Graduate

Admission Requirements

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General Degree Requirements:

All students seeking to admittance into a graduate program at the University of the Incarnate Word must meet the following general requirements:

• An earned Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 can be admitted conditionally with an acceptable admission exam score.
   
• Submit official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. Students applying for admission into the graduate programs offered in UIW Online must have their transcripts mailed directly from the college or university to the UIW Online offices.
   
• At least one of the following as specified by the degree program:
  • A nationally recognized entrance test specified by the discipline.
  • Evaluation by one or more professionals from the intended field of study.
  • Professional certification; or a degree, of equal or higher level than that sought, from an accredited institution of higher learning.
  • Letters of recommendation. 
     
• In addition to program appropriate Admission Policies; international students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 560 and have transcripts and course descriptions translated into English.
   

Degree Program Requirements:

Master of Arts in Administration (MAA)

The Master of Arts in Administration (MAA) degree programs at the University of the Incarnate Word are fully accredited under the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) guidelines. The MAA program is unique among graduate programs in South Texas in that it provides participants with core competencies in administration as well as essential knowledge, skills and abilities in specific concentrations. The program curriculum is designed to develop ethical and accountable administrators who are able to conceptualize, and critically analyze complex organizational issues and who are able to persuasively communicate toward a course of action that is in the best interests of those they serve.

Master of Arts in Administration (MAA) Admission:

A.  Admission to the MAA program (Tier 1) will be granted to applicants who satisfy all general requirements for admission to graduate studies to include:

1. Baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0,
2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, and
3. A completed application.
4. GRE not required for Tier I and II applicants.

B.  Alternate admission to the MAA program (Tier II) will be granted to applicants who satisfy all general requirements for admission noted above but who have a GPA of 2.50 but less than 3.0. Those granted Alternate Admissions will be assigned to Tier II, with specific courses to be taken at the beginning of the program, all of which must be completed with a “B” or better. GRE not required.

C.  Probationary Admission to the MAA program (Tier III) will be granted to applicants who satisfy all general requirements for admission noted above but who have a GPA of 2.00 but less than 2.5. Applicants with a GPA above 2.0 but less than 2.5 MUST achieve a combined score of verbal and quantitative score of 800 or higher and an analytical writing score of at least 3.5 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test or a 450 or higher on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) before they can be admitted into the MAA program. Those granted Probationary Admission will be assigned to Tier III, with specific courses to be taken at the beginning of the program, all of which must be completed with a “B” or better.

D.  As a general rule, applicants with an earned baccalaureate degree with an overall GPA less than 2.0 will not be admitted.

E.  For Tier II and III students, the first four courses to be taken are: Accounting Concepts and Issues (ADMN 6310), Management Concepts and Issues (ADMN 6360), Organizational Behavior and Learning (ORGD 6320), and Foundations of Organizational Research and Assessment (ORGD 6330). Any single course with a “C” grade may be retaken once. Upon completion of these courses, the student will be able to move to the next tier.
 

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program curriculum provides each student a broad understanding of how the elements and processes of business organizations relate to one another and to the external environment. Degree requirements are designed to develop proficiency and confidence in all of the functional areas of business. In addition to providing the technical skills required for an executive-level business position, the ethical considerations of business are emphasized. These programs are supported by experienced faculty with expertise in all functional areas of business.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Admission:

A. Admission to the MBA programs (Tier I) will be granted to applicants satisfying the following:

1. All general requirements for admission to graduate studies, including:

Baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0,
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work,
An evaluation by the graduate program advisor, and
A completed application with a writing sample.

2. Common Professional Components (CPCs); an adequate foundation in:

Accounting I & II
Management Information Systems
Economics (Macro and Micro)
Statistics and Quantitative techniques
Finance
Global Environment
Marketing
Legal Environment
Management

A. Alternate Admission to the MBA programs (Tier II) will be granted to applicants satisfying the following:

1. All general requirements for admission to graduate studies, including:

Baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 2.5-2.99,
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work,
An evaluation by the graduate program advisor, and
A completed application with a writing sample.

2. Common Professional Components (CPCs); an adequate foundation in:

Accounting I & II
Management Information Systems
Economics (Macro and Micro)
Statistics and Quantitative techniques
Finance
Global Environment
Marketing
Legal Environment
Management

3. Those granted Alternate Admissions will be assigned to Tier II, with specific courses to be taken at the beginning of the program, all of which must be completed with a “B” or better.

B. Probationary Admission to the MBA programs (Tier III) will be granted to applicants satisfying the following:

1. All general requirements for admission to graduate studies, including:

Baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 2.0-2.49,
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work,
An evaluation by the graduate program advisor,
Completed application with a writing sample, and
A score of 450 or higher on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT).

2. Common Professional Components (CPCs); an adequate foundation in:

Accounting I & II
Management Information Systems
Economics (Macro and Micro)
Statistics and Quantitative techniques
Finance
Global Environment
Marketing
Legal Environment
Management

3. A score of 450 or higher on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is required before beginning the first semester in the program.

4. Those granted Probationary Admission will be assigned to Tier III, with specific courses to be taken at the beginning of the program, al of which must be completed with a “B” or better.

C. As a general rule, applicants with an earned baccalaureate degree with an overall GPA less than 2.0 will not be admitted.

Tier II and III
For the MBA program, the first four graduate level courses to be taken will be: Business Research and Analysis, Accounting, Economics, and Finance For students with an International Concentration, these courses are Business Research and Analysis, International Accounting, International Economics, and International Finance, and each course grade must be a “B” or better. Any single course with a “C” grade may be retaken once.

Upon completion of these courses, the student will be able to move to the next tier
 

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership (MEd)

This program is designed for PK-12 teachers who want to continue in the classroom, while assuming leadership roles in their school and community. This program focuses on the “teacher as a leader” and empowers experienced master teachers to effect change and improve student learning. The concentration is appropriate for teachers who wish to advance their current work as teachers or assume master teacher roles as department heads, team leaders, curriculum leaders, instructional coaches or informal teacher leaders.

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership (M.Ed.) Admission:

A. Unconditional admission to the MEd program will be granted to applicants who satisfy all general requirements for admission to graduate studies to include:

1. Baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 GPA scale,
2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work,
3. A combined verbal and quantitative score of 800 or higher and an analytical writing score of at least 3.5 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test. Requirement waived for applicants who have been awarded masters/post-masters degrees, who were inducted into Delta Mu Delta or Alpha Chi Honors Societies, and for applicants who have taken and passed tests considered comparable to the GRE, e.g. GMAT, LSAT, CPA, etc., and
4. A completed application.

B. Conditional Admission may be granted to the MEd program if you have an overall undergraduate GPA of less than 2.5, and meeting all of the other requirements for unconditional admittance. You may be admitted with the understanding that you must achieve a minimum grade of "B" in each course completed through the first 12 hours of graduate study.

C. If you have not taken the GRE, you may be admitted with the understanding that you will satisfy the testing requirement during the first Fall or Spring semester of enrollment, as applicable.
 

Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA)

The Master of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) is an accelerated graduate business degree designed to enhance each students’ understanding of the fundamental practices of business while enabling them to acquire the analytical skills necessary to lead others. The program provides convenient delivery design and formats for working professionals who seek the opportunity to complete an entire graduate business degree plan in only ten months (by taking two classes per eight week term for five sessions). The MSBA degree requires students to successfully complete ten courses (30 credit hours) representing each of the functional areas of business including a capstone course requiring student to develop a new, comprehensive case study.

Master of Science in Business Administration Admission:

Admission to the MSBA Program will be granted to applicants satisfying all general requirements for admission to graduate studies, including:

1. A completed application
2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
3. An earned Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum GPA of 2.5
4. A minimum of three years of full-time, professional work experience
5. An evaluation by the graduate program advisor

Applicants to the MSBA Program with a Baccalaureate degree GPA of 2.0-2.5 may receive Alternate Admission if they have previously received a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning or by submitting a score of 450 or higher on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT). As a general rule, applicants with an earned baccalaureate degree with an overall GPA less than 2.0 will not be admitted.

As the MSBA curriculum uniquely combines several traditional subject areas to form each of its ten courses, all thirty credit hours must be completed through UIW’s Extended Studies Division. Although students may have previously completed graduate coursework, transfer credit is not accepted into the 30 credit hour degree Program.

The MSBA has undergraduate prerequisites that must be completed before a student may be admitted into this program of graduate study. If an applicant’s undergraduate degree is not in a business area, the student may be required to fulfill Common Professional Components (CPCs) to provide an adequate foundation in several core areas of undergraduate business studies including:

• Financial Accounting
• Managerial Accounting
• Management Information Systems
• Micro Economics
• Macro Economics
• Statistics/Quantitative Methods
• Finance
• Global Environment
• Marketing
• Legal Environment
• Management
   

Master of Science in Psychology

The Master of Science in Psychology in Educational Psychology offers education and training in psychology that is designed to prepare students as scientist-practitioners. The MS in Psychology provides foundational knowledge and facilitates the development of necessary analytical abilities that prepare students for a wide range of professional positions or to pursue doctoral level education in psychology or other related disciplines. The program seeks to deliver its curriculum through an interactive and collaborative learning environment that provides its participants with exceptional learning experiences that are professionally relevant and competency based. Students may require additional coursework in order to meet requirements for any type of licensure or certification.

Master of Science in Psychology Admission:

A. Unconditional admission will be granted to applicants who satisfy all general requirements for admission to graduate studies:

1. Evidence of an earned Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
2. Official transcripts from each college and university previously attended. These transcripts must be mailed directly from the college or university to the Extended Academic Programs Admissions Office.
3. A combined verbal and quantitative score of 800 or higher and an analytical writing score of at least 3.5 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test.
4. If the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test is taken after August 1, 2011: a combined verbal and quantitative score of 170 and an analytical writing score of at least 3.5 is required.
5. Three letters of recommendation.
6. A completed application.

B. Conditional admission may be granted to the M.S. program if the student possesses an overall GPA of less than 2.5, but meets all of the other requirements for unconditional admittance. Admission will be granted with the understanding that a minimum grade of “B” must be achieved in each course through the first 12 hours of graduate study.

International students must submit a minimum TOEFEL score of 560 and have transcripts and course descriptions translated into English.

Note: Individuals seeking admission must possess a suitable undergraduate foundation in the behavioral sciences, including successful completion of courses or their equivalents in the following areas: general psychology, biological bases of behavior, cognition, measurement and research, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, social psychology, and the psychology of personality before they may be admitted to this program of graduate study.

For additional information regarding graduate admissions, email us your questions or call 210-757-0202 or toll free at 1-877-827-2702.