Dec 02, 2024  
2021-2023 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2023 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Admission Requirements


Admission requirements

The graduate admission policy of Oakland University is selective, and the process is competitive. Applicants for graduate admission must present evidence that they have had the necessary academic preparation to enable them to pursue the graduate program for which they are applying.

International applicants have specific admission requirements.

 

Graduate application requirements

 

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

  1. Graduate Application Requirements  
  • Official transcripts are required from all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with first baccalaureate) and all enrollment in graduate level course work beyond the bachelor’s degree.

    International university transcripts (educational credentials) must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service. Oakland University will only accept transcript evaluations completed by a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation service) member organization.

    Three-year baccalaureate degree
    Applicants with a three-year baccalaureate degree from an institution outside of the U.S. are welcome provided:  1) they have been awarded the degree at the time of application; 2) the degree would qualify them for admission to an academic graduate program in the country in which it was earned; and 3) their degree evaluation must include a course-by-course (or detailed) transcript evaluation rather than the general transcript evaluation.

    General document-by-document evaluation
    A general document-by-document evaluation contains a description of your credentials, including name, year awarded, name of institution attended, and major field of study. It also provides the U.S. equivalent for each credential.  Not permitted for 3-year baccalaureate degrees.

    Course-by-Course transcript evaluation (preferred)
    Graduate programs requiring more detailed information will require an applicant to submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation.  A course by course transcript evaluation details all post-secondary subjects with the corresponding values expressed in terms of U.S. equivalent course grade, semester units and credit units for each subject

    Since official transcripts must be submitted to the evaluation service, official foreign transcripts will not be required by Oakland University
  • Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
    (Note: Some programs require more than two recommendation forms. Refer to the program application requirements listed below for the total number of recommendations and specific requirements for the recommendations.)
     
  • Proof of English language proficiency

    International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

 

Refugee Graduate Admission Materials - Exception

There may be circumstances (e.g., war in home country, natural disaster) under which an applicant is unable to provide some of the required application materials; for example, the applicant may have only unofficial transcripts.

The Dean of the Graduate School may grant an exception and allow the department to review and make a recommendation regarding the admissibility of the application provided that there is readily confirmed documentation of the circumstances rendering the materials unavailable.

Programs may choose to waive program specific requirements.  Applicants admitted without all required graduate application materials may be admitted only with limited standing; however, for this category of limited standing, a graduate assistantship may be awarded to the student.

If the applicant is unable to provide the required materials by the deadline listed in the offer of admission, the limited standing may be extended and/or lifted by the Dean of the Graduate School upon the department’s recommendation.

 

Program-specific admission requirements

In addition to meeting the General Admission Requirements, Graduate admission decisions are based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative program admission requirements that may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Career goal statement
  • Personal goal statement
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Academic record
  • Relevant professional activities and achievements
  • Previous grades and GPA
  • Interviews
  • Audition
  • Essays
  • Portfolios
  • Supplemental applications
  • Standard admission test scores

Some graduate programs may require an applicant to submit satisfactory scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), including advanced (subject) exams.

In lieu of the GRE, applicants to the MBA, MSITM, MSBA, and MAcc programs submit the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The GRE and GMAT are administered worldwide by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Admission requirements specific to the graduate program for which students are applying may be found in the program/department section of this catalog.

Graduate admission deadlines and review

After the application is received in the Graduate Admissions Office, it is entered into the university student system, and an admission file is established. Thereafter, academic credentials are confirmed for eligibility and the requisite documents for general admission and the intended program are reviewed for completeness. Completed admission files are shared with the intended program for admission review. Admission deadlines vary by program. Applicants are advised to confirm the admission deadline for the intended program of study in this catalog.  

International applications are reviewed for fall, winter, and summer semester admission. To ensure adequate time for review and issuing I-20s, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by

  • May 1 for fall admission
  • September 1 for winter admission
  • January 1 for summer admission.

Graduate admission documents

All graduate admission documentation, including letters of recommendationrecommendation forms, standardized test scores and academic transcripts from other institutions, become part of the official admission file and can neither be returned to the applicant nor duplicated for any purpose.

Application

Oakland University accepts an online Application for Admission to Oakland University Graduate School via www.oakland.edu/grad. To make the online application process convenient, the applicant creates a PIN and password so information can be entered over several sessions. Online information is stored and transmitted through a secured server. Once the online application is submitted, it is available for initial processing by Graduate Admissions.

Applicants who have been previously admitted and have not enrolled within the last two years must submit a Petition to Readmit to Graduate Program.

Letters of recommendation

In most cases, graduate programs require an applicant to submit a minimum of two Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms. The total required recommendation forms are published in the Application Requirements section specific to the graduate program for which the applicant is requesting admission. Unless the applicant has been out of school for more than five years, at least one of the recommenders should be a faculty member who is able to judge the applicant’s preparation and ability to undertake graduate study.

Substitutions for a faculty recommender may include work supervisors or approved others who can comment on the applicant’s academic potential for graduate work.

All recommendations must be submitted on the recommendation forms provided on the Graduate Admissions Website. The recommendation forms should be sent directly by the writer to the Graduate Admissions office.

The Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms become part of the student’s official admission file. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 provide student access to his/her educational record; however, the student retains the right to waive access to specific documents in his/her record. Students admitted to graduate study at Oakland University will be permitted access to the recommendations unless the student voluntarily waived this right as an applicant. Students who waived this right will not be permitted access to the recommendations.

Baccalaureate degree

Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.

In addition to a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree, some graduate programs may require an applicant to submit satisfactory scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), including advanced (subject) exams.

In lieu of the GRE, applicants to the MBA program can submit the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The GRE and GMAT are administered worldwide by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Prospective students may apply for admission to graduate study at Oakland University during their final year of undergraduate study but must furnish proof of the baccalaureate degree by submitting the official transcript, with the degree posted, by a deadline no later than 45 days from the first day of class for the initial term of enrollment.   

The date the baccalaureate degree was conferred must precede the date of enrollment in the graduate degree program. 

Official transcripts

According to the guidelines set by the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), an official college transcript is one that has been received in a sealed envelope directly from the issuing college or university. It must bear the college seal, current date, and an appropriate signature. Additionally, transcripts providing certification of the degree earned must include the degree and the date the degree was awarded. Transcripts received that do not meet these requirements are not considered official. All transcripts become the property of Oakland University and will not be returned to an applicant, or sent to another institution.

All transcripts are purged by Oakland University Academic Records or Oakland University Graduate School seven years after the last date of enrollment.

Minimum transcript requirements

Official transcripts are required from all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with first baccalaureate) and all enrollments in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. Unofficial transcripts may be accepted for admissions evaluation purposes. When unofficial transcripts are received, the student’s acceptance should be regarded as limited standing pending receipt of an official transcript within a specific time frame.

Standards beyond minimum transcript requirements

As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- or post-baccalaureate degrees.

Undergraduate preparatory courses

Undergraduate preparatory coursework refers to courses an applicant must complete in order to be eligible for admission into a graduate program. Preparatory courses are required for admission to the intended program and are NOT considered part of the degree requirements.

Graduate applicants, who do not meet the undergraduate coursework required for admission to a specific graduate program will be given a delayed graduate admission status and admitted to Oakland University at the post-baccalaureate level (PB) with a Graduate Preparatory (GP) student classification.

Financial aid eligibility can be granted for one calendar year to delayed graduate applicants admitted to Graduate Preparatory student classification. The student must produce for the Financial Aid Office an official letter and plan of study that lists the undergraduate preparatory courses required for the program. Only those undergraduate courses listed on the program plan of study can be used for calculation of loan eligibility.

Once the preparatory coursework is completed the student may be admitted to the degree program if the undergraduate preparatory courses are completed with the required grade.

 International applicants admission requirements

International supplemental application

In addition to the Application for Admission to Oakland University Graduate School, international applicants must submit an International Student Supplemental Application. The international supplemental application is available at www.oakland.edu/grad.

International university transcripts

International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service. Oakland University will only accept transcript evaluations completed by a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation service) member organization. Many applicants use World Educational Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).  NACES membership can be confirmed by visiting www.naces.org/members.htm. Graduate programs requiring more detailed information may require an applicant to submit a course-by-course (or detailed) evaluation report rather than the general evaluation report. Official foreign transcripts will not be required by Oakland University since official transcripts must be submitted to and verified by the evaluation service. However, applicants must submit photocopies of their foreign transcripts with their application materials.

Notarized bank statement and affidavit of financial support

International applicants who are applying for graduate admission with an F1 or J1 visa status must certify sufficient funds for university expenses including tuition, books, supplies, insurance, and living expenses (travel is not included). To certify finances, the applicant must submit an affidavit of financial support and a notarized bank statement in U.S dollars for required published amount. These documents are required for the student F-1 or J-1 visa petition at the American embassy or consulate in the home country. The affidavit of financial support can be downloaded at www.oakland.edu/grad

English language proficiency

Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening English is needed for students to be successful when completing an academic degree in the United States.  All matriculating international applicants, other visa holders, permanent residents and applicants whose first language is not English, must be proficient in English as a requirement to enroll in courses for credit at Oakland University.  Such applicants will be required to demonstrate English proficiency by meeting one of the following conditions listed below.  The English proficiency scores must be two years old or less at the time of the applicant’s intended enrollment at Oakland University. 

Some programs at Oakland University may require a higher level of proficiency than listed below.  Applicants should examine the program descriptions for their field of study for information about additional English proficiency requirements and furnish proof as part of the admission process.  Please visit the ESL Institute or Graduate Admissione for additional information.

 

Full Admission Requirements

One of the following constitutes proof:

 
  1. TOEFL iBT (internet): 79 TOEFL (computer): 213  
    Note:  Applicants may use MyBest TOEFL    
  2. IELTS: 6.5 IELS Indicator (temporary exam)  
    or    
  3. PTE (academic): 53 minimum    
    or    
  4. DUOLINGO (105 or better)    
    or    
  5. Baccalaureate or graduate degree awarded from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
    or
  6. Baccalaureate or graduate degree at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction was English.
    or
  7.  Oakland University non-matriculating students (guest students) who have earned a minimum of 12 academic credits with a 3.0 GPA. 
     
    These options are not available for  F or J Visa
  8. Applicant has worked full-time in the U.S. for at least three years in an English speaking environment.  Evidence must be provided from Human Resources to verify employment and length of service.
    or
  9.. Applicant has worked full-time outside of the U.S. for at least three years in an English speaking environment.  Evidence must be provided from Human Resources to verify employment, length of service and English is the primary language of written and oral communication.
    or
  10.  Applicant has a U.S. professional license (e.g. United States Medical Licensing Exam - USMLE) that explicitly includes an English proficiency requirement
    or
  11. A letter of support or comment from the ESL Institute at Oakland University based on an interview and completion of the ESL placement test.
 
 

Admission with Limited Standing - ESL Course Sequence Requirement

One of the following constitutes proof:

 
 

TOEFL iBT  (internet): 78-69 
Note:  Applicants may use MyBest TOEFL

IELTS: 6

PTE (academic): 52-48

TOEFL (Computer): 212-190


 
 

Applicants, with evidence of an English Proficiency exam with the following scores, AND determined academically qualified for admission to a graduate program,  will be required to enroll in an ESL course sequence, as determined by the ESL Institute, along with required academic program courses starting in their first semester of registration and each subsequent semester until successful ESL completion. 

It is expected that applicants, granted admission with limited standing for ESL requirements, will successfully complete the required ESL course sequence within one year.  Students not making satisfactory progress in the ESL course sequence and/or academic program courses will be denied full admission and further enrollment in their academic graduate program.

The ESL Institute will monitor progress and provide written notification to the Graduate School, when the student has successfully completed three level 7 courses with a minimum of an A- or three level 8 courses with a minimum of B-, and if the student is in good academic standing, the Graduate School may extend the student full admission to the graduate program. 

 

APPLICANTS - ALL VISA TYPE

Admission to Intensive English Program

Prospective students, who do not have adequate English Proficiency scores for full admission or admission with ESL course sequence requirements can apply directly to the ESL Institute at Oakland University.  Course placement is done by the ESL Institute using the ESL Online Placement Test, reported English proficiency test scores, and/or other assessment tools. During the students’ ESL instruction sequence, students’ English Proficiency will be evaluated to determine whether adequate progress is being made and if additional ESL coursework is necessary to achieve English Proficiency. The ESL instruction sequence designed by the ESL Institute is not negotiable.

Upon completion of the Intensive English Program, students may (re)apply for admission to Oakland University.
 

Exemption of English proficiency requirement

A TOEFL exemption exists for students from countries where English is both the official language and the language of instruction in higher education.  Below is a list of countries with English as an official language and the language of Instruction in Higher Education.  Non- US applicants, with citizenship in one of the countries listed, are exempt from the Test of English proficiency requirement.

 
  List of countries where English is both the official language
and the language of instruction in higher education
  
 
   
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Cameroon
Canada (except Quebec)
Cayman Islands
Dominica
England
Fiji
Gambia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Grenada
Guyana
 

Ireland, Northern
Ireland, Republic of
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
Namibia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Papua New Guinea
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Scotland
Seychelles
Sierra Leone


Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
Vanuatu
Wales
Zambia
Zimbabwe

 


International applicants already studying in U.S.

International applicants who are presently in the United States on a student status may be required to provide a statement from the International Student Adviser at their current institution. International students who do not enroll during their indicated semester of admission must submit an application to update at least eight weeks prior to the start of the term (fall or winter) in which they wish to enroll.

International applicants to distance learning programs delivered 100% online

An international applicant is anyone who is not a US citizen at the time of application to Oakland University.

Non-US citizens applying for admissions to a distance learning program that does NOT require any on-campus instruction at Oakland University (100% online) do not require a non-immigrant visa. Therefore, the Non-US Citizen Information section of the graduate application (Checklist item 7 of 9) does not need to be completed.

Non-US citizens, including those applying for admissions to a distance learning program that requires on-campus instruction at Oakland University (50-99% online) do require a non-immigrant visa.  These applicants must complete the Non-US Citizen Information section of the graduate application (Checklist item 7 of 9).

Graduate students admitted at OU

Readmission 

Applicants who have been previously admitted to and have enrolled in a graduate program at Oakland University should not complete a new application for admission to Oakland University Graduate School. Instead, students who were previously admitted to a graduate program, but have not taken a course at Oakland University within the last two years should submit a Petition to Readmit to Graduate Program to the Oakland University Graduate School, 520 O’Dowd Hall. If it has been two years or more since you last attended you will be required to submit a new application. Please refer to the Inactive Student Status section of the graduate catalog for more information.

Military Readmission

Any student who is temporarily unable to attend class or must suspend their studies due to military service requirements will be readmitted with the same academic status they had when last attending the university.

Transferring to a new program

Current graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate degree at Oakland University and wish to transfer to a different Oakland University graduate degree should not complete a new application for admission. Instead, these students should submit a  Petition for Program Transfer form to Oakland University Graduate School. The form is available at www.oakland.edu/grad. Please refer to the Change of Status - Program Transfer section of the graduate catalog for more information.

 Graduate students admitted at another institution

Transferring to OU

Students interested in “transferring” from a graduate program they are currently attending at another institution to Oakland University must complete the online Application for Admission to Oakland University Graduate School and meet the same admission requirements as any other graduate applicant. Upon admission to Oakland University Graduate School, previous graduate coursework will be evaluated by the faculty adviser to determine transfer to Oakland University. A maximum of nine (9) credits may transfer to the OU graduate program. Students should be familiar with the sections of the graduate catalog Course Content and Course Waiver Substitution and consult with their faculty adviser.

International students interested in transfer to Oakland University should refer to the section of the graduate catalog International Applicants Already Studying in U.S. to maintain immigration status.

Graduate admission process

Overview

Applicants seeking graduate admission with full standing to a degree or graduate certificate program must submit all required documentation by published deadlines to ensure proper processing and evaluation by the school or department and Graduate Admissions for the selected semester. Even though an applicant may meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study, each graduate program reserves the right to recommend a denial or admission with limited standing based upon the evaluation of documentation supplied by the applicant, as well as the standing of the applicant relative to others who have applied to the specific graduate program. Graduate students are permitted to matriculate into only one graduate degree program at a time.

Responsibility for graduate admission

Oakland University Graduate School is responsible for the interpretation and administration of regulations governing the admission of graduate students.

The Graduate Admissions office is assigned the responsibility of collecting, processing, and reviewing completeness of the applications for admission to graduate programs.

Each graduate program is responsible for establishing its own program admission requirements and for the application review and admission assessment process.

Admission process flow

After the application is received in the Graduate Admissions office, it is entered into the university student system and an admission file is established.

Thereafter, academic credentials are confirmed for eligibility and the requisite documents for general admission and the intended program are reviewed for completeness. Completed admission files are shared with the intended program for admission review.

In many cases the admission decision is made very quickly; however, when a program admission requirement stipulates an applicant interview, the amount of time increases before a final admission decision can be made by the program. Some of the Graduate Programs with established admission deadlines will not begin the review process until after the program deadline has passed and the entire applicant pool has been ascertained.

Graduate admission decisions are released to applicants via the Web.  All admission decisions are communicated directly to the applicant. Applicants will be able to see that an admission decision has been made by reviewing the online application status.

Confidentiality of admission process

Oakland University maintains the confidentiality of both the information submitted by an applicant and the status of their application during the graduate admission process. This information can only be shared with the applicant or someone the applicant has designated in writing as their proxy. Any applicant whose personal circumstances require that someone else contact Graduate Admissions in conjunction with their application must send a signed letter formally designating that person as their proxy. Graduate Admissions cannot discuss an application with anyone but the applicant without this document.

Offer of admission

Formal admission to a graduate program at Oakland University is offered by Oakland University Graduate School. The offer of graduate admission is extended to the applicant for a specified semester. An admitted student who wishes to change the semester of entry must request to update their admission to graduate school. Oakland University Graduate School will permit an admitted applicant to update three (3) consecutive semesters beyond their original admission term; thereafter, a new application will be required. Graduate students are admitted to either full or limited standing as described below.

Update semester of admission

The offer of admission is extended to the applicant for a specified semester. An admitted student who wishes to update their semester of entry must notify the Graduate Admissions office in writing.

Contingent upon the approval of the graduate program, admitted students are permitted three (3) successive semester updates to their original admission semester. Thereafter, any further changes will require a new graduate application, admission documentation, transcripts, and standardized test scores. Admission records, for admitted students who do not enroll, are purged four (4) semesters after original offer of admission.

Example

Original offer of admission (Fall 2009); successive semesters to update are Winter 2010, Summer 2010, and Fall 2010; admission records are purged after Winter 2011.

Denial of admission

The graduate admission process at Oakland University is competitive. The competitiveness of admission is determined by the number of applications received and the academic qualifications of the applicant pool; therefore, talented scholars may possibly be denied admission to some graduate programs.

Each graduate program is responsible for its own application review process and the admission recommendation made to the Oakland University Graduate School. Applicants who are unsuccessful in gaining admission to a graduate program are notified in writing.

Specific information regarding the applicant review and assessment process, or insight into an applicant’s denied admission status, must be discussed directly with the graduate program.

 

Appeal of admission decision

  Unsuccessful applicants have an avenue to appeal their admission decision if the appeal holds merit. For an appeal to have merit, it must document new and compelling academic information or extenuating personal circumstances that were not included in the original application. Please keep in mind that this information may or may not result in a reversal of the original decision. To ensure all appeals receive thorough and equal consideration, all appeals must
 
 
  • be submitted in writing 15 working days from the date of the denial letter
  • document all new information cited as the basis for the appeal.
 

Appeal process

 
  • The written appeal must be submitted to Oakland University Graduate School, 520 O’Dowd Hall.
  • The appeal will be forwarded to the program department chair.
  • Within 15 working days from receipt of the written appeal, the department will submit a recommendation to the Assistant Dean of Oakland University Graduate School to either admit the applicant or to sustain the original denial.
  • The Assistant Dean of Oakland University Graduate School shall review the recommendation and notify the applicant in writing of the final decision within 10 working days from the departmental recommendation.
  • The decision of the Assistant Dean of Oakland University Graduate School is final.

Degree seeking graduate admission classifications

 

Full standing classification

An applicant seeking graduate admission with full standing to a degree or graduate certificate program must meet the criteria specified undergraduate admission general requirements and, in addition, must:

  1. satisfy the specific program admission requirements as stated in the graduate catalog; and
  2. achieve a satisfactory score on the GRE or GMAT if required.

Admitting an applicant to a graduate program with full standing does not imply the student will be advanced to candidacy for an advanced degree.

Limited standing classification

An applicant who meets the general admission requirements as stated in the graduate catalog for a graduate program, as well as the specific program admission requirements, will be granted graduate admission with limited standing when:

  1. Degree credential requirements are pending (the applicant is pending graduation and cannot submit an official transcript to furnish proof of an earned baccalaureate degree) and/or
  2. Additional academic requirements are imposed by the graduate program.

Applicants admitted to a graduate program with limited standing are approved to enroll in advanced degree curricula. Those students who do not satisfy the requirements of limited standing within the time period as specified in the graduate catalog and set forth in the offer of admission letter are in violation and denied further registration in the graduate program.

 

Degree credential requirement

An applicant admitted to a graduate program with limited standing is notified of the specific degree credential requirement in the written offer of admission letter.

Degree credential requirements must be met by:

  1. submitting an official baccalaureate degree transcript as certification of degree received, including the date the degree was conferred from a regionally accredited institution; and
  2. submitting the official transcript, with the degree posted, by a deadline no later than 45 days from the first day of class for the initial term of enrollment.

Failure to submit the official, final degree transcript by the stated deadline will result in rescinding the offer of admission and immediate cancellation of graduate enrollment.  The date the baccalaureate degree was conferred must precede the date of enrollment in the graduate degree program.


Academic requirement

An applicant admitted to a graduate program with limited standing has up to three academic terms (fall-winter; summer excluded) from the time of initial enrollment to complete the academic requirements specified in the written offer of admission letter.

Academic requirements must be met by:

  1. enrollment in not more than 12 credits of additional graduate coursework, within three terms from the initial term of enrollment and/or
  2. achieving a minimum grade requirement of 3.0 or above in each graduate course taken during the first 12 credit hours of enrollment.

Applicants requiring undergraduate course preparation (graduate preparatory coursework) cannot be admitted to a graduate program with limited standing. Graduate preparatory coursework is defined as prerequisite undergraduate courses an applicant is required to complete in order to be eligible for admission into a graduate degree program. These courses are preparatory to the degree.

Post-baccalaureate classification (graduate preparatory coursework)

Undergraduate course preparation or graduate preparatory coursework refers to prerequisite undergraduate courses an applicant is required to complete in order to be eligible for admission into a graduate degree program. These undergraduate courses are preparatory to the degree and not included as part of the graduate degree requirements.

Graduate applicants who do not meet the undergraduate coursework required for admission to a specific graduate program will be given a delayed graduate admission status and admitted to Oakland University at the post-baccalaureate level (PB) as a Graduate Preparatory (GP) student.

A student taking Graduate Preparatory coursework must provide a financial aid officer an approved plan of study, signed by a graduate program coordinator, that identifies the specific undergraduate courses required for admission to the graduate program. Upon completing the preparatory course requirements, the student will be reviewed for regular admissions to the graduate program.

A Graduate Preparatory (GP) student who enrolls in preparatory coursework required for admission to the graduate program may be eligible to apply for financial aid for one consecutive 12-month period. The 12-month period will begin the first day of the loan period in which the student is enrolled half-time. Should the student decrease their enrollment to less than half time after the first day of that term, the 12-month consecutive period will continue to run. Preparatory coursework that exceeds the 12-month consecutive period will not be eligible for financial aid.

Special graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but who are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission may be granted temporary admission, provided they submit a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.

Students admitted to Special Graduate classification are not eligible to receive financial assistance.

Students granted admission in the Special Graduate classification may take no more than a total of 12 credits and must meet the criteria specified for general admission requirements and specific program admission requirements before completing the second semester of registration.

Up to 12 credits earned in the Special Graduate classification may be applied toward degree or graduate certificate requirements if:

  1. a student is later admitted to a degree or graduate certificate program, and
  2. the credit is approved by the graduate program as appropriate to the degree or graduate certificate objective.

Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program. Degree or graduate certificate course requirements and program regulations prevailing for the semester of formal admission to a graduate program will govern the student’s program.

Inactive or Active student classification

Inactive student status

At Oakland University, a matriculated graduate student is a student who has been previously admitted to and has enrolled in a graduate program. Oakland University Graduate School classifies inactive, matriculated students into two categories: one category permits readmission to a graduate program, and the other category requires reapplication before an inactive student can re-enroll in a course. The periods of inactivity used to classify inactive students into the appropriate category are defined as follows:
 

Readmission

Students who have not enrolled for less than six consecutive semesters are permitted to submit a Request for Graduate Readmission form. Each request is evaluated in terms of the time limit established for completing degree requirements, performance in previous coursework, and progress made toward the degree. Students will not be readmitted to programs that have been suspended or discontinued. The catalog current at the time a student is readmitted will govern program requirements, policies, and procedures.

Readmission Deadlines

A student must be approved for readmission to their graduate program PRIOR to the beginning of a semester in order for the admission to be effective for that term. If the admission process is completed after that deadline, whether because the file was not completed or because departmental action was not taken earlier, the readmission will be effective for the next semester.

Reapplication

Students who have not enrolled for seven consecutive years are considered inactive and their graduate student files are destroyed. These students are considered new applicants and must submit a new Application for Admission to Oakland University Graduate School and new supporting documents as specified in both the General Admission Requirements and the Program Admission Requirements.

Active student status

Program transfer

Graduate students, in good academic standing, who have been admitted to a graduate degree program and wish to transfer to another graduate program or pursue a new degree-level must submit a Request for Program Transfer form to Oakland University Graduate School. Admission to a new program and/or a new degree level is not granted automatically. Each program transfer request is subject to review and approval of the prospective new graduate program.

Program transfer review process

The prospective new program will review the student’s original admission documentation, supporting credentials, and any materials relevant to the student’s subsequent academic progress at Oakland University. In addition, the prospective new program may request new letters of recommendation and/or a new goal statement specific to the new program to which the student desires to transfer. A graduate program transfer is subject to minimum Graduate Admissions requirements and deadlines. A student should review the program admission requirements detailed in this catalog.

Program transfer deadlines

A student must be approved to transfer to the new program PRIOR to the beginning of an academic term in order for the admission to be effective for that term. If the admission process is completed after that deadline, whether because the file was not completed or because departmental action was not taken earlier, the admission will be effective for the next academic term. The term for which the applicant is admitted is stated in the official admission letter from Oakland University Graduate School.

If the student is not admitted to the desired new program, admission to the original graduate program will stand. Policy governing graduate programs requires that all credit applied toward a degree must be earned within six calendar years of the awarding of the degree.

Non-degree seeking graduate admission classifications

An applicant holding a baccalaureate degree, who wishes to enroll in graduate courses but does NOT have immediate graduate degree objectives, may request graduate non-degree status.

International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas or those holding F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible to apply for graduate non-degree admission. Non-degree students do not qualify for financial aid.

Graduate non-degree admission has two classifications: 1) Graduate Guest; and 2) Professional Development. The graduate non-degree classifications with the minimum admission requirements are described below.

 

Graduate guest classification

Applicants admitted to degree programs at other accredited institutions wishing to take courses at Oakland University for purposes of credit transfer should apply as a Guest Student in one of two ways: Regular Guest Student or Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Guest Student. Enrollment for all guest students is limited to 12 credits. Graduate guest students are typically admitted to Oakland University for one semester only.
 

Regular guest student

Graduate guest students are admitted to degree programs at institutions other than the Michigan institutions listed below. Applicants must apply as a Regular Guest Student using the Application for Admission to the Oakland University Graduate School. A letter from the applicant’s home institution confirming that the applicant is in good academic standing must also be submitted. Students should consult their advisers at their home institutions regarding the ability to transfer specific credits to their programs.
 

Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) guest student

The Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) program is a cooperative inter-institutional arrangement which permits graduate students to take advantage of educational offerings available at other participating institutions but not available at their own. It is open to any student in good standing in a graduate program at a member institution. Courses must be numerically graded courses (not graded P/F, S/U, or CR/NC) approved in advance by the student’s graduate adviser and the MIGS liaison officer at both the home institution and the host institution. Admission by the host university is contingent on the availability of space and resources.

The member institutions are Andrews University, Aquinas College, Calvin College, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Madonna University, Marygrove College, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, Siena Heights College, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Western Michigan University.

Additional information is available from the Oakland University Graduate School.  

Professional Development classification

The Professional Development classification is for students who are NOT interested in applying for an Oakland University graduate degree program. This classification of student typically belongs to one of the following categories:

  • Seeking career advancement, professional development, or personal enrichment,
  • Satisfying accreditation/licensure requirements,
  • Applying for certification through the state of Michigan or an outside agency.

To be admitted into the graduate non-degree Professional Development classification at Oakland University, the applicant must submit the following documentation:

  • Professional Development Application for Admission to Graduate Study
  • Baccalaureate degree awarded from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government recognized standing. The date the degree was conferred must precede the date of enrollment in the graduate degree program.
  • Official transcript providing evidence of an earned terminal degree (i.e., baccalaureate, master or doctoral degree)

Unofficial transcripts or photocopies of diplomas will be accepted along with the graduate Professional Development Application for evaluation purposes. The student must submit an official transcript and copies of any program required documents before the end of the first semester of enrollment.

Applicants admitted to the graduate non-degree Professional Development classification are subject to the following stipulations:

  • Admission is granted to a particular school or college, but NOT to a specific graduate program.
  • There is no limitation on the number of graduate credits that may be earned in this status.
  • Departmental permission must be obtained, prior to enrolling for graduate courses, to assure proper academic preparation.
  • There is no assurance that credits earned in this status will be approved and applied toward a graduate program.
  • Not more than 12 credits would be eligible for review, approval, and application toward a graduate program at a later date. These credits must comply with requirements published in the time limit section of the Graduate Catalog.
  • Graduate non-degree students who later decide to seek admission to a graduate program must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study and adhere to all admission requirements specified by the program.
  • Graduate courses completed in a graduate non-degree admission classification will appear on a graduate transcript.