Graduate Admissions

Kutztown University Policy STU-004

  1. Purpose

    The purpose of this policy is to define graduate admission standards. 

  2. Scope

    This policy applies to all candidates for admission to graduate studies. 

  3. Key words and phrases:

    IELTS: International English Language Testing System
    PTE: Pearson Test of English, Academic 
    TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language 
    Duolingo: Duolingo English Test 

  4. Policy & Procedure(s)

    1. Minimum requirements for acceptance into a graduate program include:

      • A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

      • Official transcripts from each academic institution attended regardless of whether credit was earned or desired. The Dean of Graduate Studies is authorized to act with discretion and/or upon recommendation from graduate department chairs or graduate program directors when evidence is presented for other considerations (e.g., international universities and other special considerations). 

      • Two (2) to three (3) letters of recommendation from professors or immediate supervisors or names and contact information of up to five (5) recommenders submitted directly through the application to Kutztown University. Departments have authority to waive letters of recommendation at their discretion. 

      • Additional requirements for acceptance into a graduate program vary by program and may include one or more of the following items:  

        • Essays

        • Resume

        • Teacher certification

        • Statement of personal and career goals and objectives Personal interview

        • Digital video recording Portfolio

        • Clearances

        • Letter of support from school Principal 

      • Additional minimum requirements for acceptance into a graduate program for all international graduate students at Kutztown University are submission of one of the following test exam scores within the last two (2) years:

        • TOEFL score of 79 on the Internet-based test (IBT)

        • 6.5 IELTS 

        • PTE overall score of 53 

        • Duolingo score of 110 

        • Transcripts evaluated by any NACES.org partner: course-by-course analysis 

    2. For accepted conditional admission, all Kutztown University students would: 

      1. Meet requirements as described in I. above. 

      2. Meet such individual academic requirements as may be prescribed by the Dean of Graduate Studies and/or the appropriate chair or program director at the time of the admissions decision by the appropriate academic department. In the case of graduate course requirements as a stated condition of conditional admission, this is limited to a maximum of nine (9) credits. This status may be extended by the Dean of Graduate Studies if special conditions warrant or upon recommendation by a department chair or graduate program director (e.g., in order to accommodate a two-semester course sequence).  

      3. International students who need an F1 or J1 visa are not eligible for conditional admission. 

    3. For accepted “Professional Credits”/“College Prep” admission, all students would: 

      1. Complete application prior to the start of the semester. 

      2. Provide evidence of holding a bachelor’s degree and supply all official transcripts from all institutions attended. 

        Note: An unlimited number of courses may be taken by a student in the Professional Credits category. However, if after taking courses for Professional Credits, a student decides to apply to a Master’s program, only nine (9) credits may be applied to the student’s degree at the discretion of the department.

  5. Effective Date

    1993 
    Fall 2016 
    Spring 2025 

  6. Approved By

    Graduate Council – July 10, 1992 
    University Senate – September 17, 1992 
    Endorsed by University Senate – March 3, 2016 
    Approved by University President – March 23, 2016 
    Approved by Graduate Council – February 8, 2024 
    Approved by Academic Standards and Policies Committee – September 25, 2024 
    University Senate – November 7, 2024 
    University President – December 7, 2024 

  7. Last Reviewed

    August, 2009
    August, 2010
    August, 2011 
    August, 2012 
    August, 2013 
    August, 2015 
    March, 2016 
    August, 2017 
    August, 2018 
    August, 2019 
    August, 2020 
    Fall 2024
    June 2026 (renamed from ACA-037)