Graduate Applicants
A degree applicant is one who is seeking admission to a specific graduate degree program**. The requirements for admission are:
**Note - Some graduate programs may have different requirements. Please refer to program you are interested in for specific requirements.
- Application for Graduate Admission (sign and date page 2 for graduate admission)
- Two Official Transcripts from each collegiate institution attended including the University of the District of Columbia;
- two letters of recommendation; Download Form
- entrance test score(s); and
- a 500-word essay indicating the reason you chose your particular program.
- Non refundable Admission Application Fee - Money Order, Certified Check or Bank Check
- Non refundable Application for Readmission Fee - Money Order, Certified Check or Bank Check
- Requested entrance test scores (mailed directly to the University)
NOTE: Please type of print legibly. Applicants are solely responsible for compiling their own credentials. Collect in SEALED envelopes all Official Transcripts and LEtters of REcommendation. Documents submitted in unsealed envelopes will be returned. Entrance test scores are to be mailed directly from the testing agency; test scores must be less than five years old. Mail ALL documents in the envelope provided with the application to:
University of the District of Columbia
Office of Recruitment and Admissions
4200 Connecticut Ave., NW
Building 39, Room A-12
Washington, DC 20008
A non-degree applicant is one who wishes to undertake graduate study but is not currently seeking admission to a degree program. Admission will be based on the applicant's preparation for advanced study and specific training in a selected field of concentration. Applicants who hold an F-1 visa are not eligible to apply for non-degree status. However, students who have graduated from UDC within the past academic year and who have filed a degree application and are awaiting acceptance to a graduate degree program may be accepted upon completion of a non-degree application. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of Admissions. Non-degree applicants are required to submit one official transcript from each collegiate institution attended.
Special Applicant
A special applicant is one who is seeking admission as a non-degree student for one term only. The sole admission requirement is verification of conferral of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. A special applicant may submit a copy of the diploma or a copy of the transcript which indicates graduation.
Certificate Applicant
A certificate applicant is one who is seeking admission to a certificate program. The admission requirements are:
- One official transcript from each collegiate institution attended; and
- A 100-word essay indicating the reason you chose your particular program.
Readmission Applicant
A readmitted applicant is a former graduate student who is seeking readmission to degree or non-degree status or to a certificate program. The admission requirement is one official transcript from each collegiate institution attended since last enrolled at UDC.
Disposition of Application Documents
All documents submitted in support of applications become a part of the permanent records of the University and are not returnable. Documents submitted by applicants who do not enroll for course work will be retired after one year.
Information regarding requirements for advancement to candidacy is available in the department in which the student is enrolled.
Enrollment in Undergraduate Courses
A graduate student enrolled in The University of the District of Columbia may enroll in undergraduate courses to satisfy special needs or requirements. However, credits earned in undergraduate courses do not apply toward the total credits required for a graduate degree.
Readmission of Graduate Students
Any student who does not enroll for two consecutive semesters, excluding the summer term, must apply for readmission. The non-refundable readmission application fee must accompany the application. Fees may be paid by money order or certified check. Applications for readmission must be submitted to the Office of Recruitment & Admission by the application deadline.
Graduate Transfer Credit
Up to nine (9) semester hours earned at another institution may be applied to a master's degree. For transfer credit, individual courses (1) must have been completed with a grade of "B" or better; (2) must have been completed within five years of the beginning of the semester for which the student is admitted to a degree program, and (3) must not have been a part of a program for which a degree has been awarded.
Closing Dates for Application for Graduate Admission
Applicants for admission must have all documents on file no later than June 15 for the fall semester, November 15 for the spring semester, and April 1 for the summer session.
Application forms and additional information can be obtained by writing or visiting the Office of Recruitment & Admission, The University of the District of Columbia, 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, 202.274.5008.
Applicants who complete the application process by the specified time will receive written notification of acceptance or rejection.
University Health Services
D.C. law requires all students under the age of 26 to submit proof of certain immunizations. The deadline for submission is August 1, 2005. The following memo from the University Health Service provides further details about submitting immunization records.
Memo Regarding Immunization Requirements (Revised 10/26/05)
District of Columbia Residency
Students who are residents of the District of Columbia are entitled to reduced tuition at the University. No student shall be eligible for classification as a resident unless he or she is domiciled in the District of Columbia (the "District"), and has resided in the District continuously for not less than one (1) year immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which classification is sought.
A student shall not be considered to be domiciled in the District unless he or she is in continuous physical residence in the District and intends to make the District his or her permanent home, while in attendance at the University and indefinitely thereafter, and has no intent to be domiciled elsewhere.
Residency Classification
For purposes of classification as a resident student at the time of enrollment, if any of the following apply, the applicant shall be deemed a resident student:
- He or she is living with, and has lived with for at least the preceding year, a spouse, parent, or legal guardian who is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia; or
- He or she is a legal adult (18 years of age or older) who is and has been a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia for at least one year; or
- He or she (or spouse, parent or legal guardian) is an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, Selective Reserve, National Guard; or
- He or she has been in continuous physical residence in the District of Columbia for the past 12 months, and intends to make the District of Columbia their permanent home not only while in attendance at the University, but indefinitely thereafter, and has no intent to be domiciled elsewhere.
Residency Factors
The University will consider a number of factors when determining whether a student or applicant is eligible for resident student status. The following facts and circumstances, although not necessarily conclusive, shall have probative value in support of a claim for classification as a District resident. The existence of at least three (3) of these factors with respect to a student shall create a presumption of residency:
- Continuous presence in the District during periods when not enrolled as a student;
- Reliance upon District sources for financial support;
- Domicile in the District of the student's family, guardian, or other relatives or persons legally responsible for the student;
- Former domicile in the District and maintenance of significant connections to the District while absent;
- Ownership of a home in the District;
- Admission to a licensed practicing profession in the District;
- Long term military commitment in the District;
- Acceptance of an offer of permanent employment in the District.
Other factors in addition to the factors listed above indicating an intent by a student to make the District his or her domicile shall be considered by the University in classifying a student.
The following circumstances standing alone shall not constitute sufficient evidence of domicile to effect classification of a student as a resident unless they exist in conjunction with one (1) or more of the requirements listed above:
- Voting or registration for voting;
- Employment in any position normally filled by a student;
- The lease of living quarters;
- A statement of intention to acquire a domicile in the District;
- Domicile in the District of the student's spouse;
- Automobile registration or driver's license; or
- Other public records, such as birth or marriage records.
Individuals who are currently serving in the military on active duty, active reserve, or in the National Guard and those who are stationed within the DC Metropolitan Area are eligible to enroll at the University at resident tuition rates, provided they have earned a high school diploma or equivalent. Dependents of these persons currently serving in one of the above categories are also entitled to the same benefits.
