Graduate Admissions

Philosophy  Brenau desires to accept adults who are qualified for admission and who will benefit from the graduate educational and academic experience provided by the institution. It is the belief of the Graduate Council that applicants should possess the ability, maturity and self-discipline to take advantage of and benefit from the opportunities provided by the graduate programs offered by Brenau.

Students admitted to the graduate program should expect a level of complexity and specialization in their course of study which extends their knowledge and intellectual maturity. Graduate programs require students to analyze, explore, question and synthesize knowledge and skills. They engender creativity and expertise that will allow the graduate to practice in and contribute to a profession or field of scholarship. Scholarly interaction between faculty and students is an important component of graduate study.

Admission to graduate studies at Brenau is awarded by the Department to which the applicant is applying. Oversight of admission is the responsibility of the Graduate Council. Admissions procedures and standards are reviewed continuously for appropriateness and adequacy. The close relationship between a graduate student seeking an advanced degree and the responsibility of the institution to the community for maintaining the quality of its graduates requires careful screening of applicants.

Admissions Requirements for degree-seeking students

All graduate applicants must either hold an undergraduate baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or be in the final stages of obtaining such a degree. Candidates who are in the process of obtaining their degree are encouraged to apply. These candidates will be reviewed based on the understanding that proof of degree will be necessary prior to the first registration. Each program may have additional specific admission requirements. Specific admission requirements are listed in the individual program outlines.

Admissions Procedures  

1. Access the online application on the following webpage www.brenau.edu/apply
2. Request official transcripts from all previous institutions and have them sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions at the address listed below.

Augusta, North Atlanta, South Atlanta, Gainesville and Online Campuses:

Brenau University
Graduate Admission Office
500 Washington St. SE
Gainesville, GA 30501-3697

Kings Bay Campus

Kings Bay Campus
Brenau University
P.O. Box 47148
Kings Bay GA 31547

International Applicants

Brenau is authorized under the United States Immigration and Nationality Act to enroll non-resident alien students.

International applicants needing an F1 student visa must complete the regular admissions procedures and the procedures outlined below before a Form I-20 will be issued. Note: conditional enrollment is not permitted for students requesting an I-20. Students requiring an F1 student visa are not eligible for admission to online studies.

International applicants must submit:

1. A Brenau University International Application (in addition to the standard Admissions Application.)
2. Official copies of transcripts evaluations must be received from an evaluator that is approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. The applicant will be responsible for the payment of this service. Failure to submit transcripts from all colleges previously attended, through omission or misrepresentation, will disqualify the applicant.
3. Official test scores showing English language proficiency. Please see the English Language Requirement section below for specific information.
4. If the international student is requesting an I-20, a financial statement of support is required and copies of all current visa status documents must be submitted.
5. For additional international student information, please refer to the International Student Section of this catalog.

Non-resident alien applicants not needing to request an I-20 are required to follow the regular admission procedures, submit an International Supplemental Application and provide proof of English proficiency.

Permanent resident alien applicants who are proficient in English must provide a copy of their Resident Alien Card and follow the regular admissions policies described earlier in this section of the Catalog.

Special Status

In rare occasions, students are permitted to register with special status. In all circumstances, the Registrar’s office and the department chair or dean must authorize enrollment. Special Status students are subject to Brenau’s course prerequisite requirements. Students wishing to enroll in one or more graduate courses but who do not seek a degree and are not currently enrolled at another institution must complete a Special Status/Transient application through the Office of the Registrar. The application can be found online at www.brenau.edu and click on forms. Students enrolled at another institution, please see the Transient Status section of this catalog. Special Status students are not eligible for financial aid and must adhere to the following policies:

• All prerequisites will apply for any courses attempted.
• Students will provide an official transcript containing a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Special Status students will be registered for courses only if space is available.
• Students will be required to sign and date a statement that they understand and accept the university policy that no more than six hours for one semester of enrollment only, will be allowed for students registered as Special Status.
• All students who are classified as Special Status will be subject to the academic policies and procedures governing probation and suspension.
• Special Status student may not web register for classes.
• To become a regular degree seeking student, Special Status students must apply for admission to the University through the Office of Graduate Admissions and meet all program admission criteria.

Transfer Credit

Limitation on Number of Hours of Transfer Credit  Course work taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher education may be appropriately transferred to Brenau as part of the planned program of study with the approval of the department chair for up to a limit of six semester hours. Grading standards of the Brenau program into which the work is transferred will apply.

Graduate level credits which will be older than seven years at the point of graduation must be approved by the dean of the respective college in consultation with the provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Time and Grade Limitation on Transfer Credits  Credit required for graduate course work at Brenau or any other accredited institution of higher education will be honored for a period of seven years from the date of the course completion. Courses not completed within that period will have to be retaken or otherwise updated and validated to be included within a student’s approved program of study. No grade below B will be accepted in transfer into the graduate program. This limit applies to initial transfer credit in combination with any courses taken on a transient basis.

Transient Status

Students Enrolled at Other Institutions.  A student enrolled as a regular student in a degree program in another accredited college or university may apply for transient status at Brenau. Such a student is one who expects to return to the college or university of previous enrollment and must have the permission of the home institution to attend Brenau. The applicant who desires transient status must submit a Transient/Academy Admission Application and a transient letter from the home institution. Transient students are admitted on a semester basis only.

Brenau does not guarantee that transient students will be able to secure the courses desired, nor is Brenau responsible for advising transient students of courses that are applicable to their program or transferable by the home institution. Transcripts are sent only at the written request of the student.

All policies and procedures regarding student enrollment will apply. This includes but is not limited to course pre-requisites, drop/add procedures and academic policies regarding attendance and probation and suspension.

Brenau Students Who Desire Transient Status  Brenau students are expected to take courses needed for degree completion in residence if they are offered in our schedule. Exceptions will be considered for extenuating circumstances and must be approved by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Brenau students who wish to enroll in courses at another institution must obtain their department chair’s written approval in advance and request a transient letter from the Director of Records. A limit of six semester hours can be accepted as transient credit. A student completing course work at another institution must request that an official, sealed transcript be sent to the Director of Records at Brenau before the course will be entered into the student’s record. Brenau students who choose transient status at another institution will be responsible for policies and procedures of that institution.

No grade below B will be accepted in transfer into the graduate program. This limit applies to initial transfer credit in combination with any courses taken on a transient basis. Courses successfully completed and accepted will count toward graduation requirements and grade point average.

Reactivation

A student whose enrollment in a Brenau undergraduate or graduate program has been interrupted for more than one semester and is applying for re-admission to the same program within two years of the last semester of attendance, must submit a Reactivation Form to the Office of the Registrar or print out the form at www.brenau.edu and fax to 770-538-4790. The student must be in good academic and financial standing, not have attended any other school during the period of interruption and meet current admission requirements. Students may complete their degree under their previous program plan if it is still in effect. Note that academic departments reserve the right to make changes or additions to the program plan of a reactivated student.

Reapplication

Students re-applying after the two year time limit will be evaluated based on the catalog in effect at the point of readmission. Transfer credit will be examined based on current transfer credit criteria and a new program plan drafted based on the program plan in effect at the point of readmission. Students must be in good academic and financial standing, have no record of misconduct and must meet current admission requirements. Students returning to Brenau beyond the two-year time limit must submit a new application via www.brenau.edu.