Applying for a Degree Program

Program Selection Requirements

There are required documents students must submit to the Office of Graduate Studies for admission consideration. Make sure you select the desired program that best represents your career interests.  Once you select the desired program, you can upload materials that relate to your program checklist. Refer to the Entrance Requirements that are posted on the Graduate Admissions button on the graduate webpage.

Once you review your degree program of interest, read the descriptions below to gain a better perspective of these material requirements. Be reminded that every material in this listing does not apply to you. Please take a few minutes to review these graduate admission requirements before you submit your application. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university where an overall grade point average of 2.25 or higher must be achieved. Academic departments may require additional admission requirements which will appear on your customized checklist in your student portal.

Application Attachments

Applicants can upload documents required for your program of study before submitting your application or you can upload them in the student portal following submission of your application. Please use the upload buttons below to submit copies of required documents according to your program selection. You may also visit the graduate website or view the graduate catalog for additional requirements based on your intended program of study to check for any other special requirements.

Affidavit of Support

This is a legal document requirement for international (INTL) students that must be signed under oath by a notary public. It attests to the financial support of a sponsor to support the educational needs of an international student whose intent is to study in the United States. This document must meet the cost of tuition, educational materials, and living expenses according to the University’s assessment of finances required for attendance. It must not be older than three weeks at the time of submission. No handwritten documents accepted.

Credential Evaluation

A course-by-course credential evaluation is required for INTL applicants attesting their degree is equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree in the United States. It must be conducted by an approved credential service that is sanctioned by NACES. No handwritten documents accepted.

Educator License

A standard five-year license is required for admission to secondary education masters’ programs with the exception of counseling programs and health, physical education and recreation non-teaching programs. No handwritten documents accepted.

 Goal Statement

This narrative should communicate the long-term professional goals of the applicant in pursuing their program of interest. No handwritten documents accepted.

Immunization Record (MMR)

Two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine are required for admission. No handwritten documents accepted.

Immunization Record Tuberculosis Screening (Chest X-ray)

INTL students must submit negative chest x-ray test results following their arrival in the United States to complete the admission process. No handwritten documents accepted.

Immunization Record Tuberculosis Screening – Interferon Gamma Release Assays (Blood Test)

INTL students must submit negative blood test results following their arrival in the United States to complete the admission process. No handwritten documents accepted.

Motivation Letter

This letter is required for admission by the School of Business. An applicant should address the following questions in the content of this written document: Why are you interested in pursuing an MBA? How do you plan to apply your MBA in your career? What are your long-term professional goals? No handwritten documents accepted.

Nursing License

A current nursing license is required for admission to all graduate-level nursing programs. Students should contact their boards of nursing to provide this official license. No handwritten documents accepted.

Personal Statement

Students applying for counseling programs must address the following in their narrative, “What is Counseling and Why is it My Choice for a Specialized Degree?” No handwritten documents accepted.

Personal Statement of Professional Goals

Nursing applicants are required to provide their personal and professional thoughts in narrative form to communicate their reasons for pursuing an advanced nursing degree. No handwritten documents accepted.

Resume

This professional document should detail a student’s professional and educational background. No handwritten documents accepted.

Statement of Finances

This document is also a requirement of INTL students to meet the statement of finances for admission. This document is submitted in conjunction with the Affidavit of Support. A sponsor supporting a student financially must acquire a bank statement in the form of a letter stating the amount in U.S. dollars the sponsor has to support the student based on the tuition and fees assessment by the University. The bank statement must be notarized by the bank official. Itemized ledgers/statements are not acceptable. No handwritten documents accepted.

Test Scores

Applicants applying for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) are required to submit passing Praxis C.A.S.E. scores and passing Praxis subject area results. Students pursuing MAT Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Elementary Education must also submit Foundations of Reading test scores. No handwritten documents accepted.

INTL students from non-English speaking countries are required to submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores. No handwritten documents accepted.

Statement of Purpose

The structure of this narrative should communicate the student’s academic and professional intent as well as explain the reason(s) the student believes he/she is a good fit for the program of study. No handwritten documents accepted.

Additional Materials

Include additional documents specified by the academic department or graduate admissions. No handwritten documents accepted.

Master Degree Programs

  • Recommendation Letters
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Transcripts showing your bachelor’s degree or work in progress toward your bachelor’s.
    *Note: Electronic transcripts should be emailed from the attending university to [email protected]. Paper applications should be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to the following address:

    Office of Graduate Studies
    Alcorn State University
    Walter Washington Administration Bldg.
    O. Box 689
    Lorman, MS

  • Transcript(s) showing transfer work may be requested. A maximum of six credit hours can be considered for transfer with advisor approval.
  • Transcripts showing all work after the bachelor’s degree.
  • The GRE or GMATis not required for admission to graduate programs at Alcorn State University.
  • TOEFL or IELTS score is required if the applicant (International Applicants) is not from an English-speaking country.
  • Immunization record to show proof of two doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella)

Doctoral, MSN and Post Master Nursing Programs*

  • Recommendation Letters (3)
  • Personal Statement of Professional Goals
  • Resume
  • Nursing License
  • Transcripts showing your bachelor’s degree or work in progress toward your bachelor’s.
    *Note: Electronic transcripts should be emailed from the attending university to [email protected]. Paper applications should be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to the following address:

    Office of Graduate Studies
    Alcorn State University
    Walter Washington Administration Bldg.
    O. Box 689
    Lorman, MS

  • Transcript(s) showing transfer work may be requested. A maximum of six credit hours can be considered for transfer with advisor approval.
  • Transcripts showing all work after the bachelor’s degree.
  • The GRE or GMATis not required for admission to graduate programs at Alcorn State University.
  • TOEFL or IELTS score is required if the applicant (International Applicants) is not from an English-speaking country.
  • Immunization record to show proof of two doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella)
  • Interview

Non-Degree

  • A detailed Statement of Purpose is required for approval as a non-degree seeking student. A student applying for non-degree admission must write a detailed statement indicating your purpose and objective in pursuing non-degree status at ASU.
  • Transcripts must show your bachelor’s degree or work in progress toward your bachelor’s.

*Note: Electronic transcripts should be emailed from the attending university to [email protected]. Paper transcripts should be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to the following address:

 Office of Graduate Studies
Alcorn State University
Walter Washington Administration Bldg, P. O. Box 689
Lorman, MS 39096

  • Immunization record to show proof of two doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella)

 Students seeking to earn a graduate certificate or certification must be admitted to the certificate program before completing the required credit  hours toward the certificate.

Certificate

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Transcripts showing your bachelor’s degree or work in progress toward your bachelor’s.
  • Transcripts showing all work after the bachelor’s degree

Immunization record to show proof of two doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella)