To apply to ALL programs except the Special Education General Curriculum/Liberal Studies Five-Year Program (see the procedures for this program below), complete the following steps:

1. Complete the online application form and the In-State Tuition Application (if applicable). (Tuition & Fees)
2. Write a personal essay of 500 words or more in which you discuss your reasons for seeking graduate education. Use a word processing program (such as Microsoft Word) and paste your essay in the text box provided in the application. Include your career goals and how the graduate program for which you are applying would help to meet those goals; prior work/life experiences which relate to your interest in, and aptitude for, the graduate program for which you are applying; and your perception of your intellectual capability to complete successfully your graduate program.
3. Must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale). If not, either a minimum mean score on 2 out of 3 parts (verbal, quantitative, analytical writing) of the General GRE test OR a GPA of 3.5 on 6 hours of Longwood graduate courses that are part of the degree program to which the applicant is applying taken as a non-degree registrant within the last 12 months. An applicant must be a graduate of a four-year regionally accredited college or university.
   Applicants to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale).
   Applicants to the English/Education & Writing, Literature, or 6-12 Initial Licensure program must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale).
   Applicants to the Business Administration program must have an admission score of 1100 or greater, with a minimum GMAT score of 470. Admission score is based on the following formula: GMAT + GPA (200) ≥ 1100
4. Request official transcripts from EVERY INSTITUTION attended (even if noted on subsequent transcripts) including undergraduate and graduate part-time, full-time, non-degree and summer studies and have them sent directly to you in a sealed envelope. Do not break the seal. (Longwood transcripts need NOT be submitted, as they will be obtained in house.)
   If you wish to have credit considered for transfer, you must include a written request and course description with your application.  Six hours from a regionally accredited institution, no more than five years old, equivalent to graduate course work at Longwood in the program to which you wish to be admitted, and a grade of "B" or better earned can be transferred.
5. Two recommendations related to your competence and effectiveness in your professional work are required. These recommendations are to come from academic sources such as current/prior faculty members, supervisors or professional contacts. Section 1 of each Recommendation Form (pdf) is to be completed by the applicant. Provide the Recommendation Form (pdf) and a self-addressed, stamped (if needed) envelope to each person preparing a recommendation. Instruct each to enclose the completed recommendation in the envelope. The envelope should then be sealed, signed across the seal and returned to you. Do not break the seal. 
6. Applicants must submit a copy of their valid teaching license, if applying to one of the Education degree or licensure programs that require a teaching license as a prerequisite.
7. Applicants must submit a copy of passing scores on Praxis I, or an equivalent SAT or ACT score, if applying to any of the five initial licensure programs.
8. Applicants to the English/Creative Writing program must submit a writing sample of not less than (10) and not more than twenty (20) pages in the genre of their choice. (10 pages of poetry or 15 pages of prose/fiction or non-fiction or 20 pages of drama)
9. Applicants to the Education/Curriculum & Instruction Specialist in Music program must submit a 15-30 minute video (VHS or DVD) of their teaching or rehearsal.
10. Applicants to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program must submit scores from the General Test of the GRE. They can be no more than five years old. Applicants who have a master's degree are exempt from this requirement.
11. Applicants to the Business Administration program must submit scores from the GMAT.
12. Once you have compiled ALL of the above, mail the complete application to the College of Graduate & Professional Studies, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909. A complete* application consists of a minimum of two recommendations, a copy of your teaching license if applicable, a copy of Praxis I, SAT or ACT scores if applicable, GRE scores if applicable, GMAT scores if applicable, writing sample if applicable, video/DVD if applicable, and official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. (Optional items that may be included with the application are a personal vitae or résumé, a writing sample for those programs that do not have this requirement, and additional recommendations.)
    *The application form and personal essay have been submitted online and do not need to be resubmitted.

Applications are reviewed monthly on a rolling basis in all programs except Business Administration, Communication Sciences & Disorders and Education/Curriculum & Instruction Specialist in Music. However, for optimum consideration for all programs but the three exceptions, completed applications should be submitted by the deadlines listed below. Failure to meet the published deadlines could lead to difficulties with admission to the requested term, financial aid, and/or course selection.

Applications are forwarded by the College of Graduate & Professional Studies to the appropriate program admissions committee for review only when all application materials have been received and the file is complete. Each program’s admission committee reviews complete applications monthly on a rolling basis beginning around the middle of each month. (See three exceptions below.) Once the committee has rendered a decision, the College of Graduate & Professional Studies sends prompt, written notification to the applicant. The above dates are applicable to complete applicant files received by the appropriate deadlines.

Deadline Exceptions

Applications to the Business Administration/General Business or Retail Management programs are due twice annually by May 1st for consideration for admission to the subsequent fall semester or by February 1st for admission to the subsequent summer semester. Applicants are notified of a decision within 45 days of receipt of the complete application. Deposits are refundable provided a written withdrawal/refund request is submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies prior to the dates above.

Applications to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program are due annually by February 1st for consideration for admission to the subsequent fall semester. Applicants are notified of a decision no later than March 15th and must accept the offer-of-admission by submitting a deposit by April 15th. Deposits are refundable provided a written withdrawal/refund request is submitted to the College of Graduate & Professional Studies prior to June 30th.

Applications to the Education/Curriculum and Instruction Specialist in Music program are due by February 1st for consideration for admission to the subsequent summer semester cohort. Applicants are notified of a decision no later than March 15th and must accept the offer-of-admission by submitting a deposit by April 15th. Deposits are refundable provided a written withdrawal/refund request is submitted to the College of Graduate & Professional Studies prior to April 30th.

Admission Procedures To The Graduate Year Of The Special Education General Curriculum/Liberal Studies Five-Year Program

Complete the following steps:

1. Complete the application form and In-State Tuition Application form. (Tuition & Fees)
2. Write a personal essay of 500 words or more in which you discuss your reasons for seeking graduate education. Use a word processing program (such as Microsoft Word) and paste your essay in the text box provided on the application. Include your career goals and how the graduate program for which you are applying would help to meet those goals; prior work/life experiences which relate to your interest in and aptitude for, the graduate program for which you are applying; and your perception of your intellectual capability to complete successfully your graduate program.
3. Letters of recommendation do not need to be submitted. Recommendations will be done by the Special Education faculty when they review the admission applications as a group.
4. Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work do not need to be submitted. The special education faculty to aid in making their admission decision will examine Longwood records that include any course work taken elsewhere, available on the computerized academic record. An overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) is required.
5. Mail* the completed application form and essay to the College of Graduate & Professional Studies, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909. Mail the $40.00 non-refundable application fee to the Office of Cashiering, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909.
6. All the required documents must be submitted by the February 1st deadline for admission to the summer semester or by October 1st for admission to the spring semester. Failure to meet this deadline will delay admission to the graduate year of the program. Students complete this process during their senior year, with their acceptance pending successful completion of their professional semester and bachelor's degree.

Applications are forwarded by the College of Graduate & Professional Studies to the Special Education program admission committee for review. The Special Education Graduate Admissions Committee will review all five-year program applicants as a group after the above deadlines. Any applications not received by the appropriate deadline will be held until the next group review period. Once the committee has rendered a decision, the College of Graduate & Professional Studies sends prompt, written notification to the applicant.

Deposit

A $50.00 tuition deposit is required of all degree and professional endorsement seeking graduate students as an indication of commitment to attend Longwood University. New students will be invoiced for the deposit in the offer-of-admission letter from the College of Graduate & Professional Studies. Deposits are made in the Office of Cashiering. Deposits are refundable provided a written withdrawal/refund request is submitted to the College of Graduate & Professional Studies prior to the stated deadlines in the table above. The deposit becomes a credit on the new student's account.

Cancellation Of Admissions Offer

Longwood's Honor Code prohibits lying, cheating, and stealing. Students who complete the Application for Graduate Admission pledge to abide by the Honor Code. Should a student falsify the information provided on the application, alter academic documents, plagiarize the essay or otherwise issue an untrue statement as part of the application process, the offer of admission will be revoked. The University also reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission:

• should a student's academic performance fall below established minimums, or
• should a student not enroll in a course for the term admitted.

Special Students

1. No more than nine Longwood non-degree graduate hours may be counted towards a degree, certificate or licensure program. Students are expected to apply to a Longwood graduate program prior to enrolling in classes. At the latest, all application materials should be received before the completion of six hours.
2. A teacher who is primarily interested in licensure renewal but not credit toward a degree program may enroll as a continuing education special student. No application is necessary and registration takes place in the Office of the Registrar.
3.  A student who is interested in personal enrichment may enroll as a continuing education special student. No application is necessary and registration takes place in the Office of the Registrar.
4. Graduate courses may be audited, with permission of the instructor and registration takes place in the Office of the Registrar.

* Registration may be done in person, via fax (434.395.2252) OR via regular mail. Registration and In-State Tuition Application forms are available on the Registration Office web site.

Second Master's Degree

A student who has earned a master's degree from an accredited institution may choose to complete a second master's degree. The applicant should complete all of the steps in the admission process and in addition, submit a completed Application for Graduate Degree that includes a $50.00 fee. The prospective applicant should contact the College of Graduate & Professional Studies to arrange an appointment with the appropriate Program Coordinator for the completion of the Application for Graduate Degree. Once complete the $50.00 fee along with the $50.00 Application for Graduate Admission fee should be submitted directly to the Office of Cashiering. The Application for Graduate Degree form is then filed in the Office of the Registrar at the same time the Application for Graduate Admission is submitted to the College of Graduate & Professional Studies.

A maximum of six (6) credit hours from the first master's degree may be applied to the second master's degree, provided a grade of B or better was earned in the coursework, they are no more than five years old, and they are applicable to the new program.

International Students

In addition to possessing the equivalent of an undergraduate degree and a 2.75 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale), the international student must also demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or International English Language Testing system (IELTS) if English is not the primary language spoken in the household. A minimum score of 570 (paper test) or 80 (Internet test) is required on the TOEFL or a minimum 6.5 on the IELTS for admission.

Students With Disabilities

In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, students with disabilities will not be discriminated against on the basis of their disability.

Admission to the graduate program is based on the requirements outlined in the Catalog. Admissions decisions are made without regard to disability. All students are expected to present academic credentials at or above the minimum standards for admission as established by the Graduate Committee.

Once a student has been admitted, requests for accommodations should be directed to the Director of Disability Services at 434-395-2391, TDD 711, or by fax at 434-395-2434. The Director will work with the student, based upon appropriate documentation, to provide and structure reasonable accommodations to meet the student's needs.

Longwood University recognizes both the wide variation in the needs of students with disabilities and the fact that as students progress through their programs, unanticipated needs may arise. Contact your academic advisor, the program coordinator, the College of Graduate & Professional Studies or Disability Services as soon as possible if problems do arise.

Health Records

In accordance with 23-7.5 of the Code of Virginia, a full-time student (nine hours at the graduate level), enrolling for the first time in any public institution of higher education in this Commonwealth must have a health record and history on file in the Student Health Services office. Prior to pre-registration for the second semester, students must furnish documented evidence, provided by a licensed health professional or health facility, of diseases for which the student has been immunized, the numbers of doses given, the dates when administered, and any further immunizations indicated. These immunizations include diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles (rubeola), German measles (rubella), mumps, and meningitis according to the guidelines of the American College Health Association. Tuberculosis screening within the past year is also required. Any student who fails to furnish this information will not be eligible for registration for the second semester.

Campus Security

Two reports, by Virginia Commonwealth University and the FBI, ranked Longwood as one of the safest campuses in Virginia. An annually produced Campus Security Report is available at www.longwood.edu/police/. It contains campus crime statistics as well as university policies and procedures. A printed copy is available upon request.