Admission Requirements

Graduate study at John Brown University emphasizes scholarship, research, and professional experience. A candidate seeking admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and meet the following requirements:

1. Submit a completed graduate student application form with a $35 non-refundable application fee. The application includes a 200-word essay regarding the applicant’s professional plans and reasons for seeking acceptance into the program. Applications are available online at www.jbu.edu/grad/admissions.
2. Provide an official transcript from the college awarding the undergraduate degree. Provide official transcripts of graduate course work completed and/or degrees earned at any other institution, if applicable. Transcripts must be mailed by the college or university directly to the Registrar’s Office at John Brown University.
3. Submit graduate recommendation forms from three persons who are not related to the applicant but are familiar with the applicant’s character and scholarship.
4. Present acceptable graduate entry tests appropriate for the desired degree, as described below.
5. Provide additional information or participate in an admission interview if requested by the department head or Dean.

Regular Admission Requirements by Program

Business Programs

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0=A).
• Recommendation forms from three people who are not related to the applicant but familiar with the applicant’s character and scholarship.
• No entrance exam is required.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Business Department Head and the Graduate Dean.

Counseling Programs

Requirements effective January 1, 2020.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0=A).
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA below 2.75 on a 4.0 scale may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. The applicant will also be required to take the GRE entrance exam and score 290 or higher with a minimum verbal score of 145. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Counseling Department Head and the Graduate Dean.

Requirements for the period July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, in the 2019-2020 Graduate catalog.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0=A).
• GRE entrance exam score of 290 or higher with a minimum verbal score of 145. (Waived for applicants who hold an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution in a related field.)
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Counseling Department Head and the Graduate Dean.

Cybersecurity Program

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (4.0=A).
• Evidence of competency in the areas of computer programming, algebra and networks. Examples of evidence could include an undergraduate degree in a relevant field (such as computer programming, computer science, information systems/information systems management, information technology, mathematics/applied mathematics, or engineering) or the successful completion of undergraduate courses, CLEP exams, technical certifications or professional experience in these fields.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Cybersecurity Department Head and the Graduate Dean.
• No entrance exam is required.
• Students in the M.S. in Cybersecurity Program will be required to pass a criminal background check.

Higher Education Program

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher (4.0=A).
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Higher Education Department Head and the Graduate Dean.

Teacher Education Programs

M.A.T. in Teaching

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher with at least 18 hours of course work related to a selected teaching content area.
• GRE, ACT, SAT, or Praxis exams (see below for required scores). Test scores must have been earned within six years of application to the Graduate School. These minimum scores are for regular student admission. Students might still be accepted on a provisional basis.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Teacher Education Department Head and the Graduate Dean.

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
• Current teaching license.
• Three years of teaching experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Teacher Education Department Head and the Graduate Dean.
• No entrance exam required.

M.Ed. in Special Education

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.
• Current teaching license.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Teacher Education Department Head and the Graduate Dean.
• No entrance exam required.

 M.Ed. in School Counseling

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Current teaching license or meet the score requirements of either the GRE, ACT, SAT, or Praxis Core listed below. Test scores must have been earned within six years of application to the Graduate School.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 but less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale will be considered for provisional acceptance. Students whose GPA is below 2.75 may petition for provisional acceptance in writing. Petitions for admission will be reviewed by the Graduate Teacher Education Department Head and the Graduate Dean.

Students must demonstrate competency in math and reading. This can be demonstrated by providing any combination of scores that meet or exceed the following minimum cut scores in each of the areas.

Admission Status

Regular Status

Admission to regular status requires both an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher (4.0=A) and fulfillment of entrance exam requirements.

Provisional Status

An applicant who does not meet all the criteria for regular admission but who demonstrates potential for success in a graduate program may be admitted under provisional status. Appropriate graduate credit earned while in this status will apply toward fulfilling degree requirements. If the applicant satisfactorily completes the first 12 semester hours with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and receives the recommendation of the department head, regular status will be granted; otherwise, the student may be dismissed.

Non-Degree Status

Individuals wishing to enroll without pursuing a degree and who qualify for admission under regular status should complete a non-degree application. Non-degree students are required to pay for all instruction and other services at the regular rate. The student may not become a degree candidate under this status. Credits earned may count toward a degree only after the student reapplies and is accepted for admission under regular status. The reapplication process must include all relevant transcripts and applicable exam scores.

A maximum of twelve hours may be completed under non-degree status. Permission to take more than twelve hours requires approval by the respective department head and the dean. Students enrolled in degree programs have priority over non-degree students in class registrations and on waitlists.

International Admission Requirements

John Brown University admits international students who meet the general admission criteria, hold the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited or recognized university, and have demonstrated proficiency in English.

Applicants from non-English speaking countries take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service at the nearest examination center or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. The minimum score for admission is 80 or higher on the web-based TOEFL exam or 6.5 or higher on the IELTS exam.

International applicants must do the following:

1. Submit a completed graduate student application along with a $35 (US) non-refundable international application fee. The application includes a 200-word essay regarding the applicant’s professional plans and reasons for seeking acceptance into the program.
2. Provide an official transcript from the college awarding the undergraduate degree. Provide official transcripts of graduate course work completed and/or degrees earned at any other institution, if applicable. Transcripts must be mailed by the college or university directly to the Registrar’s Office at John Brown University. Non-English academic records must include certified translation into English.
3. Submit graduate recommendation forms from three persons who are not related to the applicant but are familiar with the applicant’s character and scholarship.
4. International students whose undergraduate degree is not from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university must take a GRE entrance exam and achieve the required minimum scores for entrance into the Graduate School.
5. Provide immunization records including dates of two measles/rubella vaccinations, current Tuberculosis (TB) screening performed in the US if student is born or has lived in an area where TB is endemic for more than six months, and proof of U.S. health insurance.
6. Submit official TOEFL score or IELTS score. Must receive an 80 or higher on the TOEFL internet-based test; 6.5 or higher on IELTS exam.
7. Provide official documents showing ability to pay college costs, or an Affidavit of Support (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-134, available through the International Programs office) completed by a U.S. sponsor.
8. Submit deposit covering the cost of tuition for one year. Deposit is 100% refundable if student does not enroll.
9. Provide additional information or participate in an admission interview if requested by the department head or Dean.

The International Programs Office will issue an Immigration Form I-20. This allows the student to apply for the F-1 student visa at an American Embassy.

Nondiscriminatory Statement

John Brown University admits persons to its programs and activities without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, or gender. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, or gender in the administration of education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-sponsored programs.