Graduate Studies

Admissions Policies, Requirements, and Procedures
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The application process for entry into the MVSU Graduate Studies Program(s): To start the application process for admissions to any of the nine MVSU School of Graduate Studies academic programs, simply click on the "Graduate Application" link at the bottom of this page and submit along with the other required supporting documentation to the Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) Office of Admission & Recruitment via email at admsn@mvsu.edu.  Note:  Some MVSU graduate programs might require additional applications and documentation that are specific to that graduate program!  Please visit the website of the graduate program to which you are applying, for information on additional required documentation.  If there are additional questions about the graduate admissions process, please contact the MVSU Office of Admission & Recruitment at: Phone-(662-254-3347) and admsn@mvsu.edu. A downloadable copy of the graduate application can be found at the bottom of this page.  

Applicants seeking admission to graduate programs at Mississippi Valley State University must be admitted both to the MVSU School of Graduate Studies (University Admissions) and to the respective graduate degree program.

Graduates of regionally accredited institutions in the United States who do not intend to seek an advanced degree from Mississippi Valley State University, but wish to take courses, may register as a non-degree status student. A non-degree student, who subsequently seeks full or restricted admission, must complete an application for admission to the Graduate Studies and be accepted by a department and the Graduate Studies for the degree study.

A non-degree seeking student, who subsequently seeks full or restricted admission, must complete an application for admission to the University and be accepted based on the recommendation of the program to which the student is seeking admission. A non-degree student must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and must submit proof of immunization and an application indicating non-degree status. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid, and letters of recommendation are not required.
 

 In addition to being admitted into the university’s School of Graduate Studies Program(s), specifically, applicants must:

  1. An applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. Have submitted a fully "Typed" and completed graduate application to the MVSU Graduate Admissions Office with the required supporting documentation with explicit attention to details and accuracy and consistency of all information notated on all submitted documentation.  Please be advised that your grade point average (GPA) will not be the only criterion that will be assessed; the entirety of your graduate application packet will be scrutinized and assessed for 1) overall professionalism, 2) the overall accuracy, consistency, and clarity of information on your documents, and 3) the level of communications (orally or in writing).  In addition, make sure that signatures are placed on the graduate application where indicated.
  3. Transcripts from all universities attended or the transcripts that you wish to use as part of the application criteria.  If you are a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, your transcripts should be on file with the MVSU Office of Student Records, however, you are still required to submit them as part of the graduate admissions application packet. In addition, the transcripts must show that an actual degree has been awarded. 
  4. If transferring from another graduate program, the program must be fully accredited and the graduate transfer grade point average (GPA) must be 3.0 or higher.  
    • Note:  Only six hours of graduate course work completed at one or more universities or colleges are transferable.
  5. Have achieved an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher.  Some of the graduate programs require a higher GPA than the minimum GPA requirement of 2.75, such as the MVSU Department of Education and Department of Bioinformatics.  Please contact the graduate program to which you are applying to inquire about addition requirements for GPA criteria.
  6. An applicant must submit three professional letters of recommendation from persons who are qualified to certify as to your abilities and character.  For MBA applicants, professional letters of recommendation are not accepted from former or current university faculty or instructors. The professional recommendation letters should be submitted by those with whom you have worked (supervisor or co-worker, paid or volunteer work, student work-study or internship). All recommendation letters must be on official letterhead from the recommenders. In addition, each of the three recommendation letters and each of the three Letters of Recommendation Forms all should have a signature.
  7. Bioinformatics and Environmental Health Departments require acceptable GRE scores for their respective graduate programs.  Please contact these graduate programs for additional information concerning GRE scores.
  8. The Education Department requires the Praxis I & II official scores. Please contact the Education Department concerning additional entrance exam score requirements for their MAT program.  
  9. The department of the graduate program applied for must formally accept the applicant for admission to the graduate program of study. The actual acceptance letter is forwarded to the applicant by the MVSU Office of Graduate Admissions. 
  10. Copies of your most recent immunization records. If you have attended Mississippi Valley State University, your immunization records should be on file with the MVSU Admissions Office.
  11. A Professional Statement (cover letter format).  A copy of a professional cover letter template can be downloaded to aid you with the formatting for your professional statement (/sites/default/files/banner/professional_cover_letter_template.docx).​
    1. ​​a. Your professional statement should include the following criteria:
      • Font type:  New Times Roman
      • Font size: 12pt
      • Not more than two or three pages
      • Spacing between sentences should be "1.5"
      • Margins should be "one inch" on all sides
      • Attention to the details and tenants of Standard English Grammar and proper and professional sentence structure
      • Free from any and all grammatical and sentence structure errors; as this will be strictly adhered to and scrutinized

      • The professional statement should address your 1) knowledge of professional business concepts and professional capabilities essential to function effectively in the profession, 2) professional and some personal motivations for pursuing a professional graduate business degree, with more of the emphasis on the professional motivations and less emphasis on the personal motivations, 3) why you chose Mississippi Valley State University to further your education at the graduate level in business administration, and 4) how attaining an MBA from Mississippi Valley State University will aid you with the achievement of your professional and personal endeavors.  

International Students:  Additional requirements for international students can be found in the 2021-2022 MVSU Graduate Catalog (pg 23, first paragraph) on the MVSU Website under:  Academic Affairs.  In addition, international students can contact the Office of International Programs at 662-254-3092 for more specific information that pertains to all MVSU graduate programs. In addition, concerning the IELTS scores:

The IELST score required for MVSU is 5.5-6.0.  The IELTS exam is comprised of two exams:  The General Training Reading and Writing Modules Exam and The Academic Reading and Writing Modules Exam.  The General Training exam is for those who wish to only work in an English-speaking country.  The Academic Exam is for those who wish to take up studies in an online academic program offered by an academic institution in an English-speaking or where English is the first language.  You will need to make sure that you submit the Academic Reading and Writing Modules test and you will need to make sure that the test date is current (should be renewed every two years starting from the initial test date).

Deadline for Admission

Admission to a degree program is made in the fall or spring semester. The priority date for fall applications is March 15th. The priority date for spring applications is October 15th. 

Admission of Undergraduates to Graduate Courses

Undergraduate Mississippi Valley State University students who have completed all required courses thus far and are within six hours of graduation may enroll in a maximum of six semester hours of graduate work. To be eligible to take graduate courses, undergraduate students must have a grade point average of at least 2.75 overall and in their major field.

Re-Admissions to the University

All graduate students who withdraw from the university or who have been suspended for academic deficiencies must apply for re-admission by submitting an application to graduate studies and meet the admission criteria. Re-admission is not automatic and does not reinstate the student. The Department must approve all applications for re-admission and reinstate the student.

Questions concerning a paper application or re-admission should be directed to the Graduate Studies Department - 662-254-3347. You can also email - admsn@mvsu.edu.

 

MVSU Fillable Graduate Application

 

Last update on 5/8/2023