Admissions

Admissions

Admission to Graduate Study
Application Procedures
Deadlines for Admission/Application Materials
Classification of Students
International Students 

Admission to Graduate Study

Graduate programs are open to full- and/or part-time students who fulfill the admission requirements as stated for each program. Admission to degree programs is highly competitive and all qualified persons may not be accepted. Required admission materials and entry requirements are listed for each graduate program under the individual program description. Refer also to the program’s application packet for complete information.

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Application Procedures

The admissions file is self-managed by the applicant. The applicant is responsible for collecting all of the pertinent documents necessary for the application, and sending a completed application packet to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Smyth Hall, Room 244. This self-managed system assures the applicant that upon submission of his/her application materials prior to the admission deadline, the admissions file is complete and the applicant will be considered for admission. The Program Admissions Committees review only completed admissions files following the admission deadline. (Please refer to deadlines for application materials.) An admissions decision will be communicated to the applicant by official letter from the Director of Graduate Admissions. An enrollment deposit is required for applicants admitted to a graduate program with the intent to enroll. The deposit is applied to the first semester’s tuition.

Any applicant for a program leading to teacher certification who holds a bachelor’s degree from a college or university outside the United States or Canada must have his/her transcript(s) evaluated by the New York State Bureau of Teacher Certification and Evaluation; completion of this process is considered a provision of admission because it may take six months to complete this process. Therefore, in order to facilitate the processing of admissions materials in a more timely way, an applicant may proceed via WES (World Evaluation Services) for transcript evaluation. Please refer to Additional Admission Procedures for International Students under the catalog section entitled Classification of Students. Note: While an applicant works through WES for transcript evaluation, the NYS evaluation is still required for full admission to a graduate program leading to teacher certification.

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Deadlines for Admission/Application Materials

Master of Science in Education degree programs:
• Art Education
• Business and Marketing Education 
•Computer Education (optional summer start term)
• Inclusive Education Programs: Early Childhood, Childhood, Adolescence
• Literacy Education Programs
• Music Education
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
For admission to:
   Fall Semester - April 1
   Spring Semester - October 1
Applications received after the stated deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Master of Science degree programs:
• Creative Arts Therapy
- Art Therapy Specialization
- Music Therapy Specialization
For admission to:
   Fall Semester only - January 15
• Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
• Human Resource Management
• Management
For admission to:
   Fall Semester, Spring Semester, or Summer Term
   The application deadline is the first of every month.
• Speech-Language Pathology
For admission to:
   Fall Semester - February 1
   Spring Semester - October 1

Master of Arts degree program:
• Liberal Arts
For admission to:
   Fall Semester, Spring Semester, or Summer Term
   The application deadline is the first of every month.

Master of Social Work degree program:
• Social WorkFor admission to:
   Summer Term - January 15
   Applications for Advanced Standing Admission
   Fall Semester - March 15
   Applications for Regular Admission

Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program:
For admission to:
   Summer only (note: students accepted for admission begin coursework in the summer) - February 1

Advanced Certificate Programs:
• Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
For admission to:
   Fall Semester, Spring Semester, or Summer Term
   The application deadline is the first of every month.

Non-Degree Programs for teacher education extensions and annotations:
Admission is by departmental approval. Please contact the Office of Graduate Student Services for further information.

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Classification of Students

Fully accepted - Students who have been accepted as candidates for a master’s degree and are eligible to register in graduate level course work as indicated in the official letter of acceptance.

Provisionally accepted - Students who have made application to a master’s degree program and give promise of the ability to achieve fully accepted graduate status. However, they have not met all minimum standards for full acceptance, and are now eligible for a maximum of 12 graduate credit hours. By the completion of 12 graduate credit hours or 1 year, the provisions for full acceptance must be met in order to enroll. Students who must show proof of teacher certification or proof of completion of a bacherlor’s degree must do so by the end of their first semester of enrollment. Provision(s) information is detailed with the official letter of acceptance.

Conditionally accepted - Students who have made application to a master’s degree program and give promise to achieve fully accepted graduate status. However, for example, they have not met all prerequisite course work for full acceptance, and will become eligible for graduate course registration upon successful completion and verification via official transcript of prerequisites. Information regarding condition(s) of acceptance is detailed with the official letter of acceptance.

Matriculated status - refers to both the admission and registration processes. A matriculated graduate student is one who has: (1) completed the formal application process, (2) received a formal letter from the Director of Graduate Admissions regarding the specific type of admission extended to him/her, and (3) enrolled in graduate level courses.

Professional Educator status - In circumstances whereby a student has completed a master’s degree, or a program of study deemed appropriate by a Program Director, and seeks to register for a graduate level course for professional endeavors, the student may seek approval for status of Professional Educator. This status will allow the student to register for a course without formal acceptance into a program. The approval form may be obtained in the Office of Graduate Student Services.

Full-time Students - The semester course load for a full-time graduate student is a minimum of 9 credit hours of graduate level course work. Employment should be limited.

Half-time Students - The semester course load for a half-time graduate student is 6-8 graduate level credit hours.

Less than Half-time Students - The semester course load for this status is less than 6 credit hours of graduate level work.

Auditors - Students wishing to audit courses for which no graduate credits are claimed. Auditors must hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university. Registration is on a space available basis and with the permission of the Program Director. The audit fee is equal to 1 credit of graduate tuition.

Veterans - Veterans who are eligible for educational benefits may consult the local Veterans Administration or obtain applications in the Office of the Registrar. Recipients of veteran benefits are required to sign in the Registrar’s Office each week. They also must report change of status, interrupted attendance, or termination of study to the Registrar.

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International Students - (utilize the regular application form, however, additional admission requirements are described below)

The following information is in regard to admission requirements, admission deadlines, financial aid, requirements for “F” student visa, and health insurance. For additional information visit www.naz.edu or www.naz.edu/dept/cie.

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

• Bachelor’s Degree (U.S. equivalent): Applicants seeking admission to a master’s level program must possess a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent in US terms), with adequate preparation, from a recognized institute of higher education. Evaluation by World Evaluation Services (WES): Applicants from foreign educational institutions are required to send official copies of transcripts with certified English translation to the World Education Services for evaluation. WES will send copies of completed evaluations to the applicant and to Nazareth College. To contact WES call 1-800-977-8263 or (212) 966-6377 between 9am and 5 pm Eastern.
• TOEFL Score: Applicants, applying from a foreign educational institution, whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service, Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA, with a minimum score of 530 on the paper-based test and 205 on the computer-based test for unconditional admission. (Please note that minimum score may vary by program.) This test will be given throughout the world in these months: November, January, March, May and July. Results of the test must be forwarded directly to Nazareth College. NOTE: (1) Applicants with lower English proficiency may be admitted on a provisional basis by enrolling in Nazareth’s American Language Institute for an intensive English program. (2) Applicants without TOEFL scores may be admitted conditionally upon being tested after arrival. The testing will determine English placement.
• NOTE: Official documents in languages other than English must include certified English translation.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial support by sending the following required documents: (1) bank affidavit certifying available assets. The students must demonstrate a level of support not only for actual tuition and room and board, but also for living expenses, pocket money, books, etc.; (2) completion of a Declaration of Finances form is required. Go to http://www.naz.edu/dept/cie/intlstudents/decfinance_grad.pdf to download and print the form.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended, but not required.

Application Deadlines for International Students
All applications for international student admissions are reviewed as soon as they are received. Applicants are notified of the admission decision within six weeks after receipt of a complete application packet. All items listed above in addition to the general application must be received by Nazareth College to be eligible for admission review.

Graduate Assistantships for International Students
Graduate assistantships are limited and awarded on a highly competitive basis.

Costs for International Students
The approximate cost (including tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board and incidental expenses) for one year of graduate study is estimated at $26,250 (Doctorate in Physical Therapy is $37,170) for 2007-2008. The above is an estimate of what graduate expenses at Nazareth College could be. It must be emphasized that this is only an estimate and may be changed if conditions warrant.

Requirements for “F” Student Visa
When applicants have met all admission requirements, Nazareth College will prepare and forward an official letter of acceptance and one copy of Certificate of Eligibility, Forms I-20A and I-20B. This copy of I-20A and I-20B should be taken to the nearest American Consul for the purpose of securing a Non-Immigrant “F” Student Visa.

Health Insurance for International Students
All international applicants are required to possess a valid health insurance policy, or agree to purchase one through Nazareth College. All admitted students will be required to submit proof of measles and rubella immunizations before registering for their first semester.

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