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  4. Graduate admissions

Graduate admissions

The UL Lafayette Graduate School uses a holistic review when considering applicants. While undergraduate academic performance and test scores are important, they’re only part of the consideration process.

No single factor determines whether you’re admitted. Holistic review allows strengths in one area — for example, significant professional experience — to offset weaknesses in another.  

 

To be eligible for graduate study on campus or online at UL Lafayette, you must: 

  • Have (or soon have) a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a regionally accredited university. Learn more about how to provide proof of degree.
  • Secure three letters of recommendation, submitted directly through the application portal by referring parties.  
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency, if applicable.  
    • Applicants who hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree, with primary instruction in English, from an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand are not required to demonstrate English proficiency. All other applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting satisfactory Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing Services (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) official scores.
  • Provide additional application materials (including GRE/GMAT scores) if required by your specific program.  

To qualify for unconditional admission:

  • Master’s degree applicants should have a 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA or, for those with U.S. degrees, a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.  
  • Doctoral applicants should have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA (4.0 scale) and/or 3.3 overall graduate GPA (4.0 scale).  

All applicants must have official transcripts sent from any previous degree-granting institutions, as well as any institutions where they’ve completed post-baccalaureate coursework.  

Transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School at gradschool@louisiana.edu or by mail at:

UL Lafayette Graduate School 
Martin Hall Suite 332 
PO Box 43716 
Lafayette, LA 70504-3716

In addition to the requirements above, the following have been set by academic departments offering online degree programs.  

Online Graduate Degree Programs

Applicants are reviewed for admission and supplemental requirements based on their overall undergraduate GPA or GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework, whichever is higher.

Applicants with a 3.0 GPA or higher:

  • No additional materials required
  • GMAT waived
  • Letters of recommendation not required

Applicants with a 2.75–2.99 overall GPA and 3+ years of relevant* work experience:  

  • Submit a resume
  • GMAT waived
  • Letters of recommendation not required

Applicants with a 2.75–2.99 overall GPA and less than 3 years of relevant* work experience:  

  • Submit official GMAT scores (450 or higher).
  • Submit a resume

Applicants with a GPA below 2.75:

  • Submit official GMAT scores (450 or higher)
  • Submit a resume 

Note: Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 and 5 or more years of relevant work experience may be considered for a GMAT waiver on a case-by-case basis. Relevant experience will be evaluated by the MBA Graduate Coordinator based on the applicant’s demonstration of significant managerial, supervisory, or executive-level responsibilities.

The GMAT, resume, and/or letters of recommendation may also be waived if the applicant holds a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) from a previously earned graduate degree.

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must provide a valid teaching certificate. Letters of recommendation should address your potential to become a teacher leader. 

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must have:

  • Three years of full-time teaching experience
  • Satisfactory completion of teacher induction program or similar program
  • Valid teaching certificate
  • Resume
  • Letter of intent setting forth vision as school leader 

Letters of recommendation should include one from your principal or supervisor and two from colleagues. 

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must have: 

  • A valid teaching certificate in one or more areas of general education
  • Evidence of either one year of full-time teaching experience or current employment in a full-time teaching position 

Letters of recommendation must address your potential to become a master teacher and to facilitate the learning of academically gifted students. 

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must have:

  • A bachelor’s degree in accounting *
  • A current resume
  • A statement of purpose
  • Official GMAT scores (450 or higher)
    • GMAT waiver: Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher may be eligible for a GMAT waiver, subject to approval by the Graduate Coordinator. 

*Applicants with a non-accounting degree will be accepted into the program upon completion of the following prerequisite accounting courses or their equivalents in U.S. tax policy:

  • ACCT 301 - Intermediate Accounting I (3 credit hours)  
  • ACCT 302 - Intermediate Accounting II (3 credit hours)
  • ACCT 303 - Intermediate Accounting III (3 credit hours)
  • ACCT 305 - Managerial Cost Accounting (3 credit hours)
  • ACCT 409G - Auditing (3 credit hours)
  • ACCT 420 - Tax Accounting (3 credit hours) 

Applicants should also submit a resume to be considered for admission to the M.S. in Informatics program. 

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must have: 

  • A baccalaureate degree in Nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited undergraduate (USA) program
  • Completion of an undergraduate statistics course and a Health assessment course (across the lifespan)
  • Louisiana Registered Nurse License - active and unencumbered
  • A resume
  • A letter of application addressing your goals in pursuing a graduate degree in nursing, potential contributions to the MSN program at UL Lafayette and plans for nursing practice upon completion of graduate study 

Letters of recommendation should be from individuals who can attest to your ability to be successful in a graduate nursing program with at least one of the three required from a recent supervisor/employer. 

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must have:

A bachelor’s degree in industrial technology, engineering technology, engineering, or a closely aligned program from an accredited institution.*

*Applicants with other degrees may be considered; however, leveling courses will be required for those students to ensure an acceptable knowledge base. Required leveling courses will be determined by the departmental Graduate Affairs Committee on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Department Head of Engineering Technology. For information about leveling courses, contact the department. 

In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants must have:  

  • Proof of current, unencumbered U.S. nursing licensure (no restrictions.)
  • A master's degree in nursing from an accredited university in one of the following areas of advanced practice areas:
    • Nurse Educator
    • Nurse Practitioner
    • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
    • Certified Nurse Midwife
    • Nursing Administration/Leadership
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Statement of purpose (typed, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font; maximum 3 pages) addressed to the DNP Program Coordinator. This statement should include:
    • The applicant's goals for doctoral study congruent with DNP program goals
    • A focused area of interest for the DNP synthesis project
    • A description of how acquiring the DNP is important to fulfillment of the applicant's career goals
    • The applicant’s potential contributions to the DNP program
  • Three letters of recommendation:
    • One from a former faculty member in a nursing program, a current or former nursing supervisor or nursing leader.
    • One from someone who can attest to the competencies and expertise of the applicant at the Advanced Practice level.
    • One from a reference of the applicant's choice; however, the letter should address the applicant's ability to successfully complete doctoral education in nursing.

Applicants should also prepare for:  

  • A telephone interview with the DNP Program coordinator.
  • Prior to enrollment in residency courses, students will be required to submit to background checks, drug and alcohol screening, and must meet program health requirements. These screenings will be conducted at the student's expense.
  • Prior to NURS 801 - Biostatistics, students must provide evidence of completion of a graduate level statistics course. This graduate level statistics course must be both current and approved by the DNP Program Coordinator.

Applicants should be proficient with methodologies used in online education and must possess computer equipment and technology compatible with University learning management systems and technology. 

Online Graduate Certificate Programs

To be considered for admission, you must have: 

  • A valid teaching certificate in one or more areas of general education
  • Proof of one year of full-time teaching experience or current employment in a full-time teaching position
  • Three letters of recommendation addressing your potential to become a master teacher and to facilitate the learning of academically gifted students  

To be admitted to the graduate certificate program online, you must have: 

  • A valid teaching certificate
  • A cumulative or adjusted undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or 3.0 GPA on last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or successful completion of a master's degree in an education-related field from an accredited institution
  • Two letters of recommendation that address your potential to become a teacher leader 

To be admitted to the Post-MBA Health Care Administration Certificate program online, you must have:

  • An MBA degree from a regionally accredited university
  • If an applicant obtained an MBA degree from an institution that did not require the GMAT/GRE, the student may be required to take the GMAT/GRE for admission into the certificate program
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume 

To be considered for admission to the online psychiatric nurse practitioner program, you must have:  

  • An MSN degree from a CCNE accredited graduate nursing program
  • An overall graduate GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Current unencumbered Louisiana or Multistate Registered Nurse license.
  • Current unencumbered Louisiana Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license.
  • A national certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, or Women’s Health Nurse practitioner.
  • A resume or curriculum vitae.
  • A statement of purpose.
  • Two letters of recommendation:
    • One recommendation must be from someone who can attest to the clinical competencies of the applicant at an Advanced Practice level.
    • One recommendation must be from a former faculty member in a nursing program, a current or former nursing supervisor, or a nursing leader who can speak to the applicant’s potential for success in the graduate certificate program.