Graduate School
The Boler College of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Health offer advanced study in programs leading to master’s degrees in the arts, sciences, counseling, business, and education. Information on programs, costs, and admission requirements can be found in the Graduate Academic Programs and Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures sections of this bulletin.
Degrees conferred include Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), and Master of Education (M.Ed.). In addition to graduate degrees, certificate programs are also offered at the graduate level. The Department of Education also has an approved Reading (Pre-K through 12th Grade) state endorsement program for teachers holding valid teaching licenses.
Admission
Applicants whose undergraduate record is predictive of success and who have the undergraduate requirements in the field they wish to pursue may be admitted as either matriculated or non-matriculated students.
To qualify for unconditional acceptance as matriculated students, applicants must hold, minimally, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average (based on a four-point system). Some programs may require a higher average. Students should consult the chair of the department in which they plan to do graduate work about additional admission requirements, program requirements, the planning of a course of study, and any program prerequisites. Departments may have degree requirements that are in addition to the General Graduate Degree Requirements.
John Carroll University seniors who have nearly completed the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, who wish to take graduate-level courses, and who otherwise qualify per the Undergraduate Students taking Graduate Courses Policy may be admitted to graduate studies. The application must have the approval of the appropriate dean and must be submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the date of registration.
Graduate/Athletic Assistantships
Graduate and athletic assistantships are available on a competitive basis in certain academic departments, nonacademic departments, and the athletic department. The application deadline is February 15 for assistantships to be granted the following academic year. Detailed information about specific positions and application materials are available online at https://www.jcu.edu/admission-aid/graduate-admission/graduate-assistantships. Students may also contact department chairs or program coordinators regarding specific positions.
Accelerated Dual Degrees (ADDs) and Five-Year Programs
JCU offers Accelerated Dual Degree Programs, in which current undergraduate students may complete some graduate-level coursework to dually satisfy both undergraduate and graduate requirements. Most JCU graduate programs offer at least one ADD pathway, but a full list of Accelerated Dual Degree programs can be found in the Programs section of this Bulletin, sorting on program type "Accelerated Dual Degree."
Accelerated Dual Degree admission criteria differ from general Graduate School admission. Students should apply for ADD admission the semester before they intend to begin taking graduate-level coursework; typically, the spring semester of junior year. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for admission consideration and be on track to have at least 90 undergraduate credits completed prior to beginning any graduate coursework; typically, applying after at least 75 credits have been earned. When applying, students will submit a personal statement and provide two academic references. Additional admission requirements vary by program; some require interviews.
If admitted to an ADD program, students complete graduate coursework that will count toward both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Students remain undergraduates until they complete all requirements for their baccalaureate degrees and apply for undergraduate graduation. Once those are completed and the bachelor's degree is conferred, they will be fully admitted to the graduate programs. No new graduate school application is required; students will only be required to confirm their intention to continue as graduate students.
In addition to ADD pathways, the graduate degrees in program; program; and program are designed to be able to be completed in one calendar year of full-time study.