Admission Information

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The admissions process at Notre Dame of Maryland helps the University assess the unique qualities that are essential to a successful Notre Dame student.

NDMU has two different undergraduate options:

  • Traditional Undergraduate: A traditional four-year undergraduate experience
  • College of Adult Undergraduate Studies: Flexible bachelor’s programs for working adults - online or hybrid

Traditional Undergraduate College or College of Adult Undergraduate Studies?

Although many degrees and Majors are offered through both the Traditional Undergraduate College and the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies (CAUS), there are significant differences in their populations and scheduling.

The College of Adult Undergraduate Studies is designed as a part-time program and is not normally designed to accommodate a full-time credit load.

To determine whether the Traditional Undergraduate College or CAUS is the most appropriate for you, see the college descriptions under Academic Information.

Applying to the Traditional Undergraduate College

The Admissions Committee completes a wholistic application review that includes a student’s application, high school transcripts, and special interests. The wholistic review also considers optional materials including SAT or ACT scores, essay/personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Applicants are required to be prospective graduates of a regionally or nationally accredited high school or an approved home school program.

A minimum of 18 academic units distributed as follows is required:

  • English - 4 units
  • Foreign Language - 2 units
  • Mathematics, College Preparatory - 3 units
  • Science - 3 units
  • History - 2 units
  • Electives - 4 units

The University does not require standardized test scores for general admission, but specific programs (Direct Entry BSN) may have additional test score requirements.

The Admissions Committee may accept a student who lacks one or more of the stated requirements, but whose high school record and additional materials show academic ability.

Students not granted admission to the university may appeal their admission decision. These appeals will be reviewed by the Admissions Appeal Committee. The appeal process includes a written statement from the applicant and a committee interview. The Admissions Appeal Committee will make a final decision at the completion of the appeal process.

For more specific information regarding admission to the Traditional Undergraduate College, go to our page Applying to the Traditional Undergraduate College.

Traditional Undergraduate Transfer Students

Notre Dame of Maryland University welcomes applications from qualified transfer students. Notre Dame of Maryland University will recognize and accept transfer credit and conferred degrees from regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities.

Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) accepts a completed Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution in the state of Maryland as fulfilling the general education requirements for its undergraduate programs. Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and other career/technical-focused degrees are not covered under this policy. Individual courses from these excluded degree programs may still be reviewed for potential transfer credit.

Students applying to NDMU as transfer students must submit official transcripts of all college work completed. See Application Materials/Deadlines for details on admissions application requirements.

Students applying as transfer students with fewer than 30 college credits will be asked to submit a high school transcript. A transfer applicant who holds an Associate Degree, or has more than 30 college credits with a minimum 2.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average, is typically granted admission.  Students applying with a GED with a minimum score of 145 on each of the four subtests are also typically granted admission.

The office of Academic Affairs and the University Registrar review submitted transcripts for transferable credit.

The Admissions Committee may accept a student who lacks one or more of the stated requirements, but whose transcript records and additional materials show academic ability.

Students not granted admission to the university may appeal their admission decision. These appeals will be reviewed by the Admissions Appeal Committee. The appeal process includes a written statement from the applicant and a committee interview. The Admissions Appeal Committee will make a final decision at the completion of the appeal process.

Students applying to the Traditional Undergraduate College dual-degree programs in engineering should refer to their respective Program of Study pages for additional admissions criteria. The Programs require students to complete the four-year degree in a three-year intensive Program of Study. Therefore, transfer students may enter these Programs of study up to, but not later than, the first semester of their sophomore year (completion of approximately 30 credits) and should confer with the Coordinator of these Programs of Study at the time of admission.

Transfer students interested in the PharmD program should discuss their options with the Director of Admissions for Pharmacy and Health Professions.

For more specific information regarding admission as a Traditional Undergraduate Transfer, go to our page Undergraduate Transfer Students.

College of Adult Undergraduate Studies (CAUS)

Notre Dame of Maryland University welcomes applications from qualified adult undergraduate students. Notre Dame of Maryland University will recognize and accept transfer credit and conferred degrees from regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities. The College of Adult Undergraduate Studies is designed as a part-time program and is not normally designed to accommodate a full-time credit load.

Adult learners applying as first-time College students receive a wholistic application review that includes evaluation of a student’s application, high school transcripts, and special interests. The wholistic review also considers optional materials including SAT or ACT scores, essay/personal statement, and letters of recommendation. A conversation with a CAUS admissions counselor is highly recommended to assist prospective students through the application/acceptance process. Students holding a GED Certificate also are considered for admission. If applying with a GED, a score of 145 or higher is needed (Performance Level 2: Pass/High School Equivalency). Older GED scores will be reviewed individually.

Students applying to NDMU as transfer students must submit official transcripts of all college work completed. See Application Materials/Deadlines for details on admissions application requirements.

Students applying as transfer students with fewer than 30 college credits will be asked to submit a high school transcript. A transfer applicant who holds an Associate Degree, or has more than 30 college credits with a minimum 2.5 Cumulative Grade Point Average, is typically granted admission.

The office of Academic Affairs and the University Registrar review submitted transcripts for transferable credit.

The Admissions Committee may accept a student who lacks one or more of the stated requirements, but whose transcript records and additional materials show academic ability.

Students not granted admission to the university may appeal their admission decision. These appeals will be reviewed by the Admissions Appeal Committee. The appeal process includes a written statement from the applicant and a committee interview. The Admissions Appeal Committee will make a final decision at the completion of the appeal process.

All students seeking formal admission to the School of Education to become certified teachers are also subject to providing additional criteria (e.g., Praxis Exam, letters of reference, application, GPA of 3.2, formal interview/screening of writing and oral communications skills, e-portfolio review).

For more specific information regarding admission as an Adult Learner, go to our page Applying to the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies.

Applying as an International Student

The University values the contribution international students make to the NDMU community. International students should make preparations to apply for admission at least four months in advance of application deadlines. International students require an F-1 Visa and are not eligible for part-time or completely online programs.

International students must meet all requirements for admission to the University. (See Application Materials/Deadlines). Students must submit an official course-by-course evaluation of transcripts for all high schools (please send grades with the coursework for the last four years of high school) and universities abroad performed by a NACES member provider.

If English is not your native language, submit the official results/scores from one of the following proficiency tests:

  • TOEFL iBT score of 80 or greater
  • IELTS score of 6.5 or greater
  • DUOLINGO score of 110 or greater
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 500 or greater (REQUIRED for all first-year applicants interested in Nursing)
  • Proof of successful completion of an English composition course at a U.S.-accredited college or university (transfer students only)

Upon acceptance to the university, international students must prove eligibility for maintaining visa status while enrolled. Students who plan to obtain an F-1 Visa must complete a Form I-20 upon confirmation of the following criteria:

Federal and state financial aid is not available to international students. However, limited institutional scholarships are available as well as external scholarships and private/alternative student loans.

IMPORTANT: Once enrolled, undergraduate students in the United States on an F-1 Visa must remain a full-time student by taking a minimum of 12 credits per semester each year.

For more specific information regarding admission as an International Student, go to our page for International Students.    

Becoming A Notre Dame Student

Upon acceptance to NDMU, Traditional Undergraduate College applicants (full-time students) will receive information on possible scholarships and once the FAFSA is filed (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), all students receive information on their financial aid package which shows need-based financial aid if the student has filed all necessary financial aid documents.

Once a decision has been made to attend NDMU, students in the Traditional Undergraduate College will be asked to submit a non-refundable $300 deposit. Your place in the incoming class is not guaranteed until the deposit is received. 

Once admitted to the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies, students will be assigned an academic advisor.  Student should meet with their academic advisor (faculty in the department or professional advisor) to discuss their Program of Study and transfer credits (if applicable) as well as register for courses. If students will not begin studies in the semester following admission, they should contact their CAUS Admissions Counselor as to their academic plans and their actual start date.

The Office of Admissions reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission if:

  • a student's academic performance diminishes in high school or the college from which they are transferring; or
  • a student engages in social behavior in or out of school that the University deems inappropriate or counter to our stated mission or values.

All new traditional undergraduate students are required to participate in a Gator Registration Day during the summer, and orientation prior to the start of classes. These programs enable students to meet one another; meet their academic advisor; learn about academic policies, support services and degree programs; complete all practical matters pertaining to the start of classes; and learn about all aspects of life at NDMU. Information on these programs is sent to students during the admissions process.

Matriculant and Non-Matriculant Status

A matriculant is a student who is officially admitted to the University as a candidate for a degree or academic credential in a particular Program of Study. Formal admission to the University is required to become a matriculant. Full-time students in the Traditional Undergraduate College must maintain continuous study in order to retain their matriculant status, unless they obtain an official Leave of Absence. Part-time students in the Traditional Undergraduate College or the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies (CAUS) must complete a minimum of one course each academic year to maintain their matriculant status. (See Academic Regulations for policies on Leave of Absence or Withdrawal.)

Non-matriculants are students who have not been formally admitted as degree candidates but who are registered for courses either full-time or part-time, for academic credit or audit. Traditional Undergraduate students and CAUS students may enter Notre Dame as non-matriculants. The same tuition and fees apply to non-matriculants as to matriculants. Non-matriculants are not eligible for financial aid and must apply for admission to the University upon completion of no more than 18 credits.

The Catalog in effect at the time the student is formally admitted (matriculated) to NDMU contains the Academic Policies and Program of Study requirements under which the student will graduate.

Full-time/Part-time Student Status

Traditional Undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more credits are considered full-time and must pay full-time tuition and fees. Traditional Undergraduate students enrolled in 11 credits or fewer are considered part-time and will pay the part-time, per credit fees as listed under Tuition and Fees. Students in the Traditional Undergraduate may attend either on a full-time or part-time basis.

The College of Adult Undergraduate Studies is designed as a part-time program and is not normally designed to accommodate a full-time credit load. Students enrolled in 11 credits or fewer are considered part-time and will pay the part-time, per-credit fee as listed under Tuition and Fees. Under unusual circumstances, CAUS students may carry a load of more than 11 credits.

Conditional Admission

Applicants whose files lack official transcripts or official international course evaluations may be considered for conditional admission to Notre Dame of Maryland University by submitting unofficial documents at the time of application.

Students who have their final coursework in progress to complete a required degree for admission may be conditionally admitted.  These students would need to submit unofficial or official transcripts showing final coursework in progress at the time of application.  Prior to beginning their first term they would have to show final official transcripts with a degree conferral date or a letter from the registrar of their previous institution.  This letter must include the students full name, course of study, final cumulative GPA, and degree conferral date.

All conditionally admitted students will be required to submit any outstanding official documents prior to the end of their first term. Until all required official documents have been received, an administrative hold will be placed on the student’s account. This hold will block future registration beyond their first term.

Readmission

Notre Dame of Maryland University does not automatically readmit a student who has withdrawn or has not taken at least one course within an academic year. The student must file an Application for Readmission. The student must submit an official transcript reflecting work taken at other institutions of higher education since leaving NDMU.

All scholarships, awards, and Notre Dame grant funding originally offered will be reevaluated for students seeking readmission.

The Catalog in effect at the time the student is readmitted contains the policies and requirements under which the student will graduate.

Veteran Student Readmissions Policy

Notre Dame of Maryland University complies with requirements for readmission of veterans as defined in the “Higher Education Opportunity Act.”

In part, the Act states that:

“A person who is a member of, applies to be a member of, performs, has performed, applies to perform, or has an obligation to perform, service in the uniformed services shall not be denied readmission to an institution of higher education on the basis of that membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation.”

IN GENERAL — Any student whose absence from an institution of higher education is necessitated by reason of service in the uniformed services shall be entitled to readmission to the institution of higher education if:

  1. the student (or an appropriate officer of the Armed Forces or official of the Department of Defense) gives advance written or verbal notice of such service to the appropriate official (registrar or VA coordinator) at the institution of higher education;
  2. the cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences from that institution of higher education by reason of service in the uniformed services does not exceed five years; and
  3. “except as otherwise provided” in the Act, “the student submits a notification of intent to re-enroll in the institution of higher education. This intent to enroll should be sent directly to the VA Coordinator (registrar’s office).”
    Any student providing the requisite documentation of eligibility and readmitted to Notre Dame under the terms of the statute will return with the same academic status as when last in attendance."

Service members separating from the military under certain conditions are not eligible for readmission under the terms of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Those individuals may seek return to the University under the academic policies applicable to all students.

Veterans wishing to be readmitted should complete readmission (available through the Admissions Office), submit official transcripts from any educational institution at which courses were taken since last enrolled at NDMU, and contact the Veteran’s Coordinator in the Registrar’s Office by submitting an intent to enroll form.

Options For Earning Credit