May 09, 2025  
2023-2024 GRADUATE CATALOG 
    
2023-2024 GRADUATE CATALOG [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admission Requirements


An applicant wishing to pursue graduate-level work at UHD must hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (or completed undergraduate work at a foreign university that is determined to be of equivalent or higher academic quality as an accredited American institution) and meet the minimum admission criteria of the graduate program in which the applicant intends to pursue a degree.

An applicant must be accepted into a specific graduate program at UHD to be admitted to the university as a graduate student. Applicants to a graduate degree program must comply with the process outlined by the Office of Admissions. Admission decisions are rendered in accordance with criteria established by the program to which the student has applied.

International Applicants

To qualify for international graduate admission, an applicant whose undergraduate work was completed at a foreign university is eligible for admission if UHD determines that their academic preparation is equivalent to or higher than that of a graduate of an accredited American institution. International applicants must provide transcript evaluation by a UHD-approved certified evaluation service of all transcripts from undergraduate work from outside the United States.

In addition to meeting the appropriate admission requirements for the specific graduate program, an international applicant must provide a statement of financial support indicating who will be responsible for the applicant’s educational and living expenses; a current TOEFL score or other acceptable evidence of English proficiency at a level acceptable for college; evidence of required health insurance; and any other documentation required to comply with policies and procedures of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Transient Admission

To be considered for transient graduate admission, an applicant must submit an application for admission, the non-refundable application fee, and provide a letter of academic standing from the home institution. The applicant must receive approval from the relevant program director before enrolling in a graduate course. Additional materials such as transcripts may be required by the specific graduate program.

Special Admission

An applicant not meeting the requirements of any of the above categories may be considered for special admission on an individual basis. An applicant for special admission must submit an application for admission, the non-refundable application fee, and provide all required application materials. An applicant in this status will be permitted to enroll in a maximum of 9 total semester credit hours at UHD. Students admitted under this category, who are later admitted as degree-seeking students, may only apply credits earned under the special admission status towards the degree with program approval.

Admission Decision Appeals

A graduate applicant that has been denied admission may request further consideration by submitting a Graduate Admissions Appeal Form to the director of the graduate program.

An appeal to reconsider the original admission decision may or may not change the decision. The applicant is encouraged to appeal only if:

(i) The graduate applicant’s academic credentials (test scores and/or grades) have changed significantly

or

(ii) The graduate applicant wishes to provide additional information that further explains personal circumstances that may have affected their ability to meet admission requirements.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Applicants to a graduate certificate program must comply with the process outlined by the Office of Admissions. Graduate certificate program handbooks will enumerate specific application requirements. Applicants accepted into a certificate program may apply for admission into a degree program. Admission to a certificate program does not guarantee admission into a graduate degree program and additional application materials may be required. 

Graduate Admission Procedures

Applicants must submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions and pay the nonrefundable application fee according to the University Fee Schedule (see Tuition and Fees  section of catalog). Application materials should be sent to:

University of Houston-Downtown
Office of Graduate Admissions
One Main Street, Suite GSB 308
Houston, TX 77002
gradadmissions@uhd.edu

University of Houston-Downtown requires a complete educational history when applying to a graduate program. This includes a list of all community colleges, colleges and universities that you have previously attended on the graduate application. The Graduate School requires an official transcript only from the schools where a bachelor’s degree was awarded. Please note that specific programs may require additional copies of transcripts from other schools attended. A transcript is considered official when it bears the institution’s seal, is signed by the issuing authority, and is sent directly by the issuing institution or delivered in a sealed envelope from the institution.

University of Houston-Downtown reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admission process and to rescind any offer of admission made if it is discovered that the educational history was incomplete or if upon final GPA and degree verification it is discovered that minimum admissions criteria were not met.

Additional application materials, such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation or reference forms, vary based on the specific graduate program. Please consult the graduate admissions website (www.uhd.edu/admissions/graduate/) or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information. Most graduate programs will require submission of current resume as well as Personal Statement as part of the application process.

UHD Students and Alumni

Current UHD students and alumni qualify for a graduate application fee waiver, as long as application fee has not already been submitted. Once an application fee has been submitted it is non-refundable and good for one calendar year. Current UHD students and alumni can contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@uhd.edu for more information prior to submitting their graduate application online.

Current UHD students and alumni may also request their current and/or final official transcript through the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@uhd.edu for purposes of completing their graduate application file for initial review, as well as to render admission decision through the program to which the student has applied.