Admission to the Graduate School

Admission to the graduate program involves more than meeting minimum academic requirements such as undergraduate grade point average and standardized test scores. Graduate programs must not only assess prospective students academic preparation for graduate work but also their maturity and commitment, as well as ensuring an appropriate fit between the student’s interests/needs and the faculty’s academic and research interests.

Candidates Ineligible for Admission to Graduate Standing

Administrative and Academic faculty of the University of Nevada, Reno are not permitted to apply to graduate standing without written permission of the Provost of the University of Nevada, Reno on the Application to Pursue a Graduate Degree, available online at the Graduate School website.

Application Information

Prospective applicants may access the Graduate School’s website for the most current information. An applicant for admission to graduate-level study must file an application with the Graduate School and pay the appropriate application fee. You must meet the Graduate School standards and your program-specific requirements to be admitted. Admission decisions are based on the entire application package—for example, strong letters of recommendation may compensate for low test scores. Applicants must contact the program to which they intend to apply for specific application deadlines.

Except in the Master of Business Administration program, the minimum prerequisite for admission to graduate standing is 18 units in the undergraduate major or at least 18 units of undergraduate courses that are approved by the department in which the student will major. Each academic program reserves the right to specify additional requirements beyond those of the university. If a student’s undergraduate work is deficient, the program may require the student to complete additional work, either before admission to graduate standing or while the advanced degree is being pursued.

NOTE: Application materials are scanned and then are shredded.

Standardized Test Scores

A number of graduate programs use scores on standardized tests (i.e. the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as part of their evaluation process. If required, all applicants must submit scores to that program. Submission of these scores may not be waived on an individual basis. Test scores over five years old are not acceptable. Applicants must contact individual graduate programs to determine their specific admissions policies regarding which, if any, standardized test scores are required or recommended.

Graduate School Admission Requirements

Graduate Certificate Admission Criteria

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

(Please check with the specific certificate program as some programs require a higher GPA and/or additional requirements.)

Have a completed baccalaureate degree from an appropriate accredited institution.
An undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 on a scale of 0 to 4.0 on 60 undergraduate credits completed immediately prior to receiving the degree (see Transcript Submission Requirement below).

If the applicant does not meet the criteria described above, admission to graduate standing on a prescribed program may be considered. A prescribed program of study consists of the completion of one semester (Fall, Spring or Summer) of full-time study in nine (9) units or twelve (12) units over two consecutive semesters, with a grade of “B” or better in all courses taken. The courses prescribed may be undergraduate or graduate courses. These courses may or may not apply to the graduate program of study.

The online Prescribed Program Request Form signed by the student and the director of graduate studies for the certificate must accompany a memo of exception to the GPA requirement when forwarded to the Graduate Dean for approval. A student enrolled in a prescribed program is ineligible for a teaching or research assistantship. International students are ineligible for admission to a graduate certificate only. An international student can earn a graduate certificate credential in addition to a graduate degree.

Master’s Degree Admission Criteria

The applicant must meet the following requirements. Please check with the specific program as some programs require a higher GPA:

Have a completed baccalaureate degree from an appropriate accredited institution.
An undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 on a scale of 0 to 4.0 on a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits completed immediately prior to receiving the degree (see Transcript Submission Requirement below).

If the applicant does not meet the criteria described above, admission to graduate standing on a prescribed program can be considered. A prescribed program of study consists of the completion of one semester (Fall, Spring or Summer) of full-time study in nine units or 12 units over two consecutive semesters, with a grade of “B” or better in all courses taken. The courses prescribed may be undergraduate or graduate courses. These courses may or may not apply to the graduate program of study.

The online Prescribed Program Request Form signed by the student and the director of graduate studies for the program must accompany a memo of exception to the GPA requirement when forwarded to the Graduate Dean for approval. A student enrolled in a prescribed program is ineligible for a teaching or research assistantship. International students are ineligible for admission via a prescribed program.

Doctoral Degree Admissions Criteria

The applicant must meet the following requirements. Please check with the specific program as some programs require a higher GPA:

Have a completed baccalaureate degree from an appropriate accredited institution.
An overall grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a scale of 0 to 4.0 on 60 undergraduate credits completed immediately prior to receiving the degree (see Transcript Submission Requirement below).
If the applicant has completed graduate credits prior to admission, an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a scale of 0 to 4.0 on graduate credits. (Note that grade-point averages are computed separately for both undergraduate and graduate work. The 3.0 undergraduate GPA requirement for admission to doctoral programs does not apply to applicants achieving a 3.0 or higher GPA in nine or more credits of graduate level course work in a master’s or doctoral degree-granting program. Students whose graduate GPA is a 3.0 or higher, but whose undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0, do not require a letter of exception for admission.)
Satisfactory completion of the necessary prerequisites of units in a chosen field of study.
For those students with a grade-point average (undergraduate or graduate) of less than 3.0 on a scale of 0 to 4.0, students may qualify for admission to a doctoral program with sufficient justification and documentation by the program and approval by the Graduate Dean.

Transcript Submission Requirements

Undergraduate Transcripts

All applicants must submit official transcripts from the institution where their bachelor’s degree was earned. These transcripts must include a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits. If the bachelor’s degree was awarded by an institution where fewer than 60 credits were completed, the applicant must provide additional transcripts demonstrating at least 60 credits of undergraduate coursework completed immediately prior to receiving the degree.

The Graduate School will evaluate no fewer than the 60 most recently earned undergraduate credits. Cumulative GPA and total credits from entire semester will be used in the evaluation process. We will never split semesters and always use all credits earned during a given semester. This may result in evaluations being based on more than 60 credits.

Some programs may require transcripts that cover more than the 60 most recently earned undergraduate credits, or they may require all transcripts showing that the student has taken certain classes. Please review program specific requirements on the degrees and programs page.

Graduate Transcripts

Applicants must submit graduate transcripts from all institutions of higher education where they earned graduate credits.

Transcript Submission Requirement: Examples Regarding Undergraduate Transcripts

Example A: Anna completed 63 credits at AB college before transferring to CD University where she completed another 60 credits and earned a bachelor’s degree.

–> Anna submits her transcript from CD University only (showing 60 credits).

Example B: Bernardo completed 18 credits at EF college before transferring to GH University where he completed another 102 credits and earned a bachelor’s degree.

–> Bernardo submits his transcript from GH University only (showing 102 credits).

Example C: Charlie completed 12 undergraduate credits at IJ college. They then transferred to KL University where they completed another 69 credits. Later, Charlie enrolled in MN college where they completed another 52 credits and earned a bachelor’s degree.

–> Charlie submits both his transcripts from KL University (showing 69 credits) and from MN college (showing 52 credits).

Example D: Dayo completed 33 undergraduate credits at OP college. He then transferred to QR University where he completed 34 credits. He eventually transferred to ST University where he completed 45 undergraduate credits. Dayo then returned to OP college, where he completed another 27 credits and earned a bachelor’s degree.

–> Dayo submits both his transcript from OP college (showing 33+27 = 60 credits) and his transcript from ST University (showing 45 credits). Although the transcript from OP College shows 60 credits, these credits were not all earned immediately prior to earning the bachelor’s degree. Credits earned at ST University were more recent than the initial 33 credits from OP College.

International Student Admission Requirements

In addition to the academic criteria required by all students for admission to an advanced degree program, international applicants must have one of the following to be admitted into an advanced degree program:

The following Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores will be required: 550 for paper version, 213 for computer version, or 79 for internet-based version.
1. Students who have achieved a TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper version), 250 (computer version), or 100 (internet-based version) are exempt from Intensive English Language Center evaluation.
2. A TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper version), 216 (computer version), or 79 (internet-based version) is required for students to hold a teaching assistantship.
The required International Language Testing System (IELTS) score is 6.5.
The IELTS score of a 6.5 (equivalent to 550 TOEFL paper version) is required for students to hold a teaching assistantship.
The required Duolingo score is 105.
Eligibility for admission with a 3-year bachelor’s degree are determined on a case by case basis.
International students who have received a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited United States university or college and international students from countries where English is the language of instruction and/or commerce (see English-Speaking Countries Exempt from Testing) are exempt from the requirement to produce a TOEFL score.
All International applicants must also satisfy the medical examination and financial responsibility requirements prior to admission.

NOTE: Certain graduate programs may require TOEFL scores in excess of the minimum 79 internet-based score required by the Graduate School.

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