Graduate Admissions and Academic Policies

Graduate Admissions Policies

Graduate Admissions

A student applying for an NCWU graduate program must provide the following, in addition to program specific requirements listed below: 

1. Complete and submit online application specifying the graduate program applied to.  
2. Submit official transcripts for all higher education coursework, including all degrees and certificates earned, from institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Students must hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized institutional accrediting agency, or from an international accrediting agency deemed equivalent by North Carolina Wesleyan University. Transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an agency approved by NCWU.
3. Resumé or curriculum vitae with contact information for two professional or academic references who can speak to the candidate’s aptitude and/or academic preparation for graduate work. The references should be notified and should indicate their willingness to provide reference letters upon request.  
4. English Proficiency Exam Results (waived if undergraduate degree is from an institution within the United States). TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo exams are accepted. Students must meet at least one of the following minimum scores: 60 TOEFL, 6 IELTS, 90 Duolingo. 
5. Specific graduate programs outline their expectations for graduate writing sample or personal essay below. Students should adhere to the expectations of the program to which they are applying.
6. Additional degree specific admission requirements for each program, including expected undergraduate GPA and specific course prerequisites, are found below. 

• Note: A GRE is not required for admission.  
• Note: Applications for admission to specific graduate programs are considered for acceptance to the University when all required information is submitted.      
• Note: Admission decisions are based on the entire application and may include accept, conditional accept, provisional accept, wait-list, or denial of admission based on this policy.   

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) 

In addition to general admission requirements for the University, admission to the NCWU MSCJ program requires the following: 

1. Students must have earned a baccalaureate degree in criminal justice or a closely related field. Appropriate work experience in criminal justice may be considered to satisfy this requirement if the student does not have a baccalaureate degree in criminal justice or a closely related field.

2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).  Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 may still be considered based upon other factors submitted in the application. 

3. Students must submit a writing assessment in the form of a statement of purpose (minimum one page, maximum two pages, single-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt font) which clearly articulates why the student is interested in pursuing the specific graduate program. Students should include goals and life experiences that have influenced the student’s decision to pursue a graduate degree in criminal justice in their personal essay.    

4. Two years of experience in criminal justice or a related field is preferred. Students not meeting this criterion will be required to complete an internship once admitted to the program.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)   

In addition to general admission requirements for the University, admission to the NCWU MBA program requires the following: 

1.  Students must have earned a baccalaureate degree in business administration or a closely related field. Students who have a baccalaureate degree in a field of study other than business administration (or a closely related field) may be required to take pre-requisite courses.

2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).  Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 may still be considered based upon other factors submitted in the application. 

3. Students must submit a writing assessment in the form of a statement of purpose (minimum one page, maximum two pages, single-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt font) which clearly articulates why the student is interested in pursuing the specific graduate program. Students should include goals and life experiences that have influenced the student’s decision to pursue a graduate degree in business administration in their personal essay.

Master of Public Health (MPH) 

In addition to general admission requirements for the university, admission to the NCWU MPH program requires the following: 

1. There is no pre-requisite undergraduate degree to apply for this program, however, a strong interest in, or background/education in public health or a related field (exercise science, health promotion, healthcare administration, biomedical sciences, health psychology, nursing, others) is encouraged.
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale).  Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.7 may still be considered based upon other factors submitted in the application.
3. A personal essay which clearly articulates why the student is interested in pursuing a graduate degree in public health. Students should include goals and life experiences that have influenced the student’s decision to pursue a graduate degree in Public Health in their personal essay.  

Master of Strategic Leadership (MSSL) 

In addition to general admission requirements for the university, admission to the NCWU MSSL program requires the following:  

1. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).  Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 may still be considered based upon other factors submitted in the application. 

2. Students must submit a writing assessment in the form of a statement of purpose (minimum one page, maximum two pages, single-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt font) which clearly articulates why the student is interested in pursuing the specific graduate program. Students should include goals and life experiences that have influenced the student’s decision to pursue a graduate degree in strategic leadership in their personal essay. 

Master of Science in Information Technology Management (MSITM)

In addition to general admission requirements for the University, admission to the NCWU MSITM program requires the following: 

1.  Students must have earned a baccalaureate degree in computer science, computer information systems, or a closely related field. Students who have a baccalaureate degree in a different field may be required to take a pre-requisite course or demonstrate competence through work-related experience.

2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).  Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.5 may still be considered based upon other factors submitted in the application. 

3. Students must submit a writing assessment in the form of a statement of purpose (minimum one page, maximum two pages, single-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt font) which clearly articulates why the student is interested in pursuing the specific graduate program. Students should include goals and life experiences that have influenced the student’s decision to pursue a graduate degree in information technology management in their personal essay.  

Master of Science in Human Performance and Sports Science (MS-HPSS)

In addition to general admission requirements for the University, admission to the NCWU MS-HPSS program requires the following: 

1.  Students must have earned a baccalaureate degree in exercise science/kinesiology, or its equivalent. Students who have a baccalaureate degree in a different field may be required to take additional undergraduate coursework prior to formal admission to the program.

2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).  Applicants with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 may still be considered based upon other factors submitted in the application. 

3. Students must submit a writing assessment in the form of a statement of purpose (minimum one page, maximum two pages, single-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt font) which clearly articulates why the student is interested in pursuing the specific graduate program. Students should include goals and life experiences that have influenced the student’s decision to pursue a graduate degree in human performance and sports science in their personal essay.  

4. Two recommendation letters.

5. An interview with the Program Coordinator.

Transfer Credit Policy

In accordance with the policies of specific graduate programs, students who have completed previous graduate level coursework may be granted transfer credit. The Registrar, in consultation with the Program Coordinator, will review the official graduate level transcripts to determine equivalent coursework and transfer credits approved. Students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours or 75% of a program’s total required hours, whichever is greater, at North Carolina Wesleyan University. 

Readmission

Students who previously attended Wesleyan and wish to return to complete their first degree/program must apply for readmission. An APS application can be completed on the Admissions tab of my.ncwu.edu. All students who withdraw from the institution (by completing a withdrawal form) or who have not been registered for one full semester must complete readmission procedures to register for the next semester. Students with a hold on their account will not be allowed to register until the reason for the hold has been cleared. Readmitted students will be moved to the current catalog year.

Students who apply for readmission are required to submit official transcripts from all institutions  they attended during the time they were not enrolled with NCWU.

Students who have been academically suspended may not be eligible for readmission.

Change of Program

Students currently enrolled in a NCWU graduate program, wishing to change graduate program must complete the Change of Graduate Program form, which can be requested from the academic advisor.  The request will be administratively reviewed and may require additional documentation.

Academic Standards and Policies

Full-Time Graduate Student Definition

Full-time student status for graduate students is defined as 6 or more semester hours enrolled per semester, which may include Fall, Spring, and/or Summer semesters. During the Fall and Spring semesters, full-time status requires at least 3 hours enrolled in each subterm (A and B).

Students may be enrolled part-time (fewer than 6 credits per semester) in graduate programs at the discretion of the Program Coordinator(s), but part-time students may not be eligible for all graduate courses or programs and are not eligible to serve as graduate assistants.  

Note: Students enrolled in less than the suggested number of graduate credit hours per semester, as defined by their graduate program, may experience a delay in their anticipated graduation date, even if maintaining the minimum requirement for full time graduate student status (at least 6 graduate credit hours per semester). 

Academic Overload

Taking more than 12 semester hours in one term qualifies as a course overload; this must be approved by the Provost. Overload tuition is charged on a semester-hour basis.    

Grading System

A student’s grade point average is determined by multiplying the number of credits enrolled in a given semester by the numerical value of the grade received, then adding the values for all courses completed and dividing by the total number of credits attempted. Courses failed must be included in the calculation. 

Grading Rubric:

Incomplete. A grade of Incomplete (INC) indicates that completing some of the courses work has been deferred. The grade of INC is assigned at the discretion of the instructor when a student who is otherwise passing has not, due to circumstances beyond his/her control, completed all the work in the course. The grade of INC should not be recorded for a student who has not completed the major portion of the work of the course. An INC should not be given if the faculty member is uncertain that the student attended the course; in that case, the grade of F should be assigned. An Incomplete INC) grade must be replaced with a letter grade within eight weeks following the end of the term. If the INC grade is not replaced by the instructor in the required time, a grade of Fwill be recorded. No student may register for an Independent Study or an Unscheduled Course with a grade of INC on their record. The Provost/Sr. Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve extensions beyond the eight-week window. Extensions must be submitted in writing to the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs by the instructor.

A student with a grade of Incomplete (INC) will be flagged, withdrawn from future courses, and unable to register for future courses until all courses with a grade of INC have been finished. A grade of INC will impact students’ ability to complete subsequent courses.

The W grade is given to students who drop a course or withdraw from the university prior to the drop date, after the second Tuesday and until the fourth week of the semester, as specified in the academic calendar. A grade of “W” carries no academic penalty; however, students will still be responsible for the cost of the course. The student will not receive credit for that course in their grade point average. 

A final grade of XF is assigned by instructors for students who fail the course due to nonattendance. An XF grade is treated as an F for all academic policy purposes.

A final grade of WF is assigned by the Registrar’s office for students who are administratively withdrawn due to violations of the Conduct Principles and Regulations of the university.

All grades submitted at the end of each term will be permanently recorded. 

Minimum Graduate Program Length

Master’s degree programs will require a minimum of 30 semester hours; at least 24 semester hours must be earned at North Carolina Wesleyan University. 

Graduate certificate programs will require a minimum of 12 semester hours; at least 9 semester hours must be earned at North Carolina Wesleyan University. 

Academic Standing and GPA Requirement: A graduate student with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 is considered to be in good standing. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Review: Satisfactory Academic Progress will be formally reviewed at the conclusion of the full term (semester). For students enrolled in a combination of full-term (12 or 16 weeks) and sub-term courses (7 or 8 weeks), all grades, regardless of when they were earned during the term, will be reviewed collectively at the end of the full term. Students enrolled in full-term classes will be allowed to complete those classes before any SAP status change is applied. 

Satisfactory Academic Progresss Status Changes: A student fails to maintain the minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement or the course grade requirements detailed below may be placed on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Academic Suspension.  

Course Grade Requirements and Status Notifications

Academic Warning (First Grade of C): A student who earns one grade of C (or its equivalent) as the final grade in a graduate course will receive a formal notice of Academic Warning. The student must meet or confer with the Program Coordinator to discuss the circumstances and receive academic counseling. This status does not prevent the student from enrolling in the next term. 

Academic Probation (Second Grade of C): A student who earns a second grade of C (or its equivalent) as the final grade in a graduate course will be notified in writing and immediately placed on Academic Probation. The student must meet or confer with the Program Coordinator to discuss the circumstances, establish an academic improvement plan, and receive further academic counseling. Continuation in the program is contingent upon adherence to the improvement plan. 

Academic Suspension (Third Grade of C): A student who earns a third grade of C (or its equivalent) as the final grade in a graduate course will be notified in writing and will be subject to Academic Suspension from the graduate program. 

Academic Suspension (Failing Grade): A student who receives a failing grade (F) as the final grade in a graduate course will be flagged and immediately removed from the program for Academic Suspension. This status is effective at the conclusion of the full-term review period. 

Appeal Process: The student may appeal suspension on two separate occasions. The appeal must be submitted in writing by the deadline specified in the notification. 

Third Suspension: In the event of a third academic suspension, the student will be subject to academic expulsion from the university. 

Academic Expulsion: A student that is subject to academic expulsion will be permanently removed and will not be considered for readmission to the University under any circumstances.

Graduation Requirement: In order to receive a degree, students must complete all requirements for their degree and complete with a graduate GPA of no lower than 3.00.

Appeals Process for Appealing a Grade

Graduate Programs observe the “Appealing a Grade” process described in the Academic Programs, Policies, and Services section of the University Catalog.

Appealing Academic Suspension

A student who wishes to appeal their suspension must appeal in writing to the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council normally will not approve an appeal unless it is based on personal, medical, or psychological problems of an extreme nature that were unforeseeable and uncontrollable. The student should provide evidence that the situation has been remedied or is manageable.  The written appeal must contain the following information: 

• Rationale for the appeal
• Documentation of personal, family or medical problems
• Evidence that the problems have been resolved

Credit Hour Policy 

North Carolina Wesleyan University uses the Carnegie Unit as the minimum standard for assigning credit hours. A one credit hour course requires at least one hour (50 minutes) of classroom instruction and two hours of outside work per week for approximately 15 weeks. Therefore, for a three-credit hour course, students should expect 3 hours of classroom instruction and at least six hours of outside work per week throughout the semester. Courses offered in non-traditional formats require an equivalent amount of work and are required to meet the same learning outcomes as the traditional 15-week course. Students enrolled in accelerated or alternative format courses should expect substantial amounts of outside work to meet the same learning outcomes as the traditional class. 

Repeating Courses 

Graduate students are afforded one opportunity to repeat courses for which a failing grade has been received or for which a grade of C has been earned in order to return to satisfactory academic progress. A second grade earned in a repeated course will stand as final and a graduate course cannot be attempted a third time. Students who fail a required course twice will be removed from the program.

Undergraduate to Graduate Degree Pathways

Students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) and master’s degree (MA/MS) pathway at North Carolina Wesleyan University must earn at least 150 total credit hours to complete both degrees. This pathway is not a separate or combined academic program, but rather a means for students to earn both degrees in an accelerated time period.

For the bachelor’s degree, a student must earn at least 120 unique credit hours at the undergraduate or graduate levels in addition to satisfying all program requirements. Students must have earned at least 90 undergraduate credit hours and have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) prior to enrolling in graduate coursework that may be applied to their bachelor’s degree. In order for graduate coursework to satisfy specific program requirements, programs must identify undergraduate and graduate course equivalencies prior to student completion of the graduate coursework.

For the master’s degree, a student must earn at least 30 unique graduate credit hours in addition to satisfying all program requirements. An undergraduate course may not, under any circumstances, apply toward graduate credit hours or graduate program requirements. A student may not simultaneously be enrolled as an undergraduate and graduate student, but must finish the undergraduate degree prior to being enrolled in the graduate program. A student must be enrolled in a graduate program for a minimum of one semester prior to earning the graduate degree.

Credit hours may not be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Second Master’s Degree

The second master’s degree must be in a different field of study than the previously earned master’s degree. While related fields may be considered, the proposed program must demonstrate a significant expansion of knowledge and skills, not simply a specialization within the same discipline. The program director of the relevant academic department will make the determination whether the second Master’s degree represents a significant expansion of knowledge and skills. To be awarded a second graduate degree, students must earn a minimum of 30 additional graduate hours beyond those earned toward the first graduate degree.

Practical Experiences 

Graduate student practical experiences are designed to provide graduate students with the opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills developed during their academic program in a structured, supervised, real-world professional setting in their field. Graduate student practical experiences may take the form of practicums, internships, capstone projects, clinical rotations, or other hands-on experiences, as determined by the student’s field of study. 

Graduate students are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor(s) regarding the timing, placement, and requirements of their culminating practical experience (s).  

Students must register for their practical experience academic credit in the same term in which they are undertaking the practical experience. Students will not be allowed to register for the practical experience credit in a term before or after the practical experience is undertaken. To receive academic credit for their practical experience, students must participate in forty-five supervised hours at their practical experience site for each academic credit hour received for the practical experience.  

Attendance Policy

The University recognizes that graduate students have multiple life priorities that can sometimes conflict. College classes should be at the forefront of a student’s priorities but in the event the student needs to miss class or is not able to complete the required coursework, they must be aware of the following:  

NCWU graduate classes are offered in 16-week, 8-week, and 6-week terms. Regardless of the term, students are expected to attend every class session and participate daily. Missing any class adversely impacts student learning and performance. 

 Students are expected to attend weekly class sessions, whether in-person or online. For online classes, instructors will determine what constitutes being considered “present”, and the requirements may vary by class. The course syllabi will outline attendance requirements.  

 Absences during the first week of class: Instructors submit electronic attendance.  If the instructor records an absence (excused or unexcused) for the first-class meeting, the student will be administratively removed from the course.   

An email will be sent from the Graduate Advising Office to the student as notification of the administrative removal. Should the student wish to remain in class, the student must reply to the email from the Advisor and state an intent to continue in the class. Students are advised to reply immediately upon receipt of this email.    

If a student is absent from multiple class sessions, stops attending, and does not follow University drop processes, a grade of “F” or “XF” will be assigned. The student remains responsible for the tuition for that term.  Financial Aid will not pay for classes in which a grade of “XF” is assigned (failed due to absences). Graduate students who receive an “F” or “XF” will be suspended from the program, as outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.   

An instructor may fail or administratively withdraw any student who misses more than twenty percent of a course. Ultimately, the instructor decides how to handle absences. Students should consult the course syllabus regarding the handling of absences. The instructor reserves the right to automatically fail or exercise an administrative withdrawal for a student due to absences.   

For students enrolled in an Executive Graduate Program: Attendance at each Executive Residency weekend is mandatory. Any absence request must be reviewed and approved by the Program Director in collaboration with the Graduate Advisor DSO in advance of a residency session. Students may request to miss no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program.  

Each missed residency weekend (approved or unapproved) will result in the student completing the absence request form and submitting official documentation, attending a make-up session, and paying a $300 Residency Make-Up fee. Make-Up sessions must be completed prior to the end of the semester. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal from the executive program. 

Communication is essential to student success and the University’s ability to provide students with the appropriate guidance. Students are encouraged to communicate with the program faculty and staff when absences are unavoidable.