Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Applicants to an undergraduate certificate or degree program at University of the Potomac must:
- Submit a completed application.
- Pay non-refundable application fee.
- Complete an admissions interview (in person or online).
- Provide proof of high school (or equivalent) completion. Equivalencies include a GED Certificate.
- Sign and submit an attestation of high school (or equivalent) completion.
- Home-schooled students must present a diploma that meets the requirements of the state in which it was issued.
- Students with non-US credentials, please see the section on international student admissions below.
To be evaluated for transfer credit, undergraduate students must also:
- Arrange for official transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended to be submitted to the Office of Records and Registration, University of the Potomac.
- Submit grade reports or scores from any recognized college equivalency examinations (e.g., CLEP, DANTES, and Advanced Placement).
- Submit certificates from any corporate education training or professional development programs. (Note: An ACE evaluation form may be required to determine appropriate credit for corporate educational training.)
- Submit any appropriate military training documents. (Note: An ACE military evaluation form may be required to determine appropriate credit for military training.)
Graduate Admission Requirements
Applicants for a graduate program must provide the following:
- Proof of an undergraduate degree (a four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in other countries).
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who may be a direct supervisor or university faculty member.*
- One required essay, in MS Word document form, addressing the student’s preparation and goals for pursuing the graduate program.
- Proof of three years of professional work experience, preferably in a mid-level or senior-level manager’s position. Proof of experience can be provided in the form of a current resume or letter from the supervisor at the current place of employment. **
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is not required for admission to the MBA but is strongly preferred for students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in a business-related discipline or lack the pre-requisite courses in business, finance, and economics.
Similarly, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission to the MSIT or MHCA but is recommended.
*This requirement may be waived for those students with master’s-level transfer credits.
**This requirement only applies to applicants for the Executive MBA program.
International Admission Requirements
International students must be able to prove they have achieved an equivalent level of educational credential to a US-based student when applying and that their English language skills are sufficient for university-level study.
We require international students to submit immigration evidence, academic evidence, English language proficiency evidence, and financial evidence.
Immigration Evidence
- A copy of the photo page of the passport, and if currently in the U.S., a copy of current visa and most recent I-94.
- International students transferring from another educational institution must submit copy of current I-20 form; and the SEVIS I-20 Transfer Form completed by the previous institution.
Academic Evidence
- Official academic evidence of completion of secondary education (high school or equivalent) for undergraduate applicants.
- Official academic evidence of completion of undergraduate education (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) for graduate applicants.
- Official academic evidence of completion of graduate education for doctorate applicants.
Academic evidence should be translated into English. Document can be either:
- Original verification letter from secondary/high school institution officer or certified (attested) copy
- Original or certified (attested) copy of transcripts from secondary or post-secondary education
English Language Proficiency Evidence
We also require international students whose first language is not English to provide official proof of English language proficiency. We will accept any one of the items listed below:
- TOEFL (iBT) overall minimum scores: Undergraduate 70 / graduate 79 / doctorate 85.
- IELTS overall minimum scores: Undergraduate 6.0 / graduate 6.5 / doctorate 6.5.
- Duolingo Certified minimum score: Undergraduate 80 / graduate 90 / doctorate 100.
- PTE minimum score: Undergraduate 50 / graduate 59 / doctorate 59.
- WAEC score of C6 or higher in English subject
- TOEIC overall minimum scores: Undergraduate 670 / graduate 720 / doctorate 720.
Evidence of English proficiency requirement is waived for:
- Students who have completed a high school, bachelor’s, or master’s degree (residential studies) from an accredited school in the United States or other countries listed on NAFSA website accessible here. (A copy of the applicable student visa may be requested to verify in-person studies.)
- Students who hold a passport from the countries listed on NAFSA website accessible here and have completed a high school, bachelor’s, or master’s degree from an accredited school in such a country.
- International students seeking to transfer from an accredited U.S. institution, who have successfully completed at least one academic term of a degree program at that school.
Financial Evidence
We also require international students to provide proof of sufficient financial funds shown in US dollars (either one or a combination of two or more of the below-listed documents):
- Personal funds – official bank statement
- Sponsors – affidavit of support accompanied by official bank statement
- Scholarships – official scholarship letter
Doctoral Programs Admission Requirements
- To be considered for admission into a doctoral degree program as a first-time doctorate student, students must submit the following documentation:
- Completed application form.
- Registration acknowledgment form.
- Arrange for official transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended to be submitted to the Office of Records and Registration.
- Doctoral students must have an earned master’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency or internationally recognized institution.
- Submit certificates from any corporate education training or professional development programs.
- Submit military training documents (if applicable).
- Curriculum vitae or resume.
- Two letters of recommendation (academic or professional).
- One essay, in MS Word document form, addressing the student’s preparation for the doctoral program, proposed research area, and professional goals.
- You must complete an in-person, phone or video interview with UOTP.
- GRE or GMAT scores (no minimum score or time limit) are optional.
Doctoral Completion Program (DCP) Admissions Requirements
Doctoral Completion Program (DCP) Admissions Requirements
If you have previously completed doctoral courses and/or partial dissertation chapters from a previous institution, you may apply for admission into the doctoral completion program by submitting the following documentation:
- Completed application form.
- Registration acknowledgement form.
- Transcripts showing your completed coursework in the program of study from your previous doctoral program.
- You must have completed all doctoral coursework at the prior institution with a minimum of a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- A written statement on your intent to complete doctoral programs (i.e., reason for not completing your previous program, role of degree in your career path, proposed research area, and plan for doctoral program success).
- Two letters of recommendation letters (academic or professional).
- Scholarly work sample (optional).
- 36 credits can be reviewed for transfer credits.
- Only coursework completed in the last 10 years is eligible for transfer credit unless a waiver granted by the Office of Academic Affairs.
- You must complete an in person, phone or video interview with UOTP.
- GRE or GMAT scores (no minimum score or time limit); optional.
