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Everything You Need to Apply

Application Requirements

Getting Started

The application process allows you to submit most of the required materials electronically when you complete your online application.

The step-by-step process makes it simple to apply.

  1. Research the program to which you are applying and make note of specific deadlines & requirements.
  2. Create an application for the program.
  3. Some programs may require other documents (i.e. resume, writing sample).
  4. Upload your statement of purpose, if required.
  5. Upload your transcript(s) – unofficial transcripts are accepted.
  6. A number of programs may require recommendations from professors or supervisors, usually one to three total. You’ll need to enter each recommender’s email address as they will be sent an email with information on how to complete the online recommendation.  
  7. A few programs may require a standardized admission test (i.e. GRE, GMAT) that you will need to take and request your official scores be sent to us.
  8. Submit the application and pay the processing fee.

Deadlines

Apply early. Most programs make decisions on a rolling basis. Submit your application by the deadline below unless your program has an earlier deadline. The University may alter application dates before the published deadlines without further notice in accordance with available resources and/or the enrollment limitation established by the North Carolina General Assembly.

Does your program have an earlier deadline? Check the programs page.  

 

Fall Semester (August)

  • Priority Application Submission: March 1st
  • Final Application Submission: August 1st

Spring Semester (January)

  • Priority Application Submission: October 1st
  • Final Application Submission: December 1st

Summer Semester (May or July)

  • Priority Application Submission: April 1st
  • Final Application Submission: June 15th
  • There are a variety of summer sessions beginning and ending on different dates. June 15th is the last day an application can be submitted for summer, but this date is for classes that begin in July. 

Non-Degree (Post-Baccalaureate)

If you miss the deadline to apply to a graduate certificate or degree program, consider applying as a post-baccalaureate student.  The deadline to apply is generally the week before the term begins.

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Fee & Waivers

Processing Fee

A nonrefundable, nontransferable application processing fee is required for each application submitted. 

  • Graduate Certificate, Master’s or Doctoral Fee
    • $75 USD – U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
    • $85 USD – International Applicants
  • Post-Baccalaureate (Non-Degree) Fee
    • $25 USD – Admission is only valid for a specific term. 

Fee Waivers

The Graduate School provides a limited number of fee waivers to:

  1. Qualified UNC Charlotte permanent employees
  2. Applicants who participated in a Ronald McNair pathway program in the United States
  3. United States military service members 

Please expect to wait 1 to 2 weeks for a response after applying.

Check Your Status

Your application portal is the best place to check your application status quickly and efficiently. Through the portal, you can determine if you are missing any documentation, monitor your application status and view your decision letter.
Check Status

Transcripts

Upload a transcript from each institution where you completed post-secondary coursework. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

What You Need to Apply

In the application, upload an unofficial transcript from each post-secondary institution you attended. If you have academic credentials earned outside of the U.S., the transcript must be issued in English (or translated by a certified academic translation company). If you attended a school in India, you must include individual mark sheets.

What You Need to Enroll

Admitted students who plan to enroll will be required to submit their official transcript showing proof of a bachelor’s degree to Graduate Admissions.  

The official transcript is due before pre-registration begins for the next semester and no later than the end of the first semester.  Students will only be allowed to register for the next semester after the official transcript is received. “Official” means the transcript is issued directly from one institution to another in a secure manner. The following are acceptable options for submitting the official transcript:

By Mail

The institution from where the degree is earned must issue the transcript in a sealed envelope. The sealed envelope should be mailed to this address.

Graduate Admissions – Final Transcript
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223-0001

By Secure Electronic Transmission

We accept transcripts electronically from institutions using one of these services to send their transcripts.  Please request your transcript be emailed specifically to gradapponline@charlotte.edu unless noted otherwise below:

  • eScrip-Safe
  • National Student Clearinghouse
  • Parchment – (Select UNC Charlotte, Graduate School)
  • TrueCopy

An email and/or attachment from an institution’s staff or faculty is not accepted since email is not secure and cannot be authenticated.

Clarification for Transcripts Issued by Institutions in India and China

India

Two types of documents are required:

  • Degree Certificate (Final or Provisional) – This document can be a photocopy of the final or provisional degree certificate.
  • Statement of Marks (University Issued or Attested) – This document must be in a sealed envelope issued from your institution.

China

The below documents are required:

  • Academic Transcript in Chinese and English – These documents must be in a sealed envelope from your institution.
  • Degree Certificate – If your degree does not appear on your academic transcript, you should provide a photocopy of the original degree certificate issued by the awarding institution.
  • Electronic Verified Report (Degree) – Alternatively, we accept an electronically verified report from the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC), so you may provide information to gradapponline@charlotte.edu on how to access your report.

Contact 704-687-5503 or gradapponline@charlotte.edu if you have questions.

GPA

Calculating your GPA

You will be asked to calculate and self-report a cumulative undergraduate GPA on a 4.00 scale (and a cumulative graduate GPA if you have taken graduate-level courses). If you only attended one school for your bachelor’s degree, simply enter your cumulative GPA as reported on your transcripts. If you attended multiple schools for your bachelor’s degree, please follow this guide to calculate a cumulative GPA.

  • A = 4
  • B = 3
  • C = 2
  • D = 1
  • E or F = 0
  1. Multiply the point value of the letter grade (see values above) by the number of credit hours. The result is the quality points (grade points) earned for the course.
  2. Total the quality points for all terms.
  3. Total the credit hours for all terms.
  4. Divide the total quality points for all terms by the total credit hours for all terms.
  5. The result is your cumulative GPA.

Resources for Non-US Transcripts:

World Education Services IGPA Calculator

Scholaro GPA Calculator

Statement of Purpose

Applicants should compose and upload a Statement of Purpose in the online application, outlining their goals for pursuing graduate education. Specifically, applicants should describe their reasons for applying to the proposed program of study, their preparation for this field of study as well as any research experience in the discipline, future career plans, and any other aspects of a person’s background and interests which may aid the admissions committee and Graduate Program Director in evaluating your motivation for graduate study.

Some programs have specific instructions and guidelines related to information applicants should include in the statement of purpose, so it is important to follow the guidelines as recommended by the program to which you are applying for admission.

Recommendations

Supporting Your Application

A recommendation from an academic or professional source, such as a professor, faculty member, mentor, or employer, provides admission committees with insight into your personal qualities, competencies, and even challenges that make you a fit for the program to which you’ve applied. Three recommendations are typically required for a master’s or doctoral program, while most certificate programs do not require any recommendations. A brief online form must be completed by your recommender(s). Letters are optional and may be uploaded within the form; except where specifically, and are optional unless required by the program.

Steps to Requesting Recommendations

  1. Research the application requirements for the program you plan to apply to and take note of the application deadline.
  2. Select the right people to be your recommender(s). They should be reputable in their field, know your academic and professional qualifications, and provide a positive recommendation.
  3. Tell them ahead of time that they will be required to provide a brief, online recommendation form and, optionally, upload a letter (unless a letter is required by the program).
  4. Provide them with sufficient time to complete the recommendation and a date by which they need to complete it. You want all of your recommendations to be submitted well before the application deadline.  
  5. Ask for the recommender(s) email address as it is a required field in your application.  
  6. When you start your application, it will automatically include sections for your recommenders. Be sure to enter their email addresses accurately and click the “send” button to notify them with an email.
  7. The recommender will receive an email with credentials to a secure site where they can complete the online recommendation.
  8. Once the recommendation is submitted, the recommender will be sent a confirmation email, and you will be copied on the email. You can log back into your application anytime to check the status of your recommendation submission.

When applying for multiple programs, recommendations submitted for one application may not be used for another application.

Test Scores

Most graduate programs do not require a standardized test. Check the graduate program webpage to see if the program you are applying to requires a test.

Testing

Please consult the graduate program webpage to determine if the program you are applying to requires a test. Note that many programs have policies to waive the standardized test requirement, and that information is available on the individual graduate program webpage.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

At UNC Charlotte, only the General Test is required—no subject tests are needed.  Make sure you have your official scores sent to UNC Charlotte.  Our school code is 5105. Do not enter a department code. 

Registration: Visit www.gre.org or call 1-800-473-2255. 

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

Visit the GMAC website at www.mba.com for additional information and to register for the GMAT.

English Language Proficiency

Success at UNC Charlotte depends upon your ability to converse in, write and understand (American) English. If English is not your native language and you did not earn a degree from a U.S. institution, you may be required to provide an English language proficiency test.

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Ready to Apply?

At UNC Charlotte, our graduate programs are designed to expand your knowledge, sharpen your skills and open doors to new opportunities. Join a vibrant community of driven scholars and take the next step toward your future success. Take your career to the next level today.

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