Graduate Admissions

Admission Procedures - Doctoral Level Degrees

Students desiring to enter a doctoral program must follow the admissions procedure outlined in that respective section.

Non-Degree Post-Graduate

Students desiring to enter the Doctoral Level Certificate program through the School of Business must follow the admissions procedures outlined in those sections.

Admission Procedures - Master’s Level Degrees

Students desiring to enter the master’s level graduate program must submit the following:

1. A completed graduate application for admission.
2. An application fee of $50 (non-refundable). Any student who previously paid an application fee for undergraduate or graduate degree seeking status is exempt from this fee.
3. An official copy of their most recent transcript with the baccalaureate degree posted, as well as any transcript(s) that include graduate credit for which the applicant would like credit considered for transfer, which can be no more than seven years old.
   1. A transcript is official if received by the Office of Graduate Studies or the external campus office directly from the issuing institution. It must bear the college seal, date, and appropriate signature. Hand-carried transcripts are considered official only if they are presented to Wayland in a sealed letterhead envelope from the issuing institution. If the bachelor’s degree has not been conferred at the time the transcript is sent, an official transcript indicating the completion of the baccalaureate degree must be forwarded prior to registration for the second session of graduate enrollment.
   2. Wayland will consider for admission those students with transcript(s) reflecting earned degrees from institutions accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Students with earned degrees from verified international institutions will also be considered for admission. (See Additional Requirements for International Students below.)

A student who desires to enroll in graduate courses may be admitted to graduate study under one of the following categories.

Degree-Seeking

For degree programs other than the Master of Divinity and Master of Education in cases of Teacher Certification, the degree-seeking category is available for any student who wishes to pursue a graduate degree, has completed the graduate application process and who meets all admission requirements. A student in this category is eligible to enroll in all graduate courses for which he or she has completed the necessary prerequisites. Application for admission to a specific degree program is made concurrently with application to the Graduate Program. A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and meets one of the following conditions is eligible for admission as a degree seeking student in degree programs other than the Master of Divinity and Master of Education in cases of Teacher Certification. (See Degree-Seeking - Master of Divinity)

Admission without Conditions:

Full Admission is for students who may be fully admitted without further stipulations. These students have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher on the cumulative or last 60 graded hours earned GPA.

Provisional Admission with Conditions:

Provisional Admission is for students whose GPA on the cumulative or last 60 graded hours GPA is below a 3.00. Students in this admission category do not meet admission requirements without additional stipulations. Students admitted provisionally must meet the following stipulations.

Applicants admitted under Provisional Admission must fulfill the conditions of this status in order to continue in the program past the first term of enrollment.

Students admitted under Provisional Admission will be granted Full Admission upon successful completion of six (6) credit hours and fulfillment of the conditions of their admission.

1. Applicants whose grade point average falls between 2.50 and 2.99 must enroll in ENGL 5300 - Academic Writing for Graduate Students  or may elect to take a writing sample. If the student elects to take the writing sample, the student must pass the writing sample with a score of 4 or higher. After two failed attempts at the writing sample, the student will be required to enroll in ENGL 5300 - Academic Writing for Graduate Students  during the first session of enrollment. Students applying to School of Business degree programs must enroll in MGMT 5320 - Research Methods  the first term of enrollment rather than ENGL 5300 .
   1. Some courses or programs do not award letter grades. For those students who do not have a cumulative grade point average (or last 60 graded hours) reflected on their transcript, additional requirements such as a writing sample from the department or letters of recommendation will be required.
2. Applicants whose grade point average falls between 2.00 and 2.49 at the time of application must submit additional requirements. The applicant must submit a Statement of Purpose essay including their goals and an explanation of what they hope to gain from and contribute to the program. Applicants must also submit at least one letter of recommendation from an individual able to judge the candidate’s potential for success in the master’s degree program. The letter can be academic or professional but cannot be from a relative or friend. Applicants must enroll in ENGL 5300 - Academic Writing for Graduate Students  or may elect to take a writing sample. If the student elects to take the writing sample, the student must pass the writing sample with a score of 4 or higher. After two failed attempts at the writing sample, the student will be required to enroll in ENGL 5300 - Academic Writing for Graduate Students  during the first session of enrollment. Students applying to School of Business degree programs must enroll in MGMT 5320 - Research Methods  the first term of enrollment rather than ENGL 5300 . Additionally, students in this category must maintain a B average (3.0) or better in six or more graduate hours during the first term of enrollment

Degree-Seeking - Master of Divinity

The Degree-Seeking - Master of Divinity category is available for students who wish to pursue the Master of Divinity, who have completed the graduate application process, and who meet all admission requirements outlined below. Application for admission to the Master of Divinity degree program is made concurrently with application to the Graduate Program. Applicants for the Master of Divinity must have the following:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. 2.0 or better GPA on all undergraduate and graduate hours earned at the time of application. 
3. Letter of endorsement from a Christian congregation in which the applicant is actively involved.
4. Two personal letters of recommendation.

Conditional Degree-Seeking

The conditional category exists for students who wish to pursue a graduate degree but have not met all the admission requirements. Candidates admitted under this category must have applied for degree-seeking status. To be granted conditional degree-seeking status, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, submit a completed application for degree-seeking students, pay the related application fee and arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Graduate Studies Office.

Enrollment beyond the first 8-week session of attendance, the applicant must be admitted as a degree-seeking candidate prior to the beginning of the next 8-week session. Students in this category may not take more than six credit hours of graduate work and must earn a grade of B or better (‘C’ for Master of Divinity students) in each course attempted. Students will not be allowed to enroll in graduate classes unless all the prerequisites required for the class have been met. If it is discovered during the course of the first session of conditional enrollment that the student does not meet graduate requirements, he or she may be asked to withdraw from graduate classes.

Non-Degree Post-Baccalaureate

The non-degree post-baccalaureate category is available to any student who already holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and who desires post-baccalaureate work for the purpose of licensure, certification, or personal goals but who does not wish to apply this work toward a graduate degree. International students holding an F-1 student visa are not admitted under this category.

A non-degree post-baccalaureate applicant must meet all the criteria for admissions. Requirements for admission are as follows:

1. To be admitted, non-degree seeking students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher for the last 60 hours of courses completed at the time of application.
2. A non-refundable fee of $50 is required. Any student who previously paid a WBU application fee is exempt from this fee.
3. A completed application for admission. 
4. Applicants must submit an official copy of the transcript with the baccalaureate or higher degree posted, as well as any transcript(s) that include graduate credit for which the applicant would like credit considered for transfer. For graduate credit to be considered for transfer, it can be no more than seven years old.
5. These documents must be submitted prior to the beginning of the next regular 8-week session.

Non-degree seeking students whose documents are not completed prior to enrollment will not be allowed to take more than six credit hours of graduate courses in the first session. Students in this category will not be allowed to enroll in graduate classes for which they have not met the prerequisites. If it is discovered that a student is enrolled without meeting the requirements for a non-degree seeking student, the student will be withdrawn from classes.

Admission to a non-degree program is not a guarantee of admission to a graduate degree program at a later date, nor does it guarantee that credits earned in a non-degree program will count toward a graduate degree.

The graduate admissions committee must approve the application of non-degree hours to a graduate degree. Leveling work completed by a non-degree student must have a grade not lower than C to satisfy graduate degree requirements. A student may change degree status by filling out the appropriate application and meeting all the requirements for that category.

Six categories of non-degree admissions are available.Some groups of international visa holders including F-1 visa holders, may not be eligible for non-degree seeking status:

1. Certificate or Licensure - students who desire to earn certification through the Don Williams School of Education and Exercise and Sport Science may apply for this type of non-degree status. Students must also apply to the teacher education program through the Don Williams School of Education and Exercise and Sport Science.

• Educational Administration Licensure - for those students with a valid teaching license and graduate degree and who wish to take only the hours required for principalship certification. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students seeking this licensure.
• Health Care Licensure - for those with a baccalaureate or graduate degree who want to take the hours for state licensure in the health care field. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students seeking this licensure.
• Teacher Certification - for those students not currently certified who are seeking teacher certification on the elementary, secondary, or all-level. Students pursuing teacher certification must complete a non-degree seeking application, pay the application fee (if required), and submit official transcripts from every institution attended. Financial aid is available for those who are admitted into both the graduate program and the teacher education certification program. Students should contact the financial aid office for more information.

2. Certificate - students who desire to enroll in courses for certificate programs through the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences or the School of Business may apply for this type of non-degree status.
3. Concurrent - a senior student in the last regular term or session of undergraduate work may enroll in up to six credit hours of graduate work, provided that the student has completed an application to the Graduate Program, has a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better on the last 60 hours earned, and has obtained written approval from the academic dean of the school in which the work is offered. With approval from the academic advisor, the student may apply credit for graduate course work to either the undergraduate degree or graduate degree during the term or session taken; however, in no instance may credit for course work be applied to both degrees. On external campuses, the advisor must notify the correct administrative office in writing of the appropriate application of credit.
   If the graduate course work is to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements, the student shall be governed by the existing catalog of record. If the graduate course work is to be applied to Wayland graduate degree requirements, the student shall be governed by the current catalog at the time of initial enrollment in graduate course work. A student will not be allowed to enroll in any more graduate classes until admitted to the graduate program and the baccalaureate degree has been posted. Courses taken to be used toward a graduate program may have financial aid implications. For clarification of financial aid contact the campus financial aid representative.
4. Post-Baccalaureate/Post-Graduate - students who have earned an undergraduate or a graduate degree and desire to take only undergraduate leveling courses. Since the undergraduate courses being taken are for leveling prerequisites, students must have a grade not lower than C to satisfy graduate degree requirements. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students in this category.
5. Temporary - students who do not seek a graduate degree, but want to take graduate courses for personal goals/interest, raising their grade point average or continuing professional enrichment development who do not meet any of the previously mentioned categories. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students in this category.
6. Transient - students who need to take a graduate course at Wayland to transfer back to another graduate program. Financial aid is not available for non-degree students in this category.

Applicants who are denied admission as degree-seeking or non-degree seeking status may be eligible for admission as temporary undergraduate for the purpose of raising the grade point average to be admitted to the graduate program at a later date. Students should contact the office of undergraduate admissions for further information.

Accelerated Degree Programs

Wayland Baptist University’s accelerated degree programs allow high-achieving, motivated students to combine undergraduate and graduate, or graduate and doctoral, coursework toward completion of an academically rigorous yet efficient and cost-effective program of study. Wayland’s accelerated programs reduce time to degree completion through an integrated curriculum that avoids duplicated courses and maximizes academic coursework and learning.

Acceptance to the university does not guarantee admission to an accelerated degree program. Students must apply to a specific accelerated degree program in order to be admitted to that program.

Steps to Pursuing an Accelerated Degree Program
Students who wish to pursue a specific accelerated degree must first complete a Request for Degree Plan (RDP) with the Office of the Registrar. This accelerated degree plan will assist the student in selecting the undergraduate and graduate coursework necessary for successful completion of the chosen accelerated degree. Each accelerated program, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral, maintains distinctive requirements that students must meet to be admitted into and complete the specified accelerated program.

Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree General Requirements
Students may apply to the accelerated graduate program of their choice after–

• Successfully completing the prescribed undergraduate coursework required for entrance into the selected accelerated program. Students should consult the appropriate section of the catalog to determine:
  • number of undergraduate credit hours necessary for entrance into that accelerated program (often, but not always, 70 credit hours).
  • an additional graduate program-specific application requirements (such as letters of recommendation or reference).
• Successfully maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (for Master of Divinity accelerated programs, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0).

To apply to the accelerated graduate program of their choice, students must obtain an Accelerated Graduate Program application from the appropriate academic school, complete the form with assistance from their academic advisor, and then submit the completed form to Office of the Registrar.

Only if the Accelerated Graduate Program application is approved may a student enroll in the shared graduate coursework required to complete the specified accelerated degree. Students may enroll in a maximum of six hours of non-shared graduate-level coursework in their final undergraduate term. Enrollment in non-shared graduate hours may impact undergraduate financial aid; advance communication with the Office of Financial Aid is necessary to determine eligibility for funding.

Program Success and Graduation
To continue enrollment in and ensure graduation from an approved accelerated program, students must:

• Maintain and graduate with undergraduate GPA requirements noted in the academic catalog for that degree and major.
• Meet the residency requirements for both degrees in the accelerated program, with shared courses at the graduate level counting toward the undergraduate residency requirement as requirements for upper-level credit hours.
• Use the same year of both the undergraduate and the graduate catalog for the selected accelerated degree.
• Submit the Application for Graduation by the deadline noted in the academic calendar in order to walk in undergraduate commencement upon completion of all undergraduate degree requirements, including shared coursework.

Note: At the completion of the undergraduate degree requirements, including the shared hours, the student is no longer eligible for undergraduate scholarships and undergraduate tuition.

Accelerated program students are granted official Graduate Program admission only after successful completion of all undergraduate degree requirements while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 graded hours earned at the point of graduation (GPA of 2.0 for the M.Div.).

If the student determines not to complete an accelerated degree program but does wish to continue pursuit of his/her undergraduate degree, he/she must complete a Request for Degree Plan and work with an undergraduate advisor to meet the degree requirements outlined in the selected undergraduate program. In this scenario, only shared graduate courses taken at the undergraduate level may be applied toward undergraduate requirements; non-shared graduate courses already taken may not be applied toward undergraduate level requirements.

For information related to Wayland’s Accelerated Bachelor’s to Doctoral Program (the Doctorate in Management), please consult the section of the academic catalog related to School of Business - Graduate Programs.

Additional Requirements for International Students

In addition to the admission requirements stated above, an international student (a student attending Wayland on an F-1 student visa issued by the United States government) must also submit the following to the Admissions Office:

1. Visa Authorization Form 
2. All applicable transcripts - A student must have completed a program equivalent to the baccalaureate degree in the United States. Applicants must submit an official copy of their most recent transcript with the baccalaureate degree posted, as well as any transcript(s) that include graduate credit for which the applicant would like credit considered for transfer.
3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to have all required transcripts, certificates, or diplomas from institutions outside the United States sent to a credentials evaluation agency for evaluation. A list of agencies may be obtained from the Office of Admissions. This evaluation determines the authenticity of the documents, provides appropriate subject identification, and a GPA calculation (in many instances, this will be termed a “detailed” report). A copy of the results must be sent directly to Wayland from the evaluation service.
4. Language Entrance Exam: International students whose first or home language is not English are required to take an English-language competency exam to demonstrate proficiency at a level necessary for success in college. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the preferred test. Students pursuing teacher certification must take the TOEFL. On the TOEFL, a minimum of 61 on the Internet-based test, 173 on the computer-based, or 500 on
   the paper-based test is required for unconditional admission. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service. A registration form and a “Bulletin of Information for Candidates” may be obtained by contacting ETS through their Web site at https://www.ets.org, or writing to TOEFL Registration Office, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA.
   When a TOEFL score is not readily available, scores on the following exams will be considered for students not pursuing teacher certification:
   • the Duolingo English Test (minimum score of 100)
   • the International English Languages Testing System (IELTS Academic)
   • the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
5. Financial Support Statement: All international students must certify to Wayland and the U.S. Citizenship Immigration Service that the student has sufficient funds available to cover the first two terms of study while in the United States. A completed Financial Statement form is required for the student file. This form is available on the Wayland web site at https://www.wbu.edu or by contacting the international admissions representative.

Appeal of Admission Decision

An applicant may appeal an admission decision to the graduate council. The appeal should be routed through the external campus executive director/dean or through the vice president of academic affairs.

Admission to Candidacy

In order to continue beyond one session of attendance of graduate work, a degree-seeking student must be admitted to candidacy. Candidacy will be based upon the student’s demonstrated competency and compliance with University requirements. To be admitted to candidacy by the
Office of Graduate Studies, the student must:

1. Have on file all required admissions documents and be admitted to the Graduate Program. 
2. Have on file an official degree plan approved by the office of graduate studies. 
3. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (2.0 for Master of Divinity students) in all graduate courses attempted at Wayland.
4. Have no grade lower than C (D for Master of Divinity students) in all graduate courses attempted at Wayland.