Mission
Admission
Academic Load
Course Level
Academic Probation
Academic Suspension
Transfer Credit
Non-Degree Seeking Students
Graduation Requirement
Graduate Student Expenses

Mission

The Mission of the Graduate Program at Central Methodist University is to create a learning environment that allows students to continue their professional development. This is achieved through emphasis on academic and professional excellence, ethical leadership and social responsibility.

Admission

All students who desire to enroll in graduate courses at CMU in a degree-seeking capacity must complete an application to the respective graduate program, and request an official transcript from the baccalaureate granting institution. Students must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher and a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher to meet the minimum GPA admission requirement of the university. Those that fall below this requirement may be able to petition for admission. Students may need to meet additional admission requirements and supply additional admission documentation for specific programs. 

If the student has earned graduate credit from a different institution and would like it evaluated for transfer into their CMU graduate program, the student must request official transcripts be sent to CMU. Only 9 hours of transfer graduate work will be considered on a course by course basis.

Conditional Admission

With permission of the Director of Graduate Studies, students who do not yet meet the requirements for regular admission may be conditionally admitted and may enroll in one (1) semester (including the summer term) of coursework up to a maximum of nine (9) hours of graduate credit. At that point, continua­tion in the degree program requires full admission status.

Waiving of Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for all graduate programs may be waived at the discretion of the Dean of the University.

Academic Load

A full-time graduate student course load per semester is six (6) semester hours. No student may register for more than nine (9) hours of graduate credit unless that student has a grade point average of 3.20 in the previous semester and obtains written permission from the Director of Graduate Studies. Students may not earn more than twelve (12) hours of graduate credit in a semester under any circumstances. 

Course Level

Graduate courses are numbered in the 500-level or higher. Some courses are offered for either undergraduate credit at the 300/400-level or for graduate credit at the 500-level, with appropriate requirement differences determined by the instructor.

Academic Probation

Graduate students are placed on academic probation for failing to achieve a grade point average of 2.0 (or higher) in any given semester or a 2.5 for two semesters.   This serves as a serious warning of the need for academic improvement if the student is to succeed in the program.

Academic Suspension

Graduate students are placed on academic suspension for failing to achieve a grade point average of 1.5 (or above) in any given semester or 2.0 for two or more consecutive semesters. Suspended students may not return the following semester and must petition the Graduate Studies Committee for readmission at any later date. The petition should explain the reasons for previous academic difficulties, plans for improvement, and reasons for believing the plans will be successful.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of nine (9) hours of graduate-level credit from other accredited institutions may be applied to the graduate programs at CMU, depending on the specific program of study. The courses transferred must be applicable to the categories of the degree program. All courses for transfer credit must have a grade of "B" or above. CMU students who earn a Master's degree at CMU may transfer up to nine (9) hours from that degree to a second Master's degree from CMU.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

With the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies, non-degree-seeking students may enroll in courses for graduate credit. Such students must complete an application and present transcripts certifying that they have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college. If they later choose to seek admission to the graduate program, non-degree seeking students must follow the regular admission process and may apply earned CMU graduate credit to the degree.

Graduation Requirements

• Overall Graduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale;
• A maximum of two (2) grades below a C are allowed, but the overall GPA must be a minimum of 3.0;
• Courses with grades below a "C" will not count toward graduation; and
• All work must be completed within a six-year (6-year) period from the time of initial graduate enrollment.

NOTE: No current CMU student shall supervise another CMU student as part of any CMU course. This specifically includes all practicum, internship, and student-teaching experiences or related courses. Students should consult the appropriate advisor if they have any questions regarding their assignment for the aforementioned experiences.

Graduate Student Expenses

Note: Some fees are based on vendor quotes and are subject to change.