Frequently Asked Questions

What degrees and majors do you offer?

A full list of graduate programs is available online.

What is full admission?

Full admission to a graduate degree program (doctoral, master's or specialist) means that you meet all requirements for admission and have been accepted by the department and the Graduate School. Full admission is not the same as admission to candidacy to a master's program. You must contact your department to find out requirements for admission to candidacy. Students who have completed graduate hours at A&M-Commerce must have an overall graduate GPA of at least a 3.00 in order to gain admission to a degree program.& Financial Aid is available for full admission status.

What is conditional admission?

Conditional admission to a graduate degree program means that you have submitted all documents for admission but do not meet all requirements for full admission. This could be a low overall grade point average, not meeting departmental requirements, or lack of background for the chosen graduate program. Your status will change from conditional to full admission upon completing 12 graduate hours at Texas A&M University-Commerce with a 3.00 or better overall graduate grade point average. If an overall 3.00 graduate grade point average is not achieved, then your status will change to suspension. Conditional admission is not available for doctoral admission. Students who have completed graduate hours at A&M-Commerce must have an overall graduate GPA of at least a 3.00 in order to gain admission to a degree program. Financial Aid is available for conditional admission status.

What is provisional admission?

Provisional admission means that your bachelor's degree has been conferred, but you have not submitted all documents or test scores for admission to A&M-Commerce, but are allowed to attend for one semester while you submit these documents. Provisional admission is not available for all degree programs and is not available to doctoral and international students. Financial Aid is available for full admission and conditional status only.

What is a 12-hour rule for non-degree students?

Students may only use 12 graduate semester hours taken in a non-degree status for a master's, specialist or doctoral degree. The graduate school strongly advises you to gain admission to a degree program before completing 12 graduate hours.

Is there an orientation for graduate students?

Yes. The orientation is web-based and is available online.

Is there an orientation for international graduate students?

Yes, there is an orientation at the beginning of each semester for new international students. Attendance at this orientation is mandatory. Please view the International Student Services Website for upcoming orientation dates.

Is there an application deadline for admission?

Texas A&M University-Commerce practices an open enrollment. Most programs do not have a deadline, and can be applied for at any time. There are a few programs with time admission restrictions. A complete application packet (all documents) must be received by the Graduate School to ensure consideration for the semester you select. Application Packet Submission deadline dates are below.

Master's & Specialist Application Packet Submission Dates

Domestic Applicants:

• Counseling - February 15, May 15, and September 15
• Psychology - April 15, July 15, and November 15
• School Psychology - November 15 and April 15
• Special Education - 15th of the month for August - April

All other programs not listed above review applications throughout the year

International Applicants:

• Counseling - February 15, May 15, and September 15

All other programs use the following dates:

• To be considered for spring, the deadline is October 1
• To be considered for summer, the deadline is February 15
• To be considered for fall, the deadline is May 15

Doctoral Programs Application Packet Submission Dates

Counseling

Domestic & International applicants - February 1

English
Domestic Applicants:
Applications are reviewed throughout the year

International Applicants:

• To be considered for spring, the deadline is October 1
• To be considered for summer, the deadline is February 15
• To be considered for fall, the deadline is May 15

Educational Administration
Domestic Applicants - October 15
International Applicants - October 1

Educational Psychology
Domestic Applicants - April 15 and November 15
International Applicants: April 15 and October 1

Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction-Elementary Education
Domestic & International Applicants – February 1 and October 1

Supervision, Curriculum and Instruction-Higher Education
Domestic Applicants:
Applications are reviewed throughout the year

International Applicants:

• To be considered for spring, the deadline is October 1
• To be considered for summer, the deadline is February 15
• To be considered for fall, the deadline is May 15

Is there an application fee, and how do I pay it?

• Domestic students: non-refundable application fee is $35.00 USD
• International students: non-refundable application fee is $50.00 USD

Please make your application fee payment online through myLeo, or in person at the Cashier's window in the Business Administration Building, 1st Floor. If you are unable to make your payment online or in person, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies & Research, 903-886-5163 or Graduate_School@tamu-commerce.edu for other options.

Is my Graduate School Coordinator my academic adviser?

No, your major department will assign you an academic adviser. Your Graduate School Coordinator is your information resource and will assist you from admission to graduation. Your Coordinator works with departments and faculty within their college to provide students with the information and solutions needed to successfully complete a graduate degree.

How do I apply for graduate admission?

The first step in applying for graduate admission is to complete an application. You can do this online at Apply Today. Simply complete the online application and click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the form. The application will be e-mailed to the Graduate School for processing. Depending on workload, applications are processed within 3 working days. Once your application is processed, you will be sent an email with your ID# and PIN. Use these numbers to access the student information system through myLeo to check for the documents that you need to send.

Do I have to take the GRE or GMAT?

Admission to most graduate degree programs requires the GRE or the GMAT. Check with your department to see which test and score is required for your major. Some departments may have alternative criteria. Although there is no minimum score and departments use a variety of criteria to determine admission, the higher you make, the more likely you will be accepted. You may also view the admission information for the program you are interested in applying to for graduate studies.

What transcripts do I send to the Graduate School for admission?

Please request an official transcript be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies & Research, PO Box 3011, Commerce, TX& 75429-3011, from all institutions you have attended, including all undergraduate and graduate coursework.

International students must provide official transcripts or attested individual marksheets along with the diploma or provisional certificate. Consolidated marksheets are not accepted. Your degree must be equivalent to a four-year bachelor's degree issued by a regionally accredited university in the United States. Three year programs and trade schools (such as computer training) will not qualify.

There may be times when the Graduate School will not have enough information available to evaluate an international transcript. At that time, we will ask you to have your documents evaluated by an official credentials evaluator. A list of credential evaluators can be found at the Graduate School Website under forms (Credentials Evaluators Listing). Remember, while it may be necessary to provide an evaluation of your credentials, it will not take the place of your official transcript.

How do I register?

Students can register through myLeo on-line at any time during open registration. The Registration Schedule is available online.

New International students are cleared to register once they have attended orientation for international students and purchased insurance. Returning international students are cleared to register once they have contacted the International Student Services for insurance clearance.

Is Financial Support Available for International Students?

International students are required to show proof of financial support through bank and sponsor statements. Scholarships and/or assistantships should not be relied on for funding of housing or education.

Do I need a TOEFL score?

International students are required to submit a current score that is no older than two years. The paper-based test must have a minimum score of 500. The computer-based test must have a minimum of 173. The IBT must be 60. The TOEFL may be waived if you have received a degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States. We feel strongly that a student must be able to understand the language to be successful. We also accept the IETLS with a band of at least 5.00 or higher.

How many courses can I take the first semester?

Students may enroll in up to 12 graduate hours for the fall or spring semester. If the summer semester is your first semester, you may enroll in up to 6 hours summer I and 6 hours summer II.

How many hours should I take to be considered a full-time graduate student?

9-12 hours is considered to be full-time enrollment by the Graduate School. Financial Aid's requirement for full enrollment may be different than the Graduate School. If you are seeking financial Aid, please verify your enrollment requirement with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Some departments may have a limit as to how many courses a student may enroll in while in their department. Please check with your department for any special requirements.

Can I change my major?

As a master's student, you may change your major after one semester if you are in good standing with the university (minimum 3.00 graduate GPA) and you meet admission requirements for the new program. To complete this process please complete the online Change of Major.

What financial support is available and how do I apply?

Financial aid, graduate assistantships and scholarships are available to support students.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available to eligible students.& Please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for application and other information.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate, Research, and Teaching Assistantships are available throughout the University. All assistantship positions are very competitive and are filled quickly. Contact your major department or view available assistantship positions online.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available through the Graduate School and some departments. You may view the Graduate School scholarships online. Please contact your major department for available scholarships as well.

How do I get my grades?

Please access your grades through myLeo.

How do I get my transcript?

You may request A&M-Commerce transcripts online from the Registrar's Office. If you have questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at 903-886-5071.

Who is my academic adviser?

Your major department will assign you an academic adviser. Please contact your department if you have questions.

Do I need a degree plan?

Master's & Specialist degree plans are not required by the Graduate School; however, some departments do require a departmental degree plan in addition to the published degree plans in the Graduate Catalog. Degree plans are developed by departments. Please contact your academic adviser during your first semester regarding degree plans.

Certification students are issued a deficiency plan from the Office of Educator Certification.

What is the process to transfer courses from another university?

For master's and specialist programs, students must first be admitted to a degree program. After admission, submit a completed Transfer/Substitution Form signed by your major adviser along with an official transcript of the course(s) to your Coordinator in the Graduate School (Business Administration Building Room 142). Students may transfer up to one-third of their coursework from a regionally accredited university in the United States. No course with a grade below a B will be transferred.& The Research Literature and Techniques (595) course must be taken from Texas A&M University-Commerce.& Doctoral student should contact his/her major adviser and the Doctoral Degree Coordinator regarding transfer courses.

How do I file for graduation?

You may apply for graduation online through myLeo. Please contact the Graduation Coordinator at 903.886.5429 if you have questions.

How many grades below a B can I have?

A master's and specialist student cannot receive more than three grades below B.& A master's or specialist student receiving a grade of “C” or lower in 4 graduate courses will be suspended and will not be allowed to pursue further graduate study at Texas A&M University-Commerce for 3 years. This provision applies to all courses taken, with the exception of duplicated courses (courses with the same prefix, number, and title), in which case only the most recent grade will be used. This provision also applies to all incomplete courses in which an “X” has changed to an “F.”

Doctoral students cannot receive more than two grades below B.& A doctoral student receiving a grade of “C” or lower in a third graduate course will be suspended and will not be allowed to pursue further doctoral study at A&M-Commerce. This provision applies to all courses taken, including all duplicated courses. Courses taken from other institutions will not be transferable if taken during a period of suspension from Texas A&M University-Commerce. No course with a grade of “C” or lower will count toward a doctoral degree.

What GPA do I need to maintain in my graduate studies?

All degree seeking graduate students must maintain a 3.00 or higher GPA.

Can I use undergraduate courses for a graduate degree?

No, undergraduate courses cannot be used for a graduate degree.

Can I take an undergraduate course, do extra work, and receive graduate credit for that course?

Six hours of 300 or 400 level courses may be taken for graduate credit towards a master's or specialist degree if prior approval is granted by the instructor, the department head, the college dean, and the graduate dean. Additional work will be required for graduate credit.& Undergraduate coursework is not available for doctoral programs.

Do I need a minor?

Minors are not mandatory. Please contact your major department if you are interested in obtaining a minor.

Is there a residency requirement for the master's program?

Residency is a departmental issue. Please contact your department regarding residency requirements.

How long can I use my coursework for a graduate degree?

At the time your master's or specialist degree is conferred, courses should be no older than six years. Permission from the department and the Graduate Dean must be obtained to use any course between six and ten years old. No course over ten years old may be used for a graduate degree.& No courses over 10 years old at the time of graduation may be use for a doctoral degree.

Do you offer courses off campus?

Texas A&M University-Commerce has four off-campus facilities, Dallas, Mesquite, Midlothian and Corsicana. Other locations may be used on a semester-by-semester basis. Televised instruction and web-based courses are available to students as well.& Please view the online course schedule for all the types of courses available.