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discretion of the Dean of Education, the candidate may be dismissed

from the program.

Graduate students completing initial teacher certification programs in

conjunction with a master's degree will complete the Knowledge, Skills,

and Dispositions-Graduate assessment. Dependent on the program, the

graduate program head will direct the student as to completion of a self-

assessment and/or a faculty assessment to be submitted with the request

to enter the master's degree candidacy level. NOTE: This is the

Application for Candidacy form and not to be confused with the

Admission to Teacher Candidacy form which is also required for post-

baccalaureate initial teacher certification candidates. Graduate students

in master's degree programs and also in teacher certification must com-

plete both candidacy applications at the appropriate time.

Accreditation

The School of Education and all teacher certification programs within

the University are accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of

Education and by NCATE, the National Council for Accreditation of

Teacher Education.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the graduate school is based on the academic qualifica-

tions of the applicant and is made without regard to race, color, creed,

national origin, ancestry, age, sex or disability.

An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or state

approved United States college or university or an education at a foreign

college or university which is judged by the dean to be equivalent to at

least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States col-

lege or university is a prerequisite for admission to graduate study.

An applicant for admission may be admitted on an unconditional, con-

ditional, special student, non-degree teacher certification, post-baccalau-

reate certificate, post-master's program basis or denied admission.

Unconditional

A person admitted on an unconditional basis has no conditions attached

to the admission. The minimum requirements for unconditional admis-

sion are:

A score equal to or better than the 50th percentile on either the

Miller Analogies Test or each area of the aptitude test of the

Graduate Record Examination. Some programs have established

higher requirements. These requirements are listed under the cur-

ricular information for the specific program.

As a general rule, applicants who have earned a master's degree or

a doctorate from a regionally accredited or state approved United

States college or university are not required to take the Miller

Analogies Test or the Aptitude Test of the Graduate Record

Examination.

A cumulative quality point average of 2.50 or better (4 point scale)

for the junior and senior year of the bachelor's degree or the com-

pletion of a master's degree from a regionally accredited or state

approved United States college or university. Some programs have

established higher requirements. These requirements are listed

under the curricular information for the specific program.

A recommendation for admission from the program head of the

department of the proposed graduate major and the Dean of

Graduate Studies and Research.

Some programs have established additional admission requirements.

Information on these requirements may be obtained from the School of

Graduate Studies and Research.

Because some programs have established maximum enrollment figures,

there can be no guarantee that individuals meeting the admission

requirements described above will be admitted.

Conditional

An individual who meets the requirements listed above for uncondition-

al admission but who is deficient in areas not included in the regulation

for unconditional admission, may, with the approval of the departmental

program head of the proposed major field of graduate study and the

Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, be admitted on a conditional

basis. The admission letter will specifically list the conditions which the

individual must meet to continue in the degree program and/or be award-

ed the degree. All post-baccalaureate initial teacher certification students

are admitted on a conditional basis.

Denied

An individual who fails to meet the requirements for at least condition-

al admission will generally be denied admission as a degree student.

However, the individual may apply for admission as a special student.

Special Student

The minimum requirements for admission as a special student are: An

earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or state approved

United States college or university or an education at a foreign college

or university which is judged to be equivalent to at least a bachelor's

degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university.

Non-Degree Certification Student

The minimum requirements for admission as a non-degree certification

student are:

An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited or state

approved United States college or university or an education at a

foreign college or university which is judged by the dean to be

equivalent to at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accred-

ited United States college or university.

A recommendation for admission from the program head of the

department offering the certification program and the Dean of

Graduate Studies and Research.

The admission requirements established for the specific certifica-

tion programs must be met. These requirements are listed under the

curricular information for each certification program.

Admission Procedures

An individual seeking admission as a degree student must submit, at

least six weeks prior to the anticipated date of enrollment (some pro-

grams require more specific deadlines see program admissions criteria

for dates), a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Studies.

Only complete applications will be given full consideration. This appli-

cation may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies and

Research. Applicants must:

Provide an official transcript from each college or university at which

undergraduate or graduate credit has been earned. Note: If you have

not yet graduated, file a partial transcript at the time the application is

completed and file a complete transcript as soon as the degree is

awarded. Transcripts must be received directly from issuing school

and will not be accepted if "issued to student."

Provide an official record of the scores earned on either the Miller

Analogies Test or the Graduate Record Examination (except for

MFA, MSN, and MEd: Educational Leadership applicants). The

Master of Science in Information Technology may require the

Graduate Management Admission test (GMAT) or GRE.

14/Admission Policies and Procedures