Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs

Requests for applications and other admission forms should be addressed to the office of admissions. Specific program information will be provided. The application and supporting documents should be received at least three weeks prior to the date of registration. Applicants should consult the appropriate section of this catalog for specific admission requirements. In some instances, letters of recommendation and/or personal interviews with a University representative may be requested. A graduate student must be eligible to return to each institution previously attended to be considered for admission to the graduate programs at the University of Mobile. Applicants may be admitted in one of the following categories.

The School of Nursing Graduate Programs and The School of Nursing Anesthesia have policies and procedures specific for their programs that can be located within the Graduate Nursing Handbook and the School of Nurse Anesthesia Student Handbook. These handbooks are available within the University of Mobile Catalog.

Unconditional Admission

To qualify for unconditional admission, the student must:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education;
2. File the application in the office of admissions and furnish the various materials listed in the instructions;
3. Pay a non-refundable application fee;
4. Furnish official transcript(s) from each institution attended, showing all credits previously earned;
5. See individual catalog sections for GPA requirements; and
6. Submit acceptable test scores. See individual catalog sections for test information.

Conditional Admission

Conditional admission may be granted to applicants who lack prerequisite (or foundation) course work, or whose GPA’s and/or test scores do not qualify for unconditional acceptance. Students must fulfill steps 1-4 as listed above and submit GPA and testing information for consideration by the dean of the specific program. Appeals may be made to the vice president for academic affairs, the area graduate dean, and the area graduate faculty. Specific information on conditional admission is provided in the appropriate sections of this catalog.

Non-Degree Admission

Students with bachelor’s degrees who desire to take graduate courses but who are not working toward graduate degrees may enroll as non-degree graduate students. Enrollment as a non-degree student, however, does not guarantee admission to a graduate class. Each applicant must provide the office of admissions with the following:

1. A completed application for admission;
2. A non-refundable application fee;
3. An official transcript from the last institution attended showing grades and degree(s) earned; and
4. A letter from applicant stating intent to be a non-degree student.

Transient Admission

Transient students may enroll with transient admission status. Each applicant must provide the office of admissions with the following:

1. A completed application for admission;
2. A non-refundable application fee; and
3. A letter of approval from the vice president for academic affairs or registrar of the institution from which the student wishes to be a transient.

Clear-to-Register Admission

Prior to completing the admission process, new students are allowed to register for one academic period (semester) as clear-to-register. Students may enroll in two graduate courses (six semester hours) during this time, but students who need undergraduate prerequisite courses can possibly enroll in more with their advisor’s permission.

An applicant previously charged, arrested, or convicted of any crime other than a minor traffic violation, is required to complete the criminal conviction questionnaire before a final admission decision can be made. The University reserves the right to require additional documentation. After the applicant has met the entrance requirements, the Graduate Council will review the applicant’s file to determine if the student is eligible for admission. Initial admittance to the University of Mobile Graduate Programs does not imply automatic admission in future semesters. Providing false information on the application for admission or the application for readmission is grounds for denial of a candidate. Any graduate student admitted by giving false information on the application for admission or the application for readmission may be dismissed.

Admission into the Integrated Graduate Programs

Graduate programs which afford University of Mobile students early admission into graduate school are the MBA program paired with an undergraduate major in the School of Business, the M.S. in Leadership and Communication paired with an undergraduate major in Management or Communication, and the M.A. in Biblical/Theological Studies paired with B.A. major in Biblical/Theological Studies. Interested students should contact the appropriate dean for more information.

Transfer Credit for Graduate Programs

A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit earned from another accredited institution may be considered as part of the graduate degree programs. These credits will be evaluated by the appropriate graduate dean and the registrar. Application of transfer credits to a student’s plan of study must be approved by the corresponding area dean or the student’s graduate advisory committee.

Readmission of Former Students to Graduate Programs

A student must apply for readmission if he or she has not registered for one regular term (fall or spring) before attempting to resume graduate work. An application should be submitted to the registrar’s office at least three weeks before the opening session in which the student wishes to continue his or her studies. Submitting an application for readmission does not automatically guarantee admission to the graduate program.

Permission for Undergraduate Students to Enroll in Graduate Classes

A senior undergraduate student who has at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average and who lacks nine or fewer hours toward graduation may (with the approval of the advisor and graduate dean) enroll in six or fewer graduate hours in the last semester of undergraduate work. Credit granted will appear on the undergraduate transcript only.

Definition of Full-time Graduate Student

The definition of a full-time graduate student is six to ten (6-10) hours per academic period (semester). Permission to take more than ten credit hours must be obtained within the appropriate college/department. An exception to this policy is the graduate student enrolled in the internship (3 hrs.) in the School of Education. The internship in education is considered a normal load for a full-time graduate student.

Financial Aid Information for Graduate Students

Students who provide a valid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are eligible to apply for federal unsubsidized loans and graduate PLUS loans here.   Loan eligibility is based on financial need, satisfactory academic progress, cost of attendance, and other aid awarded. Depending on eligibility a graduate student could receive up to $20,500 in federal loans annually and up to their cost of attendance in graduate PLUS loans. Payment of principal and interest can be deferred until after graduation.  Federal loans are processed on a term by term basis based on program of enrollment and academic period (semester). A student must be enrolled at least half-time during the term he or she requests a loan.  In addition to the FAFSA results, students must accepted loans on the self-service portal located here.

Veterans Benefits

Eligibility is determined by the Veterans Administration, and potentially eligible students should contact their local Veterans Administration representative.

Grade Requirements for Graduate Financial Aid

All undergraduate prerequisites and deficiencies taken must be completed with a “C” or better to qualify for financial aid. Students are expected to make progress toward the degree by making grades no lower than “B” on courses to qualify for financial aid. See Satisfactory Academic Progress information located here.  

Financial Aid for the Intergrated Undergraduate and Graduate School Programs

A student who chooses an integrated program as his or her major will be assigned a specific academic advisor. As the student nears the end of undergraduate coursework in the program, the academic advisor will formally recommend the student for reclassification to graduate status. A student with any of these intended majors may receive University funded financial aid for their years as a traditional undergraduate student for up to a maximum of 8 semesters but once classified as a graduate student they are no longer eligible to recieve University funded aid. When the student has been recommended for reclassification to graduate status, the student may then receive federal loans as graduate.

Financial Aid for Post-Baccalaureate Students Seeking Class B Teacher Certification

Post-baccalaureate students seeking Class B teacher certification must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. To be considered for financial aid (federally-subsidized loans), students must enroll in a minimum of six (6) hours per academic period (semester).

Grading Policies for Graduate Programs

The grading system for graduate programs uses the following designations: A, B, C, D, F, W, I, AU, P, S, U and NR.. See Retention in Graduate Programs  below.

Grade Appeals/Grade Correction Requests for Graduate Programs

The procedures for grade correction/grade appeal are the same as those for undergraduate programs. Please see the Undergraduate Academic Information  section of this catalog for more information.

Distance Education Academic Engagement Policy

Academic activity in UM’s online programs is monitored by deans of the corresponding academic areas. Please see the Undergraduate Academic Information  section of this catalog for more information.

Academic Dishonesty and Conduct Code

Students attending the University of Mobile are expected to reflect a high standard of academic integrity and conduct in accord with basic Christian principles and the mission of the University.  Refer to the undergraduate section of this catalog for more information–Academic Dishonesty and Conduct Code .

Residence Requirement for Graduate Programs

All graduate credits, except transfer credits, must be resident credits from the University of Mobile. No degree requirement may be met through extension, correspondence, or adult education programs of other schools.

Repeated Courses in Graduate Programs

Graduate students are allowed to repeat courses for graduate credit. All courses taken and all grades earned will be recorded on the student’s permanent record. All grades earned will be included in the computation of the grade point average.

Directed Studies

A directed study is a catalog course offering taken in a non-classroom setting with the approval of the advisor, instructor, the dean of the college or school in which the course is offered, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The directed study follows the format of the syllabus and the requirements are the same as those of the non-directed-study version of the course. Students completing courses as directed studies will meet the same learning objectives that they would taking the course in the classroom or online.

Students in graduate programs may take no more than one course as directed study. A directed study may not be used to re-take courses for credit. Exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

There is a per-hour fee for directed studies charged in addition to tuition. See the latest financial information sheet for the amount. Further requirements and details are explained on the contract available in the Office of the Registrar.

Completed directed study contracts must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the third day of the applicable semester.

Retention in Graduate Programs

All undergraduate prerequisites and deficiencies must be completed with a “C” or better. Students are expected to make progress toward the degree by making grades no lower than “B” on graduate courses. Therefore, students may count only two graduate courses of work with grade “C” toward the degree. When the two-course limit of grades of “C” or below is exceeded, the student will be dismissed automatically from the graduate program. The student has the right to appeal this decision to the vice president for academic affairs. If the student is readmitted to the program, he or she must repeat courses with grade of “C” in excess of the two-course limit and all courses in which a grade of “F” was received. Individual graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Applications by Dismissed Students from Graduate Programs

Readmission into the Same Graduate Program

After a student has been dismissed from a University of Mobile graduate program, no new application for admission into the same graduate program will be considered until at least two regular academic periods (semesters) or a regular academic period (semester) and a full summer have passed. After this time, an application and application fee must be submitted to the office of admissions. A student who reapplies for admission to the same graduate program after a dismissal must present evidence to the graduate council that he or she has taken measures to improve the probability of performing at the required level in graduate work. Upon approval by the graduate council, student will be readmitted on a conditional status until completion of twelve credit hours. Any grade of C or below during the first twelve credit hours will be immediately followed by a second dismissal. Upon a second dismissal, a student has exhausted the appeal process. However, successful completion of the first twelve credit hours will return the student to good standing. Student must then follow policy as outlined under “Retention in Graduate Programs”.

Readmission into a Different Graduate Program - Academic Amnesty for Graduate Students 

Academic amnesty is designed for those graduate students previously enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Mobile who wish to enroll in a different graduate program at the University of Mobile upon readmission. Academic amnesty provides the opportunity to have up to 9 hours of previously completed graduate courses eliminated from the computation of his or her grade point average.

To be eligible for the program, an individual cannot have been enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Mobile for at least three years. After this time, an application and application fee must be submitted to the office of admissions. The Academic Amnesty form must then be completed prior to registration. The form will be processed by the Registrar’s Office after the student is registered for the upcoming semester.

Academic amnesty will be applied to the student’s record only once. All courses and grades attempted at the University of Mobile will remain a part of the student’s academic record and a notation will appear on the transcript indicating the student was approved for academic amnesty.

Students must be advised academic amnesty may not be honored by other institutions of higher learning.

Upon a second dismissal, a student has exhausted the appeal process.

Application for Graduate Degree

Application for a degree should be submitted to the registrar’s office one academic period (semester) prior to the anticipated academic period (semester) of graduation.

Graduation Requirements for Graduate Programs

To graduate, the student must have satisfactorily completed prescribed course requirements. (See appropriate sections of the catalog for more information.) The semester credit hour requirements are:

1. A minimum of thirty-three semester hours for the Master of Music in Music Education (non-certification); or
2. A minimum of thirty-one to thirty-four semester hours for the Master of Arts in Musical Theatre; or
3. A minimum of thirty to thirty-two semester hours for the Master of Music in Performance - Piano; or
4. A minimum of thirty-five semester hours for the Master of Music in Performance - Vocal ; or
5. A minimum of forty-nine to fifty-four semester hours for the Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance - Vocal; or
6. A minimum of thirty-six semester hours for the Master of Arts in Worship Leadership & Theology; or
7. A minimum of thirty-six semester hours for the Master of Arts in Biblical &Theological Studies; or
8. A minimum of sixty semester hours for the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling; or
9. A minimum of thirty semester hours for the Master of Business Administration; or
10. A minimum of thirty-six semester hours for the Master of Science in Leadership and Communication; or
11. A minimum of forty-two semester hours for the Master of Arts in Elementary or Early Childhood Education for Alternative Certification; or
12. A minimum of thirty semester hours for the Master of Education in Early Child Development; or
13. A minimum of thirty-six semester hours for the Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Policy; or
14. A minimum of thirty-three semester hours for the Master of Education in Instructional Design and Technology; or
15. A minimum of sixty-two semester hours for the Master of Athletic Training; or
16. A minimum of thirty-eight semester hours for the Post Masters Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certificate - FNP; or
17. A minimum of forty-three semester hours for the Master of Science in Nursing (Executive Leadership track); or
18. A minimum of forty-nine semester hours for the Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner; or
19. A minimum of eighty-seven semester hours for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner; or
20. A minimum of thirty-eight semester hours for the Post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice; or
21. A minimum of eighty-seven semester hours for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (B.S.N. to D.N.P. track); or
22. A minimum of eighty-eight semester hours for the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice.

Students in School of Education graduate programs that lead to teaching certification must achieve a 3.25 GPA on all graduate work attempted to be eligible to graduate.  Students in other programs must achieve a 3.00 GPA to be eligible to graduate.  Those in programs that require a comprehensive examination must earn an acceptable score to be eligible to graduate.

Time Limit to Complete Graduate Programs

All requirements for a degree must be completed within six years from initial enrollment with the exception of the School of Education which has a five-year limit.

Admission Requirements of International Students to Graduate Programs

Students who are not citizens or legal residents of the United States of America are considered international students. International applications must submit the following:

1. completed international application;
2. non-refundable application fee;
3. financial affidavit;
4. photocopy of the following, if transferring from an institution located in the United States: SEVIS I-20, I-94, a valid passport, and transfer eligibility form;
5. a degree that is equivalent to the B.S. or B.A. at a United States institution;
6. official transcript(s) from institutions attended;
7. evaluation and English translation of transcripts from colleges or universities not located in the United States;
8. official TOEFL score of 550 or better on the paper-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or 79-80 or higher on the internet-based test;
9. the appropriate official satisfactory test score before enrolling in a graduate level class; and
10. a trial schedule as full-time student (9 hours) for graduate students.

Coursework Taken at International Institutions

Undergraduate coursework taken at an international institution must be evaluated for U.S. institution equivalence. International coursework must be evaluated by one of the services listed below. The applicant should contact one of these services. Master of Arts in Education international students must use one of the evaluation services approved by Alabama State Department of Education guidelines.

World Education Services, Inc.
Bowling Green Station
P. O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087/USA
(212) 966-6311
http://www.wes.org/

Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
International Education Consultants
7101 SW 102 Avenue
Miami, FL 33173/USA
(305) 273-1616
http://www.jsilny.com/html/about-us.htm

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P. O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470/USA
(414) 289-3400
http://www.ece.org/

International Education Evaluations, Inc.
7900 Mathews-Mint Hill Road, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28227
(704)772-0109; Fax: (704)545-2484
www.foreigntranscripts.com