The University of West Georgia invites qualified applicants from all cultural, religious, racial, and ethnic groups to apply for graduate programs in the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Education, College of Science and Mathematics, College of Social Sciences, Richards College of Business, and Tanner Health System School of Nursing. Because graduate programs are administered through the Colleges and School of Nursing, questions about specific programs, or about graduate education, should be directed to the Graduate Studies Office in the respective colleges/school.
How to Apply
The UWG Office of Graduate Admissions receives all documents in the admissions process. This includes the online application, standardized test scores (e.g., GRE, GMAT), all official transcripts, citizen or immigration documents, letters of recommendation, personal statements, essays, or any other documents that are a part of the admission process for any graduate program.
Program Admission Standards
Program admission standards aid the selection of applicants whose academic preparation indicates they will be successful in graduate studies at the University of West Georgia, although programs may reject otherwise qualified applicants due to space limitations or other programmatic variables. Programs may require additional indicators, beyond transcripts and grade point averages that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to successfully complete graduate study prior to rendering an admission decision. For example, some programs may require letters of recommendations, narrative statements, art portfolios, program qualifying examinations, interviews, and/or musical performances to determine the admissibility of students. See information in the Graduate Catalog about individual graduate programs for more details regarding admission requirements.
Application Process
Applicants must submit an online application with a $40 non-refundable application fee. (Georgia residents 62 years of age or older are not required to pay the application fee). The online application and instructions for the application process can be found at http://www.westga.edu/gradstudies/apply-now.php.
Graduate admission application deadlines vary by program and some programs do not admit students every semester. Application deadlines can be found at http://www.westga.edu/gradstudies/important-dates.php. International students must meet additional requirements and earlier deadlines. Admission information for international students can be found at https://www.westga.edu/academics/isap/index.php
An applicant who applies, but chooses not to enroll during the semester of application, may update the semester for which he or she is applying, if the update is completed with-in 12 months. The student can update the application online at go.westga.edu. Only one update is permitted.
Students furnishing the University with false, incomplete, or misleading information relating to their application or academic record will be subject to rejection or dismissal.
Admission Appeals
Graduate programs make the decision to admit or not admit. An applicant who is denied admission to a graduate program must appeal to the College of School that houses the program that denied admission. Admission appeals procedures for the individual Colleges and Tanner Health System School of Nursing follow below.
College of Arts and Humanities
If a prospective student’s application for admission is denied, she or he may appeal in writing to the department’s Director of Graduate Studies within ten (10) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. Should the prospective student submit the written appeal to the department’s Director of Graduate Studies after the ten (10) business day deadline, it may not be accepted or the review may be delayed. The department’s Director of Graduate Studies will reconsider the admissions decision after the applicant submits additional materials supporting the request and upon the recommendation of the faculty of the program to which the applicant has applied. The prospective student will be notified once a decision has been rendered.
College of Education
Each academic department, in consultation with the Graduate Studies office, establishes its own timeline and procedures for making admissions recommendations. Once departments forward their recommendations to the Graduate Studies Office, a final review is made by the Director of Graduate Studies. Candidates are informed by way of an official letter from the Graduate School concerning their admission status. Applicants may appeal an admissions decision by contacting, in writing, the Director of Graduate Studies - College of Education. Applicants may appeal denial of admission only if additional relevant information is provided for review. The Director of Graduate Studies will consider the new information and may elect to confer with the Program of Study. The Director of Graduate Studies will notify the student with his/her decision.
College of Science and Mathematics
If a prospective student’s application for admission is denied, she or he may appeal in writing to the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics within ten (10) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. The Dean will reconsider the admissions decision after the applicant submits additional materials supporting the re-quest and upon the recommendation of the faculty of the program to which the applicant has applied.
College of Social Sciences
If a prospective student’s application for admission is denied, she or he may appeal in writing to the Department Chair of the program within (15) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. Should the prospective student submit the written appeal to the Chair after the (15) business day deadline, it may not be accepted or the review may be delayed. The Department Chair may reconsider the admissions decision after the applicant submits additional materials supporting the request and upon the recommendation of the faculty of the program to which the applicant has applied. The prospective student will be notified by the Chair’s Office once a decision has been rendered.
Suggestions for supporting materials:
- Additional letters of recommendation. Should you decide to have additional letters submitted on your behalf, it is required that the letters come from individuals familiar with your academic prowess and job performance.
- Your academic skills should be evaluated by a professor who has taught you recently (within the last two semesters from the receipt of notice of admissions denial). Letters of recommendation should be submitted on letterhead.
- Awards or other types of special recognition you have received. It is preferable, but not required, that awards and other forms of recognition are field related.
- Community service, particularly as it relates to educational goals or objectives.
- Newspaper pictures and/or articles in which you appear.
- Any other information the prospective student deems useful.
If a prospective student’s application for admission is denied a second time, she or he may appeal in writing to the College of Social Sciences Dean within (15) business days after receipt of notice of the second denial. Should the prospective student submit the written appeal to the Dean after the (15) business day deadline, it may not be accepted or the review may be delayed. The Dean will render a decision after discussing and reviewing all materials with the appropriate department. The prospective student will be notified by the Dean’s Office once a decision has been rendered.
Richards College of Business
If a graduate student’s application for admission is denied, then a written appeal may be submitted and delivered to the office of the Dean of the Richards College of Business within ten (10) business days after receipt of notice that admission has been denied. Students may submit additional relevant information for review with their appeal. Applicants will be informed of the appeal decision by way of an official letter from the Richards College of Business.
Tanner Health System School of Nursing
Applicants may appeal an admission decision by contacting, in writing, the THSSON Associate Dean of Graduate Programs. Applicants should include relevant information to be considered in the re-evaluation process. The Associate Dean will review the appeal and inform the applicant of the decision.
Inactive Status
Students who were previously enrolled in graduate courses, but who have not been in attendance within the last year (three consecutive semesters, 12 months) are classified as Inactive Students and must apply for readmission. When readmitted to a program of study, students will be required to complete the current program in place at the time of readmission.
Change of Program
A graduate student who wishes to transfer from one program to another must apply for readmission to the new program and be accepted. The application fee for readmission to the new program will be waived if it has been less than 12 months since the date of the original application.
Second Graduate Program
Students cannot be enrolled in two degree programs at the same time. A student who has completed one degree program must apply for readmission in order to begin a second degree program. The student must be admitted to the new program before enrolling in classes in the second program and the first program must be completed prior to beginning the second program.
Immunization Requirements
Students entering any unit of the University System of Georgia are required to provide official documentation of immunization prior to registration, although students attending UWG solely online may qualify for a term-by-term exemption. Students with questions about their immunization records should contact the Immunization Clerk in Health Services. Immunization requirements and recommendations for University System of Georgia students can be found at http://www.usg.edu/student_affairs/documents/ImmReqs.pdf.
Enrollment of Persons 62 Years of Age or Older
Georgia residents 62 years of age or older may enroll as regular students in courses offered for resident credit on a space available basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, technology, laboratory, or shop fees. Space available will be determined by the institution. Students enrolled for credit that elect to participate in the campus health pro-gram, student activities program, or to use the parking facilities may be required to pay the appropriate fees. Students must be residents of Georgia, 62 years of age or older at the time of registration, and they must present a birth certificate or comparable written documentation of age. A Certificate of Immunization is also required, although students at-tending UWG solely online may qualify for a term-by-term exemption.
Applicants who wish to enroll under this program must meet the program admission requirements and file the online application for admission, although they are not required to pay the $40 admission fee.
Applicants should select that they wish to be part of the 62+ Program on the application and submit proof of age and Georgia residency (Georgia Driver’s License or other official document showing age and residency). Other requirements for admission as listed elsewhere in the Admissions section of the catalog and the relevant graduate program apply.
Transient Student
A transient student is a “visiting” student who wishes to take course work at UWG for one semester and then return to his or her previously enrolled institution (referred to as the “home” institution).
In addition to submitting a completed admission application and $40 application fee each time they wish to attend UWG, a transient student must also submit to the Office of Graduate and International Admissions a Transient Approval Letter from the Registrar or Dean of his or her “home” institution. This transient letter must state that the student is in good academic standing at the “home” institution. In case of doubt, the Director of Graduate and International Admissions may classify the applicant as a transfer applicant and require the applicant to comply with all transfer admission requirements.
Enrollment as a transient student is limited to one consecutive semester. A transient student wishing to continue enrollment at UWG as a degree seeking transfer student must reapply as a transfer degree seeking student and fulfill all transfer admission requirements. Application as a transfer student and all required transfer admission documents must be received by the application and document deadline dates. Transfer credit into graduate programs is limited and may not be permitted by all programs.
Since transient students are “visiting” students and not degree seeking UWG students, transient students are not eligible for financial assistance from UWG. Transient students must make financial assistance arrangements with their “home” institution.
Definition of a “Georgia Resident” for Purposes of Applying and Paying Fees
A student who is not a legal resident of the State of Georgia is charged out-of-state tuition. Hence, the determination of whether a student is classified in-state or out-of-state for tuition purposes is significant, and the applicant must indicate his or her classification on the application for admission. For more detailed information, see Regents’ Policies Governing the Classification of Students.
Additionally, in accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.3.4 Verification of Lawful Presence, all applicants who are accepted for admission or readmission to the institution for Fall 2011 or any academic semester thereafter, and who seek to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes, will be required to provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.
Graduate Admission Classification
A prospective student who plans to take course work beyond the baccalaureate degree must apply to the University and be admitted to a program under one of the following classifications:
Degree Admission
Students admitted to a program that leads to a graduate degree are classified as degree-seeking students. Degree-seeking students are placed into one of two categories.
- Regular. Meets all requirements for admission and has been approved for admission by the graduate program and college/school in which he or she plans to study. See information in the Graduate Catalog about individual graduate programs for more details regarding admission.
- Provisional Degree. Does not satisfy the full admission requirements to a degree program. Some programs allow Provisional Degree admission for an applicant who does not meet one or more of the standards required for admission as a Regular student or a UWG undergraduate-graduating senior (as explained in the section that follows after Non-Degree Admission). Provisional Degree admission is a temporary status that makes the applicant eligible for admittance under conditions specified at the time of admission by the Department Chair or Graduate Program Director and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in the College or Tanner Health System School of Nursing. Provisional Degree status must be removed and Regular status achieved, per the conditions specified at the time of admission. Failure to meet the specified provisions shall result in dismissal from the program.
International students may not be admitted on a provisional basis.
Applicants are advised to communicate directly with the Department Chair or Graduate Program Director for more information, because some programs do not permit Provisional Degree admission. See information in the Graduate Studies Catalog about individual graduate programs for more details regarding Provisional Degree admission.
Non-Degree Admission
Students admitted under the non-degree category may earn credit in graduate courses without working toward a graduate degree. Some graduate programs permit students admitted in a non-degree category to later apply to a degree program. In this case, upon the advisor’s recommendation and approval of the Graduate Program Director and Director of Graduate Studies in the College/School, non-degree graduate courses may be included in the program of study should the student gain readmission as a Regular or Provisional Degree student. Non-degree admission categories include the following:
- Transient. An applicant in good standing at a regionally accredited institution may be accepted as a Transient student provided an approved transient letter or transient form is obtained from the Registrar or appropriate Dean of the “home” school (the school where the student is currently enrolled). Enrollment as a Transient student is limited to one consecutive semester. A Transient student wishing to continue enrollment at UWG as a degree seeking transfer student must reapply as a transfer degree seeking student and fulfill all transfer admission requirements. Application as a transfer student and all required transfer admission documents must be received by the application and document deadline dates. Transfer credit into graduate programs is limited and may not be permitted by all programs.
- Enrichment. Individuals who wish to take courses for personal or professional improvement may apply under this category. Some programs may permit a student who has taken courses for enrichment to apply them to a graduate program, provided that the applicant applies for admission, meets all regular admission requirements, and is admitted to the program. In this case, no more than nine (9) semester credit hours earned in the Enrichment non-degree status may be applied to-ward a graduate degree, provided that the Graduate Program Director and Director of Graduate Studies in the college/school approve the credits for the graduate degree. Because admission under the Enrichment category is dependent on a number of variables such as the applicant having completed relevant pre-requisite courses, applicants should communicate directly with the department that offers the enrichment course of interest to determine admissibility under the Enrichment category.
- Provisional Non-Degree. Does not satisfy the full admission requirements to a non-degree program. Some programs allow Provisional Non-Degree admission for an applicant who does not meet one or more of the standards required for admission as a UWG Certificate student or Educator Certification student. Provisional Non-Degree admission is a temporary status that makes the applicant eligible for admittance under conditions specified at the time of admission by the Department Chair or Graduate Program Director and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in the college or Tanner Health System School of Nursing. Provisional Non-Degree status must be removed and UWG Certificate or Educator Certification admission status achieved, per the conditions specified at the time of admission. Applicants are advised to communicate directly with the Department Chair or Graduate Program Director for more information, because some programs do not permit Provisional Non-Degree admission. See information in the Graduate Studies Catalog about individual graduate programs for more details regarding Provisional Non-Degree admission.
- Educator Certification (Teacher, Service, or Leadership for PK-12 schools). An applicant with a bachelor’s degree who wants to earn teacher, service, or leader-ship certification through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission may, in some cases, be admitted as Educator Certification non-degree students and enroll in graduate courses. Note that admission in this category and completion of an educator certification program does not guarantee subsequent admission to a graduate degree program, which is a separate process with different admission criteria. Due to the complex nature of educator certification requirements, which are regulated by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, applicants should contact the College of Education to access up-to-date, detailed information. Applicants will be directed to the appropriate advisor, whether in the College of Education or another college. Students enrolled in this admission category are not eligible for graduate assistant positions.
- UWG Certificate (not educator certification). Some departments offer certificate programs that may be associated with a degree program or independent of a degree program. Awarded by the University of West Georgia, these certificates differ from certifications awarded by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for Georgia PK-12 educators. The student must apply through the Registrar’s office for the certificate upon completion of all requirements. The following certificates can be earned at the University of West Georgia:
Department of Geosciences
Geographic Information Systems
Department of History
Museum Studies
Public History
Department of Political Science and Planning
Nonprofit Management and Community Development
Public Management
Department of Psychology
Integrative Health Studies Certificate
Department of Sociology
Data Analysis and Evaluation Methods
Tanner Health System School of Nursing (Post Master’s Certificates)
Nurse Education
Health Systems Leadership
Admission as a UWG Undergraduate-Graduating Senior
A UWG undergraduate senior within 6 hours of completing requirements for a bachelor’s degree may be permitted to enroll in courses for graduate credit provided that he or she meets the following conditions.
- The UWG student must obtain the permission of the Department Chair and Graduate Program Director that schedule and/or provide advising for the graduate course/s. Permission must also be given by the Dean of the college or school of the undergraduate major.
- The UWG student is qualified for admission to graduate study except for the award of the undergraduate degree.
- The UWG student registers for no more than nine (9) semester credit hours. For example, a student who needs six (6) hours to complete the baccalaureate degree could register for those six (6) undergraduate hours plus an additional three (3) hours of graduate credit. The graduate credit would apply to a graduate degree, essentially accelerating the student’s completion of a master’s degree after admission to a UWG master’s program. Under no circumstances may a course be used for both graduate and undergraduate credit.
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