Graduate Admission

Policies and Procedures

While requirements vary in each of Chapman University's graduate programs, this section provides information concerning university-wide admission standards as well as general admission policies and procedures. For specific program admission requirements, please refer to the appropriate program section.

An applicant seeking admission to a graduate program must submit evidence of eligibility for admission, including a completed application form listing all institutions attended, the application fee, official copies of transcripts from all institutions attended, and any additional evidence of eligibility required by the graduate program. Upon meeting these eligibility requirements, applicants may be classified into one of three admission classifications: (1) regular admission, (2) provisional admission, or (3) conditional admission.

All admission procedures must be completed by the end of the first semester in which the coursework is taken, or the applicant will not be permitted to enroll further.

Requirements for Admission

Baccalaureate Degree

Admission to graduate programs at Chapman requires the completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. This must be documented by an official copy of a transcript showing the baccalaureate degree. Students who cannot provide official evidence of completing a baccalaureate degree upon application for admission are permitted to enroll for a maximum of one semester, during which time official evidence of a completed baccalaureate degree must be provided.

The baccalaureate-granting institution must have been accredited at the time the degree was awarded. Accreditation must be by one of the six regionally accredited institutions: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Grade Point Average

The university-wide grade point requirement for regular admission to graduate degree programs is a grade point average of 3.000. Applicants who have an admission grade point average between 2.500 and 2.999 may be admitted upon submission of a satisfactory score on an accepted graduate admissions examination.

For the MA in Teaching and credential programs, please refer to the School of Education section of the catalog.

The admission grade point average is calculated over the most recent 60 graded semester (or 90 quarter) credits completed toward a baccalaureate degree; this may include an average of up to 15 graded semester (22½ quarter) credits of graduate-level course work applicable to a graduate degree taken at an accredited institution other than Chapman. The graduate-level course work must have been completed prior to consideration for admission at Chapman and may not include correspondence or extension course work.

Students seeking admission with a minimum required grade point average but fewer than 60 graded semester credits must submit an admission examination score; the graded credits must include 36 upper-division credits. Students with a passing score and minimum grade point average of 2.500 may be eligible for admission in regular standing.

Admission Examinations

Some degree programs require submission of graduate admission test scores from all applicants. All graduate degree programs require an admission examination for applicants who have an admission grade point average of 2.500 but below 3.000. An admission examination is required for all master of arts in teaching applicants with an admission grade point average of 2.750 but below 3.000 and for all credential program applicants with admission grade point averages of 2.500 but below 2.750.

For the MA in Teaching and credential programs, please refer to the School of Education section of the catalog.

Chapman University accepts scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Not all examinations are accepted by all programs. It is recommended that the examination scores submitted as part of the admission process be recent. Consult the departmental sections for specific test and score requirements.

Program Requirements

Most degree programs have requirements in addition to the university requirements listed above. Please consult the appropriate program section for additional information and specific admission requirements.

Admission Classifications

Regular Admission

Applicants who fulfill all admission requirements of the university and the specific graduate program may be granted regular admission. These admission requirements include the following:

  1. An earned baccalaureate degree with a minimum of 36 graded upper-division credits from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. A 3.000 admission grade point average calculated over the most recent 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credits completed toward a baccalaureate degree; this may include an average of up to 15 graded semester (22½ quarter) credits of graduate-level course work that are applicable to a graduate degree program completed at an accredited institution other than Chapman. The graduate-level course work must have been completed prior to consideration for admission to Chapman; or 2.500 admission grade point average and a satisfactory score on an accepted graduate admissions examination; or a 3.500 admission grade point average calculated on an earned advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. Fulfillment of all specific program admission requirements.

Provisional Admission

Applicants who fail to meet all requirements for regular admission may be granted provisional admission. The requirements for provisional admission include the following:

  1. An earned baccalaureate degree that must include 36 upper-division credits from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. A 2.500 admission grade point average calculated over the most recent 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credits completed toward a baccalaureate degree; this may include an average of up to 15 graded semester (22½ quarter) credits of graduate-level course work that are applicable to a graduate degree program at an accredited institution other than Chapman. The graduate-level course work must have been completed prior to consideration for admission to Chapman. Provisional admission to the master of arts in teaching or credential programs requires a minimum admission grade point average of 2.750.
  3. Fulfillment of all specific program admission requirements.
  4. Students in provisional admission are permitted to enroll in one semester only (maximum of 12 credits), including prerequisites. After completion of one semester, the student will not be permitted to register for additional coursework unless regular admission status has been achieved.
  5. Provisional admission is not granted to students who have completed 12 credits or more in a Chapman credential or graduate program.

Conditional Admission

This admission status is available for applicants whose final completion of the baccalaureate degree is pending at the time of application or their degree has been completed but not yet conferred. Applicants who have already completed 12 credits or more in a Chapman credential or graduate program are not eligible for conditional admission.

Specific requirements for conditional admission are:

  1. Have fulfilled all specific program requirements for regular admission.
  2. A grade point average of 3.000 (B) in the last 60 graded semester (or 90 quarter) credits earned for the baccalaureate degree.
  3. The degree posting date must be prior to the beginning of the semester for which the applicant has applied.
  4. No more than 12 credits of graduate course work may be completed as a conditionally admitted student.

A final graduate classification is determined upon completion of the baccalaureate degree based on graduate admission policies.

Students who complete course work but who do not complete the admission application process (or who are denied and later achieve admission) will be permitted to use only 12 credits of completed course work toward a degree program.

Applicants who can provide documentation from the degree granting institution verifying that the degree has been completed will be eligible for financial aid.

Admission Procedures

  1. Complete the application for admission to graduate study.
  2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (degree conferral must be indicated) including all post-baccalaureate graduate course work and advanced degrees (if applicable). An official transcript is one sent directly by the issuing institution to the Office of Admission. Send transcripts to: Office of Graduate Admission, Chapman University, Argyros Forum, Room 304, One University Drive, Orange, California 92866. These transcripts become the property of the university.
  3. Remit the non-refundable application fee of $50, payable to Chapman University.

Readmission Policies/Procedures

  1. Students who have broken enrollment for a period of more than one semester are required to apply for readmission (Interterm and summer sessions do not constitute a semester).
  2. Students who break continuous enrollment and have not been granted a leave of absence must apply for readmission. Retroactive leaves will not be approved.
  3. Readmission requires submission of an application; students returning from an absence of four years or more are required to submit a new set of official transcripts and current admission examination scores.
  4. To be eligible for readmission, you must have a cumulative 3.000 GPA and no grade below a "C" in Chapman University graduate course work.
  5. Readmission must be approved by the program of study.
  6. All students are held to the admission regulations and requirements in effect at the time of their return. For example, students cannot fulfill programmatic degree requirements in effect for one graduate catalog and admission or prerequisite requirements in effect for a different graduate catalog. (See section on leave of absence for more information regarding this policy.)

Admission Procedures for International Students

International students must submit the following prior to admission:

  1. Application for graduate program of study.
  2. Application fee of $50.
  3. Official transcripts (with English translation) from each university attended are required. There are additional admission requirements for different programs; refer to the specific program for further information.
  4. The applicant must file with the university the financial certification showing financial ability to cover all obligations for the first year of study at Chapman. This form should be accompanied with a statement from either a United States bank or agency or an international bank. The financial certification must be within six months of the starting date of the program.
  5. The United States Department of Immigration and Naturalization Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility will not be issued until such documentation is on file in the Office of Admission.
  6. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL scores must be a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (Internet-based) and must have been taken within 2 years of the date of application for admission to Chapman University. Applicants to the Conservatory of Motion Pictures should submit TOEFL scores of 600 (paper-based test) or higher. Scores must be sent directly to Chapman University from Educational Testing Services (ETS). The ETS recording code for Chapman University is 4047. IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher are acceptable and 7.0 for the Conservatory of Motion Pictures.

International students who hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a university in the United States or in another country where English is the primary language are not required to take the TOEFL or IELTS examination.

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

Students who are not pursuing a Chapman graduate degree, certificate or credential may enroll in graduate courses at Chapman in a non-degree-seeking status. Students requesting to take courses in a non-degree seeking status must request approval through the Office of the Admission, and in order to qualify must:

  1. Provide an unofficial transcript indicating that they have completed a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution.
  2. Have a minimum baccalaureate grade point average of 2.500.
  3. Sign a waiver form indicating that they have no degree or certificate objective.
  4. Have program approval.

Non-degree-seeking students may take no more than 12 credits, and no more than 12 credits of graduate coursework taken prior to achieving regular admission status may be applied toward a graduate degree at Chapman University. All requirements for regular admission to a graduate program must be fulfilled for these courses to be accepted.

Non-degree seeking students wishing to audit courses should refer to the course audit section for policies and deadlines.

Students who are denied admission may not take coursework in the program in which they were denied as a non-degree seeking student.