Admissions

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Prerequisite Background

All applicants must have earned 60 credits of related coursework in an undergraduate program. If the applicant has fewer than 60 credits, a combination of credits and a portfolio of demonstrated prior learning may be considered.

A Bachelor’s degree is required for admission to a graduate program. Prior degrees must be from an appropriately accredited college or university.

Admission Requirements – Undergraduate Programs

To apply for admission to an undergraduate program, all applicants must submit the following to the Admissions Office:

• Evidence of completion of an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree from a U.S. institution of higher education that is accredited or in candidacy status with an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. International students must have their degree evaluated by a recognized member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) [https://www.naces.org/members]. Evaluations and transcripts received directly from the evaluation service will be accepted as official documents. Foreign transcripts that have not been evaluated will not be accepted by the Office of Admissions. All documents issued in a foreign language must have a certified English translation attached;
• Official transcripts from other institutions of higher learning attended for courses to be applied to the program;
• A “C+” average (2.5 g.p.a.) or better in all work as an undergraduate student;
• A current resume along with a valid government-issued photo ID;
• A personal statement (500 words) of professional and educational goals;
• References from three people who can attest to the likelihood of your successful completion of the degree program. A recommendation form (Appendix D) can be found on the University website (https://www.sarasotauniversity.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Recommendation-Form_5_03_13.pdf);
• For students for whom English is a second language, a minimum score of 530 on the paper-based or 79 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS), or 50 on the PTE Academic Score Report.

Admission Requirements – Masters Programs

To apply for admission to a graduate master’s degree or certificate program, all applicants must submit the following to the Admissions Office:

• Evidence of a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. institution of higher education that is accredited or in candidacy status with an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. International students must have their degree evaluated by a recognized member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) [https://www.naces.org/members]. Evaluations and transcripts received directly from the evaluation service will be accepted as official documents. Foreign transcripts that have not been evaluated will not be accepted by the Office of Admissions. All documents issued in a foreign language must have a certified English translation attached.
• Official transcripts from other institutions of higher learning attended for courses to be applied to the program.
• A “B” average (2.7 GPA) or better in all work as an undergraduate student, or a “B” or better average in all work attempted in upper division undergraduate studies, or a “B” or better average in previous graduate work.
• Current resume along with a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Personal statement (500 words) of professional and educational goals.
• References from three people who can attest to the likelihood of your successful completion of the degree program. A recommendation form (Appendix B) can be found on the University website (https://www.sarasotauniversity.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Recommendation-Form_5_03_13.pdf).
• For students for whom English is a second language, a minimum score of 530 on the paper-based or 79 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS) or 50 on the PTE Academic Score Report.

Admissions Requirements – Doctoral Program

To apply for admission to the Doctoral program, all applicants must submit the following to the Admissions Office:

• A baccalaureate degree from a U.S. institution of higher education that is accredited or in candidacy status with a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign students must hold a degree recognized (translated by a recognized agency) as equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree.
• A master’s degree from a U.S. institution of higher education that is accredited or in candidacy status with a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign students must hold a degree recognized (translated by a recognized agency) as equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree.
• Official transcripts from other institutions of higher learning attended.
• Generally, a “B” average (3.0 GPA) or better in all work as an undergraduate student, or a “B” or better average in all work attempted in upper division undergraduate studies, or a “B” or better average in previous graduate work.
• A current resume.
• A personal statement (500 words) of professional and educational goals demonstrating written communication skills and information on current or previous leadership roles/experiences.
• References from three people who can attest to the likelihood of the candidate’s successful completion of an advanced graduate program. A Montessori credential from a North American Montessori Teacher Education Program (TEP) accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), the American Montessori Society, or Association Montessori Internationale. Graduates of Montessori Teacher Education programs from other continents may apply if their teacher education program meets MACTE standards.
• Three full academic years of Montessori teaching experience after receiving an approved Montessori credential at any level.
• For students for whom English is a second language, a minimum score of 500 on the paper-based or 79 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

The Director of Admissions will notify the applicant by email of the Admissions Committee’s decision concerning acceptance into the University and the desired program. The application, transcripts, and related documents remain the property of Sarasota University and will be used for reporting purposes. No identifiable information will be shared with any third party without the student’s permission.

Conditional Acceptance
The University’s Admission Committee reserves the right to accept a student who does not meet the described admission requirements, under the following conditions which may lead to regular admission:
● The applicant has demonstrated academic potential, has excellent recommendations, and/or has successfully completed master’s level classes at an accredited institution; or
● In the admissions committee’s assessment of the applicant’s work or professional
experiences, the applicant would contribute substantially to the learning community.

The committee may prescribe certain conditions, including the number of courses a student may take and the Grade Point Average (GPA) the student must obtain to move to full admission status. Students enrolled under Conditional Acceptance must receive a B or better in their first two courses.

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