Admissions Policy
It is the policy of York College of Pennsylvania to grant admission to qualified applicants in accord with the Collegeʼs nondiscrimination policy. The College endeavors to admit students whose records indicate that they possess the qualities needed to achieve academic success in the program they intend to pursue. York seeks students who are strongly motivated to excel in a graduate program and who are prepared to accept and fulfill such responsibilities. Applicants for admission must present academic records and standardized test scores (when required) which the College believes demonstrate achievement and ability commensurate with curricular expectations. Additional admission requirements specific to each graduate program area are outlined in this publicationʼs section for that program.
York College of Pennsylvania does not discriminate because of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, disabilities or age in employment procedures or in recruitment and acceptance of students.
York College will not discriminate against any qualified student with a disability or handicap in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The College will reasonably accommodate the needs of students with a handicap or disability provided such accommodation does not constitute a fundamental alteration of the school’s program of education or otherwise constitute an undue burden. York College is dedicated to serving the needs of its students regardless of handicap or disability by providing a quality learning experience that will prepare graduates for productive roles in society. Students requesting support or accommodations should meet with the Disability Support Services coordinator to provide documentation regarding the nature of their disability and to plan an appropriate strategy for completing their academic requirements.
Acceptance
Applicants are notified after all credentials have been received and evaluated by the appropriate graduate level office. Applicants are then encouraged to pay the registration deposit as soon as possible so that they can begin the advising and class registration process.
Admission of International Students
York College welcomes applications from international students. International students must apply for admission as a full time student and have all credentials forwarded to the appropriate graduate office by a preferred May 1 deadline for the fall semester and a preferred September 1 deadline for the spring semester (contact Graduate Nursing Department for their individual program dates). Applicants must provide an official copy of all academic transcripts along with a credential evaluation from an approved evaluating agency. In addition to fulfilling the requirements stated under admissions procedures, international students must submit satisfactory scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). English language test scores are waived for students that speak English as their native language or have completed 30+ college credits at a United States college or university. The following information is required prior to issuance of an I-20 AB Form by the designated school official:
- A complete International Financial Certification Form
- Evidence of available funds for the duration of studies
- SEVIS status verification form, if currently attending a college or university in the United States on an F-1 student status
Transfer Credit Policies
Credits earned by a degree candidate student at another accredited graduate institution may be accepted as transfer credit towards fulfillment of the graduate degree requirements.The following conditions for the transfer of these credits apply:
- Official graduate transcripts from another institution must be submitted at the time of application. Transfer credits will be evaluated by the masterʼs program of which the student is admitted. Only courses where a grade of “B” or better is earned will be eligible for transfer.
- Students may transfer no more than:
• 9 credits of the 510-level or above courses into the Master of Business Administration program;
• 9 credits of the 500-level or above courses into the Master of Education program which have been taken within the past ten years
• 9 credits of the 500-level or above courses into the Master of Public Policy and Administration.
• 7 credits or 2 courses of the 500-level or above courses into Master of Science in Nursing program.
- Transfer credits honored from other accredited institutions will typically be only those courses which are considered comparable to the core courses contained in the York College of Pennsylvania masterʼs programs.
- Current York College graduate students who desire to take courses at another institution must secure prior approval from their academic advisor and the program director. Off-Campus Study Approval forms are available from the program office and the Registrarʼs Office.
- Transfer credits will be added to the York College transcript after a student has successfully completed twelve core-level credits in a masterʼs program at York College. The transfer credits will carry no grades or quality points; thus, these credits will not be used in calculating the studentʼs grade point average.
Time Limit
Students have seven calendar years to complete the requirements for the masterʼs degree. For students enrolled in the MBA program, this seven-year period commences upon enrollment in the first 510-level or above course. In the Education and Nursing programs, this seven-year period commences upon enrollment in the first 500-level course. Students who do not complete program requirements within the established time limit must request an extension of time (up to one year) from the respective department.
Early Entrance (4+1)
With permission from the student’s academic advisor, graduate program director, and director of graduate and non-graduate programs; undergraduates may take up to nine (9) credit hours at the graduate level and are limited to one (1) graduate course per term*.
Depending on the admission policies of each graduate program, up to nine (9) credit hours of graduate coursework may be counted for both the undergraduate and the graduate degree (see individual program guidelines*).
**M.Ed and M.Acc EE students may take up to twelve (12) credit hours toward the program and may take up to three (3) courses per term with special permission.
Full-time and part-time undergraduate students intending to enroll in graduate courses of the early entrance programs need to meet the following criteria:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (see individual graduate program GPA requirements) and meet the general admissions criteria of the selected graduate program.
- Have earned a minimum of 60 undergraduate credit hours.
Full-time and part-time undergraduate students intending to enroll in graduate courses or the early entrance programs need to obtain several permissions:
- Complete the Early Entrance Graduate Studies Permission Form .
- Receive permission from his or her academic advisor.
- Receive permission from the graduate program director and the director of graduate and non-traditional programs.
*Courses numbered 500 or above
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