Fontbonne University seeks to admit students who will succeed in, benefit from, and contribute to Fontbonne’s educational programs and opportunities. In the review of student credentials, the program director looks for those students who show evidence of successful completion of prior academic work, self-motivation, academic aptitude, and promise.
Admission Requirements
Applications for admission, considered according to program availability, must be on file no later than one week prior to final registration for the term in which the candidate seeks admission. Individual programs may have earlier deadlines.
To apply, a prospective graduate student must meet the following minimum requirements:
- A completed graduate application form.
- Official transcript(s) from accrdited colleges or universities that:
- Granted the applicant’s undergraduate degree
- Granted the applicant’s graduate degree
- Demonstrated program prerequisite(s) have been met
- Demonstrated completion of transfer graduate coursework
- Three professional references to be contacted for recommendation into the program.
Specific graduate programs often require additional supplemental application materials such as all undergradaute and graduate transcripts, a statement of purpose, a resume or curriculum vita, letters of recommendation, etc. Additional admission criteria are listed under each individual graduate program.
Accelerated Path Master’s Programs
Accelerated Path Master’s programs offer qualified students the opportunity to shorten the time required to complete a master’s degree by applying a limited number of hours to both graduate and undergraduate requirements. The University has established minimum admission requirements; however, departments may set additional or more stringent requirements. Interested students should check with the department offering an Accelerated Path Master’s Program option regarding the department’s specific requirements.
Eligibility
Students applying to an Accelerated Path Master’s Program must:
• Be a currently enrolled Fontbonne University student
• Have completed at least 60 credit hours
• Have at least one full semester as an undergraduate remaining
• Possess a minimum Fontbonne cumulative GPA of 3.25
Admission
Students applying for admission to a master’s program through the Accelerated Option submit an Accelerated Path Master’s Program Application, which must be approved by the graduate program director, department chair and college dean. Application can be made as early as the first semester of the junior year, but typically in the third semester prior to completion of the undergraduate degree and with at least one full semester remaining at the time of application. Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours in the undergraduate major by the time they are admitted into an Accelerated Path. Undergraduate students admitted to a master’s program through an Accelerated Path must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 (or higher if required by the specific program) and meet any other requirements established by the specific program in order to retain their Accelerated Path admission status.
Students must earn at least a ‘B’ in graduate courses taken as an undergraduate to maintain eligibility to advance to the master’s level following conferral of the bachelor’s degree. Students who do not retain their Accelerated Path admission to a graduate program are eligible to apply for admission to the graduate program through the regular application process. Failure to satisfy admission requirements or leaving Fontbonne University before completion of the bachelor’s degree negates the Accelerated Path agreement.
Degree and Tuition Policies
Once admitted to a master’s program through the Accelerated Path, students may take up to a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework and have those hours count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students will be charged at the undergraduate rate and retain eligibility for undergraduate scholarships. For each semester in which they take courses for both undergraduate and graduate credit, students must complete a “mixed credit” registration form that is approved by the graduate program director, department chair and college dean. Students taking courses for graduate credit must adhere to all relevant graduate policies.
Students admitted to an Accelerated Path Master’s Program must meet all graduate program admission requirements at the time they complete the baccalaureate degree and must meet all degree completion requirements of the graduate program.
Admission of Graduate International Students
Fontbonne University is a global community and encourages applications from international students. All applications must be submitted to the director of international affairs and should include the following:
- A completed, signed international graduate student application form (available at www.fontbonne.edu/admissions/international.
- A $75 non-refundable application fee payable to Fontbonne University.
- Certified, official transcripts (translated into English) from all secondary schools, colleges, or universities previously attended. Students who have earned college-level credit outside of the United States and wish to apply those credits toward a degree will be asked to have their transcripts evaluated by a U.S. evaluation service.
- Evidence of English language proficiency which is necessary for those whose native language is not English. Applicants must submit scores from TOEFL or IELTS exams (or Fontbonne University approved equivalent). A TOEFL of 71 IBT or IELTS 6.0 is required. Students not meeting the language proficiency may be accepted to a graduate program on a conditional basis, provided the student enrolls in the Intensive English Program prior to enrolling in the graduate courses.
- An official letter of sponsorship and an official financial statement from the bank of the guarantor. These are required to meet U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. The bank statement and letter from the sponsor must be in English. The bank statement must be certified by the bank, dated within 120 days of the application, and have the name of the sponsor (or sponsor’s organization) on the account. The account will indicate the amount of funds available. The sponsor must have sufficient funds to support the student for a minimum of one year while in academic studies.
- Two letters of recommendation in English.
- A personal statement in English indicating why the student wishes to attend Fontbonne University. The requirement for the personal statement varies by department.
- A copy of the current passport page with name, date of birth, and expiration date.
- Additional specific admission criteria, including grade point average, are listed under the individual graduate programs.
An international applicant not meeting one or more of the entrance standards may be asked to submit additional information for review by the specific graduate program.
All international students accepted for study at Fontbonne University will be required to purchase medical/health insurance by an insurance carrier selected by Fontbonne University in the U.S. Purchase of such insurance coverage will be completed at the time of registration at the university.
International Transfer Graduate Students
Any international student wishing to transfer to Fontbonne University from another institution within the United States must also submit the following documents:
- Copies of all official I-20 documents from previously attended schools;
- A copy of the current I-94 card; and
- A copy of the current visa.
Admission of Unclassified Students
A student who has not been admitted to a graduate program may register as an unclassified student. A student wishing to take graduate courses as an unclassified student must receive permission from the director of the relevant graduate program. The candidate for unclassified status will submit a completed application. Unclassified students are not eligible for financial aid.
Change of Status from Unclassified to Degree Seeking
An unclassified student who wishes to change his/her status must complete an application for the program of interest. The program director (or in the case of an international student, the director of international affairs) will notify the student of any necessary additional credentials.
Acceptance to a graduate program requires a cumulative, blended grade point average as required by the college/department in which the program is housed. The student must follow the program curriculum in effect at the time of the change of status.
A maximum of twelve (12) credit hours earned as an unclassified student at Fontbonne may be applied toward a degree with the approval of the program director. The program director reserves the right to refuse enrollment to an unclassified student who does not maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Readmission to Fontbonne
Students who have previously attended Fontbonne University, but have not been enrolled for one or more semesters or terms may apply for readmission.
A student who has been dismissed from Fontbonne may apply for readmission to a graduate program after one full calendar year. Readmission requires no application fee. To apply for readmission, candidates must submit:
- A completed admission form;
- Official transcripts from each accredited, degree-granting college or university attended since leaving Fontbonne; and
- A letter seeking re-instatement.
Requests for readmission will be considered only after clearance has been obtained from the Business Office and Registrar. Additionally, students applying for financial aid must obtain clearance from the Financial Aid Office. Once these clearances are acquired, the student may proceed to their advisor for registration.
A student re-entering Fontbonne University must follow all requirements stated in the catalog in effect at the time of re-entry.
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