Graduate Admissions
All applicants for graduate programs must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Candidates holding degrees from institutions outside the United States will be evaluated on an individual basis at the discretion of Roger Williams University. All applicants must submit official transcripts of all previous undergraduate coursework, a letter of intent discussing relevant past experiences and educational and/or career goals, a completed and signed application, and the $50 application fee, in addition to any program-specific requirements, which may include two or three letters of recommendation, an entrance examination such as the GMAT or GRE, an admissions interview, resumé, or portfolio. Please refer to the individual program documents to learn the specific requirements for your program. In certain circumstances, a credential may be waived with approval from the appropriate dean or academic program director.
Graduate Admission Categories
There are two categories of Graduate admission at Roger Williams University: degree or certificate seeking admission, and visiting/non-degree seeking admission.
Full Admission Status: Students who submit all required application materials and meet the minimum academic criteria set forth by the appropriate dean and faculty may be considered for full admission. Full admission will be granted to students upon full review by the appropriate dean and/or faculty committee. RWU reserves the right to require students to take undergraduate prerequisites and to successfully complete them at a prescribed minimum grade in their initial semester or semesters of enrollment as a condition of continued participation in the program.
Probationary Acceptance Status: Upon the recommendation of the appropriate dean, applicants who have submitted all required admission documentation, but do not meet program requirements for full admission and show potential for succeeding at the graduate level, may be offered probationary admission on a temporary basis. Applicants admitted on a probationary status may register for no more than a total of nine credits of graduate coursework over no more than two consecutive semesters, provided all required coursework toward an earned bachelor’s degree has been completed. Students admitted on a probationary basis to complete undergraduate prerequisites must successfully complete the assigned prerequisite coursework prior to beginning courses in a graduate program. Probationary students must receive a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in all coursework to be considered for full admission. Under no circumstance will undergraduate degree requirements be waived. Probationary status may not be continued for more than one year, and is subject to the terms set by the graduate admissions committee.
Conditional Acceptance Status: Applicants who have not submitted all required credentials for graduate admission, but who meet the requirements for admission, may be offered conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students may take up to three (3) courses for a maximum of one semester of study before submitting remaining application requirements to the Office of Graduate Admission. If the graduate application requirements are not fully met prior to the end of the first semester, students will be administratively withdrawn and must reapply to continue in a graduate program. Students will not be granted conditional acceptance without undergraduate transcripts and proof of an earned bachelor’s degree. Applicants to the Architecture, Clinical Psychology, or Forensic Psychology programs are not eligible for conditional acceptance. Under no circumstances will undergraduate degree requirements be waived.
Students interested in graduate coursework for personal or professional enrichment, or who wish to eventually apply to a degree program, may enroll in up to two graduate level courses as a non-degree student. Individuals are encouraged to contact both the Office of Graduate Admission and the Program Director for guidance in course selection, especially in circumstances where the student intends to apply for a degree or certificate program at a later time. Students must meet the prerequisite requirements for individual classes. Successful completion of non-degree coursework does not guarantee admission into any graduate degree or certificate program. Additional coursework beyond two (2) classes as a non-degree student must be approved by the appropriate dean.
To apply, students must complete the graduate application form and submit an official undergraduate transcript reflecting a conferred bachelor’s degree. Additionally, students may be asked to provide official transcripts from any and all colleges and universities attended to confirm completion of prerequisite classes and aid in properly advising the student. Upon approval of both the Office of Graduate Admission and the appropriate dean or academic program director, the student will be allowed to register for the approved course(s). If a student intends to continue on to a full degree or certificate program after the completion of two (2) classes, s/he must apply to the full degree or certificate program and submit all required documents for a completed application. With the approval of both the Office of Graduate Admission and the appropriate dean or academic program director, students may be accepted into a full degree program and become a fully-matriculating student. A maximum of two (2) classes taken while in a non-matriculated status can be applied to a full degree program. Coursework taken above two (2) classes while in a non-matriculated status cannot be applied to a full degree program. A maximum of one (1) class taken while in a non-matriculated status can be applied to a graduate certificate program. Coursework taken above one (1) class while in a non-matriculated status cannot be applied to a graduate certificate program.
Due to the nature of the programs and curriculum, applicants to the Clinical Psychology, Cybersecurity, Forensic Psychology and Teaching programs are unable to accept students as non-matriculating or visiting students.
Visiting/Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for Federal, State or Roger Williams University grants, financial aid or student employment, nor are they eligible to live in University housing. They will be charged at a per-credit rate plus relevant fees as determined by the University. Visiting students must meet all University deadlines and requirements including adherence to all University academic regulations, providing proof of health insurance and fulfilling all financial obligations to the University.
Registered full-time Roger Williams University undergraduate students must obtain the permission of the appropriate dean if they wish to enroll in a graduate course. A completed graduate course cannot replace a degree, major, or core undergraduate course requirement without written approval from the appropriate dean being filed with the University Graduation Coordinator. If students subsequently apply to the program in which the course was taken, at the time of application they must petition in writing the appropriate dean for a waiver of that course. The decision of the dean is final. If a waiver is granted, the total number of credit hours required for the master’s degree is not reduced. Notification of the waiver will be sent in writing from the dean to the Registrar.
International students are eligible to apply to graduate programs if they have successfully completed the equivalent of a United States bachelor’s degree program and have the appropriate diplomas and/or satisfactory results on transcripts or examinations. In addition to general and program-specific graduate admission requirements, international students are required to submit:
ORIGINAL and FINAL Undergraduate Transcripts
All applicants must submit ORIGINAL college/university scholastic records and/or an original, official degree verification and course-by-course transcript evaluation from an official member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
- Transcripts and evaluations must show completion of the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree
- Transcripts must be originals with school seal and signature from a school official. Copies (with or without a school stamp), emails, and faxes of transcripts in any form are not acceptable
- Transcripts must be sent directly to RWU from the institution of attendance in a sealed and stamped envelope. Transcripts sent directly from the applicant will not be accepted
- An official degree verification and course-by-course transcript evaluation from a member agency of NACES may be accepted in lieu of an official transcript
- Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University
Applicants with non-U.S. credentials are required to submit a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts, completed by a professional foreign credential evaluation company such as World Education Services (WES) or any foreign credential service that is a recognized member of NACES (http://www.naces.org). International applicants who completed a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. are not required to submit a transcript evaluation, but are required to have original transcripts from each college that awarded credit toward a Bachelor’s degree sent to the Office of Graduate Admission.
English Proficiency Requirement
International applicants are required to be proficient in English as a condition for admission. Applicants who attended at least three years of undergraduate study in the U.S., completed their degree in the U.S., completed their degree in an English-based curriculum outside of the U.S., or are from a country where the official language is English are exempt from this requirement. Proof of English proficiency can be submitted using one of the options below.
TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language)
Note: this report must be an original (not a copy) and must be sent directly from ETS (cannot be sent by the applicant). Original TOEFL Score Report with results greater than or equal to:
| 85 |
(internet-Based Test) |
| 225 |
(Computer-Based Test) |
| 565 |
(Paper-Based Test) |
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Note: this report must be an original (not a copy) and must be sent directly from IELTS (cannot be sent by the applicant). Original IELTS Score Report with results greater than or equal to 6.5 bandwidth.
As of February 1, 2011, a Certificate showing completion of Level 112 at an ELS center is not acceptable as proof of English language proficiency.
To be considered for financial aid, graduate students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov for the intended academic year. The form is available on October 1st for study beginning the following fall term (i.e. October 1, 2017 for the 2018-2019 academic year). Graduate students are strongly encouraged to submit the FAFSA for fall entry by March 15th for priority processing with the Office of Financial Aid. The Roger Williams University Title IV code # is 003410.
Students receiving federal financial aid must complete a FAFSA form each year of study, and may also be asked to provide the Financial Aid Office with copies of the previous year’s tax returns, including all schedules. All graduate students are considered to be of independent status. Parents’ financial information is not considered when determining eligibility for federal student aid.
Student Loans
Student loan programs provide the majority of funding for graduate students. There are three types of loans that allow you to borrow up to your cost of attendance and enter repayment six to nine months after graduation.
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program - provides students with an attractive, low interest loan. A graduate student is eligible for up to $20,500 annually in Stafford Loan funds. Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility
- The Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan is available to fill the gap between the Federal/Direct Stafford Loans and the total cost of attendance. This is a credit-based loan and students must have a satisfactory credit history to qualify.
- Private loans such as those offered by Rhode Island Student Loan Authority and Sallie Mae are also meant to fill the gap between the Federal Stafford loans and total cost of attendance. Each program has different terms and eligibility requirements, but a satisfactory credit history is essential to qualify for private loans. Students must be taking a minimum of 6 credits per semester to be eligible.
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