2003-2004 UAF Catalog: Graduate - Applying for Admission

In general, you may be admitted to graduate status if you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point average in your undergraduate studies, and a 3.0 (B) average in your major, and the major is deemed suitable for continuation of studies in the field of choice. Some programs require the GRE or GMAT and other special criteria for admission to their program. Equivalent accomplishments at a foreign university may be substituted.

For the purposes of admission to graduate study, all grades, including those generated from retaking a course, are included in the calculation of the grade point average.

Program heads in fields of interest will determine the adequacy of the student's preparation and whether or not departmental facilities are sufficient for the student's aims.

Information on specific degree programs can be obtained from academic departments or the Graduate School, via telephone (907) 474-7464, e-mail fygrads@uaf.edu, or online at www.uaf.edu/gradsch/.

How to Apply

To apply for admission to a UAF graduate degree program, please submit the following to the Office of Admissions:

1. Graduate Application for Admission -- A $50 non-refundable application fee must accompany your application. The fee should be paid by check or money order in U.S. funds. Please do not send cash.

2. Transcripts -- If you've attended other colleges and/or universities, you must request official transcripts from each college or university you attended. The transcripts should be sent to the Office of Admissions by the schools. Transcripts will not be accepted if you submit them.

3. Resume/Vitae -- Include work and research experience, published articles, patents held, honors received, membership in professional and civic organizations and foreign travel.

4. Statement of Academic Goals -- Write a statement indicating why you wish to study in a particular program, your qualifications and educational experience. (For applicants to Education programs, a four-to-five-page self-evaluation essay is required.)

5. Letters of Recommendation -- At least three letters of recommendation from persons able to vouch for your work, character and ability to undertake graduate study and research must be sent.

6. Testing Requirements -- Results of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are required from applicants to most graduate programs. Some programs also require GRE subject exams. MBA program applicants are required to submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Refer to the admission requirements of your prospective degree program to determine which tests are required. Results of the GRE or GMAT are required if your undergraduate GPA is below a B (3.0) average.

7. Master of Fine Arts Applicants -- Submit writing samples when applying for admission to the creative writing program. An art portfolio (usually slides) must be submitted for consideration to the program in art.

8. Interdisciplinary Applicants -- Submit a Graduate Study Plan (available for download at www.uaf.edu/gradsch/inds_application.html) and an outline of your research proposal. You must also obtain a commitment from a UAF faculty member to serve as advisory committee chair. Please contact the Office of the Graduate School for specific interdisciplinary application procedures.

When to Apply

You should apply six to nine months before the beginning of the semester in which you plan to enroll. At the latest, your application for graduate admission with all supporting documentation, transcripts and test scores should be received by Aug. 1 for the fall semester and Dec. 1 for the spring semester. Earlier deadlines apply for international applicants.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Applications received near these closing dates will be processed if time permits, or may be considered for the following semester.

Most departments require even earlier submission of credentials for graduate study. Applications for programs in anthropology, art, biology, education, geology, geophysics, interdisciplinary study, psychology and wildlife biology should be sent much earlier. Contact your prospective department for specific deadlines, as the number of students accepted is limited.

International Students

1. When to Apply

a. Since processing applicants for international students takes several months, the application must reach the Office of Admissions prior to March 1 for the fall semester and Sept. 1 for the spring semester. Your application must be completed and accepted by August 1 for the fall semester and Nov. 1 for the spring semester in order to allow time for your I-20 form to be issued.

b. When preparing the I-20 form that is necessary to obtain an F-1 (student) visa, the university must certify to the Immigration and Naturalization Service that you have been accepted for full-time enrollment and that you have funds to meet estimated expenses for one academic year. If you're in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, you must maintain a full-time course load; you may not enroll as a part-time student (less than 9 credits per semester).

2. Additional Requirements

If an applicant is not a citizen of the United States of America and requires an F-1 visa, the following information must also be provided:

a. A current financial statement with supporting document. You must sign a statement and provide documentation that funds are available to pay all expenses while you attend UAF, as well as the amount needed for round-trip transportation between your home and Alaska. The minimum cost for attending UAF for one school year is $19,213. This amount covers university fees, room and board on campus and a reasonable amount of personal expenses. It does not include transportation to and from Alaska, summer living or cold weather clothing costs. Since the application for the F-1 visa requires affirmation that you don't intend to live in the United States permanently, you aren't eligible for resident tuition fees.

b. If your native language is not English, a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 213 (computer exam) or 550 (paper exam) is required. For some programs, the minimum score may be higher.

c. You may also be asked to take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) or the TWE (Test of Written English). Please consult with your department of interest to be certain that you have satisfied all necessary requirements.

Students with Master's Degrees

Second Master's Degree Programs

At the discretion of your advisory committee, admitting department and dean, you may transfer up to 20 percent of the minimum number of credits required for a UAF master's degree from a previously earned master's degree. Transferred credit may not be research, project or thesis credit. The transferred credit must be for completed graduate-level courses and not portions of a course. For a 30-credit master's degree, therefore, up to 6 graduate credits may be transferred; for a 45-credit master's degree, up to 9 graduate credits maybe transferred. The following procedures are required for students who wish to pursue a second master's degree:

1. A new application, including application processing fee, updated transcripts and three new reference letters.

2. Acceptable GRE scores submitted previously may be applied to a second master's degree.

3. You must fulfill all general university requirements for the second master's degree, including taking a comprehensive exam (if required), completing a minimum of 30 semester credits (including thesis, research and transfer credits) and passing a defense of a thesis or project.

4. All of the work used to fulfill degree requirements for a second master's degree must be complete within seven years.

Ph.D. Program Applicants

To apply for admission into a Ph.D. program, you must submit a description of your proposed graduate program and professional goals.

Transfer of Credit

A maximum of one-third of all graduate credits approved for your UAF graduate program may be transferred from institutions outside the UA system, and up to one-half may be transferred from UAA and UAS. All transfer courses must have been taken within the appropriate time for the degree and must have been completed with a B grade or higher.

Conditional and Final Acceptance

Qualified applicants can be accepted for admission while currently enrolled in their last semester at another college. The acceptance is conditional, however, pending receipt of the final transcript indicating satisfactory completion of work in progress and the completion of graduation requirements prior to enrollment at UAF.

Final acceptance to UAF, for the purpose of earning scholastic credit, is complete only when all credentials are received and accepted by the Office of Admissions.

Request for Postponement

Your offer of admission is valid for the semester for which you applied. If you are unable to attend that semester, you will need to contact the Office of Admissions. You may request postponement of admission for a maximum of one calendar year. Requests should be directed to the UAF Office of Admissions and are subject to approval.

Western Regional Graduate Programs

If you are from Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington or Wyoming and you are doing graduate work in justice, northern studies or rural development, you may be eligible for resident tuition through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP/WICHE). For more information about this program, contact the Graduate School via telephone (907) 474-7464, e-mail fygrads@uaf.edu or online at www.uaf.edu/gradsch/. Alternatively, contact the WICHE Student Exchange Program, P.O. Box 9752, Boulder, CO 80301-9752, (303) 541-0210, or online at www.wiche.edu/sep/WRGP/index.asp.

Send comments or questions to the UAF Admissions Office .
Last modified February 11, 2004 by University Relations Web Developer.