Prospective students are cordially invited to visit Ferrum College. Appointments for interviews and tours of the campus may be arranged by calling the Office of Admissions, which is located in the Spilman-Daniel House, at (540) 365-4290 or 1-800-868-9797 or online at admissions.ferrum.edu/experience-ferrum/visit/. Staff are available on weekdays for campus tours at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and by appointment, on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., except during holiday weekends.
Admissions Standards (all programs)
To apply to Ferrum College’s graduate programs a student must submit the following to the Graduate Admissions Office:
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework, with a minimum of 2.75 on all undergraduate work required for general admission to graduate studies (specific departmental requirements may vary), and
- Application for graduate study either online or in hard copy, and
- Application fee of $50.00.
The application fee may be waived for active military personnel, veterans, and current Ferrum College employees.
Students wishing to enroll in the online graduate program need to meet all criteria established by our graduate school as listed in the Graduate Catalog in addition to:
- A Master’s degree in education or related field,
- A 3.0 overall GPA in graduate coursework,
- Minimum of 3 years of teaching and/or leadership experience,
- Submission of 2 References, one reference must be academic and
- 1-2 page written statement of personal goals OR a 2-4 minute screencast video response
Students wishing to enroll in the online graduate program need to meet all criteria established by our graduate school as listed in the Graduate Catalog in addition to:
- A Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 overall GPA* in undergraduate coursework OR if an applicant possesses a Master’s degree or has taken any graduate-level coursework before applying must have an average of at least a 3.0 GPA in their graduate coursework.
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate coursework (and graduate coursework, if applicable)
- Current resume, including evidence of professional teaching license or relevant work experience for non-licensed applicants
- Contact information for three professional or academic references (Name, email address, phone number, nature of academic or professional relationship).
- Statement of Professional Goals responding to the following prompt: How do you see this program helping you to achieve your career goals? You have two options on how to submit your statement
- 1-2 page written statement OR a 2-4 minute screencast video response
- *If you do not meet the above GPA qualifications and your overall GPA falls between a 2.75 and 2.99, and you still want to be considered for admission, please include in your Statement of Professional Goals a supplemental section contextualizing your previous academic performance, including any extraordinary circumstances that impacted your prior coursework. Additionally, an interview via Zoom may be required at the discretion of the M.Ed. Director.
Students wishing to enroll in the online graduate program need to meet all criteria established by our graduate school as listed in the Graduate Catalog in addition to:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance or a related field with a discipline cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Submission of a 1000-word essay describing how your previous coursework/life/career experiences have prepared you for a graduate program in athletic coaching and sports and your intended goals based on successful completion of the program.
Students wishing to enroll in the online graduate program need to meet all criteria established by our graduate school as listed in the Graduate School Catalog in addition to:
Standard Admissions Requirements for the M.S. in Psychology Program
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are accepted, but not required
- Completion of at least 12 credits in undergraduate coursework in psychology or a related field with a 2.75 UGPA or higher (or alternative acceptable experience)
- Three references, at least two of which must be from a professor familiar with the student’s academic abilities,
- Academic writing sample demonstrating adequate command of APA formatting
- Submission of an APA -style entrance essay with the following sections included:
- What are the applicant’s goals and how will the degree be used after graduation?
- How will the applicant balance graduate school with family, career, sports, etc?
- Three potential research questions the student might attempt to answer as a thesis topic.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Formal Admissions Interview
Early Admissions Requirements for the M.S. in Psychology Program
Undergraduate students with demonstrated exceptional performance in the field of psychology may be eligible to enroll in graduate-level coursework via the early admissions option* starting in their senior year. Undergraduate students accepted into this track may take up to four graduate level courses in total. Of these, two may count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree, and two may count only toward the graduate degree. Requirements for the early admissions track include:
- Completion of at least 12 credits of undergraduate coursework in psychology with a 3.5 psychology GPA or higher
- Academic writing sample demonstrating adequate command of APA formatting
- Three references, at least two of which must be from psychology faculty familiar with the student’s academic abilities
- Formal Early-Admissions Interview
* Before transitioning from undergraduate to full graduate status, students should submit an online application for graduate study to the Office of Admissions. Any additional program specific admissions requirements will be deemed satisfied. Formal admission to the graduate program will be reviewed by the appropriate program director and an admission decision provided in writing.
Admission to graduate programs is rolling, and a student may enter at the beginning of any academic semester. Admission to graduate study is granted to those who meet the academic requirements and who hold a baccalaureate degree from any regionally accredited institution of higher education, and to certain qualified Ferrum College seniors.
Students may be admitted to graduate study in any one of several categories:
- Admitted Degree Seeking – a student who meets the requirements for admission to the chosen program.
- Conditionally Admitted – a student who fails to satisfy one or more of the requirements for admission to a graduate program. This is a temporary classification and will be changed as soon as the specified conditions are satisfied. Most graduate students will be limited to (12) twelve graduate credit hours unless they are unconditionally admitted to a graduate program. Reasons for conditional admittance could be, but are not limited to, the following:
- Not all application materials have been received. All materials necessary to remove conditional status must be submitted by the end of the semester in which the student is first enrolled.
- Grade point averages below the minimum specified for these programs. Students must earn at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) upon completion of the first (12) twelve semester hours of graduate credit. Failure to achieve the 3.0 GPA level within the allowable (12) twelve hours shall result in the student’s dismissal from the program.
- Admitted Non-degree Seeking – A student who meets the requirements for admission to graduate study but does not wish to work toward a graduate program. Students admitted as non-degree seeking will be permitted to take up to (12) twelve hours in a program which may later be applied toward a program upon formal admission to that program.
- Visiting Student – Students who are pursuing a degree at another institution may wish to take courses at Ferrum College. These students must submit a letter from the graduate dean of the home institution indicating that the student is in good standing and has approval to take the specified courses for transfer. Visiting students must submit an application for admission but no other transcripts or credentials are required. Application as a visiting student is not to be considered as an application for admission to a graduate program.
- Not Admitted–An applicant who does not meet the requirements for admission to graduate study and has been denied admittance. The applicant will be notified of the denial and the reason for the denial in writing.
When to Apply for Admission
Fall – Candidates for the fall semester at Ferrum College may apply for admission upon completion of their post-secondary or graduate education and at least 15 days prior to the start of the Fall 1 Term (see Academic Calendar ).
Spring – Candidates for the spring semester should apply upon completion of their post-secondary or graduate education and at least 15 days prior to the start of the Spring 1 Term (see Academic Calendar ).
Summer—Candidates for the summer semester at Ferrum College may apply for admission upon completion of their post-secondary or graduate education and at least 15 days prior to the start of the Summer 1 Term (see Academic Calendar ).
How to Apply for Admission
Visit our website to create an account and apply online.
Office of Graduate Admissions, Spilman-Daniel House
Ferrum College
P.O. Box 1000
Ferrum, VA 24088-9000
Applicants should:
- Send an official electronic transcript of undergraduate/graduate work to admissions@ferrum.edu. This interim record will be used in making the admissions decision.
How to Accept an Offer of Admission
An accepted student will indicate their intention to enroll at Ferrum College by submitting an enrollment deposit and by following the detailed enrollment guide in their acceptance packet. All course fees should be paid in full at least one week prior to the start of the academic term. The payment is refundable in full until the first day of class of the academic term (also see the Institutional Withdrawal Policy in the Financial Information). Once the full payment has been received, or the payment plan established, the student will have online access through Colleague Self-Service to courses via the College Learning Management System (LMS).
Special Admissions Categories
Admission as a Special Student
Individuals registering for fewer than 9 hours per semester and not intending to complete a specific program of study may be admitted as special students.
Admission as a Transfer Student
Ferrum College welcomes transfer applicants. Transfer students should follow the same admissions procedure as outlined for all graduate student applicants. In addition, transfer students must request that an official transcript of their college work be sent to the Ferrum College Office of Graduate Admissions for review of credit.
Students with transferable credit will not be required to repeat equivalent course content at Ferrum College. Only credit hours, not grade point average, transfer to Ferrum College.
Transfer Credit Policy
Ferrum College Graduate Transfer Credit policy holds that a maximum of nine semester hours from a recognized and regionally accredited graduate school may be transferred toward a graduate degree. Graduate student transcripts must list all coursework transferred from another institution used toward the completion of an individual program of study.
Requests for transfer credit must be appropriate to the student’s planned program, carry a grade of at least “B”, and be approved by the appropriate Graduate Program Director. The Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies may be consulted as well for approval of transfer credit. Acceptance of transfer credit does not imply completion of any portfolio tasks associated with that course. Students are to consult with their academic advisor and Graduate Program Director concerning deficiencies that may result as a part of the transfer process.
Further, graduate program students must earn at least 20 hours of course credit at Ferrum College in their online program. Graduate student transfer credit allotment is monitored through periodic degree audits of student files. These audits are conducted by the Office of the Registrar.
Time Limit on Transfer Credits
The time limit for transfer graduate credit is 5 years.
Readmission for Former Ferrum Students
Former Ferrum College students who have not enrolled at the College for a semester or more may apply for readmission. Students must provide official transcripts if they have taken any courses at another institution since leaving Ferrum.
In order for readmission to be granted, graduate students must be in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing. Please reapply at least four weeks before a module begins to allow time for the submission and processing of all required supplemental items. Full-time students who leave Ferrum College and are readmitted will be subject to meeting the requirements of the current catalog (refer to the Academic Policies section of this catalog under the “ Regulations Governing Catalog” for additional clarification). Admission as an International Student
International students desiring admission to Ferrum College are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Students must submit:
- Copy of undergraduate transcripts from non-U.S. institutions translated into English.
- Score results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (T.O.E.F.L.) exam, or the English Proficiency Exam (E.P.E.), International English Language Testing System (I.E.L.T.S.), or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (S.A.T.) are required.
- Personal Financial Information sheet (provided by the Office of Admissions).
The I-20 Form is provided only after a student is accepted and has demonstrated the ability to pay tuition, room, board, and fees, and has submitted the $250 confirmation deposit indicating intent to enroll.
Admissions Appeals
Admissions applications are reviewed and evaluated by the appropriate academic program before an admissions decision is made. Applicants will be notified when an admissions decision has been made. Graduate applicants will be notified as to which admission category they have been assigned (See Admissions Standards).
Applicants who wish to appeal an admission decision regarding admission requirements, categories of admission, independent study, time limits to a degree, or other concerns, must submit a written letter of appeal to the appropriate graduate program director and to the Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
New Student Programs
Orientation
Ferrum College offers an online graduate orientation module to ensure that all new students begin their college careers as smoothly and pleasantly as possible. All new graduate students are introduced to Ferrum College and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies through the Online Graduate Orientation course through the College LMS, Brightspace/D2L. This course includes an introduction to the College LMS, information about Ferrum College’s academic and student policies, and information about academic and student resources.
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