Graduate School

John L. Watzke, Ph.D., dean

Introduction

The Graduate School currently offers 17 degree programs in seven academic areas. The courses, curricula, and faculty are provided cooperatively by the Pamplin School of Business, the Shiley School of Engineering, the Schools of Education and Nursing, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Each program is administered by a director within its school or department. These directors, together with the dean of the Graduate School, comprise the Graduate School Council. The Graduate School was established in 1950 and has awarded over 10,000 degrees since then, including 286 doctoral degrees.

Mission

The Graduate School offers rigorous educational experiences in a personalized learning environment. The University of Portland’s graduate curricula are designed to provide candidates with the cutting-edge knowledge and skills they need to provide insightful, global, and ethical leadership within their professions, both now and into the future.

Programs of Study

The degrees and certificate programs currently offered in the Graduate School are:

Business:

M.B.A. in Nonprofit Management (M.B.A.)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Master of Science (M.S.): Finance

Master of Science (M.S.): Operations and Technology Management

Post Graduate Certificate Program

Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program

Communications Studies:

Master of Arts in Communication (M.A.)

Master of Science in Management Communication (M.S.)

Theater:

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.): Directing [This program is not accepting applications.]

Education:

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs (M.A. H.E.S.A.)

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

Post Baccalaureate and Post Master's Certificates

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Engineering:

Master of Engineering (M.E.)

Master of Biomedical Engineering (M.B.M.E.)

Post Baccalaureate Professional Computer Science Degree (Prof-B.C.S.)

Nursing:

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)

Theology:

Master of Arts (M.A.): Pastoral Ministry [This program is not accepting applications.]

Academic Regulations

The academic regulations listed in the opening section of this University Bulletin also apply to graduate students with the following modifications:

1. No student may register for more than 12 semester hours of credit in a semester without the consent of the dean of the Graduate School and the program director.
2. The grade of C is the lowest grade that carries with it graduate credit. Courses receiving lower grades (e.g. C-) will not carry graduate credit, but will be included in the student’s cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) calculated according to the point system described in the University Academic Regulations (V. Grades and Credits).
3. Only courses in which a grade of C-, D+, D, D- or F has been received may be repeated at the University of Portland for academic credit. In such cases the new grade and credit will replace the original in the calculation of grade point average; however both courses and grades will remain on the permanent record, with the original course denoted by the symbol E.
4. Students who receive an IP in Thesis 599 or a graduate course are normally expected to comply with the academic regulation that the work be completed within one year. However, in exceptional cases the dean of the Graduate School may, upon recommendation of the graduate program director, extend the period of time which a student has to complete his or her thesis or the course and receive a grade.
5. No course or practicum numbered above 499 may be taken on a “pass/no pass” basis for hours required toward an advanced degree except Thesis 599, Dissertation 699/699X, or if the grade mode for the course has been designated in the Bulletin by the individual graduate program as pass/no pass.
6. Students may not use credits obtained by challenge or advanced placement toward the hours required for an advanced degree.
7. Thirty semester hours of courses numbered 500 and above are the minimum requirements for a master’s degree. (Consult the individual programs for the precise requirements as some programs require more than 30 hours.)
8. Students must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.00 to earn a degree.
9. A student must maintain a G.P.A. of 3.00 to remain in good standing. A student who is not in good standing will be given specific conditions by the program director. If these conditions are not fulfilled, the student will be dismissed from the Graduate School by the dean of the Graduate School.
10. Graduate degrees requiring 30 to 36 semester hours must normally be completed within a period of five years. Graduate degrees requiring 37 or more semester hours must normally be completed within a period of six years. In exceptional cases these periods may be extended by the dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation of the graduate program director.
11. Students completing a graduate degree with a thesis or dissertation requirement must complete the project in compliance with regulations adopted by the Graduate School Council. Copies are available from the Graduate School or the graduate program director for your degree program.
12. Transfer of credits:
    1. With the approval of the dean of the Graduate School, a maximum of nine semester hours may be transferred to a master’s degree program and twelve semester hours to a doctoral program from an accredited institution if they are acceptable for graduate degree credit in the source institution. (Consult the individual graduate programs for details as some allow less than these hours of transfer credit.) However, credits or courses used to satisfy the requirements of any other degree cannot be applied to the fulfillment of a subsequent master's degree in the Graduate School.
    2. Only those courses graded B or better are eligible for transfer.
    3. No credits transferred from another institution may be applied to a graduate degree if they were earned in courses that were completed more than five years before the start of the graduate program.
    4. Graduate credits earned through distance learning will be considered for transfer, subject to the same criteria as traditional courses with respect to quality, relevance, and timeliness as well as the accreditation of the source institution, including the provisions of regulation 10[g] below.
    5. Normally credits should be transferred at the time of the applicant’s original acceptance into a graduate program so they may be integrated into the planning of a program. A request for a later transfer may be denied.
    6. To transfer graduate credits taken at another university during the time of a student’s graduate work at the University of Portland requires written authorization before such work is taken.
    7. Where the University of Portland graduate program has a special accreditation, the source institution may be required to have the same or an equivalent accreditation.
    8. M.B.A. students who qualify for admission may transfer more than nine hours of graduate credit under provisions of multilateral admission agreements.
13. Students may not accumulate more than nine hours of graduate credit in the non-degree seeking graduate student status. After nine graduate credit hours, such student must seek admission to a program in order to have the hours apply to a degree.
14. A student who expects to receive a degree at the end of a semester or the summer session must apply for the degree within the time limits set by the registrar.
15. Unless excused by the dean of the Graduate School, the candidate for a graduate degree is expected to attend commencement exercises at which the degree is conferred.

Student Classification

All students, regardless of classification, must apply for admission.

Graduate degree students are those who have earned a baccalaureate degree or higher and who have been accepted into a program leading to an advanced degree.

Doctoral students are those who are fully admitted to a doctoral degree program.

Post Baccalaureate students are those who are admitted to the University for post baccalaureate work but not into a degree program. Admission as a post baccalaureate student does not imply acceptance to a graduate degree program. Regular admission to the Graduate School must be obtained from the dean of the Graduate School before any work will be accepted towards a graduate degree.

Post Master students are those who are admitted into a certificate program extending educational experiences beyond the master’s degree.

Non-degree seeking graduate students are those who have completed an undergraduate degree or higher and apply for admission in order to register for credit but are not seeking a graduate degree at the University. Enrollment as a non-degree seeking graduate student implies no commitment on the part of the University regarding regular admission at a later time. Credits earned while in the non-degree seeking graduate student classification do not necessarily apply toward requirements for a degree should a student later be accepted into a degree program. Regular admission to the Graduate School must be obtained from the dean of the Graduate School before coursework will be accepted toward a graduate degree.

Admission as a non-degree seeking graduate student requires that the student submit a non-degree seeking graduate student application to the Graduate School along with a $50.00 application fee, relevant transcripts, and other requested documents prior to their initial registration. The application fee is waived for current faculty and staff members and alumni of the University.

Accumulation of more than 9 hours of graduate credit in the non-degree seeking graduate student status is not permitted, and any such student who accumulates 9 graduate credit hours is required to seek regular admission to a degree program in keeping with procedures determined by the Graduate School.

Application and Admission

1. Correspondence concerning admission to the Graduate School under any classification should be addressed to the Graduate School, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203-5798; phone: (503) 943-7107; e-mail: gradschl@up.edu.
2. Before applicants will be considered for admission as degree students the following must have been received or met:
   1. Completed and signed application forms (online or paper)
   2. An official transcript sent directly to the University of Portland Graduate School showing all college credit attempted and/or completed from each college and university previously attended. Transcripts from foreign universities must be in English or be accompanied by an English translation certified as authentic. For students applying for a master's program or a Post Baccalaureate Program, evidence of possession of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Portland is required. For applicants to a Post Graduate program or doctoral program, evidence of possession of a master's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Portland is required. For the DNP in Nursing, a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Portland and from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body may apply. All foreign degrees submitted by International applicants will be evaluated by International Student Services prior to an admission decision. All official transcripts submitted become the property of the University and cannot be copied or returned to the applicant.
   3. The number of recommendations from persons knowledgeable of the applicant’s ability depends upon the specific program of choice. Consult the individual program requirements or the person directing that program for specified information.
   4. Evidence of scholastic background that indicates ability to do satisfactory graduate work. Usually this is considered to be a B average.
   5. Appropriate score on standardized test(s). Test score minimums are program dependent. International applicants, whose native language is not English, are required to take either the TOEFL or IELTS exam, unless they have attended and attained a degree from a United States institution. Consult the individual program requirement or the person directing that program for specified information.
   6. A resume and a statement of academic or professional goals, appropriate to the specific program.
   7. Specific admission requirements, including undergraduate G.P.A., of individual degree programs are listed in the individual programs’ information.
3. Admission to a program leading to a master's or doctorate degree is given only by the dean of the Graduate School when the following conditions are fulfilled:
   1. The documentation required above is complete.
   2. A positive recommendation is received from the associate dean or graduate program director of the department or school involved. (A personal interview may be required).
4. Applications should be complete no later than one month before the student’s beginning class at the University to provide time for adequate consideration and program arrangement. Some programs have a fixed deadline for submission of all materials.
5. Students who fail to register in the first semester after admission, or who in the regular year-round program fail to register for a semester, or who in a summer-only program fail to register for a summer session, must seek re-admission from the dean of the Graduate School.
6. The graduate student who desires to change to a different degree program must submit a formal change of program application to the dean of the Graduate School.
7. If offered a place in the M.A.T., Ed.D., M.E. or M.B.M.E. program, a non-refundable deposit is required and will be credited towards the first semester tuition.

2019-2020 Tuition and Fees

See 2019-2020 Tuition and Fees