Graduate Admissions
Graduate admission requirements vary based upon program of study. For all programs, an applicant must have received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and must have satisfactorily completed a minimum of coursework in designated areas, specific prerequisite courses dependent upon the field of advanced study. For specific information, students should review the specific program of interest found in detailed sections of this bulletin.
It is expected that candidates for admission shall have maintained average or above-average performance during their undergraduate years and thus demonstrate a capacity for successfully completing graduate work. Certain programs require a specific undergraduate grade point average for admission.
A student whose background is judged to be deficient in any specific area of the proposed field of study or whose undergraduate grades are below standard may be asked to remedy the deficiency by taking one or more courses at the undergraduate level, without graduate credit.
Application
Those interested in graduate programs offered at Wilkes University may apply on-line at https://gradapply.wilkes.edu/apply. On campus, graduate admissions is located in the lower level of Breiseth Hall, Suite 002. You may contact the office by calling 800-WILKESU Extension 4235.
All students, whether degree-seeking or not, must complete an application for graduate admission form and pay the one-time application fee. For degree-seeking students, official transcripts (signed, sealed and sent directly from higher education institutions) of all previous college and/or university work must be submitted. Depending on the program of study and the opportunity to seek financial aid, a high school transcript may also be required. Students applying for Graduate Education programs must submit a copy of their teaching certificate for most, but not all, programs. (See specific program requirements). Some degree-seeking programs require letters of recommendation, and some require test scores for admission. (See specific program requirements.) For information on testing, contact the Educational Testing Service, Box 955, Princeton, NJ 08540, or other appropriate organization. Additional admission requirements vary based upon program. Refer to specific degree–program sections for more information on the admissions criteria for each graduate program.
Students, other than international students, who are unable to complete the application process prior to the beginning of their first semester may be allowed special admission to the program pending processing of their application. This policy does not imply acceptance of the student into the degree program. Students failing to complete the application process by the beginning of the second semester after their initial application may be denied the right to register for courses.
Categories of Admission
A graduate student may be admitted either as a degree or a special non-degree student, depending upon the student’s objectives. After admission to one of these categories, request for a change of status must be officially acted upon by Graduate Admissions and the program director.
Wilkes undergraduate students may be permitted to enroll in certain graduate courses with the approval of their advisors and the Chairperson of the department offering the course. Credit for such courses will be at the undergraduate level.
Degree-Seeking Students
Regular admission is granted to students who have completed all requirements of the application process and who have demonstrated an acceptable level of academic work in their undergraduate degree program, including meeting program-specific, minimum GPA requirements and demonstrating preparedness for work at the graduate level in their field of specialization.
Provisional admission is granted to students who have not satisfied general or academic admissions requirements including missing documentation or insufficient prerequisite coursework for regular admission. Some graduate programs may allow a provisionally admitted student to begin graduate work before or simultaneously with completion of admissions deficiencies. Individual programs will determine the maximum number of graduate credits a provisional student may complete. Upon completion of the designated, maximum number of graduate credits, a provisionally admitted student will either be granted regular admission or denied admission into a graduate program. Under extraordinary circumstances a student may petition the Program Director or Chair of the Department, as applicable, for an extension to the number of allowable credits.
Conditional admission is granted to students who have demonstrated inadequate scores or academic performance, including failure to meet the minimum GPA requirement. To change to regular status, the conditionally admitted student must maintain a satisfactory GPA, as determined by the specific department of study, during the first X credit hours (typically six credits.)
Rejection will be used in cases when a student fails to meet the general or academic admissions requirements of the individual program of study.
Cancellation. Applicants who have not fully completed the admission process, and who have not yet started taking academic classes, will have one year to complete their application file. Should the process not be completed within that timeframe, the application will be cancelled one year after the date of application.
Additionally, students who have completed the admission process and received a decision, but have not yet started taking academic courses, will have their applications cancelled one year after the date of acceptance. Students who are still interested in an academic program thereafter will be required to reapply to the program.
It should be noted that individual graduate programs retain the right to impose more rigorous conditions on students who have been admitted. Such conditions, if imposed, will be detailed in the letter of admission sent to the student.
International Students
Wilkes University’s growing global perspective and commitment to education in an evolving and multicultural world is illustrated by the increasing number of students from abroad who enter Wilkes’ programs.
All Graduate international students are welcome to apply with the following materials:
- A completed online application (https://gradapply.wilkes.edu/apply/)
- An official university transcript in English. If you attended a college/university outside of the U.S., you may be required to submit a course-by-course evaluation of your foreign transcripts to be considered for admission. Emailed copies of the transcript are acceptable for the admissions process, however official transcripts are required to be submitted to Wilkes by the first day of mandatory orientation. To be considered official, the evaluation must be received directly from one of the following companies:
If you attended a college/university in the U.S., you must submit an official transcript. Please contact the registrar’s office at your prior institution to submit a transcript request. Transcript(s) must be sent directly from the college/university to Wilkes in order to be considered official.
- Proof of English proficiency - International students must present a sufficient English language proficiency score to enroll as a graduate student. Please see Official Results of English Proficiency section for more information.
- Statement of financial verification (bank or government statement) indicating that the applicant’s sponsor has on account a sum of money sufficient to pay tuition, room, board, and expenses for one academic year
- A copy of the picture page of applicant’s passport
Applicants are also required to submit necessary materials to satisfy individual program admission requirements, which can be found in their respective sections in the bulletin.
Electronic copies of application materials are accepted for the admissions process however, all official documents must be submitted by orientation day. Please email documents to graduatestudies@wilkes.edu. Applicants are required to submit all application materials to:
Wilkes University
Graduate Admissions
84 W South Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
Official University Transcript Evaluation:
Students who attended a college/university outside of the US may need to submit a course-by-course evaluation of their foreign transcripts to be considered for admission. Evaluations must be received from the evaluation company, not the student, in order to be considered official.
To be considered official, the evaluation must be received directly from one of the following companies:
Students who attended a college/university within the US must submit an official transcript to Wilkes University from the college/university. Please contact the institution’s registrar’s office to submit a transcript request. Transcripts must be received from the college/university, not the student, in order to be considered official.
Official Results of English Proficiency:
All international student applicants whose native language is not English and who come from non-English speaking countries must submit proof of English Proficiency.
Sufficient Scores for Graduate Work are as follows:
| TOEFL Paper Based |
550 |
| TOEFL Computer Based |
214 |
| TOEFL Internet Based |
79 |
| IELTS |
6.0 or higher |
| ELS Level 112 Successful Completion |
|
| STEP EIKEN |
1151 |
| PTE |
50 |
| WESLI Successful Completion of Level 700 |
|
| Duolingo |
95 |
Wilkes University will now accept the TOEFL ITP Plus for Chinese students.
All international applicants whose education has been primarily outside the United States of America must provide objective evidence of proficiency in the English language. However, the following exceptions apply:
Applicants primarily educated in the following countries/territories:
American Samoa
Anguilla
Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
Belize
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Christmas Islands
Cook Islands
Dominica
Falkland Islands
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Gibraltar
The Gambia
Guyana
Ghana
Grenada
Guam
Hong Kong
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Kiribati
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Montserrat
Namibia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Northern Mariana Islands
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Pitcairn Islands
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sandwich Islands
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa (English-speaking, i.e. not Afrikaans)
South Georgia Islands
Swaziland
Tanzania
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
United States
United Kingdom
US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John)
Zambia
Zimbabwe
You must receive a sufficient TOEFL or IELTS score or study in the Intensive English Program in order to begin graduate studies. No academic courses may be completed until the English requirement has been fulfilled.
Submit a Statement of Financial:
International Students are required to submit a statement of financial verification (bank or government statement) indicating that that the prospective student or student’s sponsor have on account a sum of money sufficient to pay tuition, room, board, and expenses for one academic year. It is generally required that each international student also submits an affidavit of support and bank statement indicating that the applicant has access to funds at least equal to one full year of tuition plus living and personal expenses in the United States.
Timeline:
International students for whom an F-1 visa is required, must submit all required application documents, in addition to all documents described in the Application section above, at least three months prior to the beginning of the semester in which they intend to begin graduate studies. Students should complete their application file by June 15 for admission in the fall semester and by November 15for admission in the spring semester.
I-20 Visa Documents:
The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) Department requires a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20A) to be initiated by the University prior to applying for a student visa to study in this country. Any extension of stay or employment while in the United States must have the prior approval of the regional office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The Form I-20A will only be issued after the application process is complete and the student has been admitted to the institution.
International students in the graduate program must maintain full-time student status (at least 9 credit hours per semester).
Missing Required UG Courses:
International students may be required to take certain courses for undergraduate credit that are not applicable to the master’s degree. In some cases these courses will be specified in the admissions letter or supplementary course study plan, but the Department Chairperson and the student’s advisor may add requirements if a student is found to be deficient in the English language or in background knowledge in the field.
International Student Services Requirements
All international students must attend the mandatory orientation with International Student Services of the Center for Global Education and Diversity before they begin their graduate studies. The ISS staff serve as advisors on non-academic matters to all international students. Services include assistance with visa and other immigration issues; assistance and advice on personal issues; orientation to life in the United States and the American educational system. ISS staff assist students in dealing with U.S. and foreign government agencies, other campus offices and departments, and the community. These services are available to all international students.
International Student Academic Status
An international student holding an F-1 visa (or equivalent) must maintain full-time status during the regular semesters (fall and spring) by registering for the minimum number of credits (currently nine) as defined by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) or for the number of credits remaining in order to complete his or her graduation requirements, whichever is less.
If such student is unable to satisfy the above condition, he or she must petition the Graduate Studies Committee for an exemption. The Committee will accept only reasons recognized and specified by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
An international student fulfilling the Thesis option/requirement (currently six credits) will have two continuous semesters to complete his or her work and defend the thesis. However, only the last semester may have fewer than 9 credits total. A request for an extension must be recommended by the student’s Thesis Committee and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. The decision to either grant or deny the extension must state the reasons AND the time extension granted.
An international student fulfilling the non-Thesis (Report/Project) option/requirement will have one semester to complete his or her report/project. A request for an extension must be recommended by the Program Director and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. The decision to either grant or deny the extension must state the reasons AND the time extension granted.
To meet the definition of CPT, the employment must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- The employment will yield crucial data which is absolutely necessary to complete the student’s required thesis, i.e., it would not even be possible to complete the thesis without this employment.
- The employment is absolutely necessary for the student to complete a project for which he or she will receive academic credit that directly counts towards the student’s formal degree requirements. It will be impossible for the student to complete the project without this particular employment, and the project will earn credits that will fulfill a specific degree requirement in the student’s program.
An international student who elects to do an internship, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), must be placed in such internship and have such internship monitored by the Office of Cooperative Education. There must be a clearly defined curricular need for such internship placement.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Wilkes University is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all members of our community and to ensuring that all educational and employment decisions are based on individuals’ abilities and qualifications. Wilkes University prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, employment, admissions or any activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.
Consistent with this principle, Wilkes University will comply with state and federal laws such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act or other applicable state law, Title IX, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Ethnic Intimidation Act of 1982 (P.L.537-154) and other laws that prohibit discrimination.
As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, Wilkes University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, including in admissions and employment. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and this Policy.
All members and visitors of the Wilkes University community have the right to raise concerns or make a complaint regarding discrimination under this Policy without fear of retaliation. Inquiries about this Policy statement may be addressed to the University’s Title IX Coordinator in person, by mail, by telephone, or by email, using the contact information listed below. A report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours). Anonymous complaints may also be made by clicking here.
DEPUTY TITLE IX COORDINATORS
For Students
Dr. Philip J. Ruthkosky, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Office of Student Affairs
2nd Floor Passan Hall
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
(570) 408-4108
philip.ruthkosky@wilkes.edu
For Faculty, Staff, and Visitors
Mrs. Kristin Pitarra
Human Resources Director
Human Resources Office
10 East South Street, Suite A
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
(570) 408-2034
kristin.pitarra@wilkes.edu
Inquiries about Title IX may be directed to Wilkes University’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary, or both. The Assistant Secretary can be contacted at U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, 400 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202, or (800) 421-3481. For further information on notice of non-discrimination, you can find the address and phone number of the OCR office that serves your area here or call 1-800-421-3481.
Professional Development for Teachers
Certified teachers wishing to take graduate courses for professional development are allowed to register as special non-degree students. They must complete the non-degree-seeking application, check status desired (special non-degree), pay the application fee, and submit a copy of their teaching certificate. While there is no limit on the number of graduate courses that teachers may take for professional development, it is understood that these courses may not fulfill requirements for a master’s degree at Wilkes. Teachers should consult the Education section of this Bulletin for degree requirements as well as confer with the Director of Master’s Programs in order to determine which courses are required for a specific M.S. in Education degree or Letter of Endorsement at Wilkes.
Special Non-Degree Students
Individuals who are interested in completing credits for transfer to another university or for personal enrichment need to submit anon-degree-seeking application and a copy of their undergraduate transcript. The non-degree-seeking application will be cancelled after the maximum number of six non-degree credits has been completed. Permission to complete coursework as a non-degree student is at the discretion of the individual department.
Graduation
It is the responsibility of the graduate student to sign up for a Graduation Audit no later than ninety days prior to the date of the Commencement Exercise at which the student expects to be graduated. This is done by registering for GRD-000-B (0 credits/$170.00 graduation fee) during the beginning of the final term before graduation. Students should consult with their advisor if they have any questions regarding the process.
A completed file and acceptance into a graduate program are required for graduation. Transfer credits (approval forms and official transcripts) must be received before each semester’s graduation clearance deadline. Students changing their status from non-degree seeking to degree-seeking must do so at least a year prior to graduation.
Graduating students may participate in one of the two commencement exercises held over the calendar year. These exercises occur in May and September of each year. Diplomas given during September ceremonies will always be dated as the fourth Saturday in August.
Post Graduate/APRN Certificates
It is the responsibility of the Nursing student earning a post graduate/ APRN certificate to sign up for a Certificate Audit no later than ninety days prior to the date of the Commencement Exercise at which the student expects to earn the Certificate. This is done by registering for CERT-000-N (0 credits/$170.00 graduation fee) during the beginning of the final term before certificate completion. Students should consult with their advisor if they have any questions regarding the process. A completed file and acceptance into this post graduate/ APRN certificate program are required. Transfer credits (approval forms and official transcripts) must be received before each semester’s certificate clearance deadline. Students completing their certificates may participate in one of the two commencement exercises held over the calendar year. These exercises occur in May and September of each year. Certificates given during September ceremonies will always be dated as the fourth Saturday in August.
International Student Services
For international students, International Student Services (ISS) provides visa information and assistance, as well as advice on academic, cultural, and personal issues. ISS also provides orientation to life in the United States and the American educational system, assists students in dealing with a variety of offices and constituencies, including U.S. and foreign government agencies, other campus offices and departments, and the community. These services are available to all international students.
International Student and Scholar Services
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISS) is part of the Center for Global Education & Diversity. It works with units across campus to provide these services to international students who come to the U.S. to study:
- Immigration and visa information assistance both before and after coming to Wilkes
- Advice on academic, cultural, and personal issues.
- Liaison between students and other offices and departments on campus
- Collaboration with a variety of offices and constituencies, including U.S. and foreign government agencies, other campus offices and departments, and the community,
- Assistance with processes and offices outside of Wilkes University such as the DMV and Social Security Office.
A mandatory international student orientation is held every semester for new International students. Students are guided through topics such as
- Adjusting to life in the United States
- Adjusting to the American educational system.
- Resources available to them at Wilkes University
For more information contact
Crystal Cool, Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services/Immigration Specialist, (crystal.cool@wilkes.edu)
Cathy Lee Arcuino, Executive Director, Global Engagement (cathylee.arcuino@wilkes.edu)
MaryEllen McLean, Assistant, International Student Services, (maryellen.mclean@wilkes.edu)
Office of Diversity Initiatives
The Office of Diversity Initiatives (ODI) supports students from underrepresented groups through advising, advocating, and programming. The office is the institutional leader in diversity and inclusion for students and faculty/staff of Wilkes University through acting as a role model for tolerance, acceptance, respect, support and resources for people of all cultures and backgrounds, while celebrating differences and commonalities in a learning and developmental environment. ODI oversees the activities of the Multicultural Student Coalition. ODI provides campus-wide programming to facilitate the development of cultural competence.
Special programming includes:
- Annual Diversity & Inclusion Student Conference
- Multicultural Awards
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