Admissions

Degree, Certificate, and Licensure Admission

Individuals with a baccalaureate degree from a college or university with full academic accreditation and who present satisfactory evidence of the ability to pursue graduate study can be considered for admission. A baccalaureate degree earned outside the United States must be equivalent to a four-year United States degree. International student applicants should consult the admission requirements section for “International Students ” in this Catalog for information on application procedures.

Masters degree applicants may be considered for regular degree admission if they meet one or more of the following conditions:

1. The individual has a grade-point average for the bachelor’s degree of at least 2.75 (A = 4.0), with a higher average in the major field. Some graduate programs require a higher GPA. Consult individual program admission requirements in this Catalog.
2. The applicant scores at the 50th percentile or above on average across the areas of a standardized admission examination.
3. The person has completed twelve or more graduate credit hours at Cleveland State University as a non-degree graduate student and has a grade-point average of 3.0 or above.Please note that some programs require higher grade-point averages for admission (see program descriptions).

The institution from which the student received the bachelor’s degree determines a student’s undergraduate grade-point average. For those with post baccalaureate studies, both undergraduate and graduate grade-point averages are considered in determining eligibility for admission.

Admission requirements for doctoral students are higher. See individual program requirements.

Endorsement of the graduate program is necessary for admission to a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program. The Office of Graduate Admissions finalizes acceptance of an applicant for admission after a recommendation for admission by the appropriate graduate committee. Upon admission, degree-seeking students should meet with an academic advisor to prepare a program of study.

Admission to Multiple Graduate Degree Programs

Individuals may apply for admission to simultaneously pursue two graduate degree programs. Applicants must meet College of Graduate Studies admission requirements, and the admission requirements of each degree program.

Dual program students have six concurrent years to complete the two degree programs. Extension of the six-year limit for either degree via petition requires the approval of the respective graduate program committee(s). With the approval of each program, dual degree students may apply up to a maximum of ten graduate credits taken to meet requirements for one program, to also meet degree requirements for the second program. The ten dual-counted credits do not need to be for the same courses. Dual-counted courses must carry a grade of B or above.

Dual-graduate students who wish to withdraw from one of their degree programs must notify, in writing, both Graduate Program Directors and the College of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Certificate and Licensure Admission

Acceptance of a graduate certificate or graduate licensure applicant for admission is finalized by the Office of Graduate Admissions after a recommendation for admission by the appropriate departmental or college graduate committee is received in the Graduate Admissions Office. Upon admission, graduate certificate and licensure students must meet with an advisor to prepare a program of study.

Admission Classifications

The academic status of a graduate degree-seeking, certificate, or licensure applicant is determined after a review of admission credentials. Graduate Program Committees, in concurrence with the Office of Graduate Admissions, may recommend admission of applicants as Regular, Regular with Requirements, Conditional, or Provisional graduate students. Upon being accepted for graduate study on a Regular, Conditional, or Provisional basis, the graduate student should confer with the appropriate departmental advisor to plan a program of study. Subsequent changes to the program of study should be made only with advisor approval.

Regular Graduate Students

Regular Graduate Students have satisfied all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and to a graduate program, including submission of all documents (see the sections on Submission of Materials (CROSSED OUT)  and Admission Procedures  in this Catalog). and supplemental application materials as required by the program. A Regular Graduate Student may also be a person who was previously admitted to the University as a Provisional or Non-Degree graduate student and is in good academic standing (with a GPA of 3.0 or above) at the time of re-application for Regular degree-seeking, certificate, or licensure admission.

Regular Graduate Students, with requirements

A person admitted as a Regular Graduate Student, with requirements, has met the minimum admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, but has not met the minimum requirements of the graduate program. Regular Graduate Students admitted with requirements must meet the requirements set forth in the letter of admission, issued by the graduate program, in order to continue in that program.

Conditional Graduate Students

Conditional Graduate Students have met the College of Graduate Studies’ and the graduate program’s grade point average and admission examination (GRE, GMAT, MAT, etc.) requirements, but fall short of meeting College of Graduate Studies English Language proficiency requirements. These requirements, and minimum test scores, are detailed under the Admission Requirements for International Students and Permanent Residents section of this Catalog. For such applicants, the University ESL Coordinator will evaluate the student’s English language skills, and when appropriate, prescribe an ESL program of study for a maximum of two semesters. Depending upon the English language skill level of the applicant, a program of ESL and academic course work may be created, in consultation with the involved Graduate Program Director. By the end of the student’s second semester of study, all ESL requirements for Regular Admission must be met. Otherwise, such students will not be allowed to continue their graduate studies.

Provisional Graduate Students

A Provisional graduate student is one who has not submitted all necessary application materials, but who meets the University’s minimum grade point average and/or admission test score requirements. The student admitted provisionally is not permitted to register for classes until outstanding materials are received in the Office of Graduate Admissions. Upon receipt of the new documentation, the graduate program director will transmit a second letter of admission or denial to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Admission Examinations

Many graduate programs require a standardized admission examination (e.g., GRE, GMAT, MAT). Consult individual program descriptions in this Catalog for specific admission examination requirements. The applicant may be exempt from the admission examination requirement by the program if:

1. The baccalaureate degree is less than six years old at the time of application AND the undergraduate cumulative grade-point average was at least 2.75; OR
2. The baccalaureate degree is more than six years old at the time of application AND the undergraduate cumulative grade-point average is at least 3.0; OR
3. The student has completed twelve or more semester hours of Cleveland State University graduate course work AND received a grade of B or better in each course, OR
4. The student has successfully completed a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited U.S. institution; OR
5. For Graduate Certificate applicants only: The student provides written documentation of requisite professional experience

When an admission examination is required by the College of Graduate Studies, applicants must score on average at the 50th percentile or above across the sections of the examination to qualify for degree, certificate, or licensure admission. Importantly, some graduate programs require higher admission examination scores to qualify for admission. All applicants should consult individual program descriptions in this Catalog for specific admission examination requirements. Only examination results (which are not more than six years old at the point of application) received directly from the appropriate testing service are considered official and valid. Admission examination information is available from the Office of Graduate Admissions, Main Classroom, Room 116, and the University Testing Center Rhodes Tower, Room 1237.

Domestic and Permanent Resident Applicants

Admission Procedures

To complete admission procedures, graduate degree applicants must submit the following:

1. Application: A completed application should be submitted not less than six weeks prior to the term of desired entrance. Consult the admission requirements in individual program descriptions in this Catalog for further information.
   
   To facilitate the admission process, it is strongly recommended that applicants use the Apply NOW online application system http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/apply.html.
   
   An application form may be downloaded from http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/pdf/graduate_application.pdf. For a listing of programs with earlier application deadlines, consult the  Admission Deadline Chart .
    
2. Official Transcripts: At the time of application, applicants should request that every college or university previously attended send one official transcript to the Office of Graduate Admissions (the Graduate Admissions Office will obtain official Cleveland State University transcripts). Some departments may require only degree-posted transcripts. For applicants who have not yet been awarded their baccalaureate (or higher) degree, a second official transcript with the degree posted also must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office before an admitted student will be permitted to register for classes. Transcripts may be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the issuing institution. Hand-delivered transcripts, sealed in the original envelope as provided by the issuing institution, are also acceptable as official documents. Transcripts which have been photocopied, faxed, or opened by the applicant are not acceptable as official documents. Transcripts marked “unofficial” by the issuing institution or documents printed from an institution’s web site are not acceptable.
    
3. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program and the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, and those pursuing initial licensure in Curriculum and Instruction—Urban Secondary Teaching must submit three letters of recommendation. Applicants can create an on-line reference form which can be forwarded to recommenders (https://www.applyweb.com/apply/csuohio/) or download a paper form from http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/admissions/pdf/recommend.pdf

When required, most programs require two letters of recommendation. The following master’s degree programs do not require letters of recommendation:

4. Official Test Scores: Submit results of the appropriate admission examination, as required by the College of Graduate Studies and/or the graduate degree program. Examination results over six years old at the time of application are not considered valid and will not be accepted. Only official test scores received directly from the testing service will be accepted.
    
5. English language Proficiency: All non-native English speakers must demonstrate proof of English language proficiency. The options for doing so and test score reporting requirements are detailed here http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/international/admissions/graduate/admission_requirements.html. Individuals who have earned a bachelor’s (or higher) degree from a United States institution, or an institution in which the primary language of instruction is English, are not required to take an English-language proficiency examination.
    
6. Application Fee: A $30 non-refundable application fee is required for degree, licensure, or certificate applicants. The Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physical Therapy and Nursing programs have a $55 application fee. Admission decisions will not be rendered until the fee is paid. No application fee is required of applicants who have paid an application fee earlier for admission as a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure student.

International Student Admission

International Students

An international student is an individual who holds a visa while enrolled at Cleveland State University. These students must submit applications for graduate study to the Office of International Graduate Admissions, Main Classroom, Room 116.

A permanent resident is a person who has been granted permanent resident status in the U.S. or refugee status.

Permanent residents should apply through the Graduate Admissions Office, Main Classroom, Room 116.

Admission Requirements for International Students and Permanent Residents

Academic: Baccalaureate degrees earned outside the U.S. must be equivalent to baccalaureate degrees earned in the U.S.

Examinations: In general, a standardized admissions examination (e.g., GRE, GMAT, Miller Analogies Test) is required for any applicant who does not hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a U.S. institution.

English Language Proficiency: The University requires all non-native English speakers to demonstrate proof of English-language proficiency. Any individual who has earned a bachelor’s (or higher) degree from a U.S. institution, in which the primary language of instruction is English, is not required to take an English language proficiency examination. The options and minimum score requirements are as follows:

1. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 17 in Reading, Speaking, and Listening and a minimum score of 14 in writing on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT), or 197 for the computer-based TOEFL (525 on the paper-based test). Please note that the Educational Testing Service (ETS) will not provide test takers or third parties (including Cleveland State University) with TOEFL reports for test scores that are over two years old. If required, the TOEFL must be taken again if the applicant’s most recent scores are over two years old, OR
2. Pass the IELTS test (International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 6.0; OR
3. Pass the MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) with a minimum score of 77; OR
4. Achieve a score of C (Pass) or better on the A and O levels of the General Certificate of Education (GCE or GCSE ) Test; OR
5. Achieve a score of C (Pass) or better on the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); OR
6. Complete English language studies (Level 112) from any of the ELS Language Centers; OR
7. Complete course work at a C or better level for the equivalent of the CSU freshman English requirements at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university, OR
8. Receive a Program Certificate of Completion from Cleveland State University’s Intensive English Language Program, indicating successful completion of the Advanced level with a grade of B or better and a COMPASS ESL score of 80 or higher.

Submit all documents to:

Office of International Graduate Admissions
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue, MC 116
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214 USA
Phone: (216) 687-3910
FAX: (216) 687-3965
E-mail: appstatus@csuohio.edu
http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/international/admissions/

The Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) assembles admission files for all international graduate degree applicants. Once an  admission file is complete and decision-ready, the file is reviewed by CISP staff to determine degree equivalency and a grade-point average conversion is calculated. The original file is sent to the Graduate Admissions Office, and a copy of the file is forwarded to the appropriate graduate program director. (CISP also keeps a copy of the file.) After review by the appropriate faculty body, the graduate program director submits an admission or denial  recommendation to the Graduate Admissions Office for consideration. The Director of Graduate Admissions reviews the request, and when there is agreement, the admission/ denial recommendation letter is sent to the CISP office, which communicates the admission action and supporting material to the applicant.

Application Deadlines for International Students

Financial Requirements:

All international students must supply to the Center for International Services and Programs proof of adequate financial resources before I-20 (F-1) or IAP-66 (J-1) documents can be issued to obtain the appropriate visa to enter the United States to study. For further details, contact the Center for International Services and Programs at (216) 687-3910 or go to its website at http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/international/admissions/financial_requirements.html.

The only financial aid for which international students may qualify are graduate assistantships and graduate tuition grants. Students should contact their academic departments directly for details.

Health and Medical Requirements:

International students attending Cleveland State University are required to present results of a tuberculosis test before being permitted to register at the University. All international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa must show proof of adequate health insurance before they are allowed to register. For further details, please contact the Center for International Services and Programs at (216) 687-3910 or visit its website at http://www.csuohio.edu/offices/international/.

Non-Degree Students

Non-Degree Admission

The University provides an opportunity for individuals who hold a baccalaureate (or higher) degree to enroll in graduate courses without admittance to a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program. Non-Degree status is designed for those who want to take graduate courses for professional growth and/or personal enrichment, or who wish to take a limited amount of course work to explore the possibility of later entering a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program. (Note: Students with graduate Non-Degree status are not permitted to enroll in Cleveland State University graduate certificate or licensure programs.)

Admission Requirements for Non-Degree Students

1. Applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate degree (or higher) from a fully accredited academic college or university. All non-degree applicants are required to provide proof of degree conferral. Proof may take the form of an official transcript or a copy of the official transcript from the institution where the highest posted degree was earned. Proof of degree conferral for applicants who graduated from Cleveland State University will be retrieved internally. Licensed teachers may submit a copy of the teaching license or certificate.
2. Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States must be equivalent to baccalaureate degrees earned in the United States. International applicants and Permanent Residents of the United States who received their undergraduate (and graduate) degrees outside of the United States must submit official transcripts and diplomas for evaluation to be considered for Non-Degree graduate admission.
3. The University requires all nonnative English speakers to demonstrate proof of Englishlanguage proficiency. Any individual who has earned a  bachelor’s (or higher) degree from a U.S. institution, in which the primary language of instruction is English, is not required to take an English- language proficiency examination. English-language proficiency test options and score requirements appear in the International Students  section of this Catalog.
4. Submit a completed application form and proof of baccalaureate (or higher) degree to the Graduate Admissions Office. Applicants are strongly advised to submit an online application to facilitate processing their requests for Non-Degree admission. Applicants submitting paper application forms must allow additional processing time for their requests.
5. Non-Degree applicants are not required to pay an application fee. However, if the Non-Degree student later requests admission to a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program, a $30 application fee is required. The student must submit an updated application for the degree, certificate, or licensure program and all required admission materials to the Graduate Admissions Office before an admission decision will be rendered.

Application Deadline

For Non-Degree graduate admission, the application deadline is ten business days prior to the start of the term. However, Non-Degree applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the deadline to avoid possible delays.

Submitting Non-Degree Application Materials

Office of Graduate Admissions
Main Classroom, Room 116
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214
Telephone (216) 687-5599
Fax (216) 687-5400
E-mail: graduate.admissions@csuohio.edu
Web address: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/students/nondegree/

Financial Aid for Non-Degree Students

Non-degree graduate students may qualify for the Federal Stafford Loan Program if their course work is required as a prerequisite to qualify for  admission to a graduate degree program. Eligibility for these loans continues for one consecutive twelve-month period. Students are required to register for at least six credit hours in order to be eligible for the loan. A non-degree verification form, downloadable from the Financial Aid web site (http://www.csuohio.edu/enrollmentservices/financialaid/forms/2009-2010/ndgverification.pdf) must be completed by the Graduate Program Director in the department where the courses are offered each semester to determine eligibility. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be on file with the Financial Aid Office in order to be considered for the Federal Stafford Loan programs. A student who has not been admitted as a Regular Graduate Student before the conclusion of the twelve-month period will not be eligible for additional Stafford Loan assistance.

University Regulations

Cross registration is not permitted for certificate, licensure, or non-degree Cleveland State University graduate students.

An academically dismissed non-degree student must petition the College of Graduate Studies Petitions Committee for readmission consideration. Petition forms may be downloaded from the College of Graduate Studies Web site at http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/students/pdf/petitionform.pdf.

• For an academically dismissed Non-Degree Student seeking readmission after one calendar year (12 months) has elapsed, or for those seeking early readmission before one year has elapsed from the time of dismissal, a recommendation from the Director of the Graduate Program in which the student wishes to take classes is required before action will be taken by the Graduate College Petitions Committee. Re-admission petitions must provide an explanation of the factors responsible for the student’s poor academic performance and present a convincing case for why the person is now prepared to succeed in his/her studies.
  
  Academic reassessment is not available to students who are currently enrolled on a graduate certificate, licensure, or non-degree basis.

Enrollment Conditions for Non-Degree Students

The following conditions must be met by non-degree graduate students:

1. Students must meet course prerequisites unless waived by the instructor. In some cases, program authorization is also required.
2. Students are permitted to enroll in classes on a space-available basis. Priority is given to graduate degree, certificate, and licensure students when enrollment is limited. A list of restricted course can be found at: http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/students/nondegree/restricted.html A copy of the Non-Degree Course Permission slip can be found at:http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/students/pdf/nondegree_permission.pdf
3. Non-degree students are graded on a letter-grade basis. Exceptions are made only if the student requests Audit (N/C) or Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) status at the time of registration or within the first week of classes. Students must perform at the B or better level to receive a Satisfactory grade.
4. Non-degree students may NOT earn a graduate degree, certificate, or license awarded by the University. Students with non-degree status who wish to earn a graduate degree, certificate or license must apply and meet that program’s admission standards.
   1. A student who changes from non-degree to degree status may be permitted, with program approval, to apply a maximum of twelve graduate credits of non-degree course work toward fulfillment of master’s degree requirements. A student may petition for an extension of the twelve credit limit. If approved by the graduate committee, such requests do not require the review and approval of the College of Graduate Studies Petitions Committee. However, if denied at the departmental level, requests for an extension of the twelve-credit limit may be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies Petitions Committee for review and disposition.
5. Non-degree graduate students are not eligible for Graduate Assistantship or Graduate Tuition Grant awards.

Transient Student Admission

There are two categories of transient students: 1) those enrolled in a graduate program at another college or university who wish to undertake a limited amount of graduate work at Cleveland State University; and 2) those enrolled in a graduate degree program at Cleveland State who wish to do a limited amount of graduate work at another institution. At Cleveland State University, a transient student is subject to the same academic regulations that govern Cleveland State degree,
certificate, and licensure students.

1. Students enrolled in a graduate program at another college or university who wish to undertake a limited amount of graduate work at Cleveland State University must complete the home institution’s Graduate Transient Application form and receive approval from the home institution to enroll for specified courses. The approval form and the completed CSU Enrollment Services Transient Student Enrollment Request Form should be forwarded to the Cleveland State University Office of the University Registrar. Admission as a transient student is valid for one semester only. A new application is required prior to registration if the student wishes this status to be extended for another academic term.
2. A student enrolled in a graduate degree program at Cleveland State who wishes to do a limited amount of graduate work at another institution is required to consult with his or her program advisor and/or department chair and complete a Cleveland State University Graduate Student Transient Approval Form. Only students who are in good academic standing in their degree programs qualify for transient student status. A transient student is subject to the same academic regulations that govern Cleveland State degree, certificate, and licensure students. Forms may be downloaded at http://www.csuohio.edu/gradcollege/students/guest/ and are available from the College of Graduate Studies, Parker Hannifin Hall, Room 218, and the Office of Graduate Admissions, Main Classroom, Room 116.

Graduate Admission Application Deadlines

In general, the Application for Graduate Admission to degree, certificate, and licensure programs, and all supporting materials (e.g., official transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation) should be on file in the Office of Graduate Admissions at least six weeks prior to the start of the academic term of desired admission.

Programs with Earlier Application Deadlines

4+1 Program Admission

Admission Procedures

Follow these steps to apply for 4+1 Program Admission to the College of Graduate Studies:

1. Complete the 4+1 application and submit it to the academic department. For a complete list of 4+1 programs, click here .
2. Submit letters of recommendation, test scores, or other materials as required directly to your academic department. You do not need to pay the $30 application fee and you do not need to submit official Cleveland State transcripts.
3. The Director of the 4+1 program in your department will submit a letter of acceptance or denial to you with a copy to the Registrar’s Office and the Office of  Graduate Admissions. The Registrar’s Office will make changes to your record to reflect your 4+1 status, and Graduate Admissions will create an application for admission for you for the first regular term following the scheduled completion of your bachelor’s degree.
4. Once you have been accepted to a 4+1 program, you should consult your academic advisor about your program of study. You will be able to register for 500-level graduate courses without obtaining special permission and can double-count up to twelve (12) semester hours of 500-level classes for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
5. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, you will automatically be admitted to the master’s program for the next regular term provided you have completed all 500-level classes with a grade of B or better and have met other requirements as set by the program. Spring or Summer graduates must begin the master’s program by the next Fall semester; Fall graduates must start in the next Spring semester. The double-counted courses will be transferred to your graduate record once you have completed one semester as a graduate student.

Submission of Materials

Graduate degree-seeking applicants who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents should submit all application materials and a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank for the graduate admission application fee, directly to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Main Classroom, Room 116
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214
Telephone: (216) 687-5599
Toll Free: 1-888-CSU-OHIO (ask for the Graduate Admissions Office)
Fax: (216) 687-5400
E-mail: graduate.admission@csuohio.edu

International degree, certificate, or licensure applicants should consult the “International Student Admission  ” section of this Catalog for instructions on submitting application materials.

The Graduate Admissions Office maintains a central admissions system for all domestic (U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents of the U.S.) graduate applicants. As admission materials are received by the office, the documents (application forms, transcripts, letters of recommendation, tests scores, and related materials) are made available to the appropriate Graduate Program Director, who creates a departmental file for the applicant. Once the departmental file is decisionready, the graduate program director submits an admission recommendation to the Graduate Admissions Office. The Director of Graduate Admissions transmits the admission decision and supporting materials to the applicant.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Graduate Admissions and/or their Graduate Program Director to check on the status of their applications. Contact information for graduate program directors may be found at the beginning of each program description  in this Catalog.