Admissions
The University of Northern Virginia brings to its campus students who are committed to personal, intellectual, and spiritual growth. The university encourages applications from students who will contribute to, as well as benefit from, the university experience. In assessing the applicant’s potential for success, academic capabilities, as well as involvement in church, school, and community activities, are reviewed.
Required documents and criteria are outlined in the following sections. A prospective student’s acceptance is not finalized until all documents are received to the satisfaction of the Admissions Department. Until a student’s admission is finalized, he or she has not completed the admissions process. A student’s UNVA acceptance may be denied at any time during the admissions process.
UNVA no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility. ACT or SAT scores can be used as one of the measures to place students in the proper mathematics and written communication courses.
Our admissions process considers a comprehensive range of factors for each applicant. We seek to enroll academically qualified students and demonstrate the potential to contribute to UNVA’s diverse community. UNVA students have a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, and passions. Decisions are based on the information you report on your application and the academic qualifications of the applicant pool.
The University of Northern Virginia is an equal-opportunity educational institution. The University does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, political views, sex, height, weight, sexual orientation, marital status, physical disability in the administration of its admissions policies, educational policies, scholarships loan programs or other school administrated programs.
Undergraduate
We are excited that you are considering joining the University of Northern Virginia, where we are on a relentless quest to reimagine tomorrow.
Here, you can expect a rigorous curriculum that prepares you to be workforce-ready, a community that supports you, and the opportunities you need to experience success.
Admission is done using a holistic approach, and all aspects of a student’s application, including high school transcripts, standardized test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation, among other supplemental documents, are reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
Freshman applicants are not required to complete a specific set of courses; however, the following college preparatory courses are strongly recommended: English (four years), mathematics (including first- and second-year algebra and geometry, as well as a third-year course), science (two years, including a laboratory science), foreign language (two years), United States history and government, and strong academic electives (including fine arts courses). Prospective students interested in the nursing programs must take, at the least, biology (one year), chemistry (one year), and algebra (two years) in high school.
If you are finishing up high school or are a recent high school graduate, you will be applying as a first-time freshman student. When reviewing freshmen applications, our admissions committee will be looking to see if you have completed the following classes and passed with a grade of C or better (no foreign language courses are required):
- four years of English;
- three years of social science;
- passed or surpassed Algebra 2; and
- two years of science (one must be a lab)
Freshman Application Process and Requirements
As you develop your application materials, we recommend that you highlight your involvement in school and community activities, any leadership opportunities, personal character, and special talents.
To apply, complete the requirements below. All application materials become the property of the university upon receipt.
- Application for Admission.
- Application Fee. Submit a non-refundable $60 application fee (paid at the time of application submission).
- Personal Statement. The personal statement essay allows us to learn a little more about you. Make sure to proofread! The word count for the essay is 250 words minimum.
- Transcripts. We’ll need your high school transcripts, as well as any college transcripts if you completed some college courses while attending high school. Submit your transcripts to the Office of Admission. We will accept unofficial transcripts for admission consideration, but we will need final official transcripts directly from your school once you graduate.
- Letter of Recommendation. Have a teacher, academic counselor, supervisor, etc., write us a letter about your work ethic and character.
- Returning Students
If you previously attended the University of Northern Virginia but have not attended in two or more consecutive semesters, you must reapply. Your application will be evaluated according to UNVA’s current policies and requirements for undergraduate admission, and you must include transcripts for any academic work completed during your absence.
Master Degree
Forge your future by pursuing a graduate degree from the University of Northern Virginia.
As a graduate student, you play a key role in shaping the culture of UNVA. Joining over 17,000 graduate students from 80 countries, you have the opportunity to advance your research and expand your knowledge.
To be considered for graduate admission to the University of Northern Virginia, you must meet both the minimum requirements set by the Graduate School and the requirements of the individual graduate program to which you are applying. Often, the program’s requirements are more rigorous than those set by the Graduate School. Whatever your academic and professional goals may be, UNVA’s graduate programs help you become a scholar and a leader to craft innovative solutions and drive positive change in the world.
UNVA offers a variety of graduate programs, and this section of the university website is specifically for individuals interested in an advanced degree. The following are some requirements for graduate application:
- A bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited institution.
- A minimum of a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or B-equivalent (if GPA is not on a 4.0 scale) is required. It is important to note that some programs may have a higher standard for their GPA requirement, and you should consult with the program directly for further information.
- If your GPA is below 3.0, you should consult with the program directly for further information. Applications are reviewed holistically, and the program can advise you on potential admission.
- All applications are initially reviewed by the graduate program before a recommendation is submitted to the Graduate Division for final approval. Please visit the graduate program’s website for any program-specific requirements.
To apply, complete the requirements below. All application materials become the property of the university upon receipt.
1.Application for Admission.
2.Application Fee. Submit a non-refundable $60 application fee (paid at the time of application submission).
3.Personal Statement. The personal statement essay allows us to learn a little more about you. Make sure to proofread! The word count for the essay is 250 words minimum.
4.Transcripts. We’ll need your college transcripts. Submit your transcripts to the Office of Admission. We will accept unofficial transcripts for admission consideration, but we will need final official transcripts directly from your college.
5.Letter of Recommendation. Have former professors, supervisors, etc., write us a letter about your course work and character.
Doctorate Degree
The University of Northern Virginia proudly welcomes doctoral applicants wanting to pursue higher levels of achievement in learning and research. We are a highly selective program, as we strive to identify students with the potential to succeed in our rigorous research-based program and make significant contributions to their chosen field. We consider both your academic accomplishments and research potential, as well as your personal qualities and evidence of your commitment to excellence.
UNVA offers various doctorate programs to professionals interested in pursuing advanced learning opportunities. No matter the field or program you choose, you will be guided to develop independent research skills that may allow you to make original contributions to your field. The selection of applicants for admission to the doctoral programs is made by a faculty committee and is based on the applicant’s overall accomplishments and skills. Specifically, admission to the program requires:
- A master’s degree in related fields from an accredited institution or a comparable foreign institution, with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 in the master’s degree. Applicants possessing a master’s degree in a field of study other than the specific doctoral programs they apply for may be required to take additional preparatory courses.
- Application for Admission.
- Application Fee. Submit a non-refundable $60 application fee (paid at the time of application submission).
- Applicants with responsible managerial or professional work experience will be given preference in admission.
- Applicants must submit a concise professional and/or academic resume highlighting both experience and training.
- A statement of goals.
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s ability to succeed in a doctoralprogram are required.
- English language proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English or who have not completed their studies at a university where English is the language of instruction must provide evidence of English language proficiency. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 80 (internet-based) and a minimum IELTS of 6.0 or a similar result on another internationally recognized assessment of proficiency may be submitted to meet this requirement.
- Applicants who have completed the GMATor GRE examinations within the past ten years may submit their test score results. This is not mandatory but will help the Admissions Department to assess the candidate’s abilities to undertake the program.
Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
Candidates for the bachelor’s degrees must meet the following requirements:
1.Complete a minimum of 120 units (note: some majors require more than 120 units).
2.Complete all major requirements as prescribed by the catalog, and at least fifty percent (50%) of the major must be completed at UNVA.
a.A minimum of thirty-six (36) units must be upper-division work, and twenty-four (24) units must be taken at UNVA.
b.A minimum of twenty-four (24) of the last thirty (30) units must be earned at UNVA. Veterans and active-duty military are exempt from this requirement.
3.A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above for work taken at UNVA.
4.Complete the Core Curriculum (Traditional Undergraduates) or General Education (Professional Studies) requirements.
5.A minor in a department or subject is optional. If a minor is not declared, and after the major is completed, a student has remaining units to reach the 120 unit minimum, a student will complete the required units for graduation by taking general elective courses.
6.A Graduation Application must be completed and submitted with a graduation fee to the registration office on or before the stated deadlines.
Graduate Graduation Requirements
All Master’s degree programs require the successful completion of a minimum of 36 or 42 credit hours with a 3.0 CGPA. Candidates for the doctorate must complete a minimum of 60 doctoral credit hours, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0. Doctoral candidates must also complete the comprehensive exam and have their doctoral dissertation approved by their doctoral advisor. The Chair of the appropriate department must approve the course sequence and program completion. All obligations to the University must be fulfilled before a student will be permitted to graduate.
Comprehensive Exam for Doctoral Students
The comprehensive examination is designed to allow the student to demonstrate wide-ranging knowledge of the fundamental principles of, and basic literature in, the specific academic fields. Successful completion of the examination leads to doctoral candidacy status. Previous comprehensive examinations will be available for review and study in the library.
Doctoral Research Project/Dissertation
Students must complete a doctoral research project in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the doctorate. The main objective of the research project is to prepare candidates to utilize empirically-based, sophisticated, and relevant methodologies so that they may address contemporary business problems.
Midway through the required coursework, students should begin to select a topic for their research project. All doctoral students must have a faculty mentor and should discuss the selected topic with this mentor. A potential mentor is selected by the doctoral candidate before submitting the research proposal. However, the potential mentor must agree to the mentorship, and the Director of Doctoral Programs must approve it. Doctoral students are required to submit their research proposals to their mentors and the Director of Doctoral Programs no later than two weeks before taking the comprehensive examination.
The Director of Doctoral Programs creates an “advisory council” for the doctoral student that is comprised of the director, the mentor, and a chair or full-time faculty with expertise in the proposed research topic. The proposal is read and evaluated by the advisory council. They will guide the student through various stages of research. The council will determine when the research project is ready to be presented formally. Members involved in this process are selected for their expertise related to the area that the research project proposes to investigate.
The University recognizes high-level academic achievement with citations. At graduation a student may receive the degree “with great distinction” or “magna cum laude” if his or her cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is at least 3.9 on a four-point system. Those with the outstanding CGPA of 4.0 will be honored with “summa cum laude” or “with highest distinction.”
Second Degree Program
Over time, some degrees can grow less important or outdated. It can hurt you in terms of shrinking opportunities, lower pay, tougher competition for the best jobs, or even layoffs. Consider a traditional degree in computing, which has grown outdated, while a related specific degree in cybersecurity is now in high demand. A second degree in a similar, thriving industry can help you deftly squeeze your way out of a shrinking field and apply some of that knowledge toward new opportunities with growth potential.
This program is designed for students who have previously received a degree from the University of Northern Virginia. Students are required to complete more than 50% of the course work of a second degree. Individual degree requirements will be determined by the Department Chair in the letter of acceptance sent to a student who wishes to pursue the Second Degree Program. Students must apply and be accepted by the Department Chair and may not simply take a variety of courses at their discretion. Students are required to complete all courses for the Second Degree, and course substitution will be very limited. The Second Degree permits students to use their degree for the field of specialization within the degree requirements; therefore, individuals can receive a second degree from the institution for substantially fewer credits than for a first degree.
Students seeking a second or additional degree must satisfy all requirements for the degree. However, as post-baccalaureate students, they are also subject to additional requirements.
To be eligible for admission as a Second Baccalaureate degree candidate, students must:
- hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
- be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended; and
- have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in their last 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units).
Degree Requirements
- Students may elect a regular major or a single field major.
- No minor is required.
- Students must satisfy all requirements for the degree.
- Students must meet all statutory requirements.
- Students are not eligible for honors.
Transfer of Credit (Bachelor’s Level):
Transcripts of previously completed academic work are evaluated, and credit may be transferred to meet existing coursework requirements. The following guidelines are utilized when accepting transfer credit for a bachelor’s degree program:
- The University will accept transfer credit from applicable courses completed at accredited colleges or universities or foreign equivalent.
- Students in Bachelor’s degree programs may receive transfer credit for up to 30 semester units.
- To be eligible for undergraduate academic credit, transfer grades must be equivalent to a letter grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher.
Transfer of Credit (Master’s and Doctoral Level):
Transcripts of previously completed master’s or doctoral-level academic work are evaluated, and credit may be transferred to meet existing coursework requirements. The following guidelines are utilized when accepting transfer credit for a master’s or doctoral level degree program:
- Master’s degree students may receive transfer credit for up to 9 semester units of previously completed coursework.
- Doctoral students may receive transfer credit for up to three courses (up to 9 semester units) of previously completed coursework.
- Courses must have been completed at an accredited college or university or its foreign equivalent.
- Transfer grades earned must be equivalent to a letter grade of B (3.0 GPA) or higher.
- No specialized training or experiential learning credit can be awarded at the graduate level.
The Academic Dean is the final arbiter in the decision as to whether the University will accept transfer credits and how these credits will be used in the student’s academic program. All requests must be made on the form furnished by the University. Since credits earned at any UNVA campus worldwide are granted by the University, they are not considered transfer credits.
Fees and Tuition (in USD) 2025 – 2026
(*non-refundable fees)
Application Fee* $60.00
Doctoral Application Fee* $100.00
New Student Orientation Fee* $75.00
English Placement Test Fee* $25.00
International Student Fee* $200.00
Co-Op Admin. Fee (Full-time)* $1900.00
Tuition per Credit Hour Undergraduate $350.00
Tuition per Credit Hour Graduate $430.00
Tuition per Credit Hours Doctoral $535.00
Audit Tuition 1/3 of Normal Tuition
Registration Fee per Course* $60.00
Late Registration Fee* $60.00
Add/Drop Fee * $60.00
Removal of Incomplete Grade* $30.00
Withdrawal Fee* $30.00
Replacement Diploma* $100.00
Registrar’s Affidavit for Diploma* $50.00
Replacement ID Card* $25.00
Graduation Fee* $390.00
Challenge Exam Fee* $250.00
Transcripts per Copy* $10.00
-Add $20.00 for an Express Transcript*
(processed within 48 hours)
Returned Check Fee* $50.00
University Notary Service* $5.00
Overnight/Express Shipping* Varies
Apostille Fee* $150.00
Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice pending Board of Directors approval.
Tuition and other charges at UNVA are set at the minimum permissible levels for financially responsible operation by the University Board of Directors and may be changed by Board of Directors action. Gifts and grants received through the generosity of alumni, industry, foundations, government, and friends play an important part in keeping the cost of tuition as low as possible.
Students are responsible for payment in full of all tuition and fees on or before the due dates set forth by the University. Registration cannot be completed, and the student cannot be admitted to class unless satisfactory payment is made at the appropriate times. UNVA also provides a payment plan for those students who qualify. Contact the university business office for more information on requirements. No grade reports, transcripts, or diplomas will be issued to a student so long as an unpaid balance exists in his or her account.
If a student decides to either drop, add, or both drop and add after the first day of the quadmester and before the end of the late registration period, an add/drop fee will be charged.
If a student initially registers for a class either on or after the first day of the quadmester, a late registration fee will be charged.
It is the policy of the University that fees are nonrefundable. This includes, but is not limited to, application fees, English Placement Test fees, registration fees, Add/Drop fees, late registration fees, removal of Incomplete Grade fees, replacement of ID card fees, graduation fees, transcript fees, and returned check fees.
However, tuition is refundable. If the student requests a refund before the first class of the quadmester is scheduled to begin, tuition will be fully refunded. If the student requests a refund for a registered course after the first class is scheduled but before the second class, 80% of the paid tuition will be refunded. If the student requests a refund for a registered course after the first two scheduled classes have begun but before the third class, then 60% of the paid tuition will be refunded. After the third class is scheduled to begin,
Students who withdraw before the completion of a quadmester will be charged for tuition by the following schedule for the period during which they are in residence:
Withdrawal Tuition Charge
One Class 20%
Two Classes 40%
Three Classes 100%
Transcript Requests
Students who need to apply transcripts, please download an application form and send to P. O. Box 914, Chino Hills, CA 91709
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