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Admissions

Applying for Admission

An applicant must submit:

  1. An application for admission with a $35 non-refundable fee.
  2. Official transcripts from each college previously attended sent directly from the granting institution to the UMHB Graduate Admissions Office. Even though courses taken at one institution are noted on another college’s transcript, applicants must submit transcripts from the institution at which the courses were taken. Transcript evaluations will be completed after submission of an application to the Graduate School and the admission fee has been paid.  Transcripts from other institutions which have been submitted for admission or evaluation become part of the student's academic file and are not returned or copied for distribution.
  3. Additional documentation may be required as part of the application file to meet program specific requirements.

The application for admission is a student’s affirmation that he/she will comply with all University rules and policies.  

Note: An official transcript is one that has been received directly from the issuing institution. It must bear the school seal, date, and an appropriate signature.

Admission Requirements

A student may be admitted to a UMHB Graduate School in one of the following ways:

  1. Regular Admission
  2. Conditional Admission
  3. Probationary Admission
  4. Non-degree Admission
  5. Readmission
  6. Concurrent Enrollment

Regular Admission

An applicant must:

  1. Have completed a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. Have completed a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to apply for a doctoral level program.
  3. Have official transcripts from each college attended on file in the UMHB Graduate Admissions Office. (Only master’s level transcripts are required for a doctoral level program.)
  4. Have a cumulative and/or last 60 hours GPA of at least 3.00
  5. Meet additional quantitative and qualitative standards of the program to which the applicant is requesting admission (e.g., Letters of Recommendation).

Note: For those programs requiring a GRE or GMAT, a previous score is valid for five years.

Conditional Admission

An applicant must meet the admission criteria for Regular Admission (additional documentation may be required by the program). Conditional Admission allows an applicant to be admitted although a document is still needed to complete the application file. This admission status is only approved by the Graduate Admissions Office. A student so admitted must have completed documentation on file in the Graduate Admissions Office by the date stated by the Graduate Admissions Office. Students failing to complete the documentation requirement will not be allowed to register for the next semester, and transcripts will be placed on hold.

Probationary Admission

After official transcripts and program documentation are received, an applicant not meeting the university standards of a 3.0 GPA may be admitted if he/she shows evidence of an ability to successfully participate in graduate study as determined by the graduate program to which he/she is applying with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA. Students admitted on probation must have a strong departmental/program recommendation. A probationary status student may take no more than nine hours of graduate work during any semester of attendance until the probationary status has been removed. Students enrolled in graduate programs consisting of two-hour courses may only enroll in eight hours of graduate work during this time. If grades of “B” or better are earned for all graduate courses, the probationary status will be removed. Failure to earn a "B" or better in all graduate courses will result in academic dismissal from the graduate program.

Non-Degree Admission

A non-degree student may be permitted to take up to six hours of graduate credit with the recommendation of the appropriate department. Such students must provide official transcripts from the institution(s) granting their bachelor’s degree(s) or later degree(s). If students admitted on non-degree status wish to continue beyond the six hours, they must apply for admission as a student seeking a degree or certification and must meet all requirements for graduate admission.

Students who have completed a master’s degree and who wish to take courses to meet qualifications for State licensure or certifications may also be permitted to take courses as non-degree students. These non-degree students may take more than six hours if a deficiency plan, signed by the specific program director, has been completed and is on file in the Graduate Admission’s Office.

Non-degree students are not eligible for institutional financial aid.

Readmission

A former student who has not been enrolled in graduate courses at UMHB for two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) and who is otherwise eligible for readmission must apply for readmission to the Graduate School and to the graduate program he/she wishes to pursue.

Concurrent Enrollment

A senior undergraduate student who has an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher and who lacks twelve or fewer hours toward graduation may enroll for six or fewer graduate hours with submission of a graduate application and acceptance into the graduate program. At no time may an undergraduate student be enrolled in graduate classes without also being enrolled in undergraduate classes. Petition for any exceptions must be made through the Dean of the Graduate School.

Registration

To register for classes a student must obtain an advising slip and/or registration clearance from his/her program advisor.

Admission to or completion of a graduate program does not guarantee licensure by any state licensing board.

Admission of International Graduate Students

Note: All forms must be completed in English.

      All monies must be in U.S. dollars.

All International Students applying for Admission to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor must:

  1. Submit completed online International Application. All academic documents must be submitted before an admission decision will be given, and all other documents must be submitted before an I-20 can be issued.
  2. Submit a notarized Affidavit of Educational Support (I-134) showing the availability of funds to finance student’s education and transportation both to school and back to student’s home country. A signed letter of support may be substituted for the affidavit. The letter should state the relationship of the sponsor to the applicant and specify exactly what expenses are covered. Documentation is required. All money amounts must be stated in U.S. dollars.
  3. Submit official transcripts or diplomas from all schools, colleges, and universities previously attended. If the student has attended United States colleges/universities, the official transcripts must be mailed directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. All transcripts, certificates, or diplomas from institutions outside the United States must be sent to an approved evaluation service for a course by course evaluation by the date required by the Graduate Admissions Office and stated in the acceptance letter, and this date will be prior to arrival at the university. A copy of the results should be sent directly to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Graduate Admissions Office from the evaluation service.  Transcripts from other institutions which have been submitted for admission or evaluation become part of the student's academic file and are not returned or copied for distribution.
  4. Submit a copy of the passport identification page. Passport must show validity at least 6 months from the expected date of enrollment.
  5. Submit the following fees (in U.S. dollars): $135 Application Fee (Not refundable). The application will not be processed until the application fee is paid.

When all of the above items have been received from the student, action will be taken by the Office of International Student Services. An I-20 form cannot be issued until the student has been accepted by the UMHB Graduate School.

The university reserves the right to change the price of fee and any other costs to obtain the degree.

Once accepted for admission, all international students are required to:

  1. Submit completed Student Medical History (available on website), including validated copy of shot records showing a meningitis vaccination (Menactra) and negative tuberculosis test result.
  2. For students from countries identified as "TB High Risk" as published by the World Health Organization: submit validation of a negative TB skin test and/or report of negative (normal) chest x-ray - must be no more than within 6 months prior to initial enrollment.

General Academic Requirements

Students who are seeking a master’s degree, doctoral degree, licensure, or certification in an approved program offered by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will be considered for admission. Students will be allowed to continue in enrollment only if they maintain good academic progress (a 3.0 U.S. Grade Point Average). At the discretion of UMHB, students not meeting minimum standards may be enrolled in additional English as Second Language classes.

I-20

This U.S. Immigration Student Eligibility form will be issued only after all conditions of the application process have been met. The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is an academic school, and no I-20 will be issued to any student for the sole purpose of aiding the student in avoiding military service in his/her home country.

Transportation

The major international airport serving Central Texas is the Dallas/Fort-Worth International Airport. Commuter flights are available from this international airport to the local airports in Killeen (30 miles from campus) and Austin (50 miles from campus). Cab and/or bus transportation may be obtained from these airports to Belton.

Money

Students are encouraged to carry travelers checks or cashier’s checks. Money may be deposited in a local bank. Advanced fees, tuition, as well as room and board must be paid in U.S. dollars or negotiable instruments.

Payment of Accounts

All international students must preregister for any succeeding semester, and their account must be paid in full by the close of business on the Friday after the normal registration period. Failure of the student to pay will result in the student not being allowed to register. If this should happen, both the U.S. Immigration Service and the consulate of the student’s home country will be notified.

English Competency

International students applying to graduate programs are eligible for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. Students must submit a TOEFL or an IELTS score as part of the application. The minimum TOEFL score to enter regular academic classes is at least 100 (iBT) with at least 25 in each category. Students submitting IELTS scores of at least 7 in each category may enter regular academic classes. Students who do not meet these testing requirements will be enrolled in ESOL classes before beginning the graduate program.

Mail all Correspondence to:

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Director of International Student Services

UMHB Box 8367

900 College Street

Belton, Texas 76513

USA

English Proficiency Guidelines

Overview

Undergraduate international students are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as a part of the application to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB).  Their English language proficiency will be evaluated upon arrival.  Students who do not meet the minimum score for undergraduate academic work will enter the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.

Graduate international students must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as a part of their application.  Students whose scores do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to graduate academic work will be evaluated upon arrival.  Students who do not meet the minimum score for graduate academic work will enter the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.

If the score is above the requirements for admission to the undergraduate or graduate programs (as described below), the student will be admitted to his/her academic program without further ESOL restrictions.

The ESOL program is designed to help students prepare for academic coursework at UMHB. Students who are placed in the ESOL program take only ESOL courses unless placement testing results indicate that they may be successful in combining ESOL courses with other courses.  Based on the results of the placement testing, the chair of the Modern Foreign Language Department or designee will determine the ESOL courses in which students are required to enroll

English Language Proficiency Standards for Admission to Graduate and Undergraduate Programs

The standards for undergraduate students to enter the academic program of his/her choice without any ESOL restrictions are below.

Admission to Undergraduate Programs without ESOL

The minimum scores required to enter academic classes bearing credit toward graduation:

TOEFL=At least 80 (iBT) with at least 20 in each band.

IELTS=At least 6 in each band.

Graduate students must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as a part of their application.  English language proficiency standards are different for admission to graduate programs due to the rigor of the academic work.  The standards for graduate students to enter the academic program of his/her choice without any ESOL restrictions are below.

If an international student has attended an English-speaking college or preparatory school prior to admission to UMHB, the ESOL requirements may be waived. Please contact the Chair of the MFL Department for information regarding waivers.

Admission to Graduate Programs without ESOL

The minimum scores required to enter academic classes bearing credit toward graduation:

TOEFL=At least 100 (iBT) with at least 25 in each band.

IELTS=At least 7 in each band.

Students Who Do Not Meet English Language Placement Standards for Admission to Undergraduate or Graduate Programs

Upon arrival, the student will be given a 3-part English placement test.  Parts 1 & 2 are the Listening and Reading Comprehension components. Part 3 is a writing sample administered and graded by UMHB faculty.  Students are scored on accuracy of grammar, coherence of writing, and skilled use of written English. Based upon the results of placement testing, students will be enrolled in the appropriate combination of ESOL and/or academic courses. 

The ESOL program offers several classes of 3 credit hours each:  Grammar, Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication.  In addition, there are basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of each class to meet student needs. ESOL tuition is 50% of the cost of undergraduate tuition.

In order to progress from the ESOL program to other classes, a student must meet ALL of the following exit requirements: 

  1. Score at or above the designated cut-off on the English Proficiency exam.
  2. Score at least 75% in all ESOL classes.
  3. Pass an oral interview with a team of UMHB faculty members.

The interview team will evaluate the communication skills of the student and make the decision as to whether the student can be released to all regular classes or remain in a specified number of ESOL courses. Students must enroll in all ESOL courses recommended by this interview team.

Until a student has completed the ESOL requirements, the Registrar’s Office will maintain a hold on the student’s registration.  While the hold is in effect, registration must be approved by the Chair of the MFL Department or designee.

After an ESOL student has completed these exit requirements, he/she will be released from the ESOL program, the hold will be released.