1. Bachelor's degree: A minimum of a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalent from an accredited institution.
2. Grades: Minimum 2.50 GPA, based on a 4-point scale (Note: the minimum GPA for assistantship eligibility is 2.75)
3. Additional program requirements: Please refer to the academic department for information regarding admissions requirements for specific academic programs. All these various scores must be official scores, no photocopies. Contact information for each program can be found here.
Qualifying examinations
Applicants for admission are advised that their scores on the GRE constitute a desirable credential to submit in applying for admission and may be required for admission to certain programs. Official scores must be received before the application can be considered.
Official score reports are required. Photocopies will not be accepted. Under no circumstances will we accept GRE/GMAT scores that are more than five years old.
The University of Akron Institution Codes:
Graduate School: 1829
CSDCAS: 1722
Arrangements to take the GRE may be made through the Educational Testing Service. GMAT information is available at www.mba.com.
4. Transcripts: Submit official transcripts electronically or by mail from all previous institutions. International students have additional transcript requirements (see below).
What is an official transcript? An official transcript is a university's certified statement of your academic record. The official paper transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the university seal and signature of the University Registrar. The official electronic transcript is a PDF secured by a digital certificate from an approved transcript service provider. Personal copies of academic records will be considered unofficial. If the final transcript does not reflect the degree earned (including the date awarded), certification must be provided in the form of a diploma or a letter from the Registrar certifying this information.
Domestic transcripts — The Graduate School requires an official transcript from each institution that you have attended or are currently attending. Applicants are required to submit all undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic records.
Official paper transcripts should be confidential and provided in a sealed envelope by the respective university/college Registrar. Official electronic transcripts from an approved transcript service provider will be accepted. Approved Third-Party Transcript Service Providers: National Student Clearing House, Parchment Exchange, and RapidRequest.
Current and former University of Akron student applicants are not required to order official UA transcripts, but should follow instructions found in the application portal.
International transcripts and degrees — Official transcripts of all college level work completed outside of the U.S. must be sent to a NACES-accredited credential evaluation service for evaluation. The transcript evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation that identifies and describes each diploma or certificate with periods of education and equivalency of each document.
Preferred NACES-accredited evaluation services:
Account creation instructions for WES and ECE can be found in your UA application portal. Evaluations from other accredited members of NACES and IACES may be acceptable. Find a list of members on their websites.
5. Letters of Recommendation are not required of all applicants. Please ask your academic department about letter-of-recommendation requirements for your academic program. Contact information for each program can be found here. Applicants can also log in to their Applicant Portal to determine this requirement.
6. English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test/LanguageCert Academic) for students whose native language is not English.
About TOEFL, IELTS, DET, and LCA
TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, and LanguageCert Academic International applicants, U.S. citizens, and Permanent Residents whose native language is not English must submit evidence that they have a sufficient level of English to undertake graduate studies at The University of Akron.
TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or LanguageCert Academic scores cannot be more than two years old.
The minimum scores needed to meet English proficiency requirements are: - TOEFL 79 - IELTS 6.5 - DET 115 – LCA 70 Graduate School code: 1829.
After submitting acceptable academic credentials and proof of English proficiency, applicants who are fully admitted may enroll in graduate coursework and may be eligible for University of Akron-funded assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships. Please note that students who wish to be considered for teaching assistantships cannot submit DET or LCA scores, only TOEFL or IELTS scores will be considered for TA positions. Prospective teaching assistants must also achieve a minimum score of 23 on the Speaking Section of the internet-based TOEFL, or a minimum score of 7 on the Speaking Section of the IELTS, or a passing score on the U-ADEPT.
Additional information on English Language Proficiency can be found here.
7. Additional program-specific requirements and deadlines: Many graduate programs have additional requirements and deadlines. Search for your degree to learn more.