How to Apply
All applications are submitted through the online portal.
Application Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree: The applicant must possess at least a bachelor’s degree, or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body.
- Processing Fee: A non-refundable application processing fee is required for the admissions application and must be paid online using an acceptable debit/credit card in U.S. funds. Note the amount of the application fee may change, and the amount required is accurately reflected in the application instructions. Waivers are available for permanent University employees (lifetime limit of six waivers per person), military students, and McNair Scholars. Fraudulent use of a credit card to pay the University’s application fee will result in reconsideration of the admissions application and may result in revocation of any offer of admission.
- Statement of Purpose: Describes the applicant’s experience, objectives for undertaking graduate study and research interests, if known. Some programs may request specific items be included.
- Transcripts: Transcripts of all academic work attempted beyond high (secondary) school are required of all students offered admission who enroll at UNC Charlotte. For the application and admission processes, current/unofficial transcripts of each academic institution of higher education ever attended must be submitted (and must be uploaded directly to the online application); transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is unacceptable and transcripts of these credits must be supplied. Applicants who have taken early college credits during high school must provide transcripts showing college credit. International transcripts must be issued in English by the institution or be accompanied by an English translation by an official, certified translation company. Bachelor’s degrees awarded by non-U.S. schools may or may not be considered equivalent to the U.S. bachelor’s degree. Recipients of degrees that are not at least equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree may not be eligible for graduate study at UNC Charlotte.
- Recommendations: If required by the program, one to three recommendations from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or professional qualifications should be submitted. Note that many graduate certificate programs do not require recommendations. If required, the recommendation forms must be submitted via the online application system; letters of reference in support of an individual’s admission may also be uploaded directly to the online recommendation form. Recommendations or letters sent to the Graduate School in any other format, including surface mail and email, may not be processed or considered as part of the application file. Most certificate programs do not require recommendations.
- Test Scores: If required by the program, official GRE or GMAT scores (valid for 5 years). Most programs do not require test scores.
- English Proficiency: Required for non-native speakers (Minimums: TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 115).
- Additional Requirements: Individual programs may have additional application/admission requirements as specified in program descriptions in this Graduate Catalog and/or the program’s websites.
Notes:
- Applicants must also be in good academic standing at the last institution of higher education attended; otherwise, the individual must not have been enrolled for two years prior to being considered for admission to a graduate program at UNC Charlotte.
- Applicants with records of high quality who do not fulfill these requirements should discuss with the Graduate Program Director other factors that may have a bearing on admission. Some programs have higher standards or additional admission requirements. Additionally, there may be prerequisites for certain programs and applicants should consult the Graduate Program Director to identify prerequisites. A separate application for admission is required for each graduate, post-baccalaureate, and certificate program of study at UNC Charlotte.
- All items submitted in support of an application for admission to graduate study become the property of the University and cannot be returned.
Contact: Graduate Admissions, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 | 704-687-5503 | gradapponline@charlotte.edu
Application Deadlines
Deadlines vary by program. Apply early - some programs close before the Graduate School’s priority deadlines. View information on the academic program website for the most up-to-date details regarding application requirements, admission, and funding. Important: The Graduate School may alter the date for acceptance of applications without further notice in accordance with available resources and/or the enrollment limitation established by the North Carolina General Assembly or the University. Applications received or applications that become complete after a program’s deadlines or the Graduate School’s priority deadlines are processed on a space-available basis or they may be withdrawn from consideration.
| Entry Term |
Priority Deadline |
Final Deadline |
|
Fall
|
March 1
|
August 1
|
|
Spring
|
October 1
|
December 1
|
|
Summer*
|
April 1
|
June 1
|
* There are a variety of summer sessions that begin and end on different dates, so apply well before the session begins. June 15 is the last day an application for admission can be submitted for classes that begin in July.
Note: International students (F-1/J-1 visas) should aim to apply by the Priority Deadline.
Definition of Domestic vs. International Applicant
“Domestic” applicants include U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, Asylees, and Refugees. All other applicants (including those pending permanent residents) are processed as “International.”
Doctoral Degree Programs
To be considered for admission to a doctoral program, an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree (or its U.S. equivalent) from a college or university that is accredited by an accepted accrediting body. Some programs admit baccalaureate (bachelor’s degree) students directly to the doctoral program, while others require applicants to have earned a master’s degree.
To be admitted to a doctoral program after a master’s program, an applicant should have earned an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in the master’s degree program. To be admitted to a doctoral program after a bachelor’s program, an applicant should have earned an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in the bachelor’s degree program.
Master’s Degree Programs
The applicant must possess at least a bachelor’s degree, or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body, and must have attained an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all of the applicant’s previous work beyond high school. If an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e., a master’s, doctoral, or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration.
Graduate Certificate Programs
The applicant must possess at least a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body, and must have attained an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all previous work completed beyond high school (secondary school). If the applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e., master’s, doctoral, or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration.
Post-Baccalaureate (Non-Degree) Status
The applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree, or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body. If a person who already holds a bachelor’s degree wants to enroll in one or a few courses for professional/personal enrichment, to take preparatory courses for a graduate program or medical school, transfer courses to another institution, renew their teaching license, or other reason, they may apply for post-baccalaureate (non-degree) status.
The applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree, or its U.S. equivalent, from a college or university accredited by an accepted accrediting body. UNC Charlotte students having less than 12 credit hours to complete their first undergraduate degree may be allowed to enroll as a post-baccalaureate (non-degree) student; see “Specialized Entry Paths for Current UNC Charlotte Students” section.
Notes:
- A separate application for admission is required for each graduate-level program of study, whether post-baccalaureate (non-degree), certificate, master’s, or doctoral programs.A post-baccalaureate (non-degree) student who subsequently applies and is admitted to a graduate degree program may, with the permission of their advisor and the Graduate School, apply a maximum of six credit hours completed in the post-baccalaureate (non-degree) status toward a graduate degree or certificate program.
English Proficiency Tests
Success at UNC Charlotte depends upon a student’s ability to converse in, write, and understand (U.S.) English. To assure such competence, any applicant whose native language is other than English must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score. To be considered official, the scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to UNC Charlotte. Typically, testing agencies retain scores for two years.
Applicants who meet one of the following criteria are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement:
- Has completed at least one academic year of post-secondary (academic) study in the U.S. (or an approved country*) within five years of the proposed term of enrollment.
- Has completed at least one full calendar year of professional work experience in the United States (*or an approved country) in a position where English is heavily used in writing and speaking.
*Approved Countries with English as the Primary Language
Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada (exception of the Province of Québec), Dominica, Fiji, Gambria, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States and territories, and Zimbabwe.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement cannot be admitted. They may, however, choose to enroll at UNC Charlotte’s English Language Training Institute (ELTI) and e-apply to the Graduate School once English language proficiency is obtained. See ELTI’s website for details.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS)
- Minimum TOEFL iBT Score Required: 4.5
- On tests taken prior to 1/21/26, an 83 is required.
- Official scores must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) are required.
- UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105. A department code is not necessary.
- MyBest Scores are accepted. Applicants must send all individual scores and not just their “MyBest Scores.”
- Registration: Visit the TOEFL website.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESO Examinations, British Council, and IDP:IELTS Australia
- Minimum Score Required: Overall band score of 6.5
- Official scores must be sent electronically to University of North Carolina Charlotte Graduate Admissions.
- Registration: Visit the IELTS website.
Duolingo English Test
- Provided by Duolingo
- Minimum Proficiency Score Required: 115
- Official scores must be made available electronically to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Graduate School via the Duolingo test taker portal.
- Registration: Visit the Duolingo English Test website.
English Language Training Institute (ELTI)
UNC Charlotte accredited intensive English program for academic language development in a university setting
- Minimum proficiency: Completion of the last level of the program (Level 5) with a final grade of B (80%) or higher.
- Curriculum, application requirements, dates and schedule, and tuition and fees schedule: Visit the ELTI website.
The ELTI will work with the Graduate School to identify current ELTI students who seek admission to UNC Charlotte graduate programs. The ELTI Program Director will send a memo of completion along with a final grade report for any eligible student to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the conclusion of the semester.
Additional Enrollment Requirements for International Applicants on, or Intending to be on, F-1 or J-1 Visa Status
Upon admission, students will be asked to confirm their enrollment. Additionally, the International Student Scholar Office will request students to complete an online Financial Certificate Form and upload financial documents. The International Student and Scholar Office is responsible for issuing I-20s and DS-2019s.
Standardized Admission Test
A few programs require a standardized admissions test - the GRE or GMAT - and may have waiver criteria. Check the program’s webpage or communicate directly with the Graduate Program Director for details.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The GRE is administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). To obtain information about and schedule a test for the GRE, please visit the GRE website at gre.org. UNC Charlotte’s school code is 5105.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The GMAT is sponsored, owned, and directed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and is administered by Pearson VUE. To obtain information about and schedule a test for the GMAT, please visit the GMAC website at mba.com.
Policy on Updating Applications
Applicants who do not complete their application in time to be considered for admission to the term on their application may request their application be updated to the next term. After updating the application, if the applicant does not complete the application, they will need to reapply to be considered for a future term.
Applicants whose application was denied will need to reapply if they wish to be considered for admission to a different term or program.