III. Admissions

Purdue University’s graduate admission process seeks to select students whose applications document their outstanding ability, preparation, and potential for successful completion of graduate study. Purdue University’s Nondiscrimination Policy is found on the Purdue University Policy Office webpage - http://www.purdue.edu/purdue/ea_eou_statement.html.

Purdue University is committed to maintaining an inclusive community that recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, Purdue University seeks to develop and nurture its diversity. The University believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas and enriches campus life. Purdue University views, evaluates, and treats all persons in any university-related activity or circumstance in which they may be involved solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications and other relevant characteristics. Purdue University does not condone and will not tolerate discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, disability, status as a veteran, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Purdue University promulgates policies and programs to ensure that all persons have equal access to its employment opportunities and educational programs, services and activities. The principal objective of this policy is to provide fair and consistent treatment for all students and employees of the University. Purdue is committed to increasing the recruitment, selection, and promotion of faculty and staff at the University who are racial or ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans. The University also is committed to policies and programs that increase the diversity of the student body.[1]

Inquiries about the need for academic adjustments or auxiliary aids and services because of a disability should be directed to the Disability Resource Center at (765) 494-1247, drc@purdue.edu or http://www.purdue.edu/odos/drc/.

Within the broad, University‑wide framework authorized by the Graduate Council and the

dean of the Purdue Graduate School, departments are primarily responsible for recruitment of students, establishment of appropriate entry qualifications beyond minimum standards set by the Graduate Council, and initial evaluation and admission recommendation of applicants. Recruitment resources are available from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Occasionally, pilot programs that deviate from standard policies and procedures are approved and administered by the Graduate School. These pilot programs are limited in scope and scale, help determine best practices in admissions and recruitment, and may impact future policies and procedures. Requirements and participating departments for these pilot programs are detailed in a proposal. Approved proposal documents are maintained by the Graduate School for the duration of the pilot program.

1 Purdue University Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action (III.C.2.) last revised June 1, 2015.

A. Graduate Student Recruitment

  1. Inquiries Purchased lists (such as from the GRE search service or Council of Undergraduate Researchers) and information from inquiries about admission received by the Purdue Graduate School are entered into Slate. Slate is the client relationship management system that includes unsolicited, inquiry, and application records. Once entered into Slate, inquirers receive communication from the Purdue University Graduate School and/or the appropriate department/interdisciplinary program[1]. As appropriate, inquiries are directed to the electronic application available at https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool.
  2. Recruitment Services Provided by the Office of Graduate Admissions The Office of Graduate Admissions provides a variety of recruitment services related to two primary missions: (1) to recruit graduate students through direct outreach to prospective students and (2) to promote assistance, collaboration, and sharing of best practices among graduate departments. Direct outreach to students includes attendance at key graduate recruitment fairs and conferences, on-campus recruiting events such as the Big Ten+ Graduate School Expo, presentations and online webinars, and the leveraging of social media outlets. The Office of Graduate Admissions also maintains prospective student and admitted student webpages including information on how to prepare for graduate school and Purdue factual information. An extensive communication plan is delivered to specific audiences throughout the recruitment cycle. Special initiatives, such as the formation of a graduate student-based Global Ambassadors program and strategic partnerships with organizations such as EducationUSA are developed by the Office of Graduate Admissions to support specific recruitment objectives of the Graduate School. In addition to direct student recruitment, the Office of Graduate Admissions is a resource for all graduate departments on the West Lafayette campus. The Office of Graduate Admissions hosts recruitment discussion meetings, distributes a bi-monthly newsletter, and offers consultations. Many Graduate School brochures, displays, and other event resources are made available to departments free of charge. The Slate client relationship management tool is maintained for department use, and includes access to purchased prospective student lists and direct inquirers. The Office of Graduate Admissions also maintains a website detailing its services and helpful resources at https://www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/internal and http://www.purdue.edu/GRADSCHOOL/faculty/recruitment.html.
    *Departments/interdisciplinary programs will hereafter be referred to as departments in the remainder of this section.

B. Application Policies and Procedures

The following sections detail the various components of the graduate application. Because initial review of all graduate applications is done by the graduate department (See section III.C. Admissions Policies and Procedures), graduate departments should receive all supporting documents including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and statements of purpose. These documents may be submitted electronically through the online application system, Slate, or be sent directly to the department.

If the applicant is recommended for admission by the program, the approved application, uploaded transcripts, and proof of degree must be submitted electronically through Slate to the Office of Graduate Admissions for final approval. The Graduate School issues a formal letter of admission following review and approval of the application.

  1. Electronic Application
    Applicants are to be directed to the electronic application.
  2. Application Fee
    1. West Lafayette, Calumet, Fort Wayne, and North Central Campuses
      All degree-seeking applicants and graduate certificate applicants must submit a nonrefundable application fee. The application fee must be paid by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) at the end of the application process. The application fee is $60 for domestic applicants (including permanent residents) and $75 for international applicants. Non-degree applicants do not pay an application fee.
    2. Indianapolis Campus
      The Purdue University Graduate School does not collect the application fee for applicants applying to the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. The application fee is submitted directly to the IUPUI Bursar’s Office. The IUPUI application fee is $60 for all applicants.
    3. Application Fee Waivers Applicants are eligible for one application fee waiver per program in which he/she has participated. Fee waivers are valid until December 31st two years after the applicant became eligible. For example, if an applicant participated in the Big Ten+ Graduate School Expo in October 2015, he/she must apply and request the fee waiver by December 31, 2017. New Application Fee Waivers and Departmental Paid Application Fee Satisfaction Programs are to be submitted to the Director of Graduate Admissions by April 1 using the “Form to collect Fee Waiver or Fee Satisfaction Requests .” Proposals are reviewed with legal counsel, and approved ones become effective July 1. During the online application process, an in-progress applicant has the ability to select a recruitment program. When the application is saved, an automatic email notification is sent to the applicant informing of the application fee waiver process. This involves verification of the applicant’s participation in a recruitment program. The email notice is copied to the Graduate School office for follow up in this verification procedure. Once verification is made, an update is made to the application fee portion of the application and an email is sent to the applicant that his/her fee has been satisfied. If verification is not made, no update is made in the application fee portion of the application and an email is sent to the applicant to return and pay the application fee in order for his/her application to be reviewed. Application fees are non-refundable. If an applicant who would otherwise qualify for a fee waiver pays the application fee before eligibility is verified, the application fee is not refunded. Fee waivers are available for participants in the following recruitment programs: (Please contact gradinfo@purdue.edu for further details.)

    Application fee waivers are also available for applicants who are residents of the State of Indiana and are experiencing an economic hardship. To request this type of waiver, applicants should email gradinfo@purdue.edu explaining the situation. Documentation may be requested.

    1. Departmental Paid Application Fees

    A list of approved department- or college-led fee payment programs that have been vetted by legal counsel is maintained by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Ad hoc application fee payments should be used cautiously. Fee payments are permissible as long as the selection process for granting the fee payment uses objective, neutral criteria and can carry the burden of proof for non-discrimination. In a review of applicants who received a fee payment, there should be a fair distribution of recipients across racial, ethnic, and gender categories. Departments may pay the application fee for an applicant through a journal voucher. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for details.


    International degree-seeking applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency in one of the following four ways 1 :

    1. Submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic scores for Purdue University Graduate School admission. The Graduate School accepts valid TOEFL scores earned through the paper-based test and Internet-based test. The minimum paper-based test score required for admission is 550. The minimum Internet-based test scores required for admission are the following:

    Note that in addition to required minimum scores for writing, speaking, listening, and reading, the Graduate School also requires a minimum overall score that is higher than the minimums for the four area tests combined. Applicants must meet or exceed each of the five scores (listed above) for admission to the Graduate School. Some graduate programs require higher minimum scores. Please check the Graduate Program Requirements Web page for additional requirements.

    1 Heads of graduate programs which are fully delivered in distance, executive, or weekend formats may request, in writing to the dean of the Graduate School, that their degree-seeking applicants receive exemptions to the English proficiency examination requirement. If approved, these departments may recommend applicants for degree programs without meeting the usual English proficiency requirements for Graduate School admission. Graduate program exemptions to the English proficiency requirement must be renewed by a new request to the dean of the Graduate School every five years. It is suggested that renewal requests coincide with graduate program assessments.

    Only official TOEFL scores received directly from Educational Testing Service are acceptable and must be no more than 24 months old at the time the complete recommendation for admission is received by the Graduate School. For further information, visit www.toefl.org.

    Purdue University’s code for the TOEFL application is 1631.

    Purdue University Calumet’s code for the TOEFL application is 1638.

    Purdue University Fort Wayne’s code for the TOEFL application is 1336.

    Purdue University North Central’s code for the TOEFL application is 1640.

    IUPUI’s code for the TOEFL application is 1325.

    The Graduate School also accepts International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic scores. An overall band score of 6.5 is required for admission. For more information, visit http://www.ielts.org.

    The Graduate School also accepts the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic scores. An overall score of 58 is required for admission. For more information, visit http://pearsonpte.com/Pages/Home.aspx.

    1. Routine waivers of an English Proficiency examination are granted for applicants who have been conferred a baccalaureate degree or graduate or professional degree within the last 24 months from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction in a country/location where English is the native language. Official English-speaking countries/location, in addition to the U.S., include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Micronesia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcarin Islands, Republic of Ireland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Graduate School will waive the English proficiency requirement and admit international applicants who have met the following criteria from a country listed above. If the degree has been completed, the applicant must submit a final transcript that reflects this information. If the degree has been awarded, and degree information is not listed on the transcript, a diploma will also be required. If the degree has NOT been awarded, a letter from the Office of the Registrar or Graduate School from the current institution stating that all degree requirements have been met must be received in order to lift HOLDS placed because of conditional admission. If a letter from the Registrar or Graduate School is provided, the official transcript would be required to follow later that session. Students who are using this option to meet the English proficiency requirement, but who are unable to provide such a letter, would be required to meet the English proficiency requirement using one of the other options in order to enroll in the Graduate School. Because of Homeland Security requirements, the Office of International Students and Scholars will not be able to prepare visa paperwork for applicants who have a HOLD as a result of not meeting the Graduate School’s English proficiency requirement. Visa paperwork will not be prepared until the English proficiency requirement has been met and the hold has been released.
    2. Another alternative is available for international applicants who are non-native speakers of English transferring to Purdue from another graduate program (where English is the primary language of instruction in a country/location where English is the official language) because they will be continuing to study with their major professor who has been hired as tenured/tenure-track faculty members at Purdue University. These applicants must have no lapse in registration between the previous institution and Purdue University. In that specific situation, the applicant’s English proficiency may be confirmed and satisfied by a letter from the previous university registrar (or equivalent) or graduate school. This letter must attest that the applicant’s English proficiency requirements were met for admission purposes at that institution and must specify the test or other method which the applicant used to meet the previous university’s English proficiency standard. If this documentation is provided, no further English proficiency testing will be required for the applicant’s admission to the Purdue University Graduate School.
    3. The Graduate School will consider applicants who have (a) enrolled at one of the following intensive English programs and (b) satisfied the exit requirements established for the program as having met the Graduate School’s English proficiency requirement: • Purdue University Calumet English Language Program (ELP) Exit Requirement: achieve a minimum of 80% (Level 4 examination) and pass an Exit Test (consisting of speaking and writing components) • Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Program for Intensive English (PIE) Exit Requirement: pass all classes with grades of at least B (82%), and pass the PIE Proficiency Exit Test at the Level 7 level. These results must be certified, in writing, by the intensive English program faculty to the Office of Graduate Admissions at West Lafayette or the equivalent office at the regional campuses before applicants using this method of establishing English proficiency may be admitted to the Graduate School. Conditional admission may also be extended to applicants prior to their enrollment in one of these approved intensive English programs if they commit to and enroll in the program. Conditional admission is for English proficiency only. All other admission requirements must be satisfied. Initial recommendations for conditional admission must be made by the graduate program to which the student applied. If the Graduate School approves the student’s conditional admission, the student must begin study in one of the approved intensive English programs. Students who successfully complete the exit requirements for one of the intensive English programs, as noted above, would satisfy the admission condition and be eligible to enroll in their graduate program. If a student does not successfully complete the English program courses or pass the Exit Test, or if the appropriate certification is not received from the intensive English program faculty, the condition would remain in effect. The student would not be eligible to enroll in his/her graduate program unless the English language proficiency requirement is satisfied using one of the other options. Students would have until the start of the session in which they are going to begin to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement.

    Applicants should upload to the online application system, Slate, transcript(s) and/or academic document(s) for every institution of higher education they attended. If a transcript is not in English, they must also upload an English translation certified by the college or university which issued it. Both the original language and English translation are required. Copies of diplomas or other official proof of degree must be included if the degree has been conferred and the conferral information is not listed on the transcript.

    The Graduate School welcomes applications from Bologna bachelor’s degree recipients. Bologna bachelor’s degrees are conferred in European countries listed on the following website.

    The uploaded transcript and/or academic document must be from the official version of the document. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. All transcripts and/or academic documents uploaded to the online application system are considered unofficial.

    Graduate departments who receive hard-copy official transcripts and/or academic documents may also upload these documents to the appropriate application record in Slate.

    Uploaded/unofficial transcripts may be used to review and recommend for admission an application. Beginning with Spring 2016 entry, the Graduate School will admit on these uploaded transcripts.

    Applicants will need to provide official transcripts and/or academic records at the request of the graduate program or if the applicant is admitted and chooses to enroll. If colleges or universities attended do not provide transcripts in English, then official, original language transcripts must be accompanied by certified English translations. Both the original language and English translation are required. Official documents must be received by the Graduate School before the applicant can register for their second session.

    A baccalaureate degree received or its equivalent must be recorded on the corresponding transcript or documented by other official evidence. If an applicant is admitted and was studying for a degree at the time the application was submitted, the applicant will be required, during the first session of enrollment, to submit a final transcript. If completion of the degree is a condition for admission, the applicant will be required, during the first session of enrollment, to submit official evidence of being awarded the degree.

    The Graduate School welcomes applications from Bologna bachelor’s degree recipients. Bologna bachelor’s degrees are conferred in European countries listed on the following website.

    An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. Official documents should be submitted to:

    Office of Graduate Admissions
    Purdue University Graduate School
    155 South Grant Street, YONG 170
    West Lafayette, IN 47907

    Transcripts and/or English translations must be mailed directly from a Registrar’s office to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Applicants can choose to send the transcripts themselves, but the transcripts must be in an envelope sealed by the Registrar.

    The Office of Graduate Admissions also accepts electronic transcripts from accredited U.S. colleges and universities sent via eSCRIP-SAFE, Docufide, Parchment Exchange or directly from the accredited U.S. college and university. Under a new pilot program, effective August 1, 2014, the Office of Graduate Admissions will also accept electronic transcripts from colleges and universities in India via TrueCopy Credentials or Parchment Exchange. The transcript must be sent to gradadm@purdue.edu in order to verify the authenticity of the documents. If any departments receive emails stating that electronic transcripts are waiting for them, please notify that institution of the correct email address. The Office of Graduate Admission does not accept electronic transcripts from international colleges or universities except for those noted in the pilot program above. Transcripts will not be returned.

    1. Required Documents by Enrollment Objective

    The following is a list of applicant requirements for submitting transcripts and/or academic documents based upon enrollment objective:

    The Purdue University Graduate School reserves the right to require official transcripts and/or academic documents at any time during the admissions process.

    The Graduate School images into Banner Document Management Suite all official transcripts for admitted graduate students. After imaging and validating admitted applicant transcripts, materials are shredded as early as one week after imaging. The Graduate School recognizes that, in rare and unusual instances, students from a few international institutions have access to only one transcript (or an extremely limited number of transcripts). In these rare instances, we will retain these documents, after careful review, for applicants on a case-by-case basis until the end of the first session for which they are admitted. Applicant requests to preserve their paper documents must be submitted in writing at the same time the original documents are submitted to the Graduate School. This practice is consistent with the way that many other peer and Big Ten graduate schools approach transcript return. The Graduate School does not expect to return any transcripts from US institutions.

    1. Supplementary Information for International Students

    Federal regulations require that all international students provide proof of financial capability before they qualify for a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019). Each admitted international student (degree-seeking or non-degree seeking) is required to complete the online International Graduate Student Notification of Intent Form (NOI) and submit it to the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS). It must be accompanied by official documentation, showing full financial support. Copies of graduate assistantship/fellowship offer letters will be acceptable. All other sources of support must show original documents. Once the NOI is submitted, all the financial documents are in order, and any additional documents required by ISS are received, a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) will be issued by the Office of International Students and Scholars. http://www.iss.purdue.edu/

    Each international student who applies for transfer to the West Lafayette campus (and any Statewide Technology campus) while attending another U.S. educational institution must receive a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) from the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS). The student must submit the completed online International Graduate Student Notification of Intent Form (NOI), together with all required supporting documents, and must supply a completed International

    Student Transfer Form to the ISS office. Immediately upon arrival at Purdue, the student should contact an immigration counselor in the ISS office to confirm his/her attendance at Purdue and begin the process of completing the transfer in order to maintain legal status. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain legal status. http://www.iss.purdue.edu/

    1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

    The Graduate School does not require applicants to take the GRE, but an applicant who falls into one or more of the following categories may be expected to take the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing test sections of the GRE:

    a. The applicant’s department requests it.

    b. The applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from a non-accredited institution.

    c. The applicant is to be considered for certain fellowship programs. Applicants will be informed of this requirement when they apply for the fellowship.

    Official score reports are sent electronically by ETS to the Graduate School. These are available in the banner system if requested by the applicant.

    1. Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)

    The Graduate School does not require applicants to take the GMAT, but an applicant who falls into one or more of the following categories may be expected to take the GMAT:

    a. The applicant’s department requests it.

    b. The applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from a non-accredited institution.

    c. The applicant is to be considered for certain fellowship programs. Applicants will be informed of this requirement when they apply for the fellowship.

    C. Admissions Policies and Procedures

    Departments are responsible for the primary evaluation of applications. Departments have the authority to identify the set of applicants who can be adequately served by their programs and to select from this set the applicants to be recommended for admission.

    Departmental correspondence should make it clear to applicants that their admission will be official only if they receive an admission letter from the dean of the Graduate School. If, on review in the Graduate School, it appears that the applicant fails to meet the minimum academic requirements, the application may be returned to the department for re-evaluation.

    Departments must select from the following two statements the one that is appropriate for inclusion in their correspondence with prospective international students.

    For international students entering from foreign countries:

    “You should not apply for your visa, or make an appointment with the embassy, or make travel plans until you receive a formal letter of admission from the dean of the Graduate School AND your Certificate of Eligibility (I‑20 or DS-2019) from the Office of International Students and Scholars at Purdue University. These papers will be sent to you as soon as all admission procedures are completed and you have submitted the online International Graduate Student Notification of Intent Form (NOI), along with the required proof of financial resources and any other required documents to the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS). Please allow 10 business days for processing the Certificate of Eligibility”

    For international students entering from within the U.S.:

    “If you are transferring to Purdue University from another educational institution in the U.S., certain transfer procedures must be completed before you come to Purdue. After all admission procedures are successfully completed, you will receive official notification of admission from the Graduate School. With that notification, you will be requested to complete the International Graduate Student Notification of Intent Form (NOI).

    You must follow the directions on NOI and submit the completed form, together with official financial documentation, to the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS). Purdue’s ISS office will then e-mail you an International Student/Scholar Transfer Form to be completed by the international office at your previous U.S. educational institution. Purdue’s ISS office will need to receive the completed transfer form and will then prepare the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) after the SEVIS release date listed on the form.

    As soon as you arrive at Purdue, bring your Purdue-issued Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019), all previous Certificates of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019/IAP-66), passport, and I-94 card (the same documents for any dependents) to the ISS office.

    That office will then advise you on the process of checking in and completing your transfer to Purdue University.”

    Questions concerning nonimmigrant status should be directed to the Office of International Students and Scholars.

      Departmental Recommendations for Admission The application of each student recommended for admission must bear the electronic signature of the head of the graduate program or designee. Complete application materials for each student should be electronically submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions at the earliest possible opportunity. This is particularly important for international students, due to the time required for processing and for the issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019) by the Office of International Students and Scholars. The Graduate School and the Office of International Students and Scholars have established deadlines for submission of applications in order to provide sufficient time for an admitted student to plan for a timely arrival on campus. These deadlines are as follows:

    Fall Session July 15 if outside the U.S.
    Spring Session November 15 if outside the U.S.
    Summer Session April 15 if outside the U.S.

    1. Admission to a Degree Program
      Departments may recommend for consideration by the Graduate School, degree-seeking applicants for unconditional admission or conditional admission.
      1. Unconditional Admission to a Degree Program
        For unconditional admission to a degree program, a B (3.0/4.0) or better grade point average in prior study is required. Departments may set admission standards higher, but not lower, than those established by the Graduate School.
      2. Conditional Admission to a Degree Program
        Students may be admitted with conditions under three circumstances.
        1. Departments may recommend conditional admission to a degree program for a student whose background reflects some academic deficiency. The conditions placed by the department are not stated in the formal admission letter and are not monitored by the Graduate School.
        2. The Graduate School will place a condition on an applicant’s admission if the applicant has not earned the equivalent of a 3.0/4.0 grade point average or higher at the institution from which he/she most recently graduated. In addition, the Graduate School may place a condition on the amount of prior coursework available for use on a graduate plan of study.
        3. The Graduate School may place a condition on an applicant’s admission if a required supporting document is missing. Specific requirements for removing a condition will be provided in the admission letter.

        Failure to fulfill the conditions placed upon a student’s admission will result in the student’s inability to register. Students, generally, have one session to fulfill conditions. It is a student’s responsibility to satisfy a condition and to check with the appropriate office.

        1. Teacher License Enrollment Objective
          Individuals applying for the teacher license enrollment objective must submit an official transcript from the college or university where the baccalaureate degree was received.
        2. Nondegree and Graduate Certificate Classification Individuals who have earned the baccalaureate degree and wish to enroll in a graduate-level course on a non-degree basis must be admitted to Purdue University as a non-degree student. Evidence of a baccalaureate degree from a properly accredited institution of higher learning is required. Individuals who have earned the baccalaureate degree and wish to enroll in a graduate certificate program must be admitted to Purdue University as a graduate certificate student. An application to the Graduate School must be processed indicating the enrollment objective of graduate certificate. Evidence of a baccalaureate degree from a properly accredited institution of higher learning is required. Official transcripts are required for some graduate certificate programs. Students who may be interested in pursuing a degree program at a later date should discuss this prospect with a departmental graduate advisor or the departmental graduate committee chair as soon as possible to receive appropriate advising, including information on the limit of non-degree credits that can later be applied to a degree program. Students who later decide to pursue a degree program at Purdue need to submit a new application as a degree-seeking student.
        1. Individual Students With the approval of the department and the permission of the dean of the Graduate School, a student with a minimum of a 3.0/4.0 grade point average may be admitted to the Graduate School in the session in which the baccalaureate degree is being completed. A memorandum, from the head of the graduate program, justifying the request for early admission should be sent to the dean of the Graduate School. The memorandum should be accompanied by the usual Graduate School application and supporting materials. Although applications may be submitted for the session in which the baccalaureate degree is being completed, early admission to the Graduate School usually is required only if the student is to receive a graduate staff appointment. Otherwise, early admission is not required for undergraduate students wishing to begin graduate study, since they may do so by requesting designation, on Academic Record Change (Registrar’s Form 350), of graduate courses as excess of baccalaureate requirements.[See Section VII-B-1-a-(3) .]
        2. Formally Approved Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Programs Baccalaureate and master’s combined and dual-degree programs formally approved by the department and the dean of the Graduate School (and in the case of combined degrees, approved by the Graduate Council) are designed to provide a seamless transition from the baccalaureate to the master’s curriculum. While the details of the specific program may vary, such programs are restricted to undergraduate students in high academic standing. Application and admission to the Graduate School are required and are detailed in the program document. The student must submit a combined degree request form (Form 27) with the application for admission to the Graduate School. The standard Graduate School application process is to be followed. Minimal requirements of students participating in formally approved baccalaureate/master’s degree programs:
          1. Students must be in high academic standing.
          2. The graduate student’s plan of study should be approved by the Graduate School by the end of the first session in which the student has dual enrollment.
          3. For combined programs, before the baccalaureate degree is awarded, any course and/or research credits taken to satisfy the graduate degree requirements must be designated as undergraduate excess credits.
          4. Students must meet all requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
          5. The baccalaureate degree must be awarded at least one term before the graduate degree.

          1. Master’s student continuing for a doctoral degree
            • Written, signed request from the department
            • A copy of the department’s approval letter sent to the student
            • Indicate the student’s intent to continue on the master’s plan of study
            • Indicate intent to continue with the doctoral degree on the master’s degree graduation audit/certification form
          2. Doctoral student receiving a master’s degree while working on the Ph.D. degree
            • Written, signed request from the department
            • A copy of the department’s approval letter sent to the student
            • Indicate the student’s intent to continue on the master’s plan of study
            • Indicate intent to continue with the doctoral degree on the master’s degree graduation audit/certification form
          3. Master’s student bypassing the master’s degree and starting a Ph.D. degree
            • Written, signed request from the department
            • A copy of the department’s approval letter sent to the student
          4. Doctoral student leaving with the master’s degree
            • Written, signed request from the department
            • A copy of the department’s approval letter sent to the student
            • Indicate the student’s intent to leave on the master’s plan of study
            • Indicate intent to leave with the master’s degree on the master’s degree graduation audit/certification form

          International students who wish to transfer from one department to another must check with the Office of International Students and Scholars to determine if their visa status will be affected by the transfer.