Admissions < University of Arkansas (2024)

Admission to the Graduate School

Anyone who wishes to earn graduate-level credit, whether as a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking student, must make formal application to, and be officially admitted by the Graduate School.

The Graduate School offers two classifications of admission:

Degree-Seeking

This enrollment will allow degree credit to be earned if the degree program also accepts the student.

Non-Degree Seeking

This enrollment will not lead to a degree, but may earn a graduate certificate.

Application. Applicants must submit an online application. You may pay the nonrefundable application fee by credit card at the time of application, or you may opt to pay later. You will be able to upload the required supporting items in your Application Portal upon submission of the online application.

Official academic records (transcripts) may be mailed to:

GRADUATE AND INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS OFFICE
340 N. Campus Drive, 213 Gearhart Hall
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Telephone: 479-575-6246

Official electronic transcripts may be submitted directly from your school’s records office to gradapp@uark.edu.

Our institution code for electronic submission of GRE test scores from Educational Testing Service (ETS) is 6866. Other graduate-level standardized tests (such as MAT and GMAT) may be submitted in lieu of the GRE, if accepted by the degree program.

Transcripts. It is the responsibility of those applicants who desire full graduate standing to request from each college or university which the student has previously attended an official copy of the student’s academic record including all courses, grades, and credits attempted and indication of degree(s) earned. Official transcripts should be sent directly to the University of Arkansas Graduate School following procedures set by the Office of Graduate Admissions. If the applicant submits unofficial transcripts electronically during the application process, they will be required to submit the official transcript(s) before admission is fully granted.

NOTE: The fact that courses completed at one institution may be included on a transcript from another institution will not suffice; official transcripts must be received from each institution previously attended if utilizing for transfer credit. Applicants with a conferred post-baccalaureate degree must, at a minimum, submit an official copy of the transcript conferring the baccalaureate degree containing at least the last 60 hours of coursework. Applicants with an earned post-baccalaureate graduate degree (excluding professional degrees) from a regionally accredited institution may submit an official copy of the transcript conferring the baccalaureate degree and the transcript confirming the post-baccalaureate degree, only to allow processing of the application by the Graduate School. However, a degree program may require transcripts from every institution attended in pursuit of the baccalaureate degree even though the Graduate School Admissions Office does not. Please check with the degree program for specific requirements.

All transcripts become the property of the University of Arkansas Graduate School and will not be released to the applicant or to any other person, institution, or agency.

Standardized Test Scores:There is no requirement of a standardized examination score for admission to the Graduate School. Individual degree and non-degree programs may require applicants to submit standardized examination scores as part of their application for admission. However, programs who require standardized examination scores must consider them as one factor in a holistic review of applicants. Programs may not use cutoff or minimum scores as the sole screening tool as part of their admission process.

Deadlines.The University should receive all application materials, including all official transcripts, at least one month prior to the date of registration. Many departments/programs have earlier application deadlines. Absolute deadlines for admission consideration are: Fall semester, Aug. 1; Spring semester, Dec. 1; Summer sessions, April 15. International applicants must have all materials submitted by April 1 for fall semester admission, by Oct. 1 for the spring semester, and by March 1 for the summer session, but it is recommended that all materials required for application be received by the admissions office at least nine months before the applicant wishes to begin their studies.

Applications received after the deadline, including non-degree and readmits, will be deferred to the next available semester. The recommended deadline for fall semester graduate assistantship consideration is Feb. 1, although departments/programs may have earlier deadlines.

Previously Enrolled or Currently Enrolled at Fayetteville. For those previously enrolled or currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the Graduate School obtains transcripts from the Registrar’s Office. For a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (baccalaureate degree), the only transcripts required are those from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and those from each institution attended after completing the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, degree. Anyone who was previously enrolled but who is not currently enrolled in the University of Arkansas Graduate School is required to submit official transcripts from institutions attended after the University of Arkansas Graduate School enrollment. (See Admission Classification: Readmission.) All requirements for the master’s and specialist degrees must be completed within six years; all requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within seven years. Absence from the University does not change these time limits.

Admission is for a Specific Semester Only. Applicants who wish to change their date of entry after submitting an application must notify the Graduate School Admissions Office; applicants who have already been admitted should also notify the program in which they plan to major. Application materials for applicants who apply for admission but who do not subsequently enroll will be retained by the Graduate School Admissions Office for one calendar year from the date of the applicant’s original proposed semester of entry. However, applicants must file a new Application for Admission (no fee) to notify the Graduate School of their request for reconsideration. Applicants who are admitted but do not enroll for one year or more after admission must submit an application for admission, application fee, and have an official copy of the student’s academic record sent from each college or university attended and follow procedures for initial admission.

Admission to Graduate Standing. Official notice of the decision concerning admission will be sent from the Graduate School. Admission will not be granted until all requirements are met, and graduate credit will not be granted retroactively except as specified in the Retroactive Graduate Credit Policy. Further, admission to graduate standing does not automatically constitute admission to a specific program of study leading to a graduate degree. Therefore, in addition to satisfying the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants must comply with the program requirements and have the approval of the program in which they desire to pursue graduate study. It should be emphasized that students may not earn graduate credit in any course unless they have been admitted to the Graduate School.

Adviser. At the time of admission to a degree program of the Graduate School, the student is assigned to a major adviser. The appointment of the adviser is made in the student’s major program and is determined primarily by the student’s particular areas of interest in the field. Detailed information regarding the student’s program of study may be secured from the appropriate department chairperson or program director.

The following table provides a brief outline of minimum requirements for admission to a degree program and for graduation from the program.

See the Objectives and Regulations chapter and each degree program for full information about admission and graduation requirements.

Degree Program	Degree Abbr.	Test Req. for Admission	Letter of Rec.	Department Application & Admission Requirements	Dissertation or Thesis Required	Foreign Language Required for Grad.
Accounting1	M.Acc.	GMAT	3B	B	No	No
Accounting1	Ph.D.	GMAT	3B	B	Yes	No
Adult and Lifelong Learning	Ed.D.	GRE	No	Y	Yes	No
Adult and Lifelong Learning	M.Ed.	GRE	No	Y	No	No
Agricultural Economics	M.S.	GRE	3	Stmt of Purpose	Opt	No
Agricultural and Extension Education	M.S.	GRE or MAT	Yes	No	Opt	No
Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences	M.S.	Opt.	No	No	No	No
Animal Science	M.S.	GRE	3	No	Opt	No
Animal Science	Ph.D.	GRE	3	No	Yes	No
Anthropology	M.A.	GRE	3	B	Opt	No
Anthropology	Ph.D.	GRE	3B	Yes	Yes	Yes
Art	M.F.A.	No	3	B+Images	Yes	No
Athletic Training	M.A.T.	GRE	3	Essay	Opt	No
Biological Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Biological Engineering4	M.S.B.E.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	Opt
Biology	M.S.	G	3	Yes	Yes	No
Biology	Ph.D.	G	3	Yes	Yes	No
Biomedical Engineering	M.S.B.M.E.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Biomedical Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Business Administration1	M.B.A.	GMAT, GRE	3B	B	Yes	No
Business Administration1	Ph.D.	GMAT	3B	B	Yes	No
Cell and Molecular Biology	M.S.	GRE	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Cell and Molecular Biology	Ph.D.	GRE	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Chemical Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	Opt	Yes	Yes	No
Chemical Engineering4	M.S.Ch.E.	GRE	Opt	Yes	Opt.	No
Chemistry	M.S.	GRE	3	No	Yes	No
Chemistry	Ph.D.	GRE	3	No	Yes	No
Civil Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	3	No	Yes	No
Civil Engineering4	M.S.C.E.	GRE	No	No	Opt	No
Clinical Occupational Therapy	O.T.D.
Communication Sciences and Disorders	M.S.	GRE	Yes	Centralized Electronic Application	No	No
Communication	M.A.	GRE	3	Writing Sample +Stmt of Goals	Opt	No
Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies	M.A.	GRE	3	B	Opt	Yes
Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies	Ph.D.	GRE	3	B	Yes	Yes
Computer Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Computer Engineering4	M.S.Cmp.E.	GRE	3	Yes	Opt	No
Computer Science	M.S.	GRE	3	Stmt of Purpose	Opt	No
Computer Science	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Counseling	M.S.	No	3B	Yes	Opt	No
Counselor Education and Supervision	Ph.D.	GRE	3B	Yes	Yes	No
Creative Writing	M.F.A.	GRE	3B	B	Yes	No
Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences	M.S.	No	3	Stmt of Purpose+3 ref letters	Yes	No
Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences	Ph.D.	No	3	Stmt of Purpose+3 ref letters	Yes	No
Curriculum and Instruction	Ed.S.	GRE	No	No	No	No
Curriculum and Instruction	M.Ed.	GRE	No	No	No	No
Curriculum and Instruction	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Economics1	M.A.	GRE	3B	B	Opt	No
Economics1	Ph.D.	GRE	3B	B	Yes	No
Education Policy	Ph.D.	GRE	2	B	Yes	No
Educational Leadership	Ed.D.	GRE	3B	Yes	Yes	No
Educational Leadership	Ed.S.	GRE, SLLA	3B	Yes	No	No
Educational Leadership	M.Ed.	No	No	No	Opt	No
Educational Statistics and Research Methods	Ph.D.	GRE	Opt	Yes	Yes	No
Educational Technology	M.Ed.	No	3	Yes	Opt	No
Electrical Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Stmt of Goals	Yes	No
Electrical Engineering4	M.S.E.E.	GRE	3	Stmt of Goals	Opt	No
Elementary Education	M.A.T.	No	No	Yes	No	No
Engineering	M.S.	Opt.	No	B	No	No
English	M.A.	GRE	3B	B+Writing Sample+Stmt of Purpose	Opt	Yes
English	Ph.D.	GRE	3	B	Yes	Yes
Entomology	M.S.	GRE	3	CV and	Yes	No
Entomology	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Stmt of Goals	Yes	Opt
Environmental Dynamics	Ph.D.	GRE	3	B+Writing Sample+Stmt	Yes	No
Environmental Engineering4	M.S.En.E	GRE	No	No	Opt	No
Finance1	Ph.D.	GMAT	3B	B	Yes	No
Food Science	M.S.	GRE	2	Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Food Science	Ph.D.	GRE	2	Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
French	M.A.	No	Yes	No	No	No
Geography	M.A.	No	3	Yes	Yes	No
Geology	M.S.	No	3	No	Yes	No
Geosciences	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
German	M.A.	No	3	Writing Sample+Stmt of Purpose	No	No
Health, Sport and Exercise Science	Ph.D.	GRE	3	CV+Stmt of Interest	Yes	No
Higher Education3	Ed.D.	GRE, MAT	3B	Yes	Yes	No
Higher Education3	M.Ed.	GRE	3B	Yes	Opt	No
History	M.A.	GRE	3	B	Yes	No
History	Ph.D.	GRE	3	B	Yes	Yes
Horticulture	M.S.	Opt	3	No	Yes	No
Human Environmental Sciences	M.S.	GRE	3	No	Opt	No
Human Resource and Workforce Development Education	Ed.D.	GRE	No	Yes	Yes	No
Human Resource and Workforce Development Education	M.Ed.	GRE	No	No	No	No
Industrial Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	3	CV+Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Industrial Engineering4	M.S.I.E.	GRE	3	CV+Stmt of Purpose	Opt	No
Information Systems1	M.I.S.	GMAT, GRE	3B	B	No	No
Information Systems1	Ph.D.	GMAT, GRE	3B	B	Yes	No
Journalism	M.A.	GRE	3	CV +Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Management1	Ph.D.	GMAT, GRE	3B	B	Yes	No
Marketing1	Ph.D.	GMAT, GRE	3B	B	Yes	No
Mathematics	M.S.	GRE	3	Stmt of Purpose	Opt	No
Mathematics	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Mechanical Engineering	M.S.	GRE	Yes	CV+Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Mechanical Engineering	Ph.D.	GRE	Yes	CV+Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Mechanical Engineering4	M.S.M.E.	GRE	Yes	CV+Stmt of Purpose	Opt	No
Microelectronics-Photonics	M.S.	P	3	B	P	No
Microelectronics-Photonics	Ph.D.	P	3	B	Yes	No
Music	M.M.	No	Opt	Dept Placemt Test	Opt	No
Nursing	M.S.N.	No	No	Yes	Opt	No
Operations Management	M.S.O.M.	No	No	No	No	No
Philosophy	M.A.	Opt	3	Yes	Yes	No
Philosophy	Ph.D.	Opt	3	Yes	Yes	Yes
Physical Education	M.Ed.	No	No	No	No	No
Physics	M.A.	P	3	B	No	No
Physics	M.S.	P	3	B	Yes	No
Physics	Ph.D.	P	3	B	Yes	No
Plant Pathology	M.S.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Political Science	M.A.	GRE	3	Writing Sample	Opt	No
Poultry Science	M.S.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Poultry Science	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Psychology	M.A.	GRE	3B	Yes	Yes	No
Psychology	Ph.D.	GRE	3B	Yes	Yes	No
Public Administration	M.P.A.	GRE	3	Writing Sample	No	No
Public Policy	Ph.D.	GRE	3	Yes	Yes	No
Recreation and Sport Management3	Ed.D.	GRE	3	CV+Stmt of Purpose	Yes	No
Recreation and Sport Management3	M.Ed.	GRE	No	CV+Stmt of Purpose	Opt	No
Secondary Education2	M.A.T.	GRE	3	Yes	No	No
Secondary Mathematics	M.A.	No	No	No	Opt	No
Social Work	M.S.W.	GRE for below 3.0 GPA. No test for 3.0 GPA or above	3	Yes	Opt	No
Sociology	M.A.	GRE	2, 3P	Writing Sample+Stmt of Interest	Opt	No
Space and Planetary Sciences	M.S.	Opt	2	Yes	Yes	No
Space and Planetary Sciences	Ph.D.	Opt	2	Yes	Yes	No
Spanish	M.A.	No	No	No	No	No
Special Education	M.Ed.	No	No	Yes	No	No
Statistics and Analytics	M.S.	No	No	No	No	No
Supply Chain Management	Ph.D.	GMAT	3B	B	Yes	No
Teacher Education2	M.A.T.	Praxis II	3	Yes	No	No
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages	M.Ed.	No	2	Stmt of Purpose+Optional Writing Sample	Opt	No
Theatre	M.F.A.	No	3	Yes	Yes	No

1.: Non-departmental students must obtain permission from department to register for courses in these fields.
^2.: An Educational Specialist degree is available in this area of study. See Curriculum and Instruction.
^3.: A Doctor of Education degree is available in this area of study. See Curriculum and Instruction.
^4.: A Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering is available in this area of study. See Engineering.
P: Preferred
Opt: Optional
A: International applicants only
B: Forms obtained from and returned to department
G: General test
S: Subject area test

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Requirements for Admission for Degree-Seeking Applicants

All degree-seeking applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose first language is not English, must submit a valid minimum score at the time of applicationof:

6.5 on the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS),
79 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),
550 on the Institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),
58 on the Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE-A),
3.9 on the International Test of English Proficiency-Academic (iTEP),
110 on the Duolingo English Test (DET),
or 176 on the Cambridge Assessment English C1 Advanced (C1 Advanced),

unless they have received a bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or receive a waiver of the English Language proficiency requirement by the Graduate Council Academic Appeals Committee by demonstrating an acceptable level of language proficiency as defined in the Graduate School Handbook located on the Graduate School website.

Degree-seeking applicants who meet the academic and financial requirements but who do not meet the English proficiency requirement of the University of Arkansas may be offered conditional admission to their intended degree programs and admission as a non-degree undergraduate student to complete an Intensive English course sequence at the University of Arkansas. Students may fulfill the English proficiency requirement and be granted full admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School upon successful completion of ELAC06003 University Connections Intensive English Level VI with a grade average of “B” or better.

Evidence of English Language Proficiency demonstrated by a “B” or better on theWest African Senior School Examination Certificate(WASSCE), the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GSCE),the International GeneralCertificateof Secondary Education (IGSCE), orthe International Baccalaureate (IB) may be used on a case-by-case basis to fulfill the English Language Proficiency requirement with approval of the Graduate Dean.

Individual departments may have higher requirements, and reference should be made to program descriptions. Students applying to a Ph.D. program in the Graduate School of Business must submit one of these tests at the time of admission.

Requirements for Admission for Non-Degree Seeking/Visiting Graduate Student Applicants

All non-degree or visiting graduate student applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose first language is not English must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement by one of the three methods:

A valid minimum scores of 6.0on the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS), 71 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 527 on the Institutional Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 105 on the Duolingo English Test (DET), or an equivalent test as approved by the Graduate Dean.
Be currently enrolled in "good standing" as a degree-seeking student at another college or university in a country where the native language is English or have had enrollment in such a college or university within the last 12 calendar months from the time of application and their status at the end of the previous enrollment was "good standing."
Be approved by the Graduate Dean for a waiver of the English Language Requirement based on the applicant's academic or professional background.

Teaching Assistantship English Proficiency Requirement

Non-native speakers of English, regardless of citizenship, even if eligible for a waiver of the English Language Proficiency requirement for admission, must demonstrate competency in both spoken and written English to be eligible for a graduate assistantship that requires direct contact with students in a teaching or tutorial role, in a traditional classroom setting or via distance education.

Students who have an earned doctoral, master's, or professional post-baccalaureate degree of at least 30 graduate hours from accredited U.S. institutions or from foreign institutions in countries/territories where the official and native language is English fully meet the Teaching Assistantship English Proficiency Requirement.

All other students may demonstrate competency in spoken English through two options:

By submitting a test score of at least 7 on the IELTS Academic (speaking) sub-test, 26 on the Internet-based TOEFL (speaking) sub-test, 71 on the PTE-A (speaking) sub-test, 4.5 on the iTEP (speaking) sub-test, 185 on the C1 Advanced (speaking) sub-test, or “pass” on the Spoken Language Proficiency Test (SLPT). The Duolingo English Test (DET) is not used to meet the Teaching Assistant English Proficiency Requirement.
Completing ELAC50503 International Graduate Teaching Assistant Training with an 80% average or above.

All other students may demonstrate competency in written English through two options:

Submitting a test score of at least a 6.0 on the IELTS (writing)sub-test, 26 on the Internet-based TOEFL (writing) sub-test, a 71 on the PTE-A (writing) sub-test, a 4.5 on the iTEP (writing) sub-test, a 185 on the C1 Advanced (writing) sub-test, a 4.0 on the GRE (analytical writing) sub-test, a 4.5 on the GMAT (writing) sub-test.
By enrolling in ELAC50303 Research Writing for the Social Sciences and Education OR ELAC50403 Research Writing in the STEM Fields, and ELAC00101 Writing Workshop: Grammar through Editing. Option 2 is available via placement by test scores (5.5 IELTS writing sub-test, 23 Internet-based TOEFL writing sub-test, 3.5 GRE or 4.0 GMAT analytical writing subtest, 62 PTE-A writing subtest, 3.5 on the iTEP writing sub-test, or 162 on the C1 Advanced writing sub-test. The Graduate Coordinator or Department Chair/program Director must request option 2.

Students applying to a Ph.D. program in the Sam M. Walton College of Business must submit one of these spoken English tests (above) at the time of admission.

English Language Writing Score Requirement and Required Placement in English Language and Culture Courses (ELAC).

Applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose first language is not English and who are admitted to graduate study at the University of Arkansas, will be assessed for written English proficiency at the time of admission and will receive a required placement in English Language and Culture courses (ELAC) that must be completed (with a C or better) within their first year of enrollment in the Graduate School.

Non-native speakers in the following categories are exempt from this requirement, although individual departments may require any of these tests for admission.

Graduate students who earned bachelor’s or master’s degrees from accredited U.S. institutions or from foreign institutions where the official and native language is English;
Graduate students with an Internet-based TOEFL writing score of 26, IELTS Academic writing score of 6.0, PTE-A writing score of 71, iTEP writing score of 4.0, a Duolingo English Test score of 130, or a C1 Advanced writing score of 169;
Graduate students with a 4.0 on the analytical writing portion of the GRE or a 4.5 on the writing portion of the GMAT.

Diagnostic and placement testing is designed to test students’ ability to use English effectively in an academic setting, and its purpose is to promote the success of non-native speakers in completing their chosen course of study at the University of Arkansas. Test results provide the basis for placement into English Language and Culture (ELAC) support courses or course sequences. Courses are offered by the Graduate School and International Education for those students whose language skills are diagnosed as insufficient for college work at the level to which they have been admitted (undergraduate or graduate study). Credit in ELAC courses may not count toward University of Arkansas degrees.

Graduate students assessed course work as a result of performance on the TOEFL writing, IELTS Academic writing, PTE-A writing, iTEP writing, C1 Advanced writing, or GRE or GMAT analytical writing will be required to complete the ELAC course(s) to support initial course work taken in their fields. Graduate departments/degree programs will have the discretion to waive either the requirement for the language evaluation or the required language courses.

International Student Information regarding admission and enrollment is available from the Graduate and International Admissions Office Website.

Classifications of Admission to Graduate Standing

Full Graduate Standing, Regular Admission.To be considered for full graduate standing, regular status, applicants must have earned a baccalaureate or a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, or from a regionally accredited institution in the United States with requirements for the degrees substantially equivalent to those of this University, or from a foreign institution with similar requirements for the degrees.Admission to graduate standing does not automatically constitute acceptance to a program of study leading to a graduate degree.To pursue a graduate degree, a person must also be accepted in a program of study after gaining regular admission to graduate standing. International applicants cannot be admitted to graduate standing unless they are also accepted by a degree program at the same time.

Persons who achieve regular admission but are not initially seeking a graduate degree (non-degree) and who subsequently decide to pursue a degree must apply for and be accepted in a degree program by the Graduate School. A student with regular graduate standing who has not been accepted in a program of study leading to a specific graduate degree may take no more than 12 semester hours of graduate-level courses that can be counted toward the requirements for a graduate degree (six for graduate certificate programs). At the time of acceptance in a degree program, the chair of the appropriate department or program director will recommend to the Graduate School which courses previously taken, if any, are to be accepted in the degree program.

Students with a documented history of an academic integrity violation may be denied admission by the program but will be given an opportunity to explain the violation as defined by the program.

Requirements for admission to graduate standing and acceptance in a program of study leading to a graduate degree are:

For admission to graduate standing:
1. A grade-point average of 3.0 or better (A=4.00) on the last 60 hours of course work taken prior to receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or
2. Conferral of a post-baccalaureate graduate degree (excluding professional degrees) from a regionally accredited institution;
For acceptance to a graduate degree program the requirements are as follows:
1. Fulfillment of either 1.a or 1.b and recommendation of the chair of the department or program offering instruction for the degree program; or
2. Fulfillment of 1.b, recommendation of the chair of the department or program offering instruction for the degree program and approval of the Graduate Dean. The student must also meet any other conditions that may be specified by the faculty of the department.

Any other consideration for admission must be by individual petition to the Graduate Dean and, where pertinent, a recommendation from the appropriate program chair. Each petition will be considered on its own merits, case by case. Program requirements should be considered the minimum for admission to a degree program but do not guarantee admission. That is, fully qualified applicants who are accepted by the Graduate School will not necessarily be accepted into the degree program of their choice. It is the responsibility of the program faculty to allocate program resources in the most effective manner. To accomplish this, the program may not be able to accept every qualified applicant.

Non-Degree Seeking.If a student meets all of the requirements for regular admission to the Graduate School but chooses not to pursue a degree, they may be admitted as non-degree seeking. If the student subsequently chooses to pursue a degree, only 12 of the hours taken as a non-degree-seeking student may be used to fulfill degree requirements, and those 12 hours must be approved by the advisory committee.

Non-Consecutive One Term Admission, NON-DEGREE Standing.Applicants who desire admission standing allowing them to enroll in non-consecutive single semesters must obtain from the Graduate School Admissions Office and must sign a statement of understanding. Students admitted to such non-consecutive one-term admissions must understand that any enrollment taken in this classification will not normally carry degree credit. Transcripts are not required for applicants seeking this non-degree standing.

Visiting Graduate Students.A graduate student who is in good standing at another accredited institution may be given admission (non-degree status) to the Graduate School for one semester (renewable) upon submission of an Application for Admission and a letter of good standing from the Dean of the Graduate School at that institution. If the student’s first language is not English, the English Language Proficiency Requirement will apply, but programs may petition for a student to be admitted with a waiver of the proficiency requirement. If, sometime in the future, the student should wish to pursue a degree in the University of Arkansas Graduate School, it will be necessary to follow the normal procedures for admission, to have official transcripts sent from each institution previously attended, and to submit an appropriate English Language Proficiency score, if appropriate.

Regular Readmission.Readmission to the Graduate School is not automatic. Students must meet each of the following criteria and are also strongly encouraged to ensure that an adviser in the department/program is still available to them. Post-candidacy doctoral students who have not been enrolled in the preceding year must be acceptable by the program for readmission. This readmission policy applies to students who are requesting readmission to continue a prior program or request readmission to apply to a new program.

Students who have been enrolled in the Graduate School within the five preceding academic years but have not enrolled in the immediately preceding semester will be readmitted if:

The student has earned at least a 2.85 cumulative grade-point average on all graduate credits attempted during all previous enrollments;
Former students seeking to resume their graduate degree program should complete the “Request for Reactivation of Enrollment” form and submit the reactivation fee (if required). A new Application for Admission Form (and application fee) is required of students seeking admission to begin a new graduate program, In both cases, paperwork must be filed prior to the desired registration date (preferably at least one month prior to that date);
The Graduate School has received an official transcript of all course work attempted at other institutions subsequent to the previous enrollment in the University of Arkansas Graduate School;
The student’s graduate status at the end of the previous enrollment was “good standing."

Alternate Readmission to the Graduate School

If a student's cumulative grade-point average is less than a 2.85 and left the University on "academic warning" within the preceding five years, the student's program may petition the Director of Graduate Admissions for readmission detailing the good cause as to why the student should be readmitted. If approved, the student may be readmitted on warning and all regulations regarding academic probation and dismissal apply.

Students who have been previously admitted to and enrolled in the Graduate School but have no enrollment within the five years preceding the semester of readmission and who wish to be readmitted to pursue a graduate degree, may be considered for readmission upon a petition by the degree program to the Graduate School. Such students should contact the department/program head/director or graduate coordinator to request readmission.

Students who have been academically dismissed from the Graduate School or left on academic warning may petition their department/program head/director or graduate coordinator for readmission and request their previous course work and grade points to be forfeited. (Note: Neither the degree program nor the student may petition to forfeit only some of the previous course work and grade points; rather, all or none of the course work may be forfeited.) If all of the previous course work and grade points will be forfeited, a notation on the transcript next to these courses will state: “This course may not be used for graduate credit at the University of Arkansas.” To petition for readmission using this forfeiture procedure, the student must have not been enrolled for at least three years. Programs may petition the Director of Graduate Admissions for readmission and grade forfeiture detailing the good cause as to why the student should be readmitted.

In any readmission, if the previous course work and grade points will not be forfeited, the student’s major adviser must petition for a time extension if required. All requirements for the master’s and specialist degrees must be completed within six years of the first enrollment used for the degree; all requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed within seven years from the original date of the Declaration of Intent. Absence from the University does not change these time limits. Students may petition for extensions to these time limits only if the course work was completed at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). Please see the Time Extension Policy.

Readmission for non-degree seeking students: Non-degree-seeking students who have previously been enrolled in the Graduate School but have had a lapse in their enrollment will follow the procedures stated above, or in the policy pertaining to non-consecutive one-term admissions, whichever is most appropriate.

Readmission to the Graduate School under any other circ*mstances will be considered and decided on an individual basis by the Graduate Dean. Students interested in obtaining such readmission should contact the Graduate School.

Admission to Online Graduate Degree Programs: Admission to online graduate programs is contingent upon the University of Arkansas’ ability to deliver distance education within the country where the student is located. Admission to online programs may be denied by the Graduate School if the University of Arkansas is not authorized or has declined to deliver distance education to that location because of regulations or restrictions in the country where the student will be located while studying.

Students admitted to the on-campus program intending to continue studying through distance education must be located in a country where distance education is offered by the University of Arkansas. A student relocating to country where the University of Arkansas does not offer distance education may be withdrawn from distance delivered courses and not allowed to continue degree progress until the student is located in a country where distance education though the University of Arkansas is permitted.

Continuance in an online program is contingent on the consistent location of the student in a country in which the University of Arkansas is authorized to provide distance education. Students who were admitted to an online program located in a country where distance delivery was authorized but who later relocate to a country where the University of Arkansas does not offer distance education may be withdrawn from their courses and not allowed to continue degree progress until the student is located in a country where distance education is permitted.

Admission to Graduate Centers

In an attempt to fulfill the recognized need for graduate education for Arkansas residents who find it impossible or inconvenient to attend classes at Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas Graduate School offers selected graduate-level courses at graduate centers throughout the state.

All courses and instructors at these centers have been individually evaluated by the University of Arkansas Graduate Council and are subject to the same standards of quality that apply to graduate faculty and graduate programs at Fayetteville.

Similarly, those desiring to enroll in these courses must follow the same admission procedures and are subject to the same admission criteria as persons admitted at Fayetteville. There are no exceptions or deviations from these policies and procedures. Admission materials, including all official transcripts, should be received in the Graduate School at least one month prior to the requested semester of entry. (See section on “Admission.”)

For more comprehensive information regarding format of instruction, schedule of classes, enrollment and registration, fees, etc., contact the Global Campus, 2 E. Center St., Fayetteville, AR 72701; 1-800-952-1165.

Those intending to enroll for classes at the Graduate Resident Center for Engineering (University of Arkansas at Little Rock, host campus) must submit application for admission to the Graduate School at least one month prior to initial registration through:

Graduate Resident Center for Engineering
3189 Bell Engineering Center
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Telephone: 1-800-423-1176 or 479-575-6015

To assure timely processing of the Application for Admission, a check or money order made to the University of Arkansas for the $60 application fee must accompany the application when submitted to the Graduate School.

Contact the above address for information pertaining to classes, enrollment, fees, etc.

Graduate Centers

The University of Arkansas offers graduate-level courses for residence credit at Graduate Centers located off the Fayetteville campus. There are two types of graduate centers currently in existence: Twelve-Hour Graduate Centers and Graduate Resident Centers.

Graduate courses completed at Graduate Resident Centers may be used to satisfy course work requirements for any graduate degree. Any graduate credit course offered by the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, via distance education (regardless of class sites) will be counted as residence credit.

Twelve-Hour Graduate Centers

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, offers graduate courses at off-campus locations. At those locations, not defined as Graduate Resident Centers for specified degrees, a student may complete a maximum of twelve semester hours of courses for residence credit applicable to the master’s degree requirements at the University of Arkansas.

To obtain graduate credit for courses offered at off-campus locations, the student must gain admission to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Graduate School. If graduate credit so received is to be applied to a specific master’s degree, the student must be accepted in a program of study leading to that degree. Graduate courses completed, but not applicable to the requirements for the master’s degree the student is pursuing, will not be accepted as part of the 30-week residence required for that degree.

Graduate Resident Centers

The University of Arkansas offers graduate level courses for residence credit off the Fayetteville campus. All of the residence requirements for some graduate degrees may be completed off campus at Graduate Resident Centers as indicated in the following list.

Graduate Resident Centers at Military Bases and the downtown Little Rock Graduate Resident Center
The Master of Science in Operations Management (M.S.O.M.) is offered at Graduate Resident Centers established at the Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tennessee;the Hurlburt Field Air Force Base in Florida; and at the downtown Little Rock location. For further information on this degree program and a description of courses offered, see the Operations Management page.
University of Arkansas Clinton School
All course requirements for the Master of Public Service may be completed at a combination of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.