General Policies & Definitions

Admission Eligibility

App Requirements & Processes

Deadlines

Decision Process & Timeline

Enrollment/Deferral/Reapplication

The following policies are derived from Texas State University's Graduate Catalog and are provided as a general overview for applicants. Texas State reserves the right to withdraw courses at any time; to change fees or tuition, academic calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, admissions and graduation requirements or procedures; and to modify other requirements affecting students. Such changes may apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled and will become effective as determined by the appropriate authorities.

General Policies & Definitions

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  • Texas State is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of the application and admissions process. The university does not discriminate against any individual in the consideration of admission or participation in its programs or activities on any basis prohibited by law, including race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

  • Domestic students are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., as well as those who hold refugee or asylee status. These individuals may still be required to pay the international credential fee when submitting the graduate application if applicable.

  • International Student Classification

    • An online international student is someone who holds citizenship in another country, is not a U.S. permanent resident, and resides outside the U.S. while enrolling in an online program.

    • An on-campus international student is someone who is studying on a non-immigrant visa status (including H1-B visa holders). (If you are not a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee and you are physically in the U.S. to pursue your degree, you would be classified as an on-campus international student.)

  • Admissions, enrollment, and scholarship restrictions may apply to programs that are fully or partially online. For questions regarding eligibility for online programs, applicants should contact the appropriate academic department and/or TXST One Stop.

    Non-Texas Residents

    Applicants who are not Texas residents and do not plan to relocate to Texas must contact the Office of Online and Extended Programs to discuss eligibility and available options.

    International Applicants

    International applicants seeking enrollment in an online program may contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to discuss available options.

  • Types of Admission

    • Regular, degree-seeking admission may be granted to applicants who meet the minimum institutional requirements and any additional program-specific criteria.

    • Conditional admission may be granted to applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for regular admission but demonstrate potential for success in graduate study.

      A recommendation for conditional admission is made by the graduate advisor and must be approved by the Dean of The Graduate College. All decisions are governed by the admission policies of the prospective program.

      Conditional admission is not available for all programs and is not available to applicants who require an F-1 visa.

      Students admitted conditionally will be assigned specific requirements, or “conditions of admission,” by the graduate advisor with approval from the Dean of The Graduate College.

      Progress toward meeting these conditions will be reviewed each term by the graduate advisor and The Graduate College.

      • Students who satisfy all conditions of admission will be eligible for regular admission.
      • Students who do not meet the conditions of admission will be dismissed from the program.*

      *Students may appeal a dismissal decision to the Dean of The Graduate College. Appeals are reviewed by both the departmental graduate admissions committee and the Dean. Decisions made by the Dean of The Graduate College are final.

    • Undergraduate students at Texas State who have superior academic records and lack 12 or fewer semester hours toward graduation may apply for graduate admission to a degree-seeking program to begin taking graduate courses during the final term of undergraduate study. Graduate courses taken under this status will be applied to the student’s prospective master’s degree. The following requirements must be met:

      1. The student must be admitted with Regular Admission status. 
      2. The graduate advisor in the student’s proposed major program must submit a recommendation to the dean of The Graduate College requesting that the student be admitted into the proposed major program of study as a graduating senior.
      Financial Aid Considerations

      Concurrent enrollment in undergraduate and graduate coursework may impact financial aid eligibility. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with a financial aid advisor prior to applying for graduating senior status. Additional information is available through the One Stop website.

  • Materials submitted by (or on behalf of) an applicant for the purposes of admission to Texas State become the property of the university and cannot be released, except in accordance with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or the Texas Public Information Act (TPIA).

    Non-required admission materials mailed or emailed will not be retained, nor will documents submitted without the officially designated admission application.

    All immigration-related documents will be collected by the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

  • Unless otherwise specified on an individual program's page, AI tools can only be used to correct spelling and grammar errors in application materials. All other forms of AI use in the admission process are prohibited.

Admission Eligibility

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  • Application requirements consist of institutional and program requirements for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Additional information and changes to admission requirements can be found on The Graduate College's website.

  • Institutional Requirements

    • Institutional requirements are set by the Office of Admissions and The Graduate College and reflect the minimum standards for admission to any graduate program at Texas State. These are detailed within the Graduate Catalog and include components for processing applications, academic/background requirements, and English proficiency requirements.

      Note: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into a graduate program, as, in addition to the institutional requirements, applicants must adhere to the program's entry terms, deadlines, admission requirements, and necessary materials needed for their intended program of study.

      • Completed online application
      • Nonrefundable application fee
        • Degree Programs (Doctoral and Master’s) 
          • $55 fee, or
          • $90 for applications with international credentials
        • Post-Baccalaureate Programs (Certificate, Certification, Non-Degree, and Visiting)
          • $20 fee, or
          • $60 for applications with international credentials

      Application Fee Waivers are available to qualified applicants. See the Application Fee Waiver section for more details.

      • Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted. Final transcripts showing degree completion are required before the student may register for their second term of enrollment. 
      • GPA requirements (a higher GPA may be required by the program)
        • Doctoral programs require a 3.00 overall GPA or a 3.00 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
        • Master’s and Specialist programs require a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
        • Post-Baccalaureate programs require a 2.50 overall GPA or a 2.50 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
      • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)

    • Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum requirements below, unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on The Graduate College's exempt countries list. (Some programs may require higher scores, minimum section scores, or a specific test. Applicants should refer to their intended program’s webpage for additional requirements.) 

      • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 
        • 78 overall (if taken on or before January 21, 2026)
        • 4 overall (if taken after January 21, 2026)
      • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
      • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
      • official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
      • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
      • official Texas State Intensive English Program score of 90% or higher in the highest-level course (level 5)

      The university does not offer admission into a graduate program if the scores above are not met.

      Waiver Critera

      Applicants who hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from an accredited institution in one of the following countries are automatically* exempt from submitting the English language proficiency requirements (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/DET/TSIE) for graduate admission consideration:

      • American Samoa
      • Anguilla
      • Antigua/Barbuda
      • Australia
      • Bahamas
      • Barbados
      • Belize
      • Bermuda
      • Botswana
      • Canada (except for Quebec)
      • Cayman Islands
      • Christmas Island
      • Cook Islands
      • Dominica
      • Eswatini
      • Fiji
      • Ghana
      • Gibraltar
      • Grenada
      • Guam
      • Guyana
      • Isle of Man
      • Ireland
      • Jamaica
      • Kenya
      • Lesotho
      • Liberia
      • Malawi
      • Micronesia
      • Montserrat
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • Norfolk Island
      • Papua New Guinea
      • Philippines
      • Pitcairn Islands
      • Sierra Leone
      • Singapore
      • South Sudan
      • South Africa
      • St. Helena
      • St. Kitts and Nevis
      • St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines
      • Tanzania
      • The Gambia
      • Trinidad and Tobago
      • Turks and Caicos Islands
      • Uganda
      • U. S. Pacific Trust Territories
      • United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
      • United States of America (except for Puerto Rico)
      • Virgin Islands
      • Zambia

      Applicants who qualify for a waiver are not required to submit English proficiency test scores. All other applicants must provide official test scores that meet minimum university and program requirements.

      *EXCEPTIONS

      Due to the requirements outlined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), programs involving teacher or professional certification do not recognize the exemptions above and require a degree from an accredited U.S. institution to waive the English proficiency requirements for graduate admission consideration.

    • Applicants who are currently on probation or suspension at other colleges or universities are not eligible for admission to any graduate program. The dean of The Graduate College may refuse admission to any applicant, regardless of whether or not the applicant meets the admission requirements, if the dean of The Graduate College judges that such action is in the individual's or the university's best interest.

    • Texas State reserves the right to deny admission to any prospective or former student who has a criminal record, including any conviction of a felony, offenses involving moral turpitude, or other offenses of a serious nature. Please review the Occupational License Disclaimer.

    • New and returning students who will be under age 22 on their first day of class are required to submit proof of immunization for bacterial meningitis. More information can be found on the Admissions' Meningitis Vaccination Requirement page.

  • In addition to the Institutional Requirements above, admission to Texas State requires meeting the specific standards set by the program of study, which may include more rigorous standards than the institutional requirements and/or additional required materials. These requirements will be listed on the individual program pages.

  • Some graduate programs prepare students for initial occupational licenses under Texas law. Applicants to such programs should be aware of the following:

    • Individuals convicted of certain offenses may be ineligible to receive an occupational license.
    • Licensing authorities establish guidelines identifying crimes that may affect licensure eligibility.
    • Local or county licensing authorities may have additional requirements.
    • Individuals may request a criminal history evaluation letter from the appropriate licensing authority to determine potential eligibility.

    Applicants are encouraged to review licensing eligibility requirements and contact the appropriate licensing authority with questions.

Application Requirements & Processes

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  • Online Application & Policies

    • When submitting an online application, applicants must use the same last name under which they previously attended or applied to TXST. This helps prevent duplicate ID numbers and expedites processing.

      If an applicant has legally changed their name, official documentation must be submitted to TXST One Stop.

    • Entry Term Changes

      To change an entry term prior to being admitted, applicants must submit a new application and pay the non-refundable application fee.

      Applicants who have already been admitted should contact Graduate Admissions to discuss available options.

      Major Changes

      Applicants who wish to change their major program or add a Teacher or Professional Certification must submit a new online application, pay the application fee, and provide all required admission documents as listed on the program’s webpage.

      Processing program changes may take at least six weeks, and admission to one graduate program does not guarantee admission to another.

    • To apply to more than one program, applicants must submit a separate online application, application fee, and all required documents for each program.

      Admission to one graduate program does not guarantee admission to another.

    • Applicants who are denied admission to one program and wish to apply to a different program must submit a new online application, application fee, and all required documents for the new program.

    • Applicants are responsible for reading all communications sent from the Office of Admissions and The Graduate College. 

      All admissions correspondence will be sent to the email address provided on their application. Applicants must ensure the email address provided is accurate and remains active after submitting the application.

      If an applicant is not receiving emails regarding the application, junk or spam folders should be checked first. If no communication is found, the applicant should contact Graduate Admissions.

      The Graduate College will email applicants important information pertaining to their admissions application and application decision; therefore, it is imperative that applicants provide a working email address on their application that will remain active throughout the entire application process.

  • Application Materials

    • Application Fees

      • A non-refundable application fee is required for all applicants, including applicants seeking certification, non-degree, or visiting student status. Please review the Application Components section above for an itemized list of necessary fees.

        Applicants may submit the required, non-refundable application fee by credit or debit card during the online application process. 

        Applications will not be reviewed until all applicable fees have been paid.

        A $30 returned item fee will be assessed if a payment is returned for insufficient funds, a closed account, or a stop payment.

        Applicants who submit applications to multiple programs or who submit a new application to change programs or entry terms must pay the application fee associated with each application.

      • Graduate application fee waivers are granted based on evidence of financial need and are intended to assist applicants from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing graduate admission.

        To request a fee waiver, please contact Graduate Admissions.

    • Transcripts

      • Submitting Transcript Copies (All Applicants)

        • Applicants must upload one copy of an official transcript from each institution where credit was earned.

        • Tip: To help expedite post-admission processing, applicants who are not currently enrolled in coursework and are applying only to Texas State may choose to send official transcripts directly to Graduate Admissions instead of uploading copies.

          When uploading transcripts, applicants must:

          • Ensure the transcripts are clear and legible
          • Ensure the transcript reflects the most recently completed semester
          • Redact the Social Security number wherever it appears; no other alterations are permitted
          • Include all front and back pages, as well as the transcript legend
          • Combine all pages into a single PDF
          • Arrange pages in the correct order
          • Remove any encryption or password protection

          Do not upload grade reports, advising transcripts, printouts, or transcripts stamped “unofficial” as these will be rejected and your application will remain “Incomplete.”

        • Former or current Texas State students do not need to submit transcripts for any coursework—including transfer credits—already reflected on their Texas State transcript. Those will be appended to the application by Graduate Admissions within 3-5 business days from submission of the application.

        • Applicants with credentials from outside the U.S. must submit:

          • One official transcript—or a copy of the official transcript—sealed by the issuing university, in the native language,
          • Their most recent transcripts and mark sheets (for example, up to the seventh semester in a four-year program),
          • A certified English translation if the transcript is not issued in English,
          • Consolidated transcripts or individual mark sheets for each semester, signed by the Registrar or Controller of Examinations,
          • All transcripts combined into a single PDF and uploaded to “Transcripts”; all degree certificates/completion documents combined and uploaded to “Degree Completion Documents.”

          Note: Third-party evaluations are not required, and third-party evaluations are not accepted. Graduate Admissions evaluates all international transcripts and conducts any necessary grade conversions.

        • Applicants who have earned credentials outside the U.S. must submit:

          • Degree certificate in the native language (provisional certificate are acceptable)
          • Certified English translation

          Degree certificates must include:

          • Type of degree earned
          • Date awarded
          • Official stamps, seals, and/or signatures
          SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
          • Applicants with credentials from India may submit a provisional certificate of completion instead of a final degree certificate,
          • Applicants with credentials from China must submit both graduation certificate(s) and degree certificate(s) in the native language along with an English translation,
          • Applicants in their final year are not required to submit a final degree certificate during the application stage.

        • A study abroad transcript is required if coursework was completed during the last 60 undergraduate credit hours prior to degree completion.

          A foreign transcript may be waived if the study abroad coursework appears on a U.S. transcript and includes:

          • Full course title or prefix
          • Semesters attended
          • Grades awarded
          • Hours attempted
          • Credits awarded

          If any of this information is missing, official foreign transcripts must be submitted and an international credential fee may apply for grade conversion and evaluation.

      • Submitting Final, Official Transcripts (Admitted Applicants)

        • Admitted graduate students must provide evidence of holding a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution at minimum (doctoral admission may require evidence of a completed master's). Exceptions may include graduating seniors at Texas State or specific combined undergraduate/graduate programs.

          For admitted applicants, final, official transcripts from each institution where credit was earned must be received by Graduate Admissions before registration for the second semester at TXST. A registration hold will be placed on the student’s account if transcripts are not received by this deadline.

          Texas State reserves the right to request official transcripts at any time and may rescind admission if discrepancies are found between uploaded documents and official transcripts.

        • All official transcripts must meet the following criteria:

          • Reflect all college work attempted, and any degree(s) conferred
          • Be sent directly from the university or college you attended, either via secure electronic delivery or through the U.S. mail.
            • If mailed, they must arrive in a sealed university envelope with the University Registrar’s signature across the seal.
            • If sent electronically, they must be sent from the University Registrar’s through a secure third-party vendor., bearing all appropriate signatures/approvals.
          IMPORTANT NOTES:
          • Scanned or faxed copies are not considered official.
          • Transcripts will be compared with any documents you uploaded during the application process.
          • Transcripts submitted without a corresponding online application will not be retained.

        • Former or current Texas State students do not need to submit transcripts for any coursework—including transfer credits—already reflected on their Texas State transcript. Those will be appended to the application by Graduate Admissions within 3-5 business days from submission of the application.

        • Official, non-U.S. transcripts submitted for continued enrollment at Texas State must:

          • Include all mark sheets
          • Be mailed directly from the issuing institution
          • Be sealed and include official stamps, seals, and/or signatures from the Registrar or Controller of Examinations
          • Be printed on official university letterhead
          • Be recognized by the appropriate national authorities

          If transcripts are issued in English, only the official transcript is required. If transcripts are issued in another language, a certified English translation must also be submitted.

          If only one official transcript exists, applicants may bring it to TXST One Stop. A digital copy will be made, and the original transcript will be returned to the applicant.

        • Continued enrollment at Texas State requires a final, degree completion certificate.

          Applicants who have earned credentials outside the U.S. must submit:

          • Degree certificate in the native language (provisional certificate are acceptable)
          • Certified English translation

          Degree certificates must include:

          • Type of degree earned
          • Date awarded
          • Official stamps, seals, and/or signatures
          SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
          • Applicants with credentials from India may submit a provisional certificate of completion instead of a final degree certificate.
          • Applicants with credentials from China must submit both graduation certificate(s) and degree certificate(s) in the native language along with an English translation.

    • Official Test Scores

    • English Proficiency

    • Documents

      • After submitting the online application and paying the application fee, applicants may upload required documents (such as resumes, essays, statements of purpose, etc.). Applicants should review the specific document requirements for their program of study.

      • Applicants request recommendations by entering the names and email addresses of their recommenders in the online application. Recommenders will receive an email with instructions for submitting the recommendation.

      • Some programs require applicants to secure a mentor to guide them in their area of study. To confirm the mentorship, prospective mentors must submit a written agreement, known as the mentor communication. Applicants in programs with this requirement must request a mentor, who will be required to submit their letter via email or mail to Graduate Admissions.

  • GPA Calculations

    • Once an application is complete, Graduate Admissions calculates all necessary GPAs for admission consideration while individual program staff calculate subject-matter GPAs (if applicable). The GPAs used for admission depend on the degree required for the program, the courses completed, and the grade scale(s) used by the degree-granting institution.

      • For master’s applicants: GPA is calculated based on all undergraduate coursework completed prior to the bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution. Any completed graduate level-coursework may also be considered in the overall GPA calculation.
      • For doctoral applicants: GPA is calculated based on the applicant’s completed master’s degree coursework.
      • Additional considerations:
        • If a second bachelor’s degree was completed, all undergraduate coursework may be included in the GPA calculation.
        • Undergraduate coursework taken after the first bachelor’s degree is only considered if it is part of a second baccalaureate degree.
        • Only courses with letter grades or their numerical equivalents are included in GPA calculations.

    • For degrees earned from the United States, Graduate Admissions will calculate:

      • an overall undergraduate GPA, or
      • a GPA based on the last 60 undergraduate semester hours of letter-grade coursework completed before the bachelor’s degree was awarded

      The last 60-hour GPA includes undergraduate letter-grade coursework completed prior to degree conferral. Completed graduate coursework may also be considered.

      If the applicant has earned a graduate degree, the overall graduate GPA will be available for review by the admissions committee.

    • For degrees earned outside the United States and deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree, Graduate Admissions converts grades to the U.S. grading scale. GPAs will then be calculated using:

      • an overall GPA, or
      • a GPA based on the last 20 undergraduate credits earned prior to degree completion

      To align with U.S. grading practices, thesis work, viva, major projects, or mini projects are excluded from the calculation.

    • For programs requiring a master’s degree, the GPA calculation is based exclusively on overall graduate-level letter-grade coursework, referred to as the overall graduate GPA. For applicants with non-U.S. degrees, Graduate Admissions will convert the GPA to the U.S. grading scale.

Deadlines

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  • Application deadline dates vary by program and are listed on each program’s webpage. Applicants who do not meet a program’s specific deadline will be denied admission and must submit a new application and all required materials to be considered for future terms or other programs.

    Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application and all required materials well in advance of the program’s deadline, particularly the program's priority deadline.

  • The priority deadline is the date that ensures full consideration for admission, eligibility for certain funding opportunities—including scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships—and guarantees that an application will be reviewed in the initial evaluation.

    After this date, applications may be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis until the program reaches capacity, at which point submissions will close.

  • The standard deadline is the last day a complete application can be submitted. Submission by this date does not guarantee admission consideration. (In order to guarantee admission consideration, an application must be submitted by the priority deadline.)

    Applications must be submitted by 11:00 p.m. CST (12:00 midnight EST) on the day of the standard deadline.

Decision Process & Timeline

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  • After all required application materials have been submitted, the applicant’s grade point average (GPA) will be calculated by Graduate Admissions and then routed to the appropriate program for consideration. The departmental graduate admission committee will provide an admissions recommendation to the graduate dean, who then communicates the final decision via the online application.

    Note: Students who have been admitted into a degree program and do not enroll for the original term of acceptance are not guaranteed acceptance for future terms.

  • Most admission decisions will be made in 4-6 weeks from the time the application is considered complete, though some programs may wait to review all applicants at one time at a later date. Once an admission decision is made, the Office of Admissions will notify the applicant by email.

    Throughout the process, applicants are encouraged to check the status of their application online in order to expedite the process of completing the application.

  • Applicants may choose to appeal their denial from Texas State. Applicants denied admission will have three (3) weeks from the date of the denial decision to submit an appeal to the dean of The Graduate College.

    Applicants must use the Admission Decision Appeal Form and should include additional supporting documentation. 

    Admission appeals will be reviewed and processed within three (3) weeks of receipt of the applicant's appeal.

Enrollment/Deferral/Reapplication

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  • Enrollment Requirements

    • After admission, applicants are expected to enroll in the term for which they were admitted. Admission for future terms is not guaranteed if the applicant does not enroll as planned.

      Admitted students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment during fall and spring semesters. Summer enrollment is optional.

    • Summer Start

      A new, initial F-1 student who recently gained admission into the U.S. with a program start date set to begin in the summer session must enroll full-time for that summer session.

      Eligible Course Load for Full-Time Status

      For F-1 international students, only one (1) distance learning class/online course per semester may be counted toward the full-time status requirement.

      The chart below shows the minimum face-to-face credit hours needed for the fulfillment of full-time status. The online hours are the maximum number of online or distance learning courses that can count towards the full-time status requirement. Contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for more information.

      LevelOnlineOn-Campus (Face-to-Face)
      Masters3 hours3 hours
      Doctoral3 hours6 hours

  • If an applicant cannot enroll in the admitted term, some programs may allow deferral to a later term within the next two consecutive terms. (For example, students admitted for fall may request to defer to spring or summer.) This option is generally limited to programs that admit students in multiple terms.

    Applicants should contact Graduate Admissions to request whether deferral is available for their program.

  • If an applicant does not enroll in a fall or spring term after beginning a program, they must request to return:

    • If it has been less than 12 months since the last enrollment, the applicant may submit an Update Enrollment Form instead of a new application.
    • If the applicant has not enrolled for more than 12 months, a new application and application fee are required.

    Admission is not guaranteed upon reapplication. Applicants should review program-specific requirements with their graduate advisor.

    Submitting a Leave of Absence Form may also be helpful for master’s, specialist, or pre-candidacy doctoral students. Doctoral candidates are required to submit a Doctoral Student Leave of Absence Form.

  • All graduate programs have time limits for degree completion. Admission decisions may take into account prior coursework or previously earned credits, particularly if the applicant’s prior enrollment approaches or exceeds these limits.

    Students who exceed the following program timelines must contact the program’s graduate advisor or Doctoral Program Director to request a time extension before being allowed re-entry:

    • Four (4) years for graduate certificates
    • Six (6) years for master’s degrees
    • Ten (10) years for doctoral degrees

    Admitted students are expected to complete their program within these timelines to maintain good standing and eligibility for graduation.