The Graduate Admissions Process
Wilmington University is a nondiscriminatory institution of higher learning and welcomes men and women of every race, color, creed, and national origin. Admission is granted to students who show promise of academic success. Multiple criteria are considered for admission, and special attention is directed toward one’s present motivation and employment status.
The primary components in Wilmington University’s graduate programs are admission, file completion and graduation. The admissions process includes document collection and the completion of the criteria necessary for approval to pursue a specific graduate-level degree. File completion requires the successful completion of the admissions process. Graduation occurs after the student has satisfactorily met all financial obligations and completed all required course work and related projects associated with a specific academic program.
To begin the graduate admissions process, the applicant should visit online at www.wilmu.edu or call or write the site of attendance.
Program Admission
Admission requirements for specific programs are located in the individual program sections of this catalog. General admission requirements for master’s-level applicants follow.
There are three admissions/enrollment statuses for graduate students at Wilmington University: 1) Conditional Acceptance; 2) Full Acceptance; 3) Admitted. Below is a description of each status.
Conditional Acceptance:
In order for a graduate student to be Conditionally Accepted, he or she must have completed an Application for Graduate Admission and paid the required, non-refundable application fee. Students who are Conditionally Accepted are eligible to enroll in coursework, but are NOT eligible to receive financial aid. The purpose of this status is to enable new students to quickly enroll in coursework while waiting for other required documentation to be received by the Office of Admissions.
Full Acceptance:
A graduate student who is Fully Accepted has completed the following requirements: 1) Application for Graduate Admissions; 2) Application Fee; and 3) Official College Transcripts indicating the successful completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students who are Fully Accepted are eligible to enroll in coursework AND are eligible to receive financial aid.
Admitted:
When ALL required documents have been received by the Office of Admissions, a student’s admissions status is File Complete. Required documents vary depending on the type of graduate student and the degree program. For example, an interview/program planning conference is required for most graduate programs. When the interview is documented by the Office of Graduate Admissions, the student’s status will be changed to File Complete. Graduate students with this status are eligible to enroll in coursework AND are eligible to receive financial aid. The student’s participation in meeting these requirements is essential in the ability to petition to graduate. All documents must be submitted in order for a student’s degree to be conferred.
Applying for a Certificate:
If you are a new student or someone that has not been enrolled in courses for three consecutive semesters, please submit an application. If you are a current student wishing to pursue a certificate, please contact your Advisor (undergraduate) or Program Chair (graduate) for next steps.
International Student Admission
Wilmington University welcomes international students who wish to enroll. The requirements and procedures for international student admission to the University and acceptance into an academic program may be found on the following web page: http://www.wilmu.edu/admission/international/index.aspx
Readmission
A student who discontinues study in any program for 12 months or more is required to reapply and pay a new application fee. The student must meet all of the admission and program requirements in effect on the date of readmission. A student will not be able to register until the readmission process is completed.
Re-entry
A Wilmington University graduate who has returned to take course work in a graduate-level degree program is classified as a re-entry student. The student must submit an updated graduate application and application fee which can be completed on the website or by visiting any location.
Veteran Admission
Veterans are required to follow all of the standard admission procedures. In addition, veterans must contact the Student Financial Services Office and file the necessary paperwork to establish qualifications for benefits.
University Policies Regarding Applicants with Felony Convictions
Wilmington University adheres to policies regarding applicants with felony convictions by requiring applicants to submit a description in writing with the application for admission outlining the type of offense, the circumstances of the offense, and the date and jurisdiction of conviction. The student must complete a background check and submit all requested supporting documentation before the application packet is reviewed by a committee. The process can take 6-8 weeks to complete.
Appeal Process: If a student is denied admission to the university due to a felony conviction, the student may appeal the decision only if a change in status of the final case disposition or new information has been determined.
University Policies Regarding Substance Abuse
Wilmington University policies regarding substance abuse are detailed in the Wilmington University Student Handbook that is distributed to all students and on the Wilmington University web site at www.wilmu.edu.