Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2021-2022 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2021-2022 Previous Edition

Types of Graduate Programs


This section generally describes types of degrees and programs.  See the Academic Programs  section of this Catalog for a list of specific available graduate programs.

Doctoral and Master’s Degree Programs

UNC Charlotte offers 24 doctoral and 66 master’s degree programs.  To be admitted to a degree program, an applicant must meet all the requirements for admission, be recommended for admission by the program in which he/she proposes to study, and receive final approval for admission by the Graduate School.  Acceptance into one graduate program does not guarantee acceptance into another one. 

Graduate Certificate Programs

UNC Charlotte offers 50 graduate certificate programs and 8 post-master’s certificate programs.  Graduate certificate programs (including post-master’s certificate programs) are designed for students who wish to complete a coherent program in a defined area to enhance their professional skills and/or academic knowledge.  Most graduate certificate programs do not require a standardized test to apply for admission, thereby enabling prospective students to begin graduate study fairly quickly.

Students are admitted to a specific graduate certificate program and advised by faculty in the unit offering the graduate certificate.  Many of UNC Charlotte’s graduate certificate programs are comprised of the courses in a master’s degree.  Since the graduate certificate is not a degree, students may apply the credits earned in the certificate program toward a single (master’s or doctoral) degree that they pursue either concomitant with pursuing a graduate certificate or after the certificate has been awarded.  [Please note: time to degree limits do apply.]

Post-Baccalaureate (Non-Degree) Program

Applicants seeking to take courses beyond the baccalaureate degree for license renewal, for transfer to another institution, as prerequisites for admission to a graduate degree program, or for personal satisfaction may be admitted as post-baccalaureate/non-degree students.  The number of transfer credits that may apply to a degree program can vary. See “Registration, Transfer Credit ” under the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of this Catalog for details.

Readmission - All Students

Post-baccalaureate/non-degree, graduate certificate, and degree-seeking students whose enrollment is interrupted will remain eligible to register for one semester without having to reapply for admission to the University if they are in good standing and have not exceeded the five-, seven-, or nine-year limit for their academic program of study.  After an absence of more than two consecutive academic semesters (Fall, Spring), the student’s record will be closed and the student must apply for readmission; acceptance is subject to program and Graduate School approval.  Students whose enrollment is suspended or terminated for academic reasons should consult the description of the procedures outlined in the Academic Standing  section of the Catalog.  Students whose enrollment is suspended or terminated for disciplinary reasons must have their readmission materials reviewed by the Admissions Campus Safety Review Committee; see the The Code of Student Responsibility  within this Catalog.

Accelerated Master’s Programs

See Registration  under the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of this Catalog for details.

Dual Undergraduate and Graduate Registration

See Registration  under the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of this Catalog for details.

Early Entry to Graduate Programs

See Registration  under the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of this Catalog for details.