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.

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    Objectives and Responsibilities of Graduate Study

    Graduate programs play a vital role in the mission of 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.

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    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 Detroit Mercy). 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 coursework 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 313-993-1245, 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
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    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.

    Students who are provisionally or conditionally admitted to University of Detroit Mercy are considered a fully accepted student to the University but must adhere to the specific provisions or conditions as established at the time of their admissions, which are monitored by the college or school that the student has been accepted into.

    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. Eligibility for financial aid may be limited or unavailable to those who are in an unclassified student status. Check with the Financial Aid and Scholarship office regarding your intentions to see if you are eligible.

    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 a Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Program application to the Office of the Registrar.

    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 that 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 and sent to the Office of the Registrar. Guest students will need to provide proof that pre-requisite coursework has been satisfactorily met before registration in a course that has pre-requisite requirements by providing an official transcript from the institution where the pre-requisite coursework was taken.

    Guest student status is not continuous. A new application must be filed for any term in which the student desires to enroll at University of Detroit Mercy. Guest students will have a Registrar's Office hold on their TitanConnect record in order to prevent future registrations without the required new paperwork.

    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 to complete their studies. The Application for Readmission is also used for those students who are not in good academic standing and are unable to re-enroll without consideration for readmission into a degree program. Apply for Readmission through www.udmercy.edu/apply. The Application for Readmission is submitted to the college/school that the student seeks to enroll in. A new regular Application for Admissions is not required and students should not use the online regular Admissions Application for readmission. Upon seeking readmission, students must consult with the program director and/or dean of the college to determine their degree status and requirements and any conditions that may be placed on the student as part of the readmission decision.

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    Undergraduate 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 their undergraduate degree and they would only appear on a graduate transcript. Students wishing to take a 5000-level course towards their undergraduate degree would need to enroll in an existing undergraduate equivalent course numbered below 5000, if one exists. 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 as well as the signatures of their advisor and dean's office. Once approved, override approval for the course(s) must be entered in TitanConnect before registering online for the course(s). Undergraduate students taking graduate courses under senior privilege must be enrolled in at least one undergraduate level course that meets their bachelor degree requirements during the semester they wish to use senior privilege.

    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. Post-degree undergraduate students do not qualify for senior privilege.

    Students who are enrolled in a five-year bachelor/master program can take graduate level courses when approved by their college/school as part of the five-year curriculum plan for their degrees.

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    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 University of Detroit Mercy.

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    Transfer of Credit

    Students may transfer up to 12 semester hours from another graduate school or program (some programs may specify less or no transfer courses) 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 Detroit Mercy.

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    Admission of International Students

    Requirements

    International applicants for graduate programs 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. For additional information, visit the International Admissions website.

    International student applicants must complete the online International Student Application rather than the one for U.S. students.

    English Proficiency

    English proficiency is demonstrated in several ways: (1) by those who come from a country where English is the official language; (2) 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 official language and the language of instruction in higher education; (3) by a TOEFL Internet-based Test score of 80+ and a 21+ in the Writing Section; (4) by a TOEFL Paper-based Test score total of 550+ and a 5+ TWE; or (5) by an IELTS Overall Band Score of 6.5+.

    While University of Detroit Mercy accepts academically qualified students without passing English proficiency, accepted students will be given an English proficiency test upon arrival to campus. Depending on test results, students may be placed into either a full-time or part-time English language (ESL) program or they may be exempt from further ESL study and allowed to go directly into a full-time academic program of study. 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.

    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 Detroit Mercy international students and offers classes in English as a Second Language in a curriculum designed to match the needs of academic students at Detroit Mercy.

    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 students may qualify for a limited number of teaching or research assistantships. Typically, these are awarded to newly admitted 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 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 Detroit Mercy. Students who are eligible for transfer per immigration regulations will receive a Detroit Mercy I-20 when they arrive on campus and enroll in classes. Students who plan to travel outside the U.S. before enrolling at Detroit Mercy must obtain their Detroit Mercy 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 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 313-993-1245, 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