Admission Requirements

Graduates of colleges or universities accredited by the proper regional accrediting association may apply for admission to graduate study at LSUS. Admission is restricted to include only those students whose academic records indicate they can successfully undertake graduate work in the proposed area. Admission to graduate study at LSUS requires that all previously undertaken graduate work meet LSUS’s academic standards.

Unconditional Admission: Graduate students must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average on the undergraduate degree (on a 4.0 scale) or a 2.75 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours attempted in the degree program. In addition, a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) is required on any graduate work attempted. Students meeting these criteria will be unconditionally admitted to graduate study. Graduate students must be in satisfactory standing at the last institution attended and must submit satisfactory GRE or GMAT scores.

Appeal: Any student not meeting these criteria may appeal through the appropriate graduate program director and dean for admission. Accompanying the appeal must be satisfactory GRE (total of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative portions) or GMAT (total of 550) scores. Recommendations will be submitted to the Graduate Dean for final approval.

In general only students formally admitted to graduate study are eligible to enroll in graduate courses. All applications and inquiries should be addressed to: Office of Graduate Studies, LSUS, One University Place, Shreveport, Louisiana 71115.

Admission Procedure: The student seeking to pursue graduate studies at LSUS should obtain appropriate graduate studies application forms from the Office of Graduate Studies or the Office of Admissions and Records and follow the applicable procedures listed below.

**Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Educational Testing Service, Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 80541-6000 or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) www.mba.com. Students may call the Prometric Testing Center (318.742.7349) to schedule an appointment to take the GRE by computer. Students are able to schedule the test within a couple of weeks and results of the test are known the same day.

A. ALL GRADUATE APPLICANTS

1. A complete graduate application form, and all supporting credentials must be sent to Graduate Studies by the following priority date:
   Summer Term - April 30
   Fall Term - June 30
   Spring Term: November 30.
   
   Final admission decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials. If the application and transcripts are not received by the priority date, it may not be possible to process the application in time. The application will be considered for the following semester.
2. An official transcript must be sent directly to Graduate Studies by the registrar of each college and university attended, including both graduate and undergraduate work and showing all degrees previously awarded. The student who has attended institutions outside the United States should submit complete academic records to AACRAO for evaluation. (www.AACRAO.org).
3. For students born after 1956, proof of immunization or immunity to measles, mumps and rubella must be provided to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to the priority date . This policy applies to all students entering LSUS for the first time and all students returning after an absence of one term or more. Proof of tetanus/diphtheria immunization is also required. A copy of the Immunization Policy is provided with the admissions materials. A student may claim exemption from the immunization requirement for medical or personal reasons; however, the University will require the student to leave the campus and be excluded from class in the event of an outbreak of measles, mumps or rubella. Students claiming exemption will not be permitted back on campus or in class until the outbreak is over or until proof of adequate immunization has been submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.
4. Admission to Graduate Studies does not automatically admit an applicant to a degree program. Admission requirements to specific degree programs must also be submitted by the priority date to the appropriate program director. See the appropriate requirements listed for each of the programs below:
   
   1. Master of Business Administration: A student entering the Master of Business Administration degree program must submit an official copy of the score report attained on the GMAT.
   2. Master of Education: A student entering the Master of Education degree program must submit an official transcript of the scores earned on the general test of the GRE.
   3. Master of Education In Curriculum and Instruction: A student entering the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction must submit an official transcript of the scores earned on the general test of the GRE.
   4. Master of Education in Educational Leadership: A student entering the Master of Education in Educational Leadership must submit an official transcript of the scores earned on the general test of the GRE.
   5. Master of Science in Counseling Psychology: A student entering the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology (MSCP) degree program must have completed the general portion of the GRE and submitted scores of 800 or above (Verbal and Quantitative) prior to the graduate studies’ priority date. In addition, the applicant must also have submitted two letters of reference (forms on the website) and a letter of intent to the Department of Psychology.
   6. Master of Health Administration: A student entering the Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program must: (1) submit official transcripts of all college work demonstrating a minimum GPA of 3.0; (2) take either the GRE of GMAT and submit official test scores reflecting at least a 900 (verbal and quantitative) on the GRE or a 450 on the GMAT; (3) prepare and submit a written letter detailing interest in health administration; and (4) arrange for three individuals to submit letters of recommendation.
   7. Master of Liberal Arts: A student entering the Master of Arts in Liberal Arts degree program must schedule an interview with the MLA Director and must submit a written statement of purpose that outlines educational goals and the ways in which the MLA program meets these goals.
   8. Master of Science in Human Services Administration: A student entering the Master of Science in Human Services degree program must: (1) schedule an interview with the program Director; (2) submit and essay on why they wish to be in the program; (3) submit three letters of recommendation; and (4) submit GRE scores.
   9. Master of Science in Computer Systems Technology: A student entering the Master of Science in Computer Systems Technology degree program must: (1) schedule an interview with the MSCST program Director; (2) submit a completed program application form; (3) submit scores from the general portion of the GRE scoring at least 900; and (4) demonstrate preparation in courses in calculus, statistics, and a high-level programming language (such as Java or C++).
   10. Specialist in School Psychology: A student entering the Specialist in School Psychology degree program must submit an official transcript of the scores earned on the GRE (verbal and quantitative). Scores required for admission to the program are at least 400 Verbal and 400 Quantitative or the two scores equaling 800. All applicants must have earned an overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75.

B. INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
All international applicants must meet regular admission requirements. In addition, they must submit the following additional information:

1. If their native language is not English, they must submit a score of at least 550 on the paper administered test or 213 on the computer-based version on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless a degree has been obtained from an accredited United States institution. Information for TOEFL is available from the Educational Testing Service, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151.
2. They must submit a signed financial resource statement prior to enrollment showing the source(s) of money (in U.S. dollars) available for each year of study in the United States.
3. If they have a degree from outside the United States, they must present authorized records -- transcripts, mark-sheets, certification of degrees -- showing a bachelor's degree or its equivalent with a grade point average equivalent to B or better (3.0 or above on a 4.00 scale) on all undergraduate work from accredited colleges and universities. Translations and evaluations by AACRAO are required for all work earned outside of the United States (www.AACRAO.org).
4. They must submit satisfactory scores on the GRE or GMAT.
   
   The University will admit no international students until it has received all credentials.
   
   For information about additional requirements, contact Admissions at (318) 797-5061.

C. COOPERATIVE PROGRAM APPLICANT

1. Master of Arts in English: Students interested in the cooperative program either with Louisiana Tech or with LSU Baton Rouge should apply through the English Department at LSUS.
2. Master of Arts in History: Applicants must be admitted by both the Department of History/Social Sciences at LSUS and the Department of History at Louisiana Tech and must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, GRE scores, and 21 hours of history at the undergraduate level. For further information, contact the Chair of either department.
3. Master of Science in Environmental Sciences: Students interested in the cooperative program with LSU in Baton Rouge should apply through the Biological Sciences Department at LSUS.
   Master of Science with LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport: In addition to application to LSUS, students in this program must apply for admission to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies at LSU Health Science Center-Shreveport. GRE scores at or above the 50th percentile and a GPA of 2.5 are required.
   

D. THE TRANSIENT APPLICANT

A student pursuing a graduate degree program at another institution wishing to take courses at LSUS to be credited towards their degree program may be admitted for only one term or summer term without submitting full credentials. For such admission, the student may have the registrar of the last institution attended send to the Office of Graduate Studies a statement certifying the student's good standing in a graduate program. A transient student desiring to enroll in graduate level courses for transfer credit offered through the College of Business Administration must, in addition, submit a GMAT score and an official undergraduate grade point average that would meet unconditional admission requirements of LSUS.

E. THE NON-DEGREE APPLICANT

Non-degree: Admission in the non-degree category is restricted primarily to those persons who may benefit professionally from additional study at the graduate level. In general the only supportive material required for such admission is a valid transcript showing an appropriate background and confirming the awarding of at least a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 undergraduate grade point average. A non-degree student is ineligible to become a candidate for an advanced degree or to receive a graduate appointment for financial assistance. Should the student subsequently wish to be admitted to a degree program, a formal application must be made and either conditional or unconditional admission requirements must be met. A maximum of 9 term hours of graduate credit earned while classified as non-degree may be applied toward the degree, except that students in the Master of Business Administration program may not apply any credit earned while classified as non-degree.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

An applicant who does not have complete admission documents on file at the time of the priority date may be granted provisional admission pending receipt of a final transcript. Upon receipt of a final transcript, admissibility of the student will be determined. A student admitted provisionally whose required transcript is not received by one week prior to Graduate Orientation will have his/her provisional admission cancelled.

OVERVIEW OF APPLICATION PROCESS

When the Office of Graduate Studies receives a paid application, a file is created and the academic credentials are reviewed. Notification of receipt of the application will be sent to the student. Completed files (including applications, transcripts, and test scores) are forwarded to the graduate program for review. The appropriate Graduate Director (and/or Graduate Admissions Committee) in the program evaluates the application, makes an admission recommendation, and notifies the Office of Graduate Studies. The application process varies by program. Contact the program director by email for estimated processing times. The Office of Graduate Studies sends the official notification to the student. Note: Final admission will not occur until all transcripts and test scores are received. If the file is not completed by the priority date, it may not be possible to process the application in time.