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 Graduate College
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Application Process

This section applies to all students taking graduate courses at the University of Northern Iowa after receiving the bachelor's degree.  The admission procedures of the Graduate College are administered separately from those of the university's undergraduate program.  Prospective students may apply for graduate admission under one of two categories:  Degree Status or Non-Degree Status.  Each category carries specific regulations.   

State specifically the type of admission for which you wish to be considered.

  1. Degree status should be selected by students who are seeking admission to a department to pursue a program of studies which can culminate in a degree.
  2. Non-Degree status has been established to meet the needs of students who:
    1. wish to take courses which do not comprise a degree program.
    2. plan to demonstrate competence in graduate studies in support of consideration for admission to a degree program at a later time. NOTE: Academic departments are not obliged to count toward their degree programs any credit for course work undertaken in a non-degree status.

Admission to graduate study does not guarantee admission to an advanced degree program.  The academic departments are responsible for the determination of admission to degree programs, but the Graduate College has final authority on the admission status of admitted students (unconditional or provisional).  It is the responsibility of the department to send official notification of departmental action. Requests for non-degree enrollment are reviewed and acted upon by the Office of Admissions.  Students may apply online or print an Admissions form and mail it to the Office of Admissions, GIL 002, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0018.

U.S. Students

A non-refundable application fee of $50.00 must be sent to the Office of Admissions, unless you received or anticipate receiving a degree from the University of Northern Iowa. The application review process will be delayed until the application fee is received.

Applications for Degree-Status admission and all credentials required for admission should be on file in the Office of Admissions at least one month before departmental review. Students must contact the academic department regarding application review deadlines. Application for non-degree status will be accepted up to five days prior to registration.


International Students

International students should note the special application deadlines required by International Admissions at:

http://access.uni.edu/stdt/internat_instr.htm#Apply.

International students should use the online International Application for Admission or request an application and instructions by contacting International Admissions, GIL 002, UNI, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0018. Telephone: 319-273-5925.  See this Information regarding individual department requirements for TOEFL/IELTS scores, letters of recommendation, and additional application materials required. The application fee for international students is $70.00 and must be submitted before the review process begins.

Information needed by international students to complete application:

  • -  Semester you expect to begin studies at UNI.
  • -  Permanent address information: Street address, city, state or province, postal code and country.
  • -  Country of birth.
  • -  Country of citizenship.
  • -  Country of residence.
  • -  Native language.
  • -  Degree you are seeking at UNI.
  • -  Field of study at UNI.
  • -  Most recent college entrance examination test scores as appropriate to your level of study.
  • -  Type of visa you expect to hold while at UNI.
  • -  Educational background beginning at grade 9; dates of attendance, school level, school name and
       school location.

All Students

Completing the Application

Type or print all information, particularly your name, so that there will be no misunderstanding. Your legal name should always be used. If any of your records appear under another name, give this name also.

It is your responsibility to arrange to have the necessary credentials submitted. Follow the accompanying checklist and instructions to make sure all required steps in the admission process are completed so that a missing item will not cause delay in considering your application.

Credentials Required

You must file an official transcript from each college or university from which you have received a degree, if the degree was obtained from an institution other than UNI. Degree status applicants who have attended other colleges or universities after earning the bachelor's degree must file an official transcript from each institution attended. Only transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the UNI Office of Admissions are considered official. Unofficial or personal transcripts are not acceptable.

Credit from other Institutions: Graduate credit from other accredited institutions may be accepted to a maximum of one-third of the number of hours (exclusive of thesis credit) required by a particular UNI thesis or non-thesis master's degree program. The specialist and doctoral degree programs each have different transfer credit policies.

The Office of Admissions has responsibility for the collection and verification of all official transcripts, records, and required standardized examination scores. This office forwards copies of these documents to the academic departments as necessary. All documents become property of the University and may not be forwarded to other institutions.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) & Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

The GMAT Score is an admission requirement for the MBA and MAcc programs and must be taken before an admission decision can be made. Students seeking admission to other degree programs which require the GRE tests must be taken before an admission decision can be made. Only test scores sent directly from the issuing Test Agency to the UNI Office of Admissions are considered official.

Racial/Ethnic Data (Optional)

The U.S. Office of Education, in compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, requires institutions of higher education to compile and report enrollment data on students, according to racial/ethnic compositions. These data are for statistical purposes only, will not be used in determining admission and will be treated confidentially. The University of Northern Iowa is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, or sexual orientation, and to a policy of affirmative action.

Application Checklist

  • - Submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study to the Office of Admissions, UNI, Cedar Falls
      IA 50614-0018.
  • - Submit a personal check or money order in the amount of $50 ($70 for international students) made payable to
      the University of Northern Iowa to the Office of Admissions, UNI, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0018. (Not necessary
      for applicants who earned a degree or anticipate receiving a degree from UNI.)
  • - If you are currently enrolled in university study and it is necessary to initially send incomplete transcripts of
      record, make arrangements to have a final transcript sent as soon as possible.
  • - If you are seeking financial assistance through the Graduate College, a major department, or through the Office
      of Financial Aid it is imperative that you forward all necessary documents and requests as quickly as possible.
      No action on your request for financial assistance will be processed until all necessary admission and financial
      aid documents are received. Decisions regarding financial aid and graduate assistantships/tuition scholarships
      will be delayed until after admission is determined and all financial aid documents are on file. Questions
      regarding graduate assistantships/scholarships should be directed to the Graduate Coordinator of the
      program to which you are applying. Questions and requests for assistance through federally sponsored
      programs should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid (319-273-2700 or 800-772-2736) or online at
      http://www.uni.edu/finaid/.
  • - Ask your degree issuing institution(s) to send an official transcript of your academic record directly to the
      Office of Admissions. If you are a degree status student you must provide an official transcript from all other
      institutions attended since earning the bachelor's degree.
  • - Make arrangements to have GRE, GMAT, or other required standardized examination scores sent directly by
      the issuing testing agencies     to the Office of Admissions.
  • - For on-campus housing contact the Department of Residence at http://www.uni.edu/dor/ or call 319-273-2333 or
      866-207-9411.

Application Checklist for International Students

  • - Prospective graduate students must have graduated from an undergraduate program with results equivalent to a
      3.00 GPA (grade point average) or above on a 4.00 scale.
  • - Send the completed application for admission to International Admissions.  If you complete the application by
      hand, print legibly so your name, address and other information will be correct on University records.
  • - Pay by credit card or send a bank draft or money order to the International Admissions Office, 002 Gilchrist
      Hall, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA  50614-0018, USA in the amount of $70, made payable to the
      University of Northern Iowa.  If you are applying electronically, be sure to include your name (and U.S. social
      security number if available) on the check for matching with the electronic application.  This application fee is
      not necessary for applicants who earned their bachelor's degree from UNI.
  • - All official school transcripts, each bearing the seal and signature of a school registrar and mailed directly from
      the institution to the UNI International Services Office.  Academic records must be submitted in the language of
      instruction and accompanied by an English translation.
  • - A TOEFL score of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based), or 79 (iBT) for applicants whose first language is
      not English.  Some programs may require a higher TOEFL score.  IELTS will be accepted as an alternative to
      the TOEFL.
    - Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) score of 500 or above is required to enter the Master's of
      Business Administration (MBA) program and the Masters of Accounting (MAcc).
  • - The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for doctoral programs and for some master's programs.
      Additional requirements for specific programs can be found at:
      http://www.uni.edu/intladm/graduate/majors
      Financial statement and certification form
  • - On-campus housing information will be provided upon admission.