Graduate School FAQs

An alphabetical listing of graduate degree programs is available here.

Admission to a graduate degree program involves a two-part application process:

1. In order to be admitted to the Graduate School students must file the online application to the University of New Orleans (apply online) and submit official transcripts from each degree-granting institution, and post-baccalaureate institution attended and GRE or GMAT scores. Students who have completed their education in a non-English country will also have to provide proof of English proficiency.

The Graduate School requires that all students have received a baccalaureate degree and achieved at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA in undergraduate work and a 3.0 GPA in graduate work in order to be considered for admission to a graduate degree program. For International applicants a minimum total band score for the IELTS is 6.5, PTE scores of 58 or composite TOEFL scores of at least 79 on the iBT (internet based) or 550 (paper-based) is required.

2. Each degree program has its own requirements for admission, including, in many cases, more stringent GPA requirements and minimum test scores and earlier application due dates.

Several programs also require supplementary material (e.g. letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, etc.) to be uploaded as part of the online application.

Mail Transcripts To

Office of Admissions
103 Administration Building
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70148

Processing of your application can only begin when the following steps have been completed:

1. University Application received
2. Application fee received
3. Official transcripts received from each institution attended
4. Test Scores received if applicable (GRE or GMAT if required and, for International applicants, IELTS, PTE or TOEFL)

Once all of the above have been received the Office of Admissions processes applications in the order that they receive them.

If applications are submitted at peak times (in the final two months before the beginning of a new semester), a greater volume of applications inevitably results in a slight delay in processing.

Normally, if an application is complete, the Office of Admissions can make the application ready for review by the graduate coordinator within two weeks.

Not every program will review applicants immediately upon receipt of the evaluation. Sometimes they must wait until the additional application materials (such as letters of recommendation, personal statements, portfolios, etc.) are on file. Sometimes they must wait until a designated time when a committee of faculty can meet and review applications.

It is therefore very important that applicants pay attention to the stated University priority dates and the program's admissions deadlines when starting the admission process.

GRE and GMAT are no longer required for most programs.

Please check the individual program websites on the departmental webpages for all entrance requirements.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Where required, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are accepted only for:

• Tests taken within 5 years of the entrance term

• Official scores - those reported electronically to UNO by ETS

The institution code for reporting GRE scores to UNO is 6379.  

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
Programs in the College of Business Administration that require Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) accept scores only for:

• Tests taken within 5 years prior to the entrance

• Electronically reported scores to UNO by GMAC

Applicants should initiate the process by contacting the Graduate Coordinator of the program in which they intend to study and arranging for a program recommendation. The graduate coordinator will forward the nomination to the academic College office. The Dean will review and send a list of final selections to the Graduate School.

Certain requirements must be met before a student may apply for a graduate scholarship:

Students must be newly admitted to, or in the process of being admitted to, the degree program toward which the scholarship would apply. Students are not eligible if they are already taking courses as a degree-seeking student in the program for which they wish to receive a scholarship. The scholarship is rendered void if the student changes degree programs after receiving the award.

Scholarship Requirements

• GRE or GMAT scores must be on record, if applicable, and be compliant with departmental requirements.
• Official transcripts must be on record.
• Undergraduate and/or Graduate GPA must meet the designated requirement.
• Students must be screened for eligibility by their department.

View complete listing of the Scholarships awarded by the Graduate School

There are three main types of Graduate Assistantships that students may obtain while engaged in graduate study: Athletics Assistant (AA), Teaching Assistantship (TA and TA-IOR), Research Assistantship (RA) or Professional Assistantship (PA).

Students seeking any of these Assistantships should contact their Graduate Coordinator for openings within the program or for information about other units on campus that may have an opening.

Currently, there is no centralized listing of open Graduate Assistantship positions.

How much does it cost to go to UNO?

The non-degree status means that you can enroll in some graduate-level courses at UNO without being admitted to a degree program. This status is designed for students who just want to take a course for fun, or need a course before enrolling in a degree program at another institution or want to try a course before deciding on a degree program. It is not intended for students who wish to apply to a degree program but have not gotten their materials together in time.

Applicants seeking non-degree status are required to submit an official transcript from the institution that awarded their bachelor’s degree.

International students in F-1 status are not permitted to enroll as non-degree status.

Non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid, university scholarships or assistantships.

Not all graduate courses are open to non-degree students.

No more than 12 graduate credit hours earned while non-degree can be applied towards a degree program.

If a currently enrolled non-degree seeking student wishes to apply to a degree program, they must submit a new online application for admission to gain entry into the program. Official transcripts from each institution attended must be submitted to the Office of Admissions prior to submitting the form. Also, if the program requires supplemental application material, (a program application, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, etc.) the student must upload those items as part of the application process.

Graduate students are kept active in the University record system for one year after enrollment. For example, if you enroll in and complete courses in Fall 2020, you will be active in the system for Fall 2021.

Beyond one year, students must update their status by completing the online application to the University (apply online).

The schedule of classes (Course Bulletin) is posted on the Registrar's website. Course Bulletins are normally posted 2-3 weeks prior to the next registration period. For example, registration for Spring 2022 will begin November 2021. The Spring schedule of classes will be posted in mid-October.

If you need to see a description of a class, you should consult the University Catalog. Click here to review the University Catalog listing of courses per department .

Enrollment in 9 hrs. in Fall and Spring and 6 hrs. in Summer.