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 undergraduate institution showing an earned bachelor’s degree (and any graduate level coursework transcripts if applicable) from a regionally accredited college or university.

*Master of Athletic Training, Master of Occupational Therapy, Training and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Post Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Doctor of Physical Therapy have specific admission requirements.

3. Minimum grade point average of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last sixty hours of undergraduate degree coursework and any coursework taken toward a graduate degree.

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. If deemed necessary by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, an interview or additional information may be requested.

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 may be considered for conditional admission which could require frequent contact by advisors. Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or lower will not be considered for conditional admission.

International Applicants

An applicant whose primary language is not English and/or 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 respective Graduate Program Director (by invitation only), 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.
6. For applicants requiring a Form I-20, provide evidence of financial support. Submit a notarized Affidavit of Financial Support and a recent bank statement.

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 Degree Program

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

Master of Education Degree Programs

Students applying for the Master of Education in Educational Leadership or the Master of Education in Instructional Coaching program must provide proof of full-time work in a school as well as a professional letter of recommendation. M.Ed. in Educational Leadership applicant’s letter of recommendation must be from the applicant’s building principal, who will serve as the applicant’s mentor.

Candidates must possess a valid Illinois Professional Educator’s License (for M.Ed. in Educational Leadership or M.Ed. in Instructional Coaching) or School Support Personnel license (for M.Ed. in Educational Leadership).

The North Central Master of Education in Educational Leadership program meets Illinois State Board of Education requirements. Thus, candidates must meet the following requirement:

• Have two years’ experience as a teacher or school support personnel in an Illinois public school, recognized nonpublic school, out-of-state public school, or nonpublic school meeting out-of-state recognition standards.

Master of Occupational Therapy Degree Program

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

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Degree Program

For additional admission requirements, see the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Admission Requirements .

Post Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

For additional admission requirements, see the Post Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Admission Requirements.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Program

For additional admission requirements, see the Doctor of Physical 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.