General Requirements and Application Procedures
General Requirements for Admission
- Evidence of an earned Baccalaureate degree from a degree-granting institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education if post-secondary education was completed in the United States, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.
- Official transcripts from each college and university previously attended. These transcripts must be mailed directly from the college or university to the Registrar's Office.
- English Competency: All candidates for a post-baccalaureate degree are expected to demonstrate a satisfactory command of English in oral and written work with accommodations if necessary. Candidates may be required to take special courses in writing as a condition of their continuance in graduate studies.
- Other admission criteria as specified by the discipline may include but are not limited to:
- A nationally recognized entrance test specified by the discipline.
- Evaluation by one or more professionals in the intended field of study.
- Professional certification of a degree of equal or higher level than that sought from an accredited institution of higher learning.
- Letters of Recommendation.
- A minimum number of credit hours in the discipline with a specified GPA minimum.
- Other specialized test with acceptable performance.
- An interview with faculty or admissions personnel.
- A writing sample.
Please review program descriptions for specific admissions requirements.
Application Procedures
The student must submit to the Admissions Office the credentials listed below. Credentials submitted late can cause a delay in acceptance and registration.
- A formal application, which can be submitted at https://www.uiw.edu/gouiw/apply.html.
- Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended. These transcripts must be mailed directly to the Registrar's Office, or can be submitted electronically to admissiondocs@uiwtx.edu, from the college or university.
- Report of the nationally recognized entrance test as designated by specific programs is sent directly to the Registrar's Office at admissiondocs@uiwtx.edu or via USPS mail. Students should check with individual programs for specific requirements.
- For students under the age of 22, an immunization record showing the bacterial meningitis vaccine must be submitted prior to registration.
- Consultation with a program advisor regarding additional admissions requirements.
When the Admissions Office receives the required credentials, completed applications are sent to the program director for evaluation and recommendation for action. The Office of Admissions notifies the applicant by letter concerning action taken on the application. If accepted, the student is assigned an advisor from the program.
Credentials submitted for admission become the property of the University of the Incarnate Word and will not be returned. Admissions decisions are good for one year for most programs. If the application is cancelled, the applicant must reapply.
The University of the Incarnate Word reserves the right to refuse admission to an applicant, or to request the withdrawal of a student already in the program, for reasons considered adequate by the Director of Graduate Studies.
Students hoping to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's (ABM) program must contact their advisor upon completing a minimum of 62 credit hours to identify eligibility. Students meeting the eligibility criteria must meet with the ABM Program Director who will initiate the appropriate paperwork affiliated with enrolling students in the ABM program.
Petitions
Petitions for admission with exception to the published criteria must be recommended by the Program Admissions Committee and approved by the School/College Dean. Exceptions must be documented with an explanation. A copy of this documentation must be included in the student’s permanent file.
Conditional Acceptance
Conditional admission may be granted upon approval of the Program Admissions Committee and the School/College Dean. Criteria and the time limit for removing conditions will be specified in the letter of admission.
Denied Admissions Appeal
Applicants denied admission to a graduate program at UIW may appeal the decision by completing the graduate admissions decision appeal process. Results of appeals will be
entered into the student record upon matriculation. Any denial of admission through this appeal process must document where alignment with official program criteria has not been achieved.
The decision of the graduate admissions committee is final and may not be appealed further.
Locate the Graduate Admissions Appeal form here.
This policy applies to applicants denied admission to graduate programs offered by UIW. This policy does not apply to programs offered by the School of Osteopathic Medicine, Feik School of Pharmacy, Rosenberg School of Optometry, School of Physical Therapy, or the Doctor of Nursing Practice in the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions. Questions pertaining to admissions decisions for these programs should be directed to the school specific office of admissions.