Admission to the School of Professional and Graduate Studies (Graduate)
Admission to the School of Professional and Graduate Studies (Graduate)
Trinity’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) graduate-level programs seek to enroll students who demonstrate academic potential, have a record of scholastic achievement, and possess the capacity for independent learning. Trinity regards these characteristics as essential for intellectual and personal growth. Students are admitted without regard to race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Trinity encourages applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus, attend classes, and arrange for an interview with an admissions representative. Prospective students should call the Office of Admissions at (202) 884-9400 for an appointment to visit the campus.
Admission Requirements for Degree-Seeking Graduate Students
Who Should Apply
Trinity seeks students with a conferred baccalaureate degree, a record of scholastic achievement at the undergraduate level, academic potential for graduate study, and promise of success in the professional area in which they are applying. Students are admitted without regard to race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged.
Entrance Requirements
Candidates for admission must possess a bachelor’s degree from any appropriately accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation (“institutional accreditors”).
Students who do not meet the standard admission requirements but who demonstrate potential may be provisionally admitted and may take up to six (6) credits during their first semester. A student must receive a minimum grade of “B” in each of these courses in order to be fully admitted to a graduate program. Students who receive a B- or below are not eligible for admission.
Application Procedure
Candidates for admission to graduate programs in the School of Professional and Graduate Studies must:
- Complete the online application for admission (no application fee assessed).
- Send official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended at the undergraduate and graduate level. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the prior institution(s).
- Submit two letters of recommendation testifying to the applicant’s aptitude for graduate education and potential for professional growth and development. Letters from both college instructors and employers are acceptable.
- Submit a personal statement that outlines personal and professional goals specific to the academic program of interest.
- Provide a current résumé or curriculum vitae. All supporting materials may be transmitted via any of the following:
- Uploading supporting documentation to the online application portal
- Send documentation electronically via email to admissions@trinitydc.edu
- Send documentation via postal mail to:
Office of Admissions
Trinity Washington University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.
Interviews
Trinity welcomes prospective students to visit, experience the campus environment, and bring their questions to better understand the offerings and opportunities of a Trinity education. Though a formal interview is not required, an interview with an admissions representative is recommended. Reservations may be made for a campus visit and an interview by contacting the Office of Admissions.
Application Deadline
Applications for admission to Trinity are considered on a rolling basis. Priority for admission is given to students who complete their applications by the priority deadline of February 1 for the Fall term. All others are encouraged to submit their application no later than March 15 for the Fall term, and November 1 for the Spring term. Candidates will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of all required credentials. If additional information is required, candidates for admission will be notified promptly. To meet applicant timelines prospective students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions.
In some instances, students may be permitted to register for up to six (6) credits prior to the receipt of all admission materials. Such students will be assigned non-degree status for no more than one (1) semester. In such cases permission to register should not be construed as conferring admission to the degree program.
Transfer Credits for Graduate Degrees
Students enrolled in a graduate degree program may transfer a maximum of six (6) credits from appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning toward a degree at Trinity. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation (“institutional accreditors”).
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs
The post-baccalaureate certificate programs require proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants to the post-baccalaureate certificate programs should show potential for academic success and similar ability to degree-seeking students also enrolled in the courses. Students with a 2.8 cumulative undergraduate grade point average or equivalent will be given priority consideration.
Students who have completed a Trinity certificate and wish to continue in a full degree program should submit the online application for consideration to their desired graduate degree program.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Non-Degree Graduate Students
Non-degree seeking students may take courses at Trinity without being admitted to a degree program. Those wishing to take individual graduate courses may be eligible to do so providing they have an undergraduate degree from an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation (“institutional accreditors”). Prospective non-degree students must complete an online application for non-degree student status.
Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only. Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. Students may earn no more than six (6) graduate credit hours as a non-degree seeking student. No additional course work may be undertaken prior to acceptance into a degree program at Trinity.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for International Students
International applicants must submit all credentials for graduate admission. The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documentation:
- Complete the Trinity online application (No application fee assessed).
- Transcripts: Original or certified educational documents of high school transcripts and degree, university transcripts and mark sheets. All international applicants or students who are U.S. citizens who have obtained high school or college/university credit from an institution outside of the United States must submit official transcripts with course-by-course evaluation by one of the agencies accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (see National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).
- Recommendation Letters: International applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from a high school teacher, college professor or current employer.
- English Proficiency Standards: If English is not an official language in the applicant’s country of origin, the applicant has not earned a college/university degree in the U.S., or the applicant is not currently enrolled in a degree program in the U.S., they will need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language or an International English Language Testing System exam before they can be considered for final admissions. All English proficiency scores are valid for two years from the test date. Official test scores must be provided directly from the testing agency. TOEFL: Official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language must be submitted directly to Trinity by ETS (Educational Testing Services). Trinity’s code is 5796, and a minimum score of 550 on paper-based test (PBT) or 213 on computer-based test (CBT) or 79 on Internet-based test (IBT) is required. IELTS – Academic: A minimum6.5 total band score is required. NOTE: Students who have completed the equivalent of an ENGL 107 course (College Composition) at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education and earned a grade of “C’ or better may be waived from the English testing requirement.
- The Immigration Form I–20 needed to obtain the F-1/Student Visa will be issued only to applicants who: 1) are admitted to Trinity and; 2) demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year. Proof of financial responsibility, or financial affidavit, which includes an official bank statement for the first year of study, along with a letter of sponsorship from the sponsor. Contact the International Student Adviser, Hanan Adnan, at adnanh@trinitydc.edu or (+1) 202-884-9141 for details regarding proof of financial responsibility. Note: All international students must pursue a full course of study (a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students). Failure to adhere to this USCIS requirement for F-1 students may jeopardize legal non-immigrant status.
Deadlines: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommendations, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.
Graduate Readmission
A student previously registered as a degree candidate who has failed to maintain continuous enrollment in the same graduate program for one calendar year or more must apply for readmission. Students who have not taken classes for five years or longer must apply for admission under the current academic program (the “five-year” rule). Under certain circumstances, students who leave the college may be required to repeat courses that have expired. Students in specific programs may be required to complete additional course work to meet degree, licensure, or certification requirements. The student’s transcript and program of study will be evaluated by the Dean.
Declaration of Intent
Upon notification of acceptance, the applicant will be asked to submit a Declaration of Intent (DOI). The DOI confirms an accepted candidate’s intention to enroll at Trinity in the School of Business and Graduate Studies. Registration for courses cannot be processed until a DOI has been received.
Disclaimer
Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.
Questions may be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@trinitydc.edu.