Graduate

I have a bachelor's degree and want to pursue a master's degree or professional certification

Admissions for a Master's Degree

Whether you're pursing a master's degree, graduate certificate, or other advanced degree or certificate, we're happy you've made McNeese your first choice to continue your education. Start your application by choosing which student type best fits you below:

Note: Before you start the application process, make sure meet admission requirements.

Admission Requirements

Note: Admission to Graduate School does not imply admission to a specific graduate degree program. Different programs may have different GPA, GRE, GMAT, letter of recommendation, or other prerequisite requirements for acceptance. Make sure to check your desired program's page for additional admission criteria.

Traditional International Transfer Returning

Traditional

Traditional Students

If you have never attended another graduate school and this is your first time attending McNeese as a graduate student, then you're considered to be a traditional student. The following checklist gives you everything you'll need to successfully apply.

Start Application Process

Application Steps

Submit official transcripts directly to McNeese from all institutions attended.
If applicable, submit official GRE or GMAT test scores (no more than five years old) directly from the testing agency to McNeese.

After You Apply

Pay $20 application fee once you receive email notification with your McNeese ID number.
If new to McNeese, submit proof of Immunization Compliance Form.
If new to McNeese, submit proof of selective service registration (males ages 18 - 25 only).
(Optional) Complete the financial aid application at fafsa.gov (McNeese FAFSA school code 002017).
(Optional) Complete application for on-campus housing at www.mcneesereslife.com
(Optional) Purchase a commuter or residence campus dining meal plan at www.dineoncampus.com/mcneese

International

International Graduate Students

Find your home away from home at McNeese, where we welcome over 400 international students representing 40 countries every year. Before you start the application process, view our Graduate School requirements.

Start Application Process

Application Steps

Pay a nonrefundable $30 application fee after you receive notification that your application has been processed.
Have your transcripts and/or diplomas sent to McNeese directly from all universities or colleges previously attended. The Office of International Programs will calculate your GPA.
If you have attended an institution outside of the U.S., submit an Evaluation of Foreign Credentials directly from the evaluation service to McNeese. McNeese accepts evaluations from World Education Services Inc. and Global Credential Evaluators.
Submit your official TOEFL (Code 6403) or IELTS score to McNeese. If you have attended at least two semesters of another U.S. university or college, this is not required.
Have your GRE or GMAT scores sent to McNeese directly from the testing agency.
Submit an immunization form.
Email a copy of your passport to the Office of International Programs: internationaloffice@mcneese.edu.
Submit a signed affidavit and bank letter from your sponsor.

After You Apply

(Optional) Complete the financial aid application at fafsa.gov (McNeese FAFSA school code 002017).
(Optional) Complete application for on-campus housing at www.mcneesereslife.com
(Optional) Purchase a commuter or residence campus dining meal plan at www.dineoncampus.com/mcneese

Once all required documents are received by the Office of International Programs, the records will be carefully evaluated, and an admission decision will be made by the Office of International Programs and the appropriate department head or graduate faculty advisor. If you are accepted, a letter of acceptance and a SEVIS Form I-20 will be issued. (The SEVIS Form I-20 is only issued to those applicants seeking to enroll while in F-1 visa status.) If you are not accepted, a notification will be sent.

McNeese State University reserves the exclusive right to determine whether the documentation provided meets the minimum criteria necessary for the admission of international students to the Graduate School.

Applications that are received after the deadline may not be processed in time for admission or scholarship consideration. Be sure to allow at least two months before the application deadline for visa request, issuance and travel.

Mail application materials to:

McNeese State University
International Programs
HC Drew Center
150 Beauregard Drive
4205 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70605 USA

Transfer

Transfer Graduate Students

We're happy you've decided to become a Cowboy! McNeese has everything you need to achieve your personal and professional goals. Upon the recommendation of the major professor and department head and with the approval of the dean of the Graduate School, you may transfer a maximum of one-third of the credit hours required for the degree from another accredited college or university to McNeese provided that:
The grade in each course accepted is a B or better.
Each course is comparable to a required course in the degree program at McNeese.
The credit has been earned within six calendar years from the date the student is first enrolled in the program at McNeese.

Note: Transfer credit will not reduce the minimum residence requirements, which is two-thirds of the credits required for the degree. Credits earned through a Louisiana multi-purpose resident center, as designated by the Board of Regents, may be considered for transfer if the student has been accepted in a degree program and has earned a minimum of 12 hours toward the degree. Petition for this credit is made to the dean of the Graduate School.

Note: If you have earned a bachelor's degree at McNeese but have not previously been admitted as a master's degree-seeking student, you aren't considered to be a transfer student. See the Traditional tab for your application steps.

Graduate-level transfer students must meet a number of additional requirements:

Application Requirements

You must be eligible for readmission to the graduate school of the college or university from which you are transferring.
You may not have grade of I (incomplete) from another school.
You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (Note: if you have a GPA below 3.0, but not lower than 2.0 with no grades of D or F, you may be admitted on probation upon the recommendation of your degree program's prospective major professor, department head, and dean of the Graduate School).

Start Application Process

After You Apply

Returning

Returning Graduate Students

Welcome back! We're happy you've decided to return to McNeese to continue your graduate study. As a former graduate student seeking readmission, you must meet all admission requirements in effect at the time of readmission to continue your course of study. Additionally, if you received a grade of I (incomplete) while previously attending McNeese, you may not reapply.

Note: If you have earned a bachelor's degree at McNeese but have not previously been admitted as a master's degree-seeking student, you aren't considered to be a returning student. See the Traditional tab for your application steps.

Start Application Process

After You Apply

Pay $20 application fee once you receive email notification with your McNeese ID number.
(Optional) Complete the financial aid application at fafsa.gov (McNeese FAFSA school code 002017).
(Optional) Complete application for on-campus housing at www.mcneesereslife.com
(Optional) Purchase a commuter or residence campus dining meal plan at www.dineoncampus.com/mcneese

Graduate Admissions

admissions@mcneese.edu
337-475-5504

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Documents

Admission Forms

App Deadlines

Fall applications - due August 1
Spring applications - due December 1
Summer applications - due May 15

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Graduate

Admissions for a Master's Degree

Traditional Students

Start Application Process

Application Steps

After You Apply

International Graduate Students

Start Application Process

Application Steps

After You Apply

Mail application materials to:

Transfer Graduate Students

Application Requirements

Start Application Process

After You Apply

Returning Graduate Students

Start Application Process

After You Apply

Graduate Admissions

Documents

App Deadlines

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