Admission to the School of Graduate Studies at SAU does not imply admission to a graduate degree program. Some graduate programs have additional admission requirements.
Unconditional Admission Status
Applicants may be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies on unconditional status if they earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet the following minimum requirements:
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above out of a 4.00 system or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
- Application for admission to Graduate Studies (see deadlines below)
- Proof of immunizations (MMR).
- Official transcript(s) from all institutions of higher education the student has attended sent directly from the college/university (one should reflect a bachelor’s degree).
School of Graduate Studies
P. O. Box 9302
Magnolia, AR 71754
- Students earning a bachelor’s degree after the appropriate deadline should submit a current official transcript by the deadline and have a transcript reflecting the degree on file by registration day.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores no more than five years old. Scores should meet requirement A, B or C below:
- A. GMAT*- A weighted score of 1,000 or above. (minimum score of 400) Weighted score is obtained by computing the formula:
- GPA x 200 plus the GMAT score= 1,000 or more.
(*GMAT is required for the MBA program. Scores can be retrieved online by the graduate office at least 20 days after the test is taken.)
- GPA x 200 plus the GMAT score= 1,000 or more.
- B. GRE- A score of 284 or above (verbal plus quantitative scores) or the admission index may be considered if score is less than 284.
- C. MAT- A score of 35 or above on the MAT or an admission index of 850 or above. Admission index is obtained by computing the formula:
- (GPA x 200) plus the MAT score x 10.
- C. MAT- A score of 35 or above on the MAT or an admission index of 850 or above. Admission index is obtained by computing the formula:
Applications will not be considered until all required materials (listed above) have been submitted based on the following deadlines:
- Fall Semester: July 10
- Spring Semester: December 1
- Summer Sessions (I & II): April 1
(Note: Applications will still be taken for most program for 2-3 weeks past the deadline with a late fee of $100 versus the normal $25 application fee. All materials must be submitted as quickly as possible for late applications in order to complete your file before classes begin.)
Conditional Admission Status
Applicants may be admitted on conditional status if they do not qualify for unconditional status because of GPA and /or GRE/MAT scores. The minimum requirements for conditional status are ALL of the following:
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.2 or above out of a 4.00 system
- Application for admission to Graduate Studies (see deadlines below)
- Official transcript(s) from all institutions of higher education the student has attended sent directly from the college/university (one should reflect a bachelor’s degree).
School of Graduate Studies
P. O. Box 9302
Magnolia, AR 71754
- Students earning a bachelor’s degree after the appropriate deadline should submit a current official transcript by the deadline and have a transcript reflecting the degree on file by registration day.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Miller Analogies Test (MAT)scores no more than five years old. Scores should meet requirement A, B or C below:
- A. GMAT- A weighted score of 900 or above. Weighted score is obtained by computing the formula:
- GPA x 200 plus the GMAT score= 900 or more.
(GMAT is required for the MBA program. Scores can be retrieved online by the graduate office at least 20 days after the test is taken.
- B. GRE- A score of 276 or above (verbal plus quantitative scores)
- C. MAT- A score of 30 or above.
- A. GMAT- A weighted score of 900 or above. Weighted score is obtained by computing the formula:
Some colleges/programs may not allow conditional status. Students on conditional status are limited to six hours per semester.
The conditional status will be removed after the student earns a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate credit at Southern Arkansas University with a 3.0 GPA, no grade lower than a C, and not more than one course with a grade of C. If a student fails to meet the requirements for removal of conditional status after earning 12 hours of graduate credit, he/she will be denied continuance in graduate courses at SAU.
Applications will not be considered until all required materials (listed above) have been submitted based on the following deadlines:
- Fall Semester: July 10
- Spring Semester: December 1
- Summer Sessions (I & II): April 1
(Note: Applications will still be taken for most program for 2-3 weeks past the deadline with a late fee of $100 versus the normal $25 application fee. All materials must be submitted as quickly as possible for late applications in order to complete your file before classes begin.)
Non-Degree Admission to the School of Graduate Studies
Graduates of accredited colleges and universities who wish to enroll in selected course offerings of the Graduate School but not pursue a formal degree or additional licensure may be considered for admission as non-degree students. The minimum requirement for taking graduate courses in non-degree status is a GPA of 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale). Some colleges/programs have higher requirements for taking courses in non-degree status. Non-degree status does not constitute admission to the Graduate School, or to a specific degree or licensure program.
Application Materials and Timeline
- Application for admission to Graduate Studies (see deadlines below).
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education which the student has attended sent directly from the college/university.
School of Graduate Studies
P. O. Box 9302
Magnolia, AR 71754
- Students earning a bachelor’s degree after the appropriate deadline should submit a current transcript by the deadline and have a transcript reflecting the degree on file by registration day.
- Non-Degree intent/waiver form.
- Proof of immunizations (MMR).
Applications will not be considered until all required materials (listed above) have been submitted based on the following deadlines:
- Fall Semester: July 10
- Spring Semester: December 1
- Summer Sessions (I & II): April 1
(Note: Applications will still be taken for most program for 2-3 weeks past the deadline with a late fee of $100 versus the normal $25 application fee. All materials must be submitted as quickly as possible for late applications in order to complete your file before classes begin.)
Exceptions to non-degree application deadlines are based on programmatic needs only.
Students in non-degree status, who apply for admission to a graduate program to pursue a formal degree or a license, must meet the same GPA and GMAT/GRE/MAT requirements stated for an applicant seeking initial entry. No more than 6 (six) credit hours earned with non-degree status may apply toward a degree.
