CATEGORIES OF ADMISSION

 

Admissions

Unconditional Admission

This category may be granted to students considered fully qualified to undertake a program toward a graduate certificate/degree for which they were admitted. A student must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Other qualifications might include, but are not limited to, academic foundation requirements, an interview, area or subject tests, advanced tests, a portfolio or performance, grade point average or letters of recommendation

Provisional Admission

Students who have not met all of the conditions for unconditional admission may still be admitted to the program. However, departments/schools and/or the Dean for Graduate Studies may impose certain requirements which must be fulfilled by the student in order to maintain this status.

Provisional admission may be granted to an applicant who has less than a "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) average in the undergraduate work in the proposed graduate major and minor (but in no case less than a 2.7 GPA). This admission may be granted for reasons of maturity, experience or other circumstances under which the student may be deemed capable of high quality graduate study.

Provisional admission will not be removed until the student has earned at least the grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in each course involved in the first 12 hours of graduate study.

Provisional admission may occasionally be granted to an applicant who has graduated from an unaccredited institution. Unconditional status may be attained upon completion of 12 hours of graduate courses with a "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) average, providing all other requirements are met.

Provisional admission occasionally may be granted to seniors at this University needing not more than nine hours of undergraduate credit to complete their baccalaureate degree and wishing to register for graduate credit, subject to their receiving their baccalaureate degree within the twelve-month period immediately following such registration. They must, however, apply for admission to graduate studies and, if admitted, they should register as graduate students. Graduate course work taken prior to receipt of the baccalaureate degree may not always be accepted for transfer to other institutions as graduate work or for completion of degree requirements at UNO.

Provisional admission may occasionally be granted to an applicant who has not submitted the required aptitude or advanced knowledge test score(s). The student must, however, submit the score prior to the second registration as a graduate student.

Provisional status will continue until provisions of admission are fulfilled or changed by the recommendation of the Graduate Program Committee and approved by the Dean for Graduate Studies.

Admission to Unclassified Status

Unclassified admission is available in some departments/areas for students who:

  • Are taking courses for professional growth or personal interest, but do not intend to pursue an advanced degree.
  • Are enrolled in a graduate degree program at another institution and wish to transfer credits earned at UNO.
  • Are working toward certification, additional endorsement, or renewal of certification in professional education.
Students applying for the unclassified category are not automatically entitled to this status upon application for it. The department reviews these applications and the student may, in fact, be turned down for this category as with other categories.

International students on F1 visas, except graduate visiting students, are not eligible to enroll as unclassified students.

Information on the availability of this option may be obtained from the department/school or from the Office of Graduate Studies. Students admitted as unclassified are not eligible for financial aid.

NOTE: Successful completion of graduate courses as an Unclassified student does not obligate a graduate department/school to accept those courses for credit toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. Students who enrolled under the Unclassified designation and subsequently decide they wish to pursue a graduate degree, must consult with their adviser and the chair of the graduate program committee. If admission to the degree program is recommended, the department/school will advise the Office of Graduate Studies of the decision and the credits to be accepted toward the degree through a Change in Plan of Study form.

Admission to Non-Degree Status

An individual with an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution who is not seeking a graduate degree from UNO may enroll in graduate courses and receive credit as a non-degree student. Applicants for non-degree status need only submit an application for admission and the required application fee.

Non-degree students are advised to consult with the appropriate department/school concerning class availability and prerequisites before attempting to register.

UNO does not allow intercampus registration for Non-Degree students.

Students in this category are not eligible for financial aid. Advisors are not assigned to non-degree students.

As a rule, no more than 12 graduate hours may be earned as a non-degree student. It is not implied or intended that a graduate degree may be earned by a student in this category. A non-degree student desiring an exception to exceed the 12 hour limit must submit a written request and explanation to the graduate dean. A successful waiver would be effective for an additional 12 hours. Students may reapply for an additional waiver after that time.

A student who has completed 12 graduate hours normally must change from non-degree status to a degree program or to unclassified status to continue graduate work. When a student seeks to change from non-degree status to either a degree program or unclassified status a new application for admission must be filed, as well as submission of two official transcripts from each college or university previously attended, and adherence to all requirements specified for the particular category or admission. A second application fee is not required.

There is no guarantee of ultimate admission to a degree program or to unclassified admission from non-degree status. Graduate-level hours taken as a non-degree graduate student prior to admission to a degree program may be included in the program of study at the discretion of the major department/school and the Dean for Graduate Studies. Because of limited class size and resources, certain academic units may limit the enrollment of non-degree students.

Students changing from non-degree status also may be required to take certain prerequisite courses by the major department/school and the Dean for Graduate Studies. Non-degree students are advised to consult with the appropriate department/school concerning class availability and prerequisites before attempting to register.

International students on F1 visas, except graduate visiting students, are not eligible to enroll under non-degree status. Non-degree students must maintain the same academic standards a degree seeking students or unclassified students.

Students dismissed from a graduate program who then re-apply as non-degree students

Students will be placed on stop enrollment for the department/school from which they were dismissed unless they request and receive permission in accordance with departmental/school graduate program policy to enroll as a non-degree student in that program.

Graduate Department/School Information Regarding Non-Degree Students

To determine whether a non-degree student is allowed to enroll in a graduate course, please check the course descriptions listed on the web at: Course Descriptions.


SPECIAL PERMISSION TO ENROLL FOR GRADUATE CLASSES:

Juniors at an Accredited Institution

Exceptional juniors at the University of Nebraska at Omaha who have obtained, in advance, the approval of their advisor, department chair, the course instructor of record, and the Dean for Graduate Studies may receive up to 12 hours of graduate credit for courses taken at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in addition to the courses necessary to complete their undergraduate work. Juniors are allowed to enroll only in courses designated 8- - -. The student must have at least a 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) average in the undergraduate major. Graduate course work taken prior to receipt of the baccalaureate degree may not always be accepted for transfer to other institutions as graduate work or for completion of degree requirements.

Seniors at an Accredited Institution

Seniors at an accredited institution (including UNO) who have obtained in advance the approval of the appropriate campus Dean for Graduate Studies may receive up to 12 hours of graduate credit for courses taken at any campus of the University of Nebraska in addition to the courses necessary to complete their undergraduate work, provided that such credits are earned within the 12 months prior to receipt of the baccalaureate degree and that the student must have at least a "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) average in the undergraduate major. Graduate course work taken prior to receipt of the baccalaureate degree may not always be accepted for transfer to other institutions as graduate work or for completion of degree requirements at UNO.

Graduate Students from Another Campus of the University of Nebraska

Students who have been admitted to graduate studies at another campus of the University of Nebraska may register for graduate courses at UNO by using an Intercampus Registration Form.

 

Students Admitted to Professional Colleges

 Students admitted to professional colleges at the University of Nebraska may enroll in up to 9 credit hours of graduate level courses (800- and 900- series) with the approval of the dean of the professional college, the instructors for the graduate courses, and the campus Dean for Graduate Studies. In exceptional circumstances registrations above 9 credit hours may be permitted subject to the same approval. Reciprocal arrangements permitting students admitted to the Graduate College to enroll in courses offered in professional colleges should be encouraged.