Radford University
Graduate Catalog
for 1999-2000
Admission
It is the policy of Radford University to admit students whose ability, preparation and character indicate potential for success in the programs of study offered. Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual preference, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices. Inquiries may be directed to the Director of Personnel/Equal Opportunity at 704 Clement Street. Tele-phone: voice, (540) 831-5421; hearing impaired, (540) 831-5128.
Admission to Radford is selective and based on a review of each applicant's academic qualifications. Spaces are limited and applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of the term in which they wish to attend.
As the number of applicants who meet the essential requirements for admission exceeds the number that can be admitted, the university selects those students who present the strongest qualifications in scholastic achievement, character, personality and performance in extracurricular activities, and evidence of aptitude for achievement in the professional or specific field of study for which the applicant seeks training.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Admission to a graduate program is granted by the Dean of the Graduate College on recommendation from the faculty of the specific program. The decision is made, in the best professional judgment of the educators involved, on the basis of evidence that the applicant can benefit from graduate study at Radford University, and is likely to complete the proposed program successfully. As noted below, specific grade point averages have been established for admission. For those programs requiring standardized test scores (GRE - Graduate Record Examination, GMAT - Graduate Management Admissions Test, and MAT - Miller Analogies Test), the score will be considered in conjunction with other indicators of academic aptitude (grades, experience, recommendations). A high test score, for example, may offset weaker grades, and vice versa.
Application forms for admission can be obtained from the Graduate College Office, to which they must be returned. Applicants also should arrange to have sent to the Graduate College Office a score report for an admission test if the department of the student's major requires test scores as part of its admission evaluation. Consult the department admission policy or the Graduate College to determine which of the following test scores to submit: Graduate Record Examination (the Aptitude and, for some programs, Subject Test), Miller Analogies Test, or the Graduate Management Admission Test.
For applicants who are graduates of Radford University, only transcripts for course work taken at other institutions after graduation need to be sent. If the transcripts do not include the student's entire undergraduate program, including the award of the bachelor's degree, copies of the final transcript also must be sent to the Graduate College Office after the student has been awarded the bachelor's degree.
The Graduate College must receive the application, transcripts and letters of recommendation or forms supplied with the application and the $25 application fee, no later than February 15 for fall enrollment, October 15 for spring enrollment or April 15 for summer enrollment Please check individual departments for specific application dates.
Non-degree and transient applications may be submitted at any time during the year along with a reduced application fee of $10.
Two letters of recommendation are required in support of each application except in the case of applicants seeking admission on Professional Certification, for which three letters are required. Non-degree seeking or transient student applicants are not required to submit recommendations or test scores. Recommendation letters are to be included in the application packet. These letters should be written by persons familiar with the applicant's academic background and/or work experience. An applicant who has had experience in the public schools and who plans to continue working in the area of professional education is encouraged to have one of the recommendations submitted by the immediate supervisor in the school system or, if not currently employed by a school system, by a supervisor in the last school system in which the applicant worked.
In some graduate programs, the number of applicants who meet minimum admission requirements may exceed the number of new students that can be accommodated in the programs. In these instances, departmental admission committees will have to select the strongest applicants and, regrettably, deny admission to others who meet requirements.
Acceptance into the Graduate College is effective for one semester. If a student does not enroll for the first time within one academic semester after the initial acceptance, it will be necessary to reapply. Applications must be reactivated in the Graduate College after a two year non-enrollment period. A student may apply for only one graduate program at a time. A new application is needed for each additional program.
A student desiring to take an undergraduate course or courses that will not be applied toward a graduate degree, regardless of the prior academic achievement of the student (bachelors, masters, doctorate), should contact the undergraduate Admissions Office.
NOTIFICATION OF ADMISSION
The Graduate College will send the completed application packet to the chairperson of the department in which the student plans to major. If the department recommends admission, the chairperson will suggest an academic adviser for the student and will note any deficiencies in the student's undergraduate program. After this information has been returned to the Graduate College Office, and a decision made by the Dean, the applicant will receive written notification of the College's admission decision. A letter of admission will indicate the student's admission status, initial program of study, and the name and phone number of the student's adviser. It also will indicate any undergraduate deficiencies to be made up or other special conditions to be met.
For further information, contact:
Graduate College Admissions
P.O. Box 6928
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142
e-mail: gradcoll@runet.edu
Application may also be made via the World Wide Web at:
http://www.runet.edu/~gradcoll
CATEGORIES OF GRADUATE STUDY:
- Degree Program: Any program that is designed to culminate in a student obtaining a master's degree.
- Professional Licensure: Any program that is designed to culminate in the student obtaining initial endorsement licensure.
- Non-degree Seeking: For students wishing to take a course for reasons other than degree or initial licensure purposes. Courses taken in this category are not transferable to either a degree program or professional licensure program without the permission of the appropriate chair and graduate dean. No more than two courses, not to exceed a maximum of eight credit hours, may be transferred into a degree or licensure program. No more than 12 hours may be taken as a non-degree seeking student without the permission of the appropriate chair and the graduate dean.
Prior to enrolling in a graduate course, non-degree seeking students must show evidence of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Exceptions should be directed to the relevant program chair or director.
Non-degree seeking students seeking admission to a graduate program must provide evidence that he/she has met all the requirements of the Graduate College and the specific program in which he/she seeks enrollment.
Admission requirements to all categories of graduate study are the same.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF ADMISSION STATUS
DEGREE PROGRAM
Regular
Regular status will be granted to students who have met all entrance requirements for the Graduate College, the department and program in which they wish to study.
In addition to all other Graduate College and department requirements, minimal requirements for regular status include:
- The graduate application process completed;
- Minimum 2.75 grade point average;
- All supporting course work completed.
Departments, with the approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate and Extended Education, may establish and maintain additional requirements for admission and regular status.
Conditional
Students will be admitted on conditional status only if they are missing a final transcript (showing degree conferred); an official GRE, MAT or GMATscore; one or more letters of recommendation; grade point average is below 2.75 or the test score is below our minimum requirement of 1000 (combined verbal and quantitative scores).
Students must remedy all admission deficiencies by the completion of 12 semester hours or by the end of the second semester in which they are enrolled. Students who are declared conditional in either summer term may have until the end of the next semester in which they are enrolled to remedy their deficiencies. Students who are unable to remedy a deficiency in the time frame established may petition the dean of the Graduate College for an extension of their conditional status.
Students who are admitted conditionally, due to an insufficient grade point average, must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all supporting coursework.Additionally, students enrolled conditionally must maintain a 3.0 grade point average during their first nine graduate hours. After nine hours without a 3.0, students will be blocked from further registration and will no longer continue in the program unless a petition to continue is approved.
A student's status will be changed to regular after completion of nine semester hours with a 3.0 grade point average and completion of all deficiencies.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
A student who holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and who wishes to take graduate courses to meet initial professional licensure requirements may be admitted as a professional licensure student upon submission of an official transcript showing that the bachelor's degree has been awarded with a grade point average of at least 2.75 (on a scale of 4.0). Specific individual licensure and endorsement programs may have additional admission requirements. For these, please see the respective courses of study sections of this catalog.
Three letters of reference are required from at least three of the following:
- The director of the teacher education program at the undergraduate college if the applicant was enrolled in a baccalaureate teacher education program.
- The chair of the department or a faculty member who served as adviser for the applicant from the major department if the applicant was not enrolled in an undergraduate teacher education program.
- The clinical faculty member (cooperating teacher) who supervised the applicant if the applicant participated in any field experiences or practica associated with teacher preparation.
- The chair of the department or a faculty member who served as adviser for the applicant from the major department if the applicant has been enrolled in a graduate major following graduation.
- An employer to whom the applicant reported if the applicant has been employed since receiving the baccalaureate degree.
Normally, courses taken under this admission category may not be counted toward a degree; however, a professional licensure student in this status who subsequently decides to pursue a degree may petition the Graduate College through the appropriate department to have a maximum of six graduate hours evaluated for acceptance toward a graduate degree.
It would be to the advantage of professional licensure students to enroll formally in a degree program as soon as possible after registration in order to protect the potential future value of courses toward a graduate degree.
NON-DEGREE STUDENTS
An applicant who does not plan to pursue a degree or licensure but wishes to take one or more courses may be admitted to this category upon application and submission of an official transcript showing that a bachelor's degree has been awarded with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
Normally, courses taken under this admission category may not be counted toward a degree; however, a graduate student in this status who subsequently decides to pursue a degree may petition the Graduate College through the appropriate department to have two courses, not to exceed a maximum of eight graduate hours, evaluated for acceptance toward a graduate degree. Non-degree students seeking admission to a graduate program must provide evidence that he/she has met all the requirements of the Graduate College and the specific program in which he/she seeks enrollment.
Not all graduate courses may be taken by non-degree-seeking students. Students are advised to check with the specific program director as well as catalog requirements prior to enrolling in any graduate class. Non-degree students must adhere to all established policies of probation and suspension.
It would be to the advantage of non-degree-seeking graduate students to enroll formally in a degree program as soon as possible after registration in order to protect the potential future value of courses toward a graduate degree.
TRANSIENT STUDENTS
Students who are enrolled in good standing in graduate programs at other institutions but wish to take a course at Radford University for transfer to their home institution must complete a transient student application form which is available from the Graduate College office.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION
Radford University is committed to educating students to take their place in today's highly competitive global society. The university is home to a growing number of students and faculty members from around the world.
International students are welcome at Radford. The university offers a number of services to make the transition to campus as well as to the United States smooth and pleasant.
INTERNATIONAL AND DIVERSITY SERVICES OFFICE
0001 Stuart Hall
(540) 831-5939
The International Student Services (ISS) Office assists international students with their transition to the Radford University environment. Located on the first floor of Stuart Hall, the International Student Services Office provides information, services and programs to assist international students with cultural adjustment concerns. Specific services include international student orientation programs in the fall, spring, both summer sessions, and annual and special programs.
Annual programs are designed to provide international students with the opportunity to share their culture with others and address basic concerns. They include the International Speakers Bureau, International Coffee Hours, the International Friendship Program, and Worldfest.
The International Student Services staff understands the special concerns of the university's international student population and encourages students to utilize the office's resources. To make an appointment, stop by or call (540) 831-5939. The office is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Eastern Time), Monday-Friday.
All international students are required to present proof of adequate health insurance coverage prior to enrollment. Students should contact the ISS office if they have questions or need more information concerning various health insurance policies.
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE
The Immigration Counselor for Radford University is on the staff of the International Programs Office. Located in the International Education Building, the officer works closely with students, faculty and staff both before their arrival at Radford University and during their stay to facilitate all INS issues. To make an appointment, call (540) 831-6200.
ADMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
A student who plans to enter Radford in fall semester must apply by February 1. A student entering spring semester must apply by September 1.
An applicant who has not already earned a degree at an institution at which English is the language of instruction must take the TOEFL. The results must be mailed directly from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08541, to the Graduate College Office.
A TOEFL minimum score of 550 is required for admission.
A notarized letter of sponsorship and an original and certified bank statement from a sponsor or parent certifying that the student has enough money for the first year of attendance at Radford is required. The official estimate is $14,767.
For more informaiton, see tuition and fees.
Applicants must have each college or university attended send official records to the Graduate College. All records must be certified and translated into English.
An I-20 Form, used to obtain an F1 student visa, will be prepared after the application and all necessary information have been received and the Graduate College has made a decision to accept the applicant as a Radford student. The I-20 Form cannot be prepared before an application is officially reviewed and the applicant has been accepted.
OTHER SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Tutors trained in teaching English as a second language are available to help international students through the university's Writing Center. To make an appointment or for more information, call (540) 831-6035.
The International Student Affairs Council (ISAC), a branch of the Student Government Association, was founded to address international student concerns and issues. ISAC plans and coordinates international-related activities sponsored by various on-campus organizations and clubs. It also seeks to help the entire campus community understand and appreciate the rich variety of cultures represented by our international student body.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
Janet Wagner, Director
(540) 831-5120
The English Language Institute (ELI) is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students for noncredit instruction in the English language.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
The ELI evaluates the English language proficiency of nonnative applicants to undergraduate or graduate degree programs and makes recommendations to admissions officials.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the primary evaluation tool. English language proficiency is demonstrated by:
- TOEFL of 550 or higher:
or - possession of a degree from an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction.
Noncredit English Courses
The ELI offers noncredit English language courses to applicants who are academically qualified for admission to either degree programs or ELI programs. Full-time courses at the beginning, intermediate and advanced level are offered each academic session.
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