GRADUATE APPLICATION PROCESS
Admission Procedures
Students desiring to enter the graduate program must submit the following documents:
1. A completed graduate application for admission.
2. An application fee of $50 (non-refundable). Current and past Wayland students
are excused from this fee.
3. Official transcripts from each institution attended. A transcript is official if
received by the Office of Graduate Studies or the external campus office
directly from the issuing institution. It must bear the college seal, date, and
appropriate signature. Hand-carried transcripts are considered official only
if they are presented to Wayland in a sealed letterhead envelope from the
issuing institution. If the bachelor’s degree has not been conferred at the
time the transcript is sent, an official transcript indicating the completion of
the baccalaureate degree must be forwarded after graduation.
4. Application files will not be evaluated until all of the above requirements
have been met.
A student who desires to enroll in graduate courses may be admitted to graduate study
under one of the following categories.
Application Deadlines:
In order to ensure admissions to the graduate program, applications and supporting documentation as outlined in the classifications listed below must be submitted to the office of graduate studies no later than the following dates:
| Fall enrollment | July 1 |
| Winter enrollment | October 1 |
| Spring enrollment | January 3 |
| Summer enrollment | April 1 |
If the student fails to supply the required documentation in his/her admissions category or does not meet the admissions requirements as outlined in the academic catalog, Wayland Baptist University will not be able to guarantee completion of the admissions process for the term applied.
Undergraduate to Graduate Program Transition for Current Wayland Students:
Wayland Baptist welcomes all qualified students who are completing their undergraduate degrees to be a part of the graduate studies program. In order for the graduate studies office to provide excellent service, the currently enrolled Wayland undergraduate must follow this process to guarantee admission to the graduate program without interrupted enrollment:
- WBU undergraduates who are currently enrolled in their final courses may apply for full admission to the graduate program.
- The $50.00 application fee will be waived for Wayland graduates.
- In order to assure uninterrupted enrollment, the following application deadlines must be followed:
| Fall enrollment | July 1 |
| Winter enrollment | October 1 |
| Spring enrollment | January 3 |
| Summer enrollment | April 1 |
Application for admission to the graduate studies program may be completed on-line at https://apply.wbu.edu/.
- Upon making application, it is the responsibility of the student to notify, via written communication, their local campus undergraduate advisor and the local campus graduate studies coordinator that application has been made to graduate studies.
- If it is found that the student’s grade point average is below a 3.0 based on the last 60 hours of graded course work, the student may be asked to complete a writing sample. If this is required, a $10 fee must be paid by the student. Upon receipt of the payment by WBU, information concerning how to access and submit the writing sample will be sent via WBU e-mail to the student. The writing sample will be graded and evaluated with plagiarism detection software prior to notifying the student of the outcome.
- Students who will be seeking federal aid for their studies must coordinate these efforts with their local campus financial aid personnel. The graduate studies office will work in conjunction with the undergraduate records and the graduate studies office to ensure uninterrupted aid processing.
If the student fails to complete the steps listed above or does not meet the admissions requirements as outlined in the academic catalog, Wayland Baptist University will not be able to guarantee completion of the admissions process for the term immediately following undergraduate enrollment. Any questions regarding this process should be addressed with the local campus graduate studies coordinator or the local campus executive director/dean.
Degree-Seeking - The Degree-seeking category is available for any student who wishes
to pursue a graduate degree, has completed the graduate application process and who meets all admission requirements. A student in this category is eligible to enroll in all graduate courses for which he or she has completed the necessary prerequisites. Application for admission to a specific degree program is made concurrently with application to the Graduate Program. A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and meets one of the following conditions is eligible for admission as a degree seeking student.
1. Applicants with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 graded hours earned are guaranteed admission to the graduate program.
2. Applicants with a GPA of 2.70 to 2.999 on the last 60 graded hours earned must submit a writing sample approved by the university. Instructions will be given to the student by the graduate studies office concerning this sample. The cost for current and past Wayland students will be $10.00.
3. Applicants with a GPA of 2.50 to 2.699 on the last 60 graded hours earned may be admitted on a probationary status. Students under this category must submit a writing sample approved by the university. Instructions will be given to the student by the graduate studies office concerning this sample. The cost for current and past Wayland students will be $10.00. Upon receipt of the writing sample score, the student may be required to participate in an admissions interview.
Conditional Degree-Seeking - The conditional category exists for students who wish to
pursue a graduate degree but have not met all the admission requirements. Candidates admitted under this category must have applied for degree-seeking status. To be granted conditional degree-seeking status, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, submit a completed application for degree-seeking students, pay the related application fee and arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Graduate Studies Office.
To continue enrollment beyond the first term of attendance, the applicant must be admitted as a degree-seeking candidate prior to the beginning of the next regular academic term of 10 weeks or more. Students in this category may not take more than six semester hours of graduate work and must earn a grade of ‘B’ or better in each course attempted. Students will not be allowed to enroll in graduate classes unless all the prerequisites required for the class have been met. (If during the course of the semester of conditional enrollment it is discovered that the student does not meet graduate requirements, he or she may be asked to withdraw from graduate classes.)
Non-Degree Post-Baccalaureate - The non-degree post-baccalaureate category is
available to any student who already holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college
or university and who desires post-baccalaureate work for the purpose of licensure, certification, or personal goals but who does not wish to apply this work toward a graduate degree. International students holding an F-1 student visa are not admitted under this category.
A non-degree post-baccalaureate applicant must meet all the criteria for admissions.
Requirements for admission are as follows:
1. To be admitted, non-degree seeking students must have a cumulative GPA
of 2.7 or higher for the last 60 hours of courses completed.
2. A non-refundable fee of $50 is required.
3. A completed application for admission.
4. An official copy of their most recent transcript with the baccalaureate degree
posted and an official copy of all transcripts documenting all post-baccalaureate
hours completed.
5. These documents must be submitted prior to the beginning of the next regular
academic term of 10 weeks or more.
Non-degree seeking students whose documents are not completed prior to enrollment will not
be allowed to take more than six semester hours of graduate courses in the first term. Students in this category will not be allowed to enroll in graduate classes for which they have not met the prerequisites. If it is discovered that a student is enrolled without meeting the requirements for a non-degree seeking student, the student will be withdrawn from classes.
Admission to a non-degree program is not a guarantee of admission to a graduate degree
program at a later date, nor does it guarantee that credits earned in a non-degree program will
count toward a graduate degree.
A maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate study earned in this category may be applied
to a Wayland graduate degree. The graduate admissions committee must approve the application of non-degree hours to a graduate degree. Leveling work completed by a non-degree student must have a grade not lower than “C” to satisfy graduate degree requirements. A student may change degree status by filling out the appropriate application and meeting all the requirements for that category. A required $35 change of degree fee will be required upon any change of degree status. This fee is different from the application fee; therefore, no students will be exempted from this fee.
Five categories of non-degree admissions are available to all students except for certain
groups of international visa holders including F-1 visa holders:
1. Certificate or Licensure - students who desire to earn certification through the Division of Education may apply for this type of non-degree status. Graduate courses may be taken, but if students wish to pursue a degree at a later time, only 12 graduate hours completed before admissions to a degree program can be counted toward a degree. Students must also apply to the teacher education program through the Division of Education.
Educational Administration Licensure - for those students with a valid teaching license and graduate degree and only wish to take the hours required for principalship certification. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students seeking this licensure.
Health Care Licensure - for those with a baccalaureate or graduate degree who want to take the hours for state licensure in the health care field. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students seeking this licensure.
Teacher Certification - for those students not currently certified who are seeking teacher certification on the elementary, secondary, or all-level. Students pursuing teacher certification must complete a non-degree seeking application, pay the application fee (if required), and submit official transcripts from every institution attended. Financial aid is available for those who are admitted into both the graduate program and the teacher education certification program. Students should contact the financial aid office for more information.
2. Concurrent - a senior student in the last regular or summer session term of undergraduate
work may enroll in up to six semester hours of graduate work, provided that the student has completed an application to the Graduate Program, has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and has obtained written approval from the chair of the division in which the work is offered. With approval from the academic advisor, the student may apply credit for graduate course work to either the undergraduate degree or graduate degree during the semester taken; however, in no instance may credit for course work be applied to both degrees. On external campuses, the advisor must notify the correct administrative office in writing of the appropriate application of credit.
If the graduate course work is to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements, the student shall be governed by the existing catalog of record. If the graduate course work is to be applied to Wayland graduate degree requirements, the student shall be governed by the current catalog at the time of initial enrollment in graduate course work. Students will not be allowed to enroll in any more graduate classes until admitted and the baccalaureate degree has been posted. Courses taken to be used toward a graduate program may have financial aid implication. For clarification of financial aid contact the campus financial aid representative.
3. Post-Baccalaureate/Post-Graduate - students who have earned an undergraduate
or a graduate degree and desire to take only undergraduate leveling courses. Since the undergraduate courses being taken are for leveling prerequisites, students must have a grade not lower than “C” to satisfy graduate degree requirements. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students in this category.
4. Temporary - students who do not seek a graduate degree, but want to take graduate
courses for personal goals/interest, raising their grade point average or continuing
professional enrichment development who do not meet any of the previously mentioned
categories. Students may only enroll in a maximum of 12 hours. Financial aid
is not available for non-degree students in this category.
5. Transient - students who need to take a graduate course at Wayland to transfer back to another graduate program. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students in this category.
Applicants who are denied admission as degree-seeking or non-degree seeking status may
be eligible for admission as temporary undergraduate for the purpose of raising the grade point average to be admitted to the graduate program at a later date. Students should contact the office of undergraduate admissions for further information.
Additional Requirements for International Students - In addition to the admission requirements stated above, an international student (a student attending Wayland on an F-1 student visa issued by the United States government) must also submit the following to the
Admissions Office:
1. Visa Authorization Form
2. All applicable transcripts - A student must have completed a program equivalent to the baccalaureate degree in the United States. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be provided.
3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to have all transcripts, certificates, or diplomas from institutions outside the United States sent to a credentials evaluation agency for evaluation. A list of agencies may be obtained from the Office of Admissions. This evaluation determines the authenticity of the documents as well as provides appropriate subject identification as well as a GPA calculation (in many instances, this will be termed a "detailed" report). A copy of the results must be sent directly to Wayland from the evaluation service.
4. Language Entrance Exam: International students whose first or home language is not English are requred to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum of 61 on the Internet-based test, 173 on the computer-based, or 500 on the paper-based test is required for unconditional admission. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service. A registration form and a "Bulletin of Information for Candidates" may be obtained by contacting ETS through their web site at http://www.ets.org, or writing to TOEFL Registration Office, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA.
5. Financial Support Statement: All international students must certify to Wayland and the U.S. Citizenship Immigration Service that the student has sufficient funds available to cover the first two semesters of study while in the United States. A completed Financial Statement form is required for the student file. This form is avialble on the Wayland web site at http://www.wbu.edu or by conctacing the international admissions representative.