for this service may be obtained through the Graduate School or International Programs. Fees for this service are to be paid by the applicant
TEST SCORES
- Official test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and in some cases the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required for all applicants seeking a degree.
- Scores are considered official when they are sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, NJ, or from the Psychological Corporation for the MAT. Student copies are not considered official.
- For registration information on the GRE visit www.ets.org/gre; the GMAT, go to http://www.mba.com or go to www.milleranalogies.com for the MAT, or contact the Graduate School. (Note: VSU is a testing site for the GMAT - register on line at above link. The MAT is also offered at VSU - contact the Testing Office at 229-245-3878. The Sylvan Learning Center in Valdosta is a testing site for the GRE.)
MEDICAL FORM
- All students attending VSU courses on campus must submit the Certification of Immunization.
- This form must be completed with dates of immunization, dates of the diseases, or date of the immune titer. A signature of a health official is also required on the form.
- This form MUST be completed and processed in the Graduate School prior to enrollment.
- This form (page 1) is required if applying for the MPA in City Management, the WebMBA, EDS-IT and all Franchise programs. Students applying for these programs must submit page 1; complete "Student Information" [top of page 1] and check/sign second box under "Exemptions" [bottom of page 1].
- For students applying to the MLIS, DPA, and MSW on-line programs, they must complete and sign the medical form (these programs are not entirely on-line and applicants must visit campus).
ACCEPTANCE/DENIAL OF APPLICATION
- A letter from the Graduate School verifies official acceptance or denial.
- Acceptance is for a specific semester.
- Applicants wishing to change their date of enrollment should contact the Graduate School.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
- International applicants must submit official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores, in addition to the GRE, GMAT, or MAT.
- The Certificate of Finances MUST be completed in full with adequate funds for study in the U.S. before the I-20 will be issued, and the CoF must be submitted by the application deadline. Click here to print (PDF Format).
- International students must be admitted as “regular” students in order to be issued the I-20. There is no non-degree status for international students.
- NOTE: Official transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an International Educational Evaluation Service before being sent to the Graduate School. Web site links for this service may be obtained through the Graduate School or International Programs. Fees for this service are to be paid by the applicant.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Several programs require up to three recommendations; others require two. See program information on our web site for specific requirements or contact the Graduate School. An official recommendation form must be submitted - letters can be included or attached to VSU's forms.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

Regular/Probationary
Applicants who meet all requirements for admission to a degree program may be admitted as regular or probationary depending upon test scores and grade-point average. There is no probationary admission for the MSW program, the Education Specialist or the Doctor of Education programs.
Non-Degree
Applicants who wish to take courses only for add-on certification purposes or personal enrichment, and who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution should apply for non-degree status. In addition to the application and fee, students should submit evidence of a bachelor’s degree and the medical form by the application deadline. Proof of a bachelor’s degree may include a copy of a teaching certificate, a copy of a diploma, or a copy of a transcript.
- NOTE: Some courses may not be available to non-degree students. Prospective non-degree seeking students are encouraged to contact the department concerned on availability of courses.
- Non-degree students who are admitted later for degree-seeking status may apply a maximum of 9 semester hours toward the degree with approval of the advisor.
- Courses taken as non-degree will not count for the Education Specialist or Doctoral degrees.
Transient

Transient admission may be granted to students in good standing at another institution who wish to enroll for one semester at Valdosta State University. For transient admission, the applicant must provide the application, the application fee, the medical form, and the transient letter by the application deadline. Students who subsequently wish to enroll as degree-seeking students must formally apply to the Graduate School and provide all required documents.
Irregular

Master’s degree applicants who have not provided all the materials required for regular or probationary admission may be admitted as irregular for no more than 9 semester hours of course work. Applicants must be admitted to a degree-granting program by the end of these 9 semester hours. Some courses may not be available to irregular students. Prospective irregular students are encouraged to contact the department concerned on availability of courses. Irregular status students are not available for financial aid - including graduate assistantships. Note: Irregular students may not be considered for all degree programs. Please check with the Graduate School regarding availability.

Note: Graduate students are considered "full time" if they are registered for 9 or more hours.

DEADLINES

All material supporting the application must be in the Graduate School office by dates listed below.

SPECIFIC PROGRAM DEADLINES

Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)	Fall Admission Only	April 15
Doctor of Education (EDD) - Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, Adult & Career Education	Fall Admission Only	March 15
Education Specialist in Coaching Pedagogy	Summer admission only	Contact Grad School for next Cohort deadline
Educational Specialist-Instructional Technology (EDS IT On-Line)	Fall Admission Spring Admission No summer admission	March 15 November 15
Master of Arts in History (MA)	Fall Admission Spring Admission No summer admission	May 1 November 15
Master of Science in Biology (MA) *Non-priority applications adhere to General Deadlines (see below).	Priority* Summer Admission Priority* Fall Admission Priority* Spring Admission	March 15 March 15 October 15
Master of Arts in Communication Arts	Fall Admission Spring Admission Summer Admission	April 30 November 15 April 15
Master of Education (MED) ACT Program (Alternative Certification Track)	Summer Admission Only	April 15
Master of Education (MED) in Communication Disorders	Fall Admission Spring Admission Summer Admission	March 1 July 1 October 1
Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS)	Fall Admission Spring Admission No summer admission	March 15 October 15
Master of Science in Marriage & Family Therapy (MS-MFT)	Fall Admission	July 15
Master of Social Work (MSW)	Fall/Summer Admission	March 15

GENERAL DEADLINES

Applicants should apply as early as possible. Programs not listed above ahdere to the General Deadlines below:

Fall Semester	July 15
Spring Semester	November 15
Summer Semester	April 15

RETENTION OF RECORDS

Applications and supporting documents for those who were denied admission, who were accepted but did not enroll, or who did not complete the application process are retained in the Graduate School for three years. Transcripts test scores, and other documents submitted without applications are retained for one year. The Graduate School retains applications and supporting documents for seven years for students who have enrolled.

NOTE: Valdosta State University reserves the right to verify or validate all information submitted for consideration for admission into graduate study. Validation may include the submission of additional standardized admission test scores.