In order to be eligible for admission to the Graduate School all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level necessary to be successful in a graduate program at NC State. This requirement can be met for most applicants in one of the following ways; however, some programs may require additional evidence of English proficiency:

1. Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT). Minimum test scores for each section: 

The maximum total score for the iBT is 120 with each section worth 30 points.

2. be a citizen of a country where English is an official language and the language of instruction in higher education; or
3. have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a four-year US College or university.

NOTE: The current computer- and paper-based versions of the TOEFL test will be given until the iBT version is implemented in a particular location.  Implementation should be completed by December 2006.  

Admission

The procedures followed in evaluating an applicant's potential for success in graduate work and the criteria used for admissions decisions vary according to programs and colleges and reflect an evaluation of the applicant's potential to engage in graduate work and the capability of the individual programs to accommodate additional students. Most programs consider applications as they arrive, while others accumulate applications and make recommendations on admission at certain times during the year. Generally, requests for admission are considered by program admissions committees that forward the program recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Students are admitted to full or provisional status in a specific degree program. Admission is granted for a specific semester or summer term. Any change in the admission date must be requested in writing and approved by the program and Graduate School. Once the requirements for that degree program have been completed, no further registration as a graduate student will be permitted unless admission to a new graduate classification has been formally approved. Students with special objectives may request admission in the "Graduate-Unclassified Status" (see section below) or register in the "Post-Baccalaureate Studies" program through the Division of Lifelong Education.

Medical History and Immunization Records

All graduate students admitted to a degree program are required by State law to submit a Report of Medical History and Immunization documentation prior to completing their initial registration. NC State students returning to Graduate School must have their medical history on file updated at the Student Health Center. The required reports should be received in the Student Health Services at least thirty days before registration. If this requirement is not met, a student must be removed from classes.

Transcript Requirements

The University requires that official copies of transcripts of all prior course work be on file in the student's permanent record at NC State. Students are required to provide the Graduate School with official copies of their latest transcript(s) from all universities attended (official translation required for non-English transcripts), including statements of all degrees awarded, no later than the last day of classes of the first semester they are enrolled.

ADMISSION TO DEGREE PROGRAMS

Full Graduate Standing

To be considered for admission in full graduate standing, an applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university as determined by a regional or general accrediting agency and must have at least a "B" (3.00/4.00) average in the undergraduate major or in the latest graduate degree program.  

Exceptions on standard accreditation may be granted for applications with international degrees, including applicants with three-year degrees from institutions in Europe participating in the Bologna Process.

Provisional Admission

Students with Bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions whose scholastic records are below the standards for admission to full graduate standing may be admitted provisionally when unavoidable, extenuating circumstances affected their undergraduate averages or when progressive improvement in their undergraduate work warrants provisional admission. Students admitted provisionally under these circumstances can attain full graduate standing after completion of nine or more graduate credit hours with a minimum GPA of 3.00. Courses taken for S/U grade cannot be used as part of the minimum.

Provisional admission may be granted to applicants with Bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions who lack undergraduate work considered essential for graduate study in a major field. Applicants with Bachelor's degrees from non-accredited institutions may be granted provisional admission when their academic records warrant this status.

Full graduate standing is granted when the deficiencies responsible for the provisional status are corrected through additional course work (without graduate credit), provided the student has maintained a satisfactory academic record (3.00 GPA) on all course work taken in a graduate classification. A change from provisional status to full graduate standing is effected only upon the recommendation of the department in which the student is seeking the degree.

A graduate student is not eligible for appointment to an assistantship or fellowship while on provisional status.

Graduate-Unclassified Status

The Graduate-Unclassified status is a temporary classification and students admitted to this status are not candidates for degrees. They may take courses for graduate credit but may not apply more than 12 credits earned while in this status to any program leading to an advanced degree at this institution. Unclassified graduate students are expected to meet the same admissions requirements that apply to graduate students in full standing. Any individual having an interest in applying for admission as a Graduate-Unclassified Student should correspond with the Graduate Dean describing his or her particular interests and objectives prior to making application.

Admission for International Students

International graduate students are admitted to either full-time study in a specific graduate program or into the Graduate-Unclassified category as an international visitor. In addition to admission requirements listed elsewhere for graduate admission, applicants who are not U.S. citizens  must complete and submit a Visa Clearance Form and/or a Certificate of Financial Responsibility before a final admission decision can be made. Criteria for international visitors are as follows:

1. International student visitors must state their educational objectives at NC State and the time expected to accomplish those objectives (normally one semester or one academic year). The educational objective may not be to seek a graduate degree at NC State.
2. They are expected to meet the same minimum academic admission requirements that apply to graduate students in full standing.
3. They are expected to meet the same TOEFL requirements that apply to international students who are admitted to Master's and doctoral programs if they plan to take courses. If they plan to register for research only, they are not required to take the TOEFL.
4. They must be recommended by the DGP of the program in which they plan to take courses or do research.
5. Special admission status may apply for a period not to exceed one year.
6. They may hold a research assistantship but may not hold a teaching assistantship (provided their nonimmigrant status allows on-campus employment).
7. They will not be eligible for the Graduate Student Support Plan.
8. Those in F-1 or J-1 status must maintain full-time enrollment and all other requirements based on their particular nonimmigrant status.

Post-Bacccalaureate Studies (PBS)

The Post-Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) classification is designed for U. S. citizens or permanent residents who wish to undertake academic work beyond the Bachelor's  degree but who are not currently admitted to a degree program. This classification is not open to international students with the exception of the spouse of a regularly enrolled NC State student. In special cases where students are sponsored by an agency of the U.S. government for specialized, non-degree study, approval may be given by the Graduate School for registration in the PBS classification. The following rules apply to students who wish to register for PBS.

Please note that the following are university minimum requirements. Some departments may have more restrictive requirements.

1. All must have Bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions of higher education. Registration is through the Division of Continuing Studies.
2. All classes taken for credit by PBS students will be graded in the usual manner that applies for the particular course (A+ through F or S/U). All courses taken at NC State will appear on the student's transcript.
3. If the student is admitted as a graduate student, a maximum of twelve (12) hours may apply toward the minimum university requirement of the Master's degree (i.e., 30 credit hours) for which the student is enrolled, including hours approved for graduate credit while classified as a senior or unclassified graduate. The first twelve (12) hours of course work taken at the graduate level in the PBS category will be accepted toward degree requirements unless a request for some other combination of twelve (12) hours is made by the student's advisory committee and approved by the Graduate Dean. PBS credits cannot be transferred into a doctoral program.
4. If a student's graduate degree is terminated, he/she cannot use courses taken in PBS status after termination for credit toward the same graduate degree program.
5. The grade point average (GPA) of a graduate student who has credits in the PBS category will be based on all courses taken at the 400-800 level. However, no course taken six (6) years prior to graduation from a program can be used to meet the requirements for a later graduate degree at NC State.
6. Registration is limited to a maximum of two courses per semester. Individuals who are employed full-time should limit their PBS registrations to one course per semester.
7. The PBS classification carries with it no implication that the student will be admitted to the Graduate School in any degree classification.
8. All course work accepted for degree credit must be approved by the student's advisory committee as being germane to the program. Requests for degree credit for courses completed in the PBS classification are considered after admission to a graduate degree program when the student's Plan of Graduate Work is filed with the Graduate School.
9. PBS students are expected to familiarize themselves with Graduate School and departmental policies and to seek further advice or clarification as needed.

Some graduate degree programs offer late afternoon and evening courses for students who are unable to attend classes during the day.  These students may also have the option of earning their degree through Distance Education.  For further information about these programs, students should contact the specific department.

TEACHER EDUCATION AND LICENSURE PROGRAMS

Teaching Licensure Renewal

Public school personnel who are primarily interested in "licensure credit" may enroll in the PBS program through Adult Credit Programs and Summer Sessions without forwarding transcripts of previous work to the Graduate School. In such cases, the College of Education will be responsible for assessing the adequacy of the applicant's qualifications for enrollment in the course(s) concerned.

Alternative Teacher Education Programs

These are the program areas that do not lead to degrees and require that the applicant hold an undergraduate degree with a 2.50 overall GPA. For either licensure only or lateral entry, the student must have his/her transcript reviewed by the appropriate program coordinator. An individualized licensure plan will be drawn up that specifies professional education courses and any content courses for which the applicant is deficient. In the case of the licensure only student, student teaching will be required as well. Upon successful completion of the licensure program, the licensure only student will be recommended for an initial "A" level license; the lateral entry teacher's provisional license teacher will be recommended for a clear "A" level license.

For additional information about these programs, please see the College of Education website for Teacher Education.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

Distance learning offers you the opportunity to participate in a different learning environment by allowing students to have instruction off campus. Valuable learning time is gained by providing an educational environment that increases accessibility and flexibility for learners.

NC State’s distance learning includes some Internet-based courses, but also offers study through the use of videotape, cable TV, interactive TV, satellite, and independent study programs. In addition, Distance Education courses require more writing than in a traditional classroom setting via electronic participation. On-line discussions and e-mail communications allow regular involvement by all students, not just a few.

NC State offers credit courses on a vast number of subjects, with more than 100 individual distance education courses to choose from in the humanities, engineering, social sciences, textiles, physical sciences, and more.

Degree programs require admission to the university. Since each program sets its own admission requirements, students should contact the program of their interest for details. A full listing of programs is available on the Distance Education website.

Professional development courses are also available through Distance Education; all are for-credit offerings designed to meet the professional development needs of specific audiences. No admission to the university is required.

Other options include non-credit and continuing education programs such as short courses, computer training, or customized programs for businesses and other groups. No admission to the university is required to enroll in these programs.