Admissions | The Graduate School | Georgia State University (2024)

Admissions | The Graduate School | Georgia State University (1)

THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

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Preliminary Steps (Steps 1-3)

  • Step 1. Explore Your Program
  • Step 3. Gather Your Application Materials

Step 1. Explore Your Program

Step 1. Explore Your Program

Welcome to The Graduate School. The information below can be used for degree, certificate, non-degree and transient graduate programs across the university. With 137 graduate majors, 37 graduate certificates, 45 online options and 39 accelerated degree programs to choose from, there’s bound to be a program that aligns with your passion and goals. Please note that theCollege of Lawhas a separate application process.

  • Visit theExplore Graduate Programspage and click on each program you might be interested in and learn about the curriculum, career outcomes and more.
  • Schedule a campus tour to get a feel for life at Georgia State University.
  • Learn how our students  fund their graduate education.

Step 2. Know Your Deadlines & Plan

Once you’ve selected your program, mark the application deadline on your calendar, and start to review and prepare your application requirements.

For information about specific programs, such as curriculum, required materials or courses, contact the school or college within Georgia State that is associated with your program of interest.

Get answers to your application questions quickly by using the  "Get Help" tool. Questions go directly to the Graduate Admissions team.

Step 3. Gather Your Application Materials

Step 3. Gather Your Application Materials

As you prepare your application, review admissions requirements for your program. Each college/program has its own set of application requirements and deadlines so it’s important to thoroughly research and read the program’s admissions website.  Find your program’s website to learn more.

Helpful resources:

  • Read the  Admissions FAQs  for commonly asked questions and answers.
  • Take required tests.
  • Request academic transcripts from your current and previous institutions.
  • Identify and contact your recommenders.
  • Write your Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement.

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Apply Online / Application Requirements (Step 4)

  • Step 4. Apply Online
  • Step 4a. Transcripts
  • Step 4b. International Academic Credentials
  • Step 4c. Entrance Exams/Scores
  • Step 4d. Letters of Recommendation
  • Step 4e. Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
  • Step 4f. Application Fee Waiver Information

Step 4. Apply Online

Step 4. Apply Online

Ready to Apply?

Start your online application and complete the applicable sections. To submit your application, please pay the non-refundable application fee by the application deadline.

Graduate Programs (including non-degree and transient status) ($50):
For graduate applicants seeking first-time enrollment into a graduate program, non-degree status or transient status.

Executive Programs ($100.00):
For applicants applying to the executive MBA or the executive Doctorate in Business Administration.

Graduate Re-entry ($25.00):
For previously admitted and enrolled graduate students seeking to re-enter after becoming inactive.

Step 4a. Transcripts

Step 4a. Transcripts

Domestic Transcripts

Whether unofficial or official transcripts are accepted for review is based upon your college, school or institute of interest.

Graduate applicants must submit one officialtranscript for eachcollege or university (postsecondary institution) attended, including:

  • Community colleges
  • Schools where transfer credit was earned

An official transcript should be submitted regardless of where the final degree was conferred, length of time attended, and whether or not grades are listed.

International Transcripts:

Please submit all of the following:

  • All transcript pages/mark sheets for terms attended
  • Degree certificate (document that shows proof of degree/conferral information) (if applicable)
  • Original language transcript(s) + translated transcript(s)

If you attended a school outside of the U.S. and the academic documents are not in English, we require you to upload an English translation certified by the college or university that issued the document(s) in addition to the original language document(s). If your institution does not provide documents in English, you can use an official translation agency. Be sure to order a word-for-word translation of your documents.

Colleges that Require an Official Transcript for Application Review:

  • Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing & Health Professions
  • School of Public Health

Colleges that Accept Unofficial Transcripts for Application Review:

  • Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (including the M.I.S.; Criminal Justice Administration)
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • College of Education & Human Development
  • Institute for Biomedical Sciences
  • J. Mack Robinson College of Business
  • College of the Arts

How to Submit Official Transcript(s)

    • Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly from the institution by email or using the institution’s transcript ordering site:
      Email: [emailprotected]
      Order Site Institution Name: Georgia State University— Graduate Programs
    • You may submit your official paper transcript(s) by mail from your institution.
        • Mailing Address (U.S. Postal Service)
          Office of Admissions — Graduate Programs
          Georgia State University
          P.O. Box 4018
          Atlanta, GA 30302
        • Delivery Address (FedEx, DHL, UPS)
          Office of Graduate Admissions
          Georgia State University
          55 Park Place NE, Suite 308
          Atlanta, GA 30303

How to Submit Unofficial Transcript(s)

Unofficial transcripts uploaded to the Academic History section of your application must include or comply with the following:

  • The institution's name, as well as your first and last name
  • The institution's official seal/signature, such as the registrar's seal, registrar's signature and watermark of the institution
  • The document must be printed on the institution's official paper.
  • All completed courses, including the grade earned and a list of any in-progress courses
  • Proof of degree: If a degree was awarded, the name of the degree and the date it was awarded should be listed on the transcript. For international applicants, proof of degree can also be satisfied with a degree certificate.
  • Transcripts should be issued in English by the institution. If transcripts are not issued in English, a copy of a certified English translation must be included.

The following documents are NOT acceptable for admission review and should not be uploaded as unofficial transcripts:

  • Self-printed academic histories
  • Web-based academic evaluations
  • Anything handwritten
  • Documents that are password-protected or contain macros
  • Unclear, illegible copies

Step 4b. International Academic Credentials

Step 4b. International Academic Credentials

Applicants who completed all or part of their education abroad are subject to additional application requirements. International credentials must be equivalent to a U.S. four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, which will be determined by an in-house evaluation. Some colleges, schools or institutes require a professional course-by-course evaluation, in addition to transcripts.

College(s) and schools that require Professional Course-by-Course
Evaluation:

(Evaluations will only be accepted from the agencies listed below.)

College of Education & Human Development  (requirements vary by program)

Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing & Health Professions

School of Public Health

An In-House Credential Evaluation will be done for programs in the following colleges, schools and institutes:

  • Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • College of the Arts
  • College of Education & Human Development (requirements vary by program)
  • Institute for Biomedical Sciences
  • J. Mack Robinson College of Business

The Office of Graduate Admissions will make every attempt to evaluate your credential in-house. The In-house Credential Evaluation for degree equivalency requires submission of all postsecondary academic credentials (or transcripts). Please submit materials well in advance of your program deadline.

Academic credentials (and/or transcripts) should include the following information:

  • University’s seal/signature
  • Detailed mark sheets with course listing and grades
  • Degree certificate or proof of degree with the date on the transcript
  • English translation from the issuing institution (if an English translation is unavailable from the issuing institution, we require the original transcript with a signed copy of certified English translation.)
  • The grading scale and student’s rank

In lieu of the In-house Credential Evaluation, we will accept a professional evaluation for degree equivalency. You will still need to submit all transcripts. Professional evaluations will only be accepted from  NACES member institutions.

If we cannot clearly determine equivalency, a professional evaluation by a NACES member institution will be requested.

Step 4c. Entrance Exams/Scores

Step 4c. Entrance Exams/Scores

Test Scores

Depending on your desired program and/or native language, you will be required to submit entrance exam or English-proficiency scores with your application. Testing requirements vary by graduate program. Applicants should contact the graduate program they are interested in to obtain specific admission requirements. Applications can be submitted prior to completing an entrance exam. Application materials, including official test scores, must be received by the application deadline.

To designate Georgia State as the recipient of your official entrance exam scores, use the noted selections:

Do not select program codes when requesting scores.

GRE: 5251

GMAT: Georgia State University — J. Mack Robinson College of Business

GACE: school code 5090

GA Educator Ethics 350: school code 5090

GA Educator Ethics 370: school code 5090

LSAT: mail official sealed score report to an address below

MCAT: mail official sealed score report to an address below

Mailing Address (U.S. Postal Service)

Office of Admissions — Graduate Programs
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4018
Atlanta, GA 30302

Delivery Address(FedEx, DHL, UPS)

Office of Graduate Admissions
Georgia State University
55 Park Place NE, Suite 308
Atlanta, GA 30303

English-Proficiency Requirement

In addition to meeting all other applicable requirements for admission, non-native speakers of English must demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency. Proof of English proficiency can be demonstrated through one of the following:

  • Proof of baccalaureate or graduate degree completioninsidethe U.S.(from an accredited institution)
  • Proof of baccalaureate or graduate degree completionoutsidethe U.S. (from an accredited institution), where English is thecountry's official language. See the list of countriesthat satisfy this requirement.
  • Proof of baccalaureate or graduate degree completion inside (from an accredited institution) or outside the U.S., where English is the official language of academic instruction. See a list of countries below.
  • TOEFL scores (paper or Internet-based)
  • IELTS scores
  • Completion of a University System of Georgia-approved ESL program

Any applicant whosecountryof birth is English-speaking is not subject to the English-proficiency requirement. See the list of countries (below) that satisfy this requirement.

English-Proficiency Exemption List

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua Barbuda
  • Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Christmas Island
  • Cook Islands
  • Dominica
  • Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Jersey
  • Malawi
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Monteserrat
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent/ Grenadines
  • South Africa
  • St Helena
  • Ascension
  • Tristan da Cuhna
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • Great Britain
  • United States of America
  • Virgin Islands

To designate Georgia State as the recipient of your official English-proficiency exam scores, use the noted selections:

  • TOEFL: Select Institution Code 5251
  • IELTS: Select E-Delivery Account Name Georgia State University Graduate Admissions

Step 4d. Letters of Recommendation

Step 4d. Letters of Recommendation

Several graduate programs at Georgia State University ask for letters of recommendation as part of the application process. Please check your specificprogram’s application requirementsto see if these letters are necessary.

View the PDF document below for tips on requesting a letter of recommendation.

Step 4e. Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Step 4e. Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Many graduate programs at Georgia State University require either a personal statement or statement of purpose. Please refer to your program’s application requirements to view which is needed for your application.

What Is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a short essaythat serves as an opportunity to give an honest representation of who you are and who you hope a program can help you become. A personal statement allows you to share and showcase your unique qualities beyond what appears on your resume or transcripts.

A personal statement is different from a statement of purpose (if you’re asked for that as well). A statement of purpose will touch on your academic and career goals, as well as your past credentials. While those should also be discussed in your personal statement, it’s more about your life experiences and how they’ve shaped you and your journey to graduate school.

What is a Statement of Purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP) is a critical piece of a graduate school application. It tells admissions committees who you are, outlines your academic and professional interests, and explains how you’ll contribute to the graduate program you’re applying to. Essentially, it’s a short essay that highlights your educational background, achievements and goals, while also sharing why you’d like to study your desired program at the university or college of your choice.

Please see the following guide for more helpful tips!

Step 4f. Application Fee Waiver Information

Step 4f. Application Fee Waiver Information

The Graduate School at Georgia State University provides application fee waivers for applicants who have participated in a range of programs designed to diversify graduate programs. To receive the application fee waiver, we will need to verify your eligibility.

PROGRAMS:

  • Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) U-STAR Program
  • Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
  • Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
  • Bridges to the Doctorate
  • Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) Attendance
  • Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program
  • Research Initiative for Scientific Advancement (RISE)
  • Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
  • D. Project: Business Doctoral Programs for Minorities
  • Annual Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Conference Attendance
  • Annual McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program & Graduate School Conference Attendance
  • Completion of GSU's Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni's 25 to Thrive Program
  • Honorably Discharged U.S. Veterans, Active-Duty Military, Guard or Reserve
  • Math Alliance Scholars Program
  • Institute on Teaching and Mentoring (SREB) Conference
  • Teach for America
  • Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs)
  • Participation in one of GSU's 4+1 dual bachelor’s/master’s degree programs

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Application Review (Step 5)

Programs review applications differently. Some programs review after the deadline passes, while others review on a rolling basis. Please reach out to your specific program to inquire about the expected timeframe for a decision.

Once your application is determined complete, it is ready for review. The admissions committee in your program of interest will begin the holistic review process over the coming months. This process is based on many factors including your goals, relevant work or research experience, life experiences, essays, letters of recommendation, academic records and more.

You can check the status of your application materials via the online status check. If you need to make any changes or need to provide additional application materials, please contact your program.

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Admissions Decisions Released (Step 6)

Once an admission decision has been made, you will be notified via email when your application status has changed in your application portal. As each program has a different application review timeline, decisions are released at various times of the application cycle.

If you have been admitted, you will be asked to accept or decline the offer via your application status portal page. Please note that you are required to have your previous attended institutions send official transcripts to Georgia State University that include degree conferral/completion information.

FAQs

Admissions

Whether applying for a graduate degree, graduate certificate or for graduate re-entry, the application process can be completed online. Explore our Steps to Apply to learn more about the application process, or contact departments for more details on each program you are interested in. You can find contact information, including links to the websites for each program, on the Explore Graduate Programs page.

Begin your application by reviewing the application types and creating an application account here. If you have previously requested information or registered for an event, please use the same email address. Your data will save automatically, allowing you to complete your application over multiple sessions. If you are applying to multiple programs, you can do so from the same account.

Submit an online application on or before the deadline for the program to which you are applying. Deadlines for programs vary. Check the Explore Graduate Programs page for more information.

Please follow departmental instructions on how to submit transcripts, supplementary information, department-specific material, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.

Please keep in mind that each program has a different application review timeline. Decisions are released at various times of the application cycle. Reach out to your program for guidance on an expected decision timeline.

Many departments have specific requirements, and satisfying minimal standards does not guarantee your admission. Please check our Explore Graduate Programs page for more information on the program to which you’re applying.

Yes, you may apply to more than one program.

Georgia State University offers a wide range of graduate programs, and we encourage you to visit our Explore Graduate Programs page for tips.

You can apply as a non-degree student. You will need to meet the specific criteria for admission as a non-degree applicant and be approved by the department. Not all departments accept non-degree students. There is a maximum limit of 6 credit hours of study as a non-degree student.

While we do not have a transfer student application, you are welcome to apply to any program of interest. If admitted to a program, you would inquire with the department on their policies of transfer credit from a previous graduate institution.

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