EIU Graduate School

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Degree and Certificate Programs: Admission to the Graduate School is the first stage of admission required for all of the following degree and certificate programs:

• Master’s and specialist’s degree programs
• Graduate certificate programs
• Second bachelor’s degree programs

Non-degree Study: Admission to the Graduate School is required for the following non-degree study options:

• Post-baccalaureate teacher certification
• Courses for licensure, professional development, or personal goals.

Application Access:

• https://www.eiu.edu/myeiu/: This web site provides a web application with fee payment via credit card.

Materials: An application, fee, and transcripts are required to complete admission to the Graduate School. Test scores may be required of some programs. The categories below will guide applicants regarding the specific application requirements.

Applicants New to EIU: Applicants who have never attended EIU must submit an application, fee, and official transcripts verifying that they have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University.

EIU Applicants: Applicants who are completing or who hold a baccalaureate degree from EIU and who are seeking continued enrollment as graduate candidates are required to submit an application and fee.

• 2.75 GPA: EIU applicants who have earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher and who have department/school approval may be authorized to register for graduate courses.
• Re-Entering After a Lapse of One or More Terms: http://www.eiu.edu/graduate/grad_readmit.php: This link provides a printable readmission form for those students who have lapsed one or more semesters in their graduate studies. EIU applicants who wish to re-enter as graduate candidates after a lapse of one or more semesters following completion of the undergraduate degree must submit an application and fee to the Graduate School.
• Less Than 2.75 GPA: All applicants who are completing a baccalaureate degree, but who have earned less than a 2.75 undergraduate cumulative GPA at the time of application do not meet degree candidacy requirements for admission. Such applicants may seek authorization to register for graduate classes through provisional admission. If approved for provisional admission, the applicant may register for graduate courses. If the applicant fails to complete the baccalaureate degree during the current term and has less than a 2.75 undergraduate GPA, the applicant will be dropped from all graduate courses by the 10th day of the following term. Undergraduates who fail to complete their baccalaureate degrees as scheduled and who have less than a 2.75 undergraduate cumulative GPA are not eligible for any graduate study options.

EIU Employees

• Faculty or Administrative Applicants:
  http://www.eiu.edu/~humanres/forms/Grad_waiver.pdf: Applicants who hold faculty or administrative appointments at EIU and who wish to enroll for non-degree graduate study are required to submit an application. Transcripts are required only if not on file with the University. Application fees are waived if applicants complete the faculty and administration application fee waiver form available in the Benefits Office or at the web site listed previously. A copy of the application fee waiver form must be attached to the application.
• Civil Service Applicants:
  http://www.eiu.edu/~humanres/forms/Grad_waiver.pdf: Applicants who hold civil service appointments at EIU and who wish to enroll for non-degree graduate study are required to submit an application and transcripts. Application fees are waived if applicants complete the civil service application fee waiver form available in the Benefits Office or at the web site listed above. A copy of the application fee waiver form must be attached to the application.

McNair Scholars: McNair Scholars are strongly encouraged to apply for graduate study at Eastern Illinois University. Application fees are waived for McNair Scholars. McNair Scholars are required to submit an application and transcripts. McNair applicants should check the section of the application that verifies their enrollment as McNair Scholars and must include a copy of their certificate of candidacy in the McNair Scholars program.

Domestic Applicants with Degrees from Non-English Speaking Institutions: Domestic applicants or permanent resident aliens who hold baccalaureate degrees from a non-English speaking institution must apply for graduate admission as do other domestic applicants and also must submit copies of their green card in order for their application to be processed. All applicants who hold baccalaureate degrees from non-English speaking institutions are required to provide documentation of English language mastery. English language mastery may be documented in one of the ways listed below:

• TOEFL: Submission of a score of 550 or higher on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a score of 79 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL.

  Timelines for Domestic Applicants: The completed graduate application packet should be received no later than August 1, for the fall semester, December 1, for the spring semester, and May 1 for the summer term. Graduate School deadlines insure processing time prior to the beginning of an academic term. Degree and certificate programs often establish firm deadlines that are earlier than those established by the Graduate School. Applicants should contact the degree or certificate program of interest for specific deadlines.

  International Application Procedures

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  Application Access:

  • https://www.eiu.edu/myeiu/: This web site provides a web application with fee payment via credit card.
  • http://www.eiu.edu/~interntl/: This web site provides a printable application with fee payment via check.

  BCIS Regulations: All international applicants are subject to the regulations established by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services of the United States Department of Justice. International applicants may seek admission only as degree candidates.

  Materials: A complete application packet includes an international application, an application fee, an approved financial affidavit form, an official raised seal transcript, any required admission test scores, and documentation of English mastery. The approved financial affidavit form must verify the applicant’s financial status for study. The raised seal transcript must be from an internationally accredited university and must document completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, comparable to that awarded by an accredited institution in the United States. The transcript must also verify that the applicant earned a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

  English Requirements: English language mastery may be documented in one of the ways outlined below.

  • TOEFL: Submission of a score of 550 or higher on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 79 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL. Applicants from English speaking provinces of Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.
  • Hours: Submission of successful completion of 24 semester hours of college credit at an accredited college or university in the United States; or
  • Certificate: Submission of a Level 112 Certificate of Proficiency from an ELS Language Center in the United States
    o Submission of Kaplan International Colleges Certificate of Achievement at the Proficiency Level.
  • IELTS: Submission of an overall band score of 6.5 or higher on the Academic Module.
  • STEP EIKEN : Submission of completion of Grade 1.
  • MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): Submission of a score of 77 or higher.
  • CESL: Submission of successful completion of two terms (one semester) of English for Academic Purposes 2 (Level 6) from the Center for English as a Second Language program (CESL) at Southern Illinois University- Carbondale.
  • iTEP: Submission of an overall assessment level of 5.0 on the iTEP Academic-Plus examination.
  • English Proficiency Requirements can be waived under the following circumstances:

    1. You have successfully completed 24 semester hours of academic credit from a U.S. college or university, or

    2. You have completed Level 112 courses with a Certificate of Proficiency from an ELS Language Center in the U.S., or

    3. You have successfully completed two consecutive years of courses in a country where English is the primary language and medium of instruction within the past two years.

    Conditional Admission for International Applicants: Applicants who meet all of the requirements for admission, but do not meet the criteria for English mastery, may be offered conditional admission while they seek to fulfill the requirements for English language mastery. Conditional admission for international applicants is granted only by the Graduate School through a recommendation of the Office of International Students and Scholars. Students offered conditional admission must provide evidence of meeting English language mastery to the Office of International Students and Scholars in one of two ways. Students must earn a 550 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL or a score of 79 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL taken in their home country. International students offered conditional admission are admitted to the Graduate School and to degree candidacy only after providing evidence of English mastery and acceptance by the academic department.

    Candidacy Requirements for International Applicants: International applicants must be eligible for degree candidacy at the time of admission to the Graduate School. To achieve candidacy, applicants must meet any additional requirements established by academic programs. Additional requirements may include, but are not limited to, a higher cumulative GPA, a GPA for courses in the undergraduate major, or valid standardized test scores for the Graduate Record Examination, Miller’s Analogies Test, or Graduate Management Admission Test. Program requirements for candidacy are outlined in the “Academic Program Requirements” section of this catalog. Applicants must review this section of the catalog for the program in which they seek candidacy to insure that all of the requirements are met at the time of application. Completed files are copied to the Graduate School and to the program in which degree candidacy is requested.

    Timelines for International Applicants: International applicants normally apply for a student visa (F-1) at the nearest United States Consulate. Applicants must be admitted and approved for issuance of appropriate documents by the deadlines outlined below. Late applications will be processed on a case-by-case basis. Upon request, files may be updated for admission the following semester or term.

    Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs

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    Admission to the Graduate School: Admission to the Graduate School is the first stage of admission for students seeking candidacy for master’s or specialist’s degrees or graduate certificate admission offered through an academic program. To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School and for degree candidacy or certificate admission, applicants must have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University and achieved a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of graded academic course work. Admission to the Graduate School does not guarantee degree candidacy in an academic program. For post-graduate candidates, the Graduate School criteria include completion of a graduate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University and a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    Admission to a Degree or Certificate Program: Admission as a degree or certificate candidate is the second stage of graduate admission. Candidacy is granted only by an academic program. Academic programs may establish requirements for degree or certificate candidacy in addition to those established by the Graduate School. Additional requirements may include, but are not limited to, a higher cumulative GPA, a GPA for courses in the undergraduate major, or a valid standardized test score for the Graduate Record Examination, Miller’s Analogies Test, or Graduate Management Admission Test. Program requirements for candidacy are outlined in the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must meet the program requirements in order to achieve degree candidacy. The Graduate School requests a candidacy decision from the academic program. If the program approves candidacy, the Graduate School admits the student as a degree candidate in the designated program. If the academic program restricts that applicant to certain provisions, then the Graduate School admits the student as a provisional candidate in the designated program. Applicants who are denied degree candidacy or provisional candidacy are automatically re-classified as post-baccalaureate non-degree graduate students.

    Admission as a Provisional Candidate and Limitations: Provisional degree or certificate candidacy may be granted by a program to students who do not meet the minimum criteria established by the Graduate School, who do not meet the minimum criteria established by the program, or who do not have the required undergraduate preparation for degree or certificate candidacy. Students who are granted provisional candidacy are required to meet both the provisions of the Graduate School and the program before they become eligible for degree or certificate candidacy. The Graduate School provisions require completion of 12 or more semester hours of graduate course work while earning and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and completion of all of the provisions required by the program. Programs specify individual candidacy provisions and dates for completion of the provisions. The provisions and dates are maintained in the Graduate School. The Graduate School and the program will review the work of students in provisional candidacy. If candidates meet both the Graduate School requirements and the program provisions, they may be recommended for degree or certificate candidacy.

    Provisional Candidacy for Applicants from Non-Accredited Institutions and Limitations: Provisional degree or certificate candidacy may be granted by the Council on Graduate Studies to students who have not completed baccalaureate degrees from regionally accredited institutions recognized by Eastern Illinois University.  Applicants submit a letter to the Graduate Coordinator in the degree or certificate program and request that the Coordinator petition the Council to waive the regional accreditation admission criteria and substitute alternative institutional criteria and/or alternative student admission criteria.  Alternative institutional criteria may include but is not limited to alternative forms of institutional recognition such as accreditation or affiliation with non-regional agencies or documents that summarize the mission and goals of the institution.  Alternative student admission criteria may include but is not limited to test scores, portfolios, interviews, and/or other related student documentation.  If the Coordinator agrees to petition the Council on the student’s behalf, the Council will review the substitute documentation and render an admission decision.  If granted provisional admission, the candidate will be required to complete 12 semester hours of graduate course work while earning and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and completion of any additional provisions required by the program. The provisions and dates are filed in the Graduate School . The Graduate School and the program will review the work of students in provisional candidacy. If candidates meet both the Graduate School and the program provisions, they may be recommended for degree or certificate candidacy.  The same limitations outlined for other provisional candidates apply to provisional candidates admitted with alternative accreditation criteria. 

    Examinations Required for Candidacy:
    While examinations are not required for admission to the Graduate School, examinations may be required for degree or certificate candidacy in a program. Candidates should check the admission requirements of individual programs to insure compliance. Information on other examinations managed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), including the GRE and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), may be accessed from the ETS/GRE web site. The Graduate School adheres to the policies of Educational Testing Services regarding the management of test scores. Only official test scores are accepted from ETS. Scores will be maintained for 5 years. The Graduate School will not forward test scores to other institutions or to the student. Students must request scores be forwarded to other universities or to themselves directly from ETS.

    Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average

  • Cumulative GPA: The undergraduate cumulative GPA is defined as the final GPA as reflected on the official transcript of the institution granting the baccalaureate degree.
  • Last 60 Hours: If no cumulative GPA is specified or if the institution uses a scale other than a 4.0 scale, the Graduate School will calculate the GPA for the baccalaureate institution on the last 60 hours. If applicants do not have a 2.75 cumulative GPA on the official transcript of the institution granting the degree, or if the undergraduate degree was earned from an accredited institution in a non-traditional program, the Graduate School will automatically calculate the GPA on the last 60 hours of graded academic course work. The cumulative GPA for the last 60 hours is calculated by identifying the most recent term in which the student has completed course work and counting backward until the term in which 60 semester hours was earned is identified. All of the hours in those terms will be included in the calculation.
  • Post-baccalaureate Courses: Admission applicants may request that course work taken as a post-baccalaureate student be considered in the computation of the GPA when calculating the GPA on the last 60 semester hours. Applicants must provide official transcripts of all post-baccalaureate course work and request that all post-baccalaureate work be included in the calculation. When such a request is made, the cumulative GPA is calculated by identifying the most recent term in which the student has completed course work and counting backward until the terms in which 60 semester hours are identified. All of the hours in those terms will be included in the calculation.

Students holding a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University may seek an additional baccalaureate (undergraduate) degree. Admission to pursue an additional baccalaureate degree requires admission through the Graduate School by submission of an application, fee, and official transcripts. Students pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree are considered graduate students even though they are completing the requirements for an undergraduate degree program. The following regulations apply to students seeking an additional baccalaureate degree:

Following admission to the Graduate School, copies of the student’s file are forwarded to the program in which the additional baccalaureate degree is requested and the program assigns an advisor. Students should consult with programs regarding the requirements for the additional baccalaureate degree. Whether an additional baccalaureate degree or a graduate degree is the more appropriate choice will depend upon the student’s educational objectives. Students are urged to consult with coordinators of graduate study or other academic advisors to make this choice. The student’s classification may also determine eligibility for types of financial assistance. Students are advised to contact the Financial Aid Office for information.

Admission Offer Limitation
An offer of degree or certificate candidacy is limited to the term in which it is offered or the two subsequent terms. Candidates seeking to initiate study in one of the subsequent terms must provide a written request to the Graduate School to update the admission file to the desired subsequent term of study. Applicants are advised that programs may establish restrictions on initiating study in terms other than the one originally offered and may delay or deny subsequent term admission. Applicants who do not enroll within one calendar year must seek candidacy through a formal readmission process. Readmission requires submission of the readmission form, and official transcripts for candidates with undergraduate degrees from institutions other than EIU. Candidacy through readmission is not automatic. Applicants must meet any new admission requirements for the new term of candidacy. Programs may establish other restrictions on the limit of a candidacy offer.

• Fall Semester: May 15 to apply for admission, May 30 to complete the application file

• Spring Semester: October 15 to apply for admission, October 30 to complete the application file

• Students currently attending another U.S. institution may apply after deadlines by submitting the printable application form. Application files should be completed ten days beofre the beginning of semester.

• Hours Limitation: No more than 12 semester hours of credit earned while in provisional candidacy may be applied to the degree or certificate program.

• Course Limitation: The Graduate School prohibits students in provisional candidacy from enrolling for independent study, thesis, internship, or workshop courses.

• Financial Aid Limitations: Students in provisional candidacy are not eligible for graduate assistantships or financial aid.

• Cumulative GPA: The undergraduate cumulative GPA is defined as the final GPA as reflected on the official transcript of the institution granting the baccalaureate degree.

• Last 60 Hours: If no cumulative GPA is specified or if the institution uses a scale other than a 4.0 scale, the Graduate School will calculate the GPA for the baccalaureate institution on the last 60 hours. If applicants do not have a 2.75 cumulative GPA on the official transcript of the institution granting the degree, or if the undergraduate degree was earned from an accredited institution in a non-traditional program, the Graduate School will automatically calculate the GPA on the last 60 hours of graded academic course work. The cumulative GPA for the last 60 hours is calculated by identifying the most recent term in which the student has completed course work and counting backward until the term in which 60 semester hours was earned is identified. All of the hours in those terms will be included in the calculation.

• Post-baccalaureate Courses: Admission applicants may request that course work taken as a post-baccalaureate student be considered in the computation of the GPA when calculating the GPA on the last 60 semester hours. Applicants must provide official transcripts of all post-baccalaureate course work and request that all post-baccalaureate work be included in the calculation. When such a request is made, the cumulative GPA is calculated by identifying the most recent term in which the student has completed course work and counting backward until the terms in which 60 semester hours are identified. All of the hours in those terms will be included in the calculation.

• Courses numbered 4750 or higher are graduate courses for all students pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree. These students must fulfill the standards for graduate study when enrolled for such courses and must meet all of the required graduate regulations.

• Courses numbered less than 4750 are undergraduate courses for all students pursuing an additional baccalaureate degree. The student must meet all of the required regulations that govern undergraduate degrees while pursuing the second or additional baccalaureate degree. Students are advised to consult the Undergraduate Catalog for undergraduate regulations and undergraduate degree requirements.

• Graduate School: Students are typically notified of admission to the Graduate School after submitting completed application materials for both degree or non-degree admission. Once a student is notified of admission to the Graduate School, he/she may be eligible to register for graduate courses. Eligibility to register for graduate courses does not constitute admission to a degree or certificate program. Notification of admission to the degree program is required for full admission to degree candidacy.

• Degree or Certificate Program: Students are notified of admission decisions for degree or certificate programs following receipt of all application materials. High-demand degree or certificate programs in which space is limited may make admission decisions only at specified times during the academic year. As a result, notification of decisions may not occur until some time after the formal deadline for application has passed. Applicants are advised to consult programs directly regarding program admission decision schedules.

• Teacher Certification: Students are notified of admission to the Graduate School after submitting completed application materials as a non-degree student. An official notification of admission to the Teacher Education program is issued by The College of Education & Professional Studies.

Admission Offer Limitation Exemption for Military Deployment
Students who are offered degree candidacy but are subsequently required to delay enrollment due to military deployment are exempt from the Admission Offer Limitation. Students in deployed status retain their degree candidacy during their deployment.
Candidates must alert the Graduate School via electronic communication of their deployed status and anticipated re-enrollment. Candidates in military deployment are eligible for immediate re-enrollment at the conclusion of military service. Upon return to
the University, candidates contact the Graduate School to request an update to their term of enrollment. There are no fees or applications required.

Change of Status
http://www.eiu.edu/~graduate/forms_statuschange.php This web site provides a printable change of status form. A student who wishes to change from candidacy in one degree program to another or a student with a post-baccalaureate non-degree classification must complete a change of status form in the Graduate School to be eligible for candidacy in the new program. The Graduate School will request a decision from the new program when status changes require a degree or certificate candidacy decision. If degree or certificate candidacy is approved by the new program, the student will be notified of the change. Students are required to meet all of the degree or certificate candidacy requirements of the new program in order to be eligible for candidacy.

Post baccalaureate students may pursue graduate study as non-degree students. To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School for non-degree options, applicants must have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution approved by Eastern Illinois University. Non-degree areas of study typically have specific admission criteria. Applicants should consult the sections that outline the admission requirements for non-degree study options.

Admission to the Graduate School: Students seeking admission as post-baccalaureate non-degree teacher certification students are advised to consult with the College of Education and Professional Studies before making a formal application for admission to the Graduate School. The consultation will provide information regarding the student’s eligibility for admission to teacher education. Following consultation and completion of any pre-application requirements, students should apply for admission to the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate School for post-baccalaureate teacher certification options. Admission to the Graduate School does not constitute admission to teacher education and does not guarantee admission to teacher education.

College of Education and Professional Studies Review & Requirements: To initiate post-baccalaureate teacher certification, applicants complete a request for a transcript evaluation, pay the transcript evaluation fee in the Office of the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies, and provide evidence of having achieved a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.65 on a 4.0 scale or having completed a master’s degree with a minimum graduate cumulative GPA of 3.00. The College of Education and Professional Studies will then provide the student with an evaluation of coursework completed and additional coursework required for certification in the field identified. Post-baccalaureate students seeking a teaching certificate through any of EIU’s state approved certification programs must meet the full intent of the respective programs. All previous course work, either graduate or undergraduate, will be evaluated in terms of current requirements. This will include general education, a major, and the professional education requirements.

Students seeking post-baccalaureate courses for licensure, professional development, or personal goals, but who do not seek to complete the requirements for a degree, may request enrollment as non-degree students. In addition, applicants who were denied degree or provisional degree candidacy may enroll for course work as post-baccalaureate non-degree students. However, non-degree students may be limited to enrollment in certain graduate or undergraduate courses. Students pursuing graduate courses as post-baccalaureate non-degree students are subject to the regulations governing graduate education and must fulfill the standards for study required of any graduate student. Should a non-degree student later apply for admission for degree candidacy, that student must meet all of the admission requirements for candidacy. There is no assurance that credit earned as a non-degree student will later apply toward the degree. With program approval, a student may apply no more than 12 semester hours earned as a post-baccalaureate non-degree graduate student toward a degree. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid.

The student is encouraged to appeal early in the semester in which the 12 semester hours will be completed. The appeals decisions of the Executive Officer of the Council on Teacher Education are final.

• Hours Prior to Student Teaching: Post-baccalaureate students must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours at EIU prior to student teaching. Departments may require additional course work within their major to bring the student’s background into compliance with the intent of this institution’s state-approved certification program and may also require previous work to be repeated if it is outdated.

• Students Seeking Admission to Teacher Education:  Candidates are advised to consult the “Admission to Teacher Education” section of the Undergraduate Catalog or contact the College of Education and Professional Studies. Admission to Teacher Education is a selective process and admission to the Graduate School does not guarantee admission to teacher education. Post-baccalaureate students must meet all teacher education requirements including selection and admission to teacher education. Post-baccalaureate students must apply for admission to teacher education by attending a University admission to teacher education meeting within the first 30 days of enrollment as post-baccalaureate students.

• Time Commitment: Post-baccalaureate certification requires a commitment of a minimum of three or more semesters. Professional education course work and student teaching for some programs are sequenced over four semesters. For most students, the program takes about two years to complete. Not all courses are offered every semester and summer offerings may be limited. In order to be ready to register for classes, a student must have a completed transcript evaluation specifying all courses needed to earn certification.

• Student Teaching: Application for student teaching placement is a separate process. Candidates are advised to follow the instructions for student teaching placement as outlined in the “Student Teaching” section of the EIU Undergraduate Catalog.

• Advisor Assignment: An advisor in the College of Education and Professional Studies will be assigned for all post-baccalaureate students seeking teacher certification with the following exceptions: Special Education, Communication Disorders and Sciences and Natural Sciences.

• GPA:  A post-baccalaureate student may use the graduate GPA for purposes of selection if the student has successfully completed a master’s degree program. (The student has the responsibility of notifying the dean’s office and furnishing evidence of the graduate GPA). Post-baccalaureate students may appeal the use of the undergraduate GPA to the Executive Officer of the Council on Teacher Education (the Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies) and request the use of an alternative GPA for purposes of the selection if the student:

  • Completed the baccalaureate degree five years ago or more and has evidence of 12 semester hours of post-baccalaureate course work relevant to teaching certification at a 3.0 GPA level or above.