Students are admitted to a specific graduate program. Once admitted, students may take courses in that Program of Study at any of the four centers (Baltimore campus, Northeast Maryland Higher Education Center, Anne Arundel Community College, and Southern Maryland Higher Education Center) provided appropriate courses are offered. All Programs of Study are offered on the Baltimore campus.
The following are topics related to Graduate School Admission at Notre Dame of Maryland University:
Submission of Application Materials
Students in the graduate programs must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university before beginning graduate study. Applications are accepted through the University website (www.ndm.edu). Candidates for admission are assessed on an individual basis, based on admission criteria and any additional information which the student may provide. Notre Dame of Maryland University will recognize and accept transfer credit and conferred degrees from colleges and universities who are accredited by the following Regional Accrediting Bodies:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education(NECHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Northwestern Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (AACJC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Students with degrees from universities outside of the United States should submit an official course by course evaluated transcript, the University recommends using WES or CAREE for these services.
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 also apply to 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 the end of their first term they would have to show final official transcripts with a degree conferral date.
All conditionally admitted students will also be required to maintain satisfactory academic progress requirements during their first term, and 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 students account. This hold will block future registration beyond their first term.
Registration for Non-Matriculants
Students may be permitted to enroll in order to take graduate level courses for their own enrichment or to fulfill requirements. Students may register as non-matriculants once they have completed the application for admission and submitted proof of successful completion of a Bachelor's degree. By their signature on the application, students are affirming they have earned their undergraduate degree. If the confirmation of the undergraduate degree (transcript) is not received from the granting institution, Notre Dame reserves the right to withdraw credit for the course(s) and to terminate the student's status.
Students registering as non-matriculants may later apply for admission to a degree seeking graduate program and will be considered for admission under the normal application process. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Registering through the non-matriculant process for graduate level courses does not guarantee admission to other graduate courses or to a graduate degree program.
Students may complete up to 9 graduate credits as a non-matriculant student.
Visiting Students
Degree-seeking students in a graduate program at another college or university may be admitted as visiting students, taking courses at Notre Dame to be transferred to their graduate program. Courses taken at the graduate level are not eligible to be used for the undergraduate degree (or vice versa).
Visiting student status will lapse once a student has completed the course(s) stipulated at the time of application. Admission of a Visiting Student to the University does not guarantee that a course will be scheduled, that it will not be cancelled in the event of insufficient enrollment, or that there will be room in the class at the time the visiting student attempts to register. Visiting students pay the current graduate tuition rate directly to Notre Dame. Grade reports are not sent on behalf of the student; students must provide transcripts to their home institution.
Policies Related to Admission
Transfer Credit Policy
At the time of admission, students must initiate requests for transfer credit for courses already completed. Graduate courses taken at other colleges and universities after admission to Notre Dame require advance approval from the appropriate dean. In certain programs, it may not be possible to take core courses elsewhere given their unique design. Except as noted elsewhere in this catalog, a maximum of six (6) graduate credits may be transferred into any of the Master's degree programs at Notre Dame. Courses transferred into the graduate program must carry a grade of "B" or better, be directly related to the student's program, and not have been applied toward another degree (Transfer credits must have been completed in the past seven years).
Re-admission Policy
Notre Dame does not automatically re-admit students who have withdrawn from the University or whose matriculant status has lapsed. Students must submit a new application and official transcript(s). Readmitted students must fulfill the program requirements in place at the time of re-admission.