Admission

North Central College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex or religion in its policies and programs of admission. The College believes that the master’s programs should be accessible to as many students as possible. It also affirms that the programs should reflect the highest standards of quality.

A student may take selected courses for professional development only. A student who selects this option must have at least a four-year bachelor’s degree and meet the specific course prerequisites, but may also have completed a master’s or doctorate degree or courses beyond the bachelor’s degree without having completed a graduate degree. Students may take no more than three classes while classified a student-at-large.

Admission Requirements for Degree Candidacy

To be considered for admission as degree seeking or a certificate student, applicants are required to submit the following credentials in addition to any individual program requirement:

1. Completed online application for admission.
2. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions showing an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
3. Minimum grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last sixty hours of coursework.
4. Two letters of recommendation from employers, professors or others who are able to judge your potential for graduate study.
5. Statement of purpose that discusses long range goals, interest in the chosen discipline, and the reason(s) for applying to this program. 
6. An interview if deemed necessary by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies

The School of Graduate and Professional Studies uses a holistic approach giving careful consideration to all credentials in an application.  Applicants who do not meet the minimum grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered. 

To be considered, you must have at least five years of professional work experience and submit a letter of intent describing how the professional work experience has contributed to your ability to perform in graduate school.

For information about transferring graduate credit, see the Transfer Credit  section.

International Applicants

An applicant whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a college or university in a country other than the United States must complete the following additional requirements in order to be considered for admission:

1. Apply at least 60 days before the term begins. Students who are currently not in the United States may need to allow additional time.
2. Show evidence of English competency in one or more of the following ways:
   1. Provide official results of the TOEFL, with a score of at least 80 internet-based test 550 paper-based test or official results of the IELTS, with a band score of at least 6.5.
   2. Complete a minimum of two years, full-time university-level study in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand (within the past five years).
   3. Hold a recent degree from a college or university in the United States. Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand.
   4. Contact the Office of International Programs for alternative testing information.
   5. A native speaker of English who graduates from a college or where instruction is conducted in a language other than English can submit a high school/secondary school transcript.
3. Submit an official course-by-course evaluation by World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE). This must be sent directly to North Central College by WES or ECE to be considered official.
4. Complete an interview with the College’s International Student Advisor, in addition to the regular admission requirements.
5. For all non-immigrant applicants present in the United States, provide a copy of a valid passport, U.S. Visa page, current I-94, and Form I-20, if applicable. Permanent residents, provide a copy of Form I-551, Resident Alien or Permanent Resident card.
6. For applicants requiring a Form I-20, provide evidence of financial support. Submit a notarized Declaration of Finances and bank letter.

On-campus housing may be available for graduate students on a limited basis.

International Student Contact Information

TOEFL Services, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA Telephone 609.771.7100, E-mail: toefl@ets.org, http://www.toefl.org. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., P.O. Box 514070, Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470 Telephone 414.289.3400, E-mail: eval@ece.org, http://www.ece.org.

Program Specific Requirements

Master of Athletic Training

For additional admission requirements, see the Master of Athletic Training Admission Requirements .

Master of Education Degree Programs

Students applying for the Educational Leadership or the Instructional Coaching program must provide proof of full time work in a school as well as two professional letters of recommendation. In addition for both programs a letter from your district’s personnel office indicating the length of your teaching experience is required. Candidates must possess a valid Illinois teaching license.

The North Central Educational Leadership program addresses the new Illinois State Board of Education requirements whereby for applications submitted on or after February 1, 2012, candidates must meet the following requirement:

Two years of full-time teaching experience shall have been accrued while the individual held a valid early childhood, elementary, secondary, special K-12 or special preschool-age 21 certificate.

Master of Occupational Therapy

For additional admission requirements, see the Master of Occupational Therapy Admission Requirements .

Readmission

Students who have been out for more than two semesters and less than five years who were not approved for a leave of absence must complete the following steps to return as a graduate student. Students who are readmitted do so under the catalog in effect upon readmission. Steps to readmission are as follows:

1. Complete the readmission application.
2. Pay the readmission fee of $150.
3. Submit a personal statement indicating the reason for returning to the graduate program and a proposed plan of study to complete the program within the five year time limit.
4. Provide transcripts from institutions (if any) attended since leaving North Central College.

Note: This policy will not apply to students who are unable to take courses due to institutional offering constraints.