Admission

All questions concerning admission to graduate study should be addressed to:

School of Graduate Studies
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, Indiana 47712
812-465-7015
Email: Graduate.Studies@usi.edu
Web site: www.usi.edu/graduatestudies

The application for admission is available online at www.usi.edu/graduatestudies/admission-to-graduate-programs/application. All application credentials become the property of the University and are not returned to the student.

Graduate Studies Admission Criteria

At the University of Southern Indiana, applicants who wish to pursue a graduate degree must complete a Graduate Studies application. To be eligible for graduate study at USI, applicants must meet the following minimum Graduate Studies Admission Criteria:

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 from a college or university accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission or other regional accrediting agency. (Some programs have a higher admission standard. Check the specific program description for further information).
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in all courses taken at the graduate level at all schools attended.
• Applicants applying before degree conferral must notify Graduate Studies with the name of the university, degree, and anticipated conferral date.
• Out-of-State Distance Learning students: Each state has its own approval process for out-of-state institutions offering distance learning (online) degree programs to its residents. Review each state’s authorization process at www.usi.edu/online-learning/out-of-state-students.

Some programs may have additional admission requirements. For more information about any program-specific requirements or application deadlines, visit the Academic Programs  section of the bulletin to view a list of graduate programs.

Admission Requirements for International Students

International students must meet all requirements for admission to graduate studies. Application for admission should be made at least six months prior to the date of anticipated enrollment.

Verification of English competency: English competency is established by submitting an official score report (photocopy not acceptable) verifying a minimum score of one of the following:

• 79 on the Internet based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• 6.5 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

The score must be less than two years old. Official test results should be sent to Graduate Studies at the time of application. Exception: International students whose native language is English or who have graduated from an American university in which the language of instruction is English are not required to demonstrate language proficiency.

Information about the TOEFL administration dates and registration procedure may be obtained at www.toefl.org or from TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA; telephone 609-771-7100. Information about the IELTS administration dates and registration procedures may be obtained at ielts.org.

Additional Documents: Additional documents may be required by the Center for International Programs:

• 2024-25 Estimated Expenses
• Statement of Finance Form
• International Student Transfer Form
• Copy of Visa or Passport

Non-Degree Seeking Admission

Students who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and wish to take graduate-level coursework for credit may take up to six hours before they must be admitted to a program.

College Achievement Program (CAP) Instructors who are seeking to fulfill the 18 graduate hours in a content area can apply as a non-degree seeking applicant. Some certificate programs are also available. Please contact Graduate Studies for additional information.

University of Southern Indiana Seniors

A senior student at USI with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher who is enrolled in his/her senior year of his/her undergraduate program may be eligible to enroll in up to 12 hours of graduate-level coursework.

Readmission

Any student who has previously been admitted to Graduate Studies, either as a degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student, but who has not enrolled in a USI graduate course for one academic year (two or more consecutive fall/spring semesters) or longer must reapply to Graduate Studies and the specific program in which they were originally admitted. Additional documentation may be required of international applicants. Readmitting students must complete the Graduate Studies Application Process outlined below.

Graduate Studies Application Process

1) Online Graduate Studies Application

Complete the Graduate Studies online application to express your interest in becoming a USI Graduate Student. First, create an account. Save this information to quickly look up the items Graduate Studies has received or still missing. Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $40 application fee to complete their graduate application.

2) Official Transcript Submission

The School of Graduate Studies requires every degree seeking applicant to submit an official transcript from the institution at which the highest degree was earned. Applicants must submit transcript(s) from all other institutions attended, which can be either official or unofficial. However, applicants who wish to seek transfer credit for graduate coursework must submit an official transcript from the institution where that work was completed. Coursework from one institution reported as transfer credit on another school’s transcript constitutes neither an official nor an unofficial transcript. USI transcripts do not need to be requested. Electronic submission of transcripts is preferred and will expedite the review of applications.

• Official Transcript - An official transcript is one that has been sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies by the institution issuing it. The applicant must request that it be sent to the School of Graduate Studies.
• Unofficial Transcript - An unofficial transcript is one that has been issued to the applicant, who then submits it to the School of Graduate Studies.

Where do I send my transcripts? Official e-transcripts must be sent directly from the previous university to Graduate Studies (Graduate.Studies@usi.edu). Universities that are unable to send transcripts electronically can mail sealed transcripts to:

USI School of Graduate Studies
8600 University Blvd
Evansville, IN 47712

International Transcripts: If a college or university routinely issues academic records in English, those documents can be accepted. Otherwise, an official course-by-course evaluation of an international transcript must be sent from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member to Graduate Studies by email (Graduate.Studies@usi.edu). The records should show a complete list of courses taken, grades received, and any diplomas or certificates earned. They should also state the number of credits awarded for each course or the number of hours of classroom, lecture, and laboratory for each course. Transcripts and other educational records are official only if the issuing institution, government office, or evaluation service sends them directly to Graduate Studies. Coursework from one institution reported as transfer credit on the transcript of another institution does not constitute an official transcript.

Non-degree Seeking Applicants: Graduate Studies requires non-degree seeking applicants to provide the final, official transcript of the highest earned degree institution. Failure to submit the official transcript will impede admission.

Conditional Admission

Admission to graduate study on a conditional basis may be granted. One or more of the following factors may be involved when conditional admission is granted:

• A student who has undergraduate deficiencies in the area in which graduate work is desired may be granted conditional admission to graduate study. Undergraduate work needed to make up deficiencies may be a necessary part of the student’s program. Such work will not carry graduate-level credit, nor will it count as credit toward a graduate degree. In general, graduate-level courses taken to make up deficiencies will not apply toward the minimum number of hours required for the degree.
• USI seniors who qualify for enrollment in a limited amount of graduate work may be eligible to enroll.
• The student whose preparation, academic record, or program requirements do not merit regular admission may be granted conditional admission.
• Applicants, whose graduate-level grade point average (GPA) is below a 3.0 in all courses taken at the graduate level at all schools and who have not been enrolled in a graduate program for two years (or more), may be considered for conditional admission. Applicants should submit with their application a personal statement (250-500 words) that addresses what has changed since prior enrollment and how a graduate program at USI can be completed successfully. Applicants conditionally admitted under this provision must meet all other criteria for admission and must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first six (6) credit hours completed following admission. A student admitted conditionally who earns an incomplete (IN) in the first two courses must remove the incomplete before enrolling in additional coursework.

Residence Classification

In-state residency requires a bona fide permanent domicile in the state of Indiana in excess of 12 months. Holders of degrees from USI who at the time of graduation were residents of the state of Indiana will, for the purpose of subsequent registrations in the University, be classified as residents of Indiana. Physical presence in Indiana for the predominant purpose of attending a college, university, or other institution of higher education, will not be counted in determining the 12-month period of residence. Graduate Studies can answer questions regarding residence classification.

Students who are not residents of the state of Indiana must pay non-resident fees  for on-campus study.

Transfer Credit and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Credit

Refer to the Graduate Academic Information and Policies  section of the bulletin for information about transfer credit and PLA-Portfolio Review Credit for graduate students.