Accelerated Degree Programs Catalog 2019-2020 > Admission and Application > Graduate Application Procedures

Graduate Application Procedures

Prospective students wishing to apply to graduate degree programs in the School of Accelerated Degree Programs should visit the Office University Admissions at the Spellmann Center on the Lindenwood-St. Charles campus, one of our regional extension locations, or online at www.lindenwood.edu/admissions. When the application is received, an admissions counselor will contact the applicant to answer any questions and assist in the admissions process. Once all documents are obtained, the counselor will submit them for review by the program director who will contact the student to schedule an interview.

Admission to all graduate degree programs in the School of Accelerated Degree Programs requires a student to possess a 3.0 or better in their undergraduate studies as well as successful completion of the university’s admissions process. Students who do not meet that academic standard or other admissions standards will be given individual consideration following a meeting with the program director. In this case, the submission of a GRE or GMAT score may be considered in support of an application for admission. Once accepted, graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. Students who do not maintain a 3.0 grade point average may face academic probation and/or suspension from the university. See individual programs for any additional admission requirements.

Degree programs typically either consist of five core clusters, and a capstone course or directed thesis. Students are assigned a faculty advisor to guide them through their specific degree program. Each degree program is designed to meet both student needs and accreditation requirements. Consequently, students may not deviate from any cluster requirements. See individual programs for any additional admission requirements.

To be considered for admission to the university, an applicant’s file must include each of the following documents. Please note, individual programs may have additional application procedures and will be communicated by the Office of University Admissions. Please review your program of interest in detail.

1. Online application.

2. Official transcript with a conferred bachelor’s degree and any subsequent coursework. An admissions decision will be based on the most recent conferred degree.

3. Current résumé.

4. Personal statement describing the applicant’s professional experience or philosophy and a description of the applicant’s decision to attend a graduate program that includes personal or professional goals upon completion of the program. 

5. Three letters of recommendation. Note: Applicants with an undergraduate degree or a previously earned graduate degree who earned a 3.0 or better GPA (on a 4.0 scale) are not subject to this requirement.

6. Interview with the program director.

7. Additional requirements, such as a portfolio, or a writing sample, as required by various programs.

Once the application is submitted, an admissions counselor will contact the applicant to answer any questions and assist in the admissions process. The program director will contact the applicant to schedule an interview. If the applicant is accepted in the program, the program director will enroll him/her in the upcoming term.

Application to MS in Administration, Healthcare Administration, or MFA Program

Students applying for admission to the Master of Science (MSA) programs in Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program must also submit three letters of recommendation and participate in an interview conducted by the campus dean or his/her designee.

Students applying for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Writing (MFA) must submit a creative writing sample and a statement of purpose submitted to the MFA program director. 

Note: Applicants to the online MFA in Writing program who do not already possess a Lindenwood transcript must submit a color photo and either a color copy of a photo ID or an official GRE score. For score reporting, the Lindenwood University code is 6367. Applicants should also submit a color photo for a student ID.

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our four graduate terms. The Master of Healthcare Administration program is designed for students holding undergraduate degrees who wish to further their careers in the administration of health organizations. A bachelor degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline is required. (Work experience in healthcare administration is a plus). Please submit the following items:

• Current résumé or curriculum vitae;
• Personal essay that outlines your professional plans and career objectives, explains how you became interested in health services management and how your prior training and experience would help your career, and includes specific issues and problems in health care you consider challenging and why.

The applicant may email admissions@lindenwood.edu or call (636) 949-4949 with any admissions related questions.

International citizens wishing to apply to the graduate programs in the School of Accelerate Degree Programs should visit the university website and select International Admissions. Visit the Admissions Process, Required Documents, and Admissions links. (Note: Applicants should complete the International Application.)

To be considered for admission to the university, an international applicant's file must include the following documents:

1. International student application.

2. Current résumé.

3. Three letters of recommendation. Note: Applicants with an undergraduate degree or a previously earned graduate degree who earned a 3.0 or better GPA (on a 4.0 scale) are not subject to this requirement.

4. An affidavit of support in the form of an official document or statement from a bank verifying the amount of personal/family funds, in U.S. dollars, available for tuition (personal cost) and educational expenses (books, insurance). All documents must be in English.

5. Official transcripts presented in their original language and accompanied by a certified English translation. These documents will not be returned to the student. They will become part of the student’s official file at Lindenwood University. The cost for the evaluation of the transcript will be incurred by the applicant.

6. If transfer credit is requested from an international institution, students should submit, along with all documentation required for admission, a certified translation of course descriptions of foreign credits earned from their previous institution. Note: Students must request a course-by-course evaluation (not a document-by-document evaluation) in order to transfer credit to Lindenwood for particular coursework.

7. If an international student applicant is transferring from another university within the United States, the student must forward the SEVIS transfer eligibility form (found on the university website on the transfer international graduate students homepage) along with the letter of acceptance from Lindenwood University to the appropriate official at the school previously attended, where it will be processed and returned to the Lindenwood University Office of Admissions and Services for International Students (OASIS). The SEVIS transfer eligibility form should be sent to the Office of Admissions and Services for International Students' (OASIS) direct email account, internationaladmissions@lindenwood.edu.

8. An official TOEFL or IELTS score. Required minimum TOEFL scores: 577 (paper-based exam), 233 (computer-based exam), 91 (Internet-based exam). Required minimum IELTS score: 6.5. For score reporting, the Lindenwood code is 6367.

9. Personal statement describing the applicant’s professional experience or philosophy and a description of the applicant’s decision to attend a graduate program that includes his/her personal or professional goals upon completion of the program. The MFA in Writing program also requires approval of a creative writing sample and a statement of purpose submitted to the MFA Program Director.

10. A clear, readable copy of the identification page of the applicant's passport.

11. Interview with the program director.

12. Additional requirements, such as a portfolio or a writing sample, as required by various programs.

The Student Application or Common Application should be completed online and all required application materials should be scanned in PDF format and emailed to internationaladmissions@lindenwood.edu. Hard copies of required admission documents can be mailed to: Lindenwood University, Office of Admissions and Services for International Students (OASIS), 209 South Kingshighway, Saint Charles, MO 63301 USA. Preferred format is scanned in PDF and emailed.