Application and Graduate Admission

The application process is administered through Admissions. In order to apply, please visit our web page. For questions or to request information, contact Admissions at 410-704-2113 or grad@towson.edu.

Admissions at Towson University admits graduate applicants whose academic and personal qualifications give promise of success in graduate study. Admission to all graduate programs is competitive and based on the most qualified applicants and available seats. The applicant must hold a high school diploma and baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent of this degree from another country. Towson University requires an official transcript of all earned post-secondary degrees for admissions review. In addition, some doctoral and certificate programs require the applicant to hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent of this degree from another country. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Any student taking classes on the TU campus or any off-site location administered by the University System of Maryland must meet the university’s immunization policies prior to registration.

If a specific application deadline is not noted on the program’s requirement webpage, the program will follow the university deadlines:

• August 15 for fall admission
• January 7 for spring admission
• May 1 for summer admission
   

In order to ensure that the application will be evaluated for a decision, students should submit all requirements by the stated deadlines. While application materials will continue to be accepted after these dates, TU cannot guarantee that the application will be reviewed in time for the start of classes. Admission is only valid for the intended entry term. Incomplete applications will be withdrawn after the intended entry term has begun and students will be notified. 

Full Admission

Students admitted to full status must meet the basic minimum requirements of TU, plus the additional requirements of the individual program. In order to meet the basic minimum requirements for full admission to TU an applicant must have:

1. earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) in either the cumulative units of the degree or the last 60 units of the degree or
2. earned a master’s degree or doctorate from a regionally accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) in the cumulative units of the degree.

In cases where the above minimum standards are not met, the last 60 units may include courses taken beyond the baccalaureate degree that are 300-level or higher. Courses used for admission purposes may not be applied toward the graduate degree.

Since some individual programs may have additional requirements and enrollment restrictions, meeting the above minimum requirements may not ensure admission to a specific program. Please refer to the program listing for specific requirements.

Students admitted to a degree seeking program must enroll for the admitted term or request a deferral. If a deferral is not received and approved by the start of classes, the application will be withdrawn and students will need to reapply for a future term. 

Conditional Admission

Admission with conditions may be granted to applicants whose academic achievement does not meet the standard required for full admission or whose department requirements are incomplete. All students admitted with conditions based on GPA must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.00 within their first 9 graded, graduate units. See individual program descriptions for specific requirements. Students admitted to a program with conditions must satisfy requirements and correct any deficiencies as determined by the program director. Requirements that must be completed to continue in the program, and the timetable for completing the requirements, are listed on a letter prepared by the program director and sent to the student.

Exceptions to Policy

Applicants who hold a baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States that is not regionally accredited must have their transcript reviewed and degree equivalency determined by a post-secondary institution regionally accredited to complete such a review.

An applicant who is a professional with significant work experience in a field relevant to the program and whose undergraduate degree was obtained at least five years prior to applying to TU may petition for an exception to the policy regarding minimum GPA. The applicant is to submit an email to Admissions, outlining the rationale for the request and a current resume, if one was not already submitted as part of their admissions application. 

The petition will be reviewed by the Dean of Graduate Studies, or an appropriate designee.

Non-Degree Enrollment

Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree may elect to enroll in graduate courses as non-degree students. Students generally choose non-degree status when

1. their academic goal is not completion of a degree or certificate program
2. they wish to attempt coursework prior to applying to or beginning a graduate program

Non-degree students should be aware that many departments limit entry to courses at the 600 level to fully matriculated students enrolled in a specific graduate program.

Students who have been denied admission to a degree-seeking program are not eligible for non-degree status for the same academic term. Students academically dismissed from a graduate program are not eligible for non-degree status.

Non-degree students must submit an official transcript with a conferred bachelor's or master's degree in order to register for graduate courses. Students must have earned a minimum GPA of 2.75 (overall or final 60) to be eligible for admission. 

Non-degree applicants who earned their degree outside the U.S. must meet the minimum English language requirement and submit a course-by-course evaluation of their international transcript. 

Degree-seeking candidates have priority for registration above non-degree students. Non-degree students who wish to take courses above the 600 level may do so after a transcript evaluation. Requests for an evaluation should be directed to the program director. Some courses are available to degree-seeking candidates only. Students should consult the department with questions. There is a limit of 12 units that can be taken as a non-degree student. No credit will be given for undergraduate coursework taken as a graduate student. Students holding an F1 visa are not eligible for non-degree status. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid.

Visiting Graduate Students

A student who is a candidate for a graduate degree at another college or university may take graduate courses at TU. The student may have to complete a graduate non-degree application and submit an official undergraduate transcript.

Admission Prior to Receiving Baccalaureate Degree

Admission may be granted to college seniors in their final term if an official transcript is submitted with grades from the first term of the final year. An admission offer is subject to cancellation or change if the admission credentials remain incomplete or do not meet the requirements for admission upon receipt of the final transcript. Final transcripts showing degree conferral must be received by Admissions within six weeks of conferral. 

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Programs (for TU undergraduates only)

Current Towson University students who are enrolled in an accelerated program are not automatically admitted to a graduate program. They must follow the regular application process and requirements in order to be evaluated and reviewed for admission to the Graduate School. 

Validation of Undergraduate Degree

Students admitted prior to completing their degree will be allowed one semester of enrollment. If the official transcript with the conferred degree is not received by the end of the student’s first term, a student will not be able to register for future terms. 

Joint Program with University of Baltimore 

The program in Accounting and Business Advisory Services is operated as a joint program with the University of Baltimore. 

Golden ID Program: Senior Citizens

Retired Maryland residents 60 years of age or older are eligible for the Golden ID senior citizen tuition waiver program. Golden ID students may enroll in most graduate courses for a maximum of two courses for the spring, summer and fall terms, and pay only the necessary fees. Golden ID students may take courses for audit or credit on a space-available basis. Exclusions include minimester, special format classes, independent study, internship and some satellite campus programs. All courses offered as part of the Towson Learning Network and the Applied Information Technology program are also excluded.