Graduate Catalog 2010-2011
UDM Academic PoliciesCourse DescriptionsList of All ProgramsFaculty

Admission to Graduate Study

Admission to graduate study is selective. In addition to having earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, candidates are expected to present evidence of superior performance in their undergraduate work which includes a general education component. Colleges may institute limited variations in the overall admission criteria in order to meet academic or professional requirements in their fields. A particular program may utilize additional criteria such as standardized test scores, successful work performance, personal goal statements or face-to-face interviews to aid in predicting successful performance in a graduate program. These criteria are presented in the sections describing individual program admission criteria. Final decisions regarding admission are made by the dean of the college offering the program upon the recommendation of the program director.

Throughout its policies and procedures, the University is committed to the principles of equal educational opportunity for all regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, handicap, military service, height, weight, marital status, or political belief.

Objectives and Responsibilities of Graduate Study

Graduate programs play a vital role in the mission of the University of Detroit Mercy. As the home of scholarship and research, graduate programs provide opportunities through advanced instruction and experience in research for a qualified student to master an area of knowledge, add to its store and disseminate it to others. Graduate study may best be described as a dedication to truth: the willingness to accept the discipline of scholarship through which the truth may be found and the desire to share this truth with others.

These objectives are shared by each of the colleges in the graduate programs they offer. But as each of the colleges maintains its identity, so each imposes special objectives inherent in the particular discipline itself. Since these objectives vary, they are traditionally specified in terms of departmental and program objectives.

Graduate students are responsible and accountable for knowledge of the University and program requirements, procedures and regulations set forth in this Catalog. Program directors, advisors, faculty and administrative staff may assist students by explaining requirements and procedures in individual instances. The ultimate responsibility for compliance with procedures and requirements, however, rests with the student.

The program director is a central figure in the development of the student’s academic program at the University. Students must consult with and obtain the approval of the program director (or advisor) to develop their schedules for each term, to change their registrations, and to clarify academic procedures and policies.

Application Procedures

Applications
An application for admission should be completed at least six weeks prior to the term in which the prospective student intends to begin graduate study. Some graduate programs require earlier deadlines. Consult the program information section of this Catalog for the specific deadlines for each program. International students should consult the section "Admission of International Students" below for admission deadlines and other application information. Students should submit an online application for admission (fee will be waived).

Transcripts
All applicants for graduate admission must submit official transcripts from every graduate and undergraduate institution attended (including UDM). A single transcript listing courses taken at other institutions will not be sufficient. Applicants must request the registrar at each institution to send the official transcript directly to the graduate programs office of the college to which application is being made.

Applicants who are currently enrolled in undergraduate programs should request that an official transcript be sent at the time of application. A "final" official transcript, certifying completion of all degree requirements, should be sent when all course work is completed.

Test Results
Applicants for graduate programs may be required to submit the results of customary standardized exams such as the GRE or the GMAT. Consult the program information section of this Catalog for specific information concerning such requirements.

Other Documentation
Some programs may require letters of recommendation, letters of intent, statements of work performance, etc. Consult the program information section of this Catalog for specific information concerning such requirements.

For information contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 635-5020, admissions@udmercy.edu, or for those who prefer to write:
Office of Admissions
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 West McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48221-3038

Admission Statuses

The following admission statuses may not apply to all colleges or programs. Acceptance within any status is at the discretion of the program director and/or dean of the college.

Regular Status
Fully qualified applicants admitted to a regular graduate degree program are granted Regular status. They must fulfill all requirements of the University and the program to which they are admitted.

Conditional Status
Conditional status may be granted to students who possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution but who do not meet the regular requirements for admission or to applicants who have received the bachelor’s degree or its equivalent at a non-regionally-accredited institution. Such admission requires the recommendation of the program director and the approval of the dean of the college.

Upon the completion of not more than 12 credit hours, a decision will be made regarding admission to regular status or dismissal. Acceptance requires a minimum B average for all courses attempted and the fulfillment of all other requirements established by the program director. The hours taken during conditional status may be counted as credit toward the fulfillment of degree requirements with the permission of the program director.

In some cases applicants with a bachelor’s degree may be required to enroll in some undergraduate courses to strengthen their background in preparation for graduate study. Courses taken in such circumstances will not be accepted for graduate credit.

Provisional Status
Provisional status may be granted to students with a bachelor’s or equivalent degree from an accredited college who appear to meet the quantitative and qualitative standards for regular admission, but who lack the official transcripts or test results necessary for regular admission. Provisional admission is granted for a single term’s registration.

Provisional status is temporary. Applicants admitted provisionally agree, by their registration, to abide by the final decision of their dean with reference to acceptance or rejection of their application for graduate study after the receipt and evaluation of official transcripts and/or test results by the University.

Unclassified Status
Unclassified status is granted to applicants not seeking a graduate degree or whose admission to a graduate program has been deferred or who are (1) undecided about their area of specialization or (2) seeking professional development. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the unclassified status. A maximum of 12 credit hours taken under unclassified status may be applied to a degree program. Applicants must submit an application form but need not submit transcripts or test results unless requested to do so. Unclassified students must obtain approval from the program director and the dean of the college in which the graduate courses are offered prior to registration in any given term.

Admission to unclassified status does not constitute admission to a graduate program. Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree or certificate must apply to the program of their choice and meet all the admission requirements of that program.

Guest Student Status
Students in good standing at other Michigan institutions who wish to take a course or a limited number of courses to be transferred back to their "home" institutions may enroll as Guest students. Students may apply for guest student admission by submitting an application for the Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Program.

This application may be obtained from the Graduate Program Office at most Michigan institutions. Students enrolled in institutions outside the state of Michigan must present a letter from their home institutions which indicates that they are in good standing and the specific course(s) the student may take. This letter must be signed by the dean of the graduate program at the home institution.

Guest student status is not continuous. A new application must be filed for any term in which the student desires to enroll at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Post-Degree Student Status
Students who possess a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue a limited number of credit courses at the undergraduate level may be admitted as Post-Degree students. Post-Degree students may not register for graduate level courses, must maintain the same scholastic standards and meet the same class requirements and course prerequisites as degree-seeking students. Post-degree students apply online with an undergraduate application for admission .

Readmission
Any student who has not been enrolled at the University for two calendar years must apply for readmission. Readmission forms are available in the college office. Upon seeking readmission, students must consult with the program director and/or dean of the college to determine their degree status and requirements.

Senior Privilege
University of Detroit Mercy undergraduate seniors with at least a 3.25 GPA may be permitted to take a limited number of graduate credits (nine credits) to be used either toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. Such courses cannot be counted for credit towards both the graduate and undergraduate degrees and they would appear on only one transcript (graduate or undergraduate). The student must have earned at least 110 hours and obtain the approval of the director of the graduate program offering the courses to be taken. Registration for graduate courses is by Senior Privilege Authorization Form only and the designation of whether the courses are being taken for undergraduate or graduate credit must be made at the time the form is submitted.

Permission to enroll in graduate courses under senior privilege does not imply acceptance into a graduate program. Students enrolled through senior privilege must follow the procedures and meet the established requirements in order to continue their graduate study.

Advanced Standing
Advanced standing may be allowed for courses taken in an earlier master’s degree program at the University of Detroit Mercy. Advanced standing is occasionally allowed for satisfactory work done in another recognized graduate school prior to enrollment in a graduate program at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Transfer of Credit

Students may transfer up to 12 semester hours from another graduate school or program (some programs may specify less) with the approval of the program director or the dean. Transfer credit will be granted for advanced undergraduate courses open to graduate students only if written verification is provided from an official of the institution verifying that the courses were completed for graduate credit. (Quarter-hour courses are converted to semester hours.)

A minimum grade of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required in all courses presented for transfer. All transfer courses must fall within the time limits established by the program in which a student wishes to enroll.

Petitions for advanced standing or transfer credits are available in the college office. Official transcripts must be supplied.

Students wishing to take graduate courses at other institutions must obtain the written approval of the dean and program director prior to enrolling in such courses. Such courses must be open to graduate students only. No more than one semester credit will be allowed per week of short courses or seminars. Some programs do not permit students to take graduate courses at other institutions subsequent to admission and enrollment at UDM.

Admission of International Students

Requirements
International student applicants for graduate programs from abroad must provide evidence of completion or near completion of at least four years of university studies leading to a degree equivalent to an American bachelor’s degree. All non-Canadian foreign documents must be evaluated by a recognized educational credential evaluation service such as the World Education Services .or the Educational Credential Evaluators . A course-by-course evaluation is required.

International student applicants must complete the online International Student Application rather than the one for U.S. students. The application fee is $50.00.

English Proficiency
For international student applicants, English proficiency is demonstrated by those who come from a country where English is the primary language, as well as by completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university in the U.S. or in a country where English is the primary language.

While the University of Detroit Mercy accepts academically qualified students with or without TOEFL scores, if accepted to UDM without passing TOEFL scores, students will be given one upon arrival to campus. After taking the English proficiency test , if students pass all sections, they will be exempt from further English-language (ESL) study and allowed to go directly into a full-time academic program of study. Otherwise, students will be placed into either a full-time or part-time ESL program. If placed into ESL coursework, students may have to defer starting academic studies by a semester or longer until they attain a satisfactory level of English proficiency.

The following scores are needed on the TOEFL to waive the English proficiency requirement: on the Internet-based Test (a total score of 80 and at least a 21 on the writing section); on the Computer-based Test (a total score of 213 and at least a 5.0 on the essay); or on the Paper-based Test (a total score of 550 and at least a TWE score of 5).

American Language and Culture Program
The American Language and Culture Program (ALCP) helps international students from many different backgrounds to develop their English-language skills and to increase their knowledge of American culture. The program provides English-proficiency testing and placement services to newly-arrived UDM international students and offers classes in English as a Second Language in a curriculum designed to match the needs of academic students at UDM.

Financial Support
Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent/pending residents of the United States are not eligible for federal or state funding. Students are expected to provide evidence of adequate financial support to cover all expenses for eight months of full-time study. Forms for this purpose are available online as part of the International Student Application Packet.

Graduate international students may qualify for a limited number of teaching or research assistantships. Typically, these are awarded to newly accepted and enrolled first-term graduate international students upon review by the Academic Department or College.

Transfer Students
Students already in the U.S. on a student visa who wish to transfer from another U.S. school to the University of Detroit Mercy must inform the foreign student advisor or other Designated School Official (DSO) at their current school of their intention to transfer to UDM. Students who are eligible for transfer per immigration regulations will receive a UDM I-20 when they arrive on campus and enroll in classes. Students who plan to travel outside the U.S. before enrolling at UDM must obtain their UDM I-20 before departing the country. This new I-20 must be presented at the U.S. port of entry when the student returns.

Application Deadlines
Applicants from countries outside the U.S and Canada (due to extensive visa application processes in many countries) should prepare well in advance for their studies at the University of Detroit Mercy by completing an application and submitting all materials for consideration at least 3 months prior to starting classes.

All materials and the application fee (if applicable) can be mailed to the following address:

For information contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 635-5020, admissions@udmercy.edu, or for those who prefer to write:

Office of Admissions
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 West McNichols Road
Detroit, MI 48221-3038

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For more information about UDM, or to apply online, go to www.udmercy.edu/apply.


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