Admission

Admission application

The University of North Texas is a selective university and does not guarantee admission of all applicants. It is recommended that students apply well in advance of the stated application priority dates. Many departments have earlier deadlines that vary by program.

Applications are submitted online at www.applytexas.org.

Some funding opportunities require early admission to the program to ensure eligibility. Please consult the department regarding deadlines.

Admission application fee

Students applying for graduate studies at the University of North Texas must pay a non-refundable admission application fee of $75.00. The fee must be paid in U.S. dollars.

Admission applications will not be processed until the application fee is received. Admission decisions will be made after all academic credentials are received and evaluated.

Graduate application processing deadlines

Graduate program deadlines vary and should be followed for the specific program. The following are priority dates for submission of completed application materials for all students seeking on-time registration except those applying for admission to programs with earlier deadlines (see departmental information).

Students who submit applications after these dates, if accepted, may have to register during the late registration period and pay a late registration fee of $75.00.

Requirements for admission to the Toulouse Graduate School

General admission requirements

Applications for graduate study are made through the Office of Admissions, regardless of degree program.

All applicants for admission must meet the following requirements, whether or not admission to a specific degree program is sought.

1. Applicants holding a bachelor’s degree with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized accreditation, its equivalent credential from a foreign institution, or a three-year bachelor’s degree that meets UNT’s established criteria, are eligible to apply for admission to UNT graduate study.

2. Submit an online application through www.applytexas.org.

3. Pay the $75.00 application fee.

4. Request official academic credentials from all colleges and universities you have attended. The mailing address for University of North Texas Office of Admissions is 1155 Union Circle #311277, Denton, TX 76203-5017.

5. Graduate applicants to UNT are evaluated holistically, based on specific departmental and program requirements. In the past, successful candidates usually have met certain GPA minima:

   • 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate degree for admission to the Master’s program;

   • Or 3.5 GPA in the undergraduate degree for direct admission to Doctoral programs;

   • Or 3.5 GPA in Master’s-level studies for admission to Doctoral programs.

6. Test requirements are program specific. Some programs may provisionally admit students for one semester prior to submission of standardized test scores. Others have requirements that substitute for test scores. Review the program website for details. If official test scores are required by the academic program, request that official test score reports (GRE, GMAT, MAT, etc.) from the testing agency be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. The UNT school code for the GRE is 6481. The UNT school code for the GMAT is 6DP-8M-55. The UNT school code for the MAT is 2255.

7. The applicant may be required to take entrance examinations, either oral, written or both, before admission to the degree program is granted.

8. Applicants for admission are furnished written notification of their admission status by the Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School. Statements by other university officers concerning the applicant’s admissibility are not valid until confirmed by the Dean of the Toulouse Graduate School in writing.

9. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized accreditation and who wish to pursue further study at the undergraduate level or to obtain a second bachelor’s degree must apply for admission to the university through ApplyTexas.

10. When evaluating international credentials for graduate admission decisions, in addition to utilizing internal international credential evaluators, UNT Office of Admissions will accept credential evaluations from any member organizations of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services). NACES members currently include organizations such as the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), Foreign Academic Credential Service (FACS), International Education Research Foundation (IERF), Center for Applied Research, Evaluation and Education (CAREE), The Evaluation Company (SpanTran), Transcript Research (TR) and World Education Services (WES).   Evaluation reports must be submitted to the Office of Admissions directly from the evaluation company either by mail or email. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to adjust credential analysis findings from evaluation services based on university standards.

Required standardized admissions test

Students seeking a graduate degree may be required to meet a standardized admission test score requirement as designated by the academic department. For specific advanced test requirements in certain fields, consult subsequent sections of this catalog that describe individual programs.  

Admission of continuing students

Continuing students are those who have been officially enrolled at UNT at least once during the previous two consecutive long semesters prior to the term/semester of planned enrollment and/or have not received a degree during the same period. Students who receive a degree and reapply to the university are considered new graduate students.

Continuing students do not need to reapply to the Office of Admissions to enroll if they meet all of the following conditions:

1. have not received a degree from UNT since last enrollment,

2. will re-enroll in the same major as when last enrolled, and

3. do not have any current holds on their record (i.e., admission test or academic).

Students meeting all of these conditions are eligible for web registration during regular registration periods. Instructions are available in the schedule of classes at registrar.unt.edu.

Students who are unsure about whether they meet all of the above conditions for re-enrollment should contact Office of Admissions prior to the registration period for further information.

Readmission of graduate students

Students who have previously been admitted but who have not enrolled at UNT at least once during the previous 2 consecutive long semesters prior to the term/semester of planned enrollment must follow these re-admission procedures:

1. submit an admission application at www.applytexas.org,

2. pay the application fee, and

3. submit transcripts from all colleges attended (if any) since leaving UNT, showing eligibility to re-enroll at each institution.

Former students who have not enrolled elsewhere since leaving UNT and who are in good academic standing are required to submit an admission application and application fee. Programs are not required to readmit students who left the university on probation or suspension and reapply. (Refer to Leave of Absence procedure in the Academic Section.)

Preliminary admission of seniors to graduate study

Seniors within one year of graduation may apply for graduate study. A student in this status may not enroll for a load exceeding the maximum permitted for graduate students. Students in this status must complete the bachelor’s degree within two semesters of enrollment in graduate courses. Registration beyond two semesters will not be allowed unless proof of conferral of bachelor’s degree is provided.

Note: Students admitted to graduate study prior to completion of the bachelor’s degree and who are receiving financial aid should check with the Financial Aid and Scholarships office to prevent disruption of aid.

Courses taken for doctoral credit by master’s degree students

Students completing the master’s degree at UNT who plan to continue work toward the doctorate are required to submit application for admission to their doctoral program. Those who wish to begin taking courses to be credited on the doctorate prior to receiving the master’s degree must declare this intention to the Toulouse Graduate School at the time of registration in such status so that doctoral work may receive proper credit. Final acceptance of such work will not be granted until the student has secured full admission to a specific doctoral program of study.

Requirements for a second bachelor’s degree

Students who wish to obtain a second bachelor’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized accreditation or an equivalent credential from a foreign institution recognized by UNT’s Office of Admissions.

To be eligible to receive a second bachelor’s degree, the student must meet all of the current requirements for the second bachelor’s degree, including 12 hours of advanced courses in a field different from the major of the first bachelor’s degree. Specific requirements for the second bachelor’s degree are found in the current undergraduate catalog. Applications for second bachelor’s degrees are submitted through ApplyTexas. Advising is provided by the college in which the second bachelor’s degree is sought.

Admission to non-degree status

The university recognizes that some students may wish to be admitted for the purpose of taking courses not necessarily leading to an advanced degree (i.e., prerequisites for admission to a degree program). Admission as a Graduate Non-Degree student will be granted subject to the following provisions.

1. The applicant must meet all of the general admission requirements described previously.
2. The student in this status is required to maintain an average of B on all such courses attempted. Some graduate-level courses may be restricted and require departmental approval for enrollment.
3. A student admitted to non-degree or certification-only status has no assurance that work completed under this status will be applicable toward degree requirements should they subsequently be admitted to a degree program at UNT. Successful completion of graduate courses by non-degree or certification-only students does not obligate the university to grant admission to a degree program at a later date, and the department and/or program will decide how many of the courses taken in a non-degree status are eligible for use toward their degree. When all general and specific requirements for admission to a degree program have been met, a student may request that a change of major application be forwarded to the degree program area for evaluation.
4. A student who wishes to change from non-degree or certification-only status to degree-seeking status should review the admission requirements for students who change majors in the Graduate Catalog.
5. International students are not eligible to apply for admission to non-degree status.
6. Enrollment for graduate credit in courses in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business must be approved in advance of registration by the G. Brint Ryan College of Business and is limited to 12 hours.

Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid. Please contact Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.

Admission requirements for students who change major

For students who wish to change from one major to another major at UNT, a change of major form must be filed with the Office of Admissions. The request will only be considered if the student is in good standing and a continuing student. Students not in good standing may only request a change of major with support of the new major department. The student’s file will be sent for consideration to the graduate advisor in the proposed major. Additional departmental application materials may be required for admission decision.

Conditional admission of students with low grade point average

For students who wish to pursue a graduate-level degree at the university but who do not meet recommended graduate admission grade point averages (GPA), the following regulations may apply.

1. The student can complete 3000- or 4000-level courses for undergraduate credit beyond the bachelor’s degree to demonstrate the ability to undertake graduate-level work. The total hours required and specific courses are chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor of the intended major department. A grade of A or B is required in each course. Courses taken at another institution will only be included in exceptional cases with the approval of the intended major department and the dean. Courses taken to qualify for admission cannot be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements.

2. Completion of a prescribed leveling program does not imply admission to a degree program or eligibility for certification programs at UNT. It is the responsibility of the student to determine, in consultation with the program, if the leveling program will help the student reach the goal of program admission. To maximize the benefit to the student, this determination should be made prior to enrolling.

3. The student must satisfy the standardized admission test requirement specified by the intended major department prior to being admitted to a graduate degree program and beginning graduate-level work.

Academic fresh start

For students who were admitted to a Texas public university under the Academic Fresh Start law, earned a baccalaureate degree, and desire to apply for admission to a postgraduate or professional program, the Graduate Admissions Office will consider only the grade point average of the applicant that was completed after enrollment under this law, along with the other standard admissions criteria detailed in this catalog.

Admission or re-enrollment as related to personal conduct and admission falsification

It is the responsibility of the Director of Admissions to refer to the Dean of Students any application for admission or re-enrollment that indicates possible ineligibility of the applicant on grounds involving personal conduct. The potential of the applicant to benefit from university attendance, as well as the welfare and safety of the student body and of the university, will be carefully considered before permission to enroll will be granted.

International students

Applicants who do not hold either U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent resident status should apply to the Graduate Admissions Office as international students to pursue graduate studies. Applications are submitted online at www.applytexas.org.

The mailing address for University of North Texas Office of Admissions is 1155 Union Circle #311277, Denton, TX 76203-5017.

Application deadlines

International applicants seeking an F-1 student visa should review the academic program for application deadlines. However, applications received prior to the following dates increase your chance of I-20 processing, if admitted:

• October 15 for the following spring enrollment
• January 1 for the following summer enrollment
• April 1 for the following fall enrollment

Three types of admission

1. Direct UNT admission

Graduate: With proof of English language proficiency (See “English Language Proficiency Measure” section.) and all other departmental requirements.

2. Conditional UNT admission* (for graduate admission, please contact the department or college for departmental requirements)

Some graduate programs will review applications from students who have not yet met UNT’s English language proficiency (ELP) requirement for admission. Students will not be allowed to enroll until the ELP requirement has been met.

*Applicants should be aware that the College of Music will not evaluate an applicant’s file until the student passes the audition in music. For most other majors not listed, a review for conditional admission is possible.

3. English language study only

UNT’s Intensive English Language Institute (IELI).

English language proficiency measure

UNT accepts any 1 of the following 4 measures as proof of English language proficiency:

1. Citizenship of one of these approved English-speaking countries 

Anguilla, Antigua/Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Guyana, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica/other West Indies, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caico Isle, United Kingdom, Virgin Islands  
 

2. Degree or courses completed at an accredited institute in the U.S. or in one of the approved English-speaking countries

Submit official transcripts showing courses, graduation, and/or degree earned from: 

• High school/Secondary school 

  • Graduation + 3 years attendance (includes U.S. Department of Defense school) 

• College/University 

  • Completion of Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree 

  • Completion of two university-level, academic English courses (excludes English as a Second Language courses) for a total of 6 credit hours with a grade of C or higher in both courses 

  • Completion of 30+ hours of university-level, academic coursework with an overall GPA of 2.25 or equivalent. Student must be enrolled at the time of application and must have maintained continuous enrollment prior to their transfer to UNT. 

3. English Language/English Proficiency Exam 

High school/Secondary school exams 

English Proficiency Exams 

• Test scores expire after 2 years. Tests must be taken within two years prior to applying. 

• Expired scores are accepted for students who have been continuously enrolled at a college or university in the U.S. since before the scores expired. Students must submit official
  score reports. 
   

4. UNT’s Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) 

• Completion of level 6 

• See international.unt.edu/ieli for program information 

• Coursework from other Intensive English Programs does not meet UNT’s ELP requirement 

Application form

UNT application: www.applytexas.org

IELI application: international.unt.edu/ieli/ieli-application-admission

Application fee

The non-refundable application fee of $75 USD must be received for the application evaluation to begin.