Admission to the School of Professional Studies

Admission to the School of Professional Studies
Undergraduate Admission Requirements and Procedures for:
     First-Year Students
     Transfer Students
     Non-Degree Students
     International Students
Graduate Admission Requirements and Procedures for:
     Degree-seeking Graduate Students
     Non-Degree Graduate Students
     International Students
     Graduate Readmission
Download an Application
Contact and Mailing Information

 

Admission to the School of Professional Studies

Trinity's School of Professional Studies seeks men and women interested in either undergraduate or graduate study who demonstrate academic potential, have a record of scholastic achievement, and possess the capability for independent learning outside of the classroom setting. Trinity regards these characteristics as essential for intellectual and personal growth. Students are admitted without regard to race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability, and applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for First-Year Undergraduates

Secondary School (or Equivalent) Requirements
Application Procedure

Secondary School (or Equivalent) Requirements

Candidates for admission to all undergraduate programs (offered on the weekends and evenings) must have a high school diploma or GED (high school equivalency certificate). Applicants for undergraduate study are not required to submit entrance examination scores.

Application Procedure

To apply for admission to the School of Professional Studies as a first-year undergraduate student, candidates must:

1. Complete the application form and return it to the Office of Admissions with the non-refundable application fee of $40.
2. Applicants who have not taken college course work or have completed fewer than 15 credits in an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning should have high school transcripts and any college transcripts sent directly from the institutions attended to the Office of Admissions. Applicants who have completed 15 credits or more at an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning should send only their official college transcripts from all institutions attended.
3. Submit a statement of purpose (see application for explanation).
4. Send one letter of recommendation supporting the application for admission. The letter must come from a recent employer and/or instructor and attest to the applicant's aptitude for further academic growth and capacity for independent study.
5. All materials should be sent to:

   Office of Admissions
   Trinity Washington University
   125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
   Washington, DC 20017

There is no fixed deadline for application; however, candidates should apply and arrange for all credentials to be forwarded at least six weeks prior to the semester in which they wish to enroll.

All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the Admissions Office to applicants or to third parties.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for Undergraduate Transfer Students

Transfer Admission Requirements
Transfer Application Procedure
Transferable Credits

Transfer Admission Requirements

Candidates who have attended appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning may apply to the School of Professional Studies. Consideration for admission will not begin until after a candidate has submitted all of the credentials listed below to the Admissions Office. Applications for admission to Trinity are considered on a rolling basis. Candidates will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt of all required credentials. If additional information is required, candidates for admission will be notified promptly.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the campus, attend classes, and arrange for an interview with an admissions representative. Prospective students should call the Office of Admissions at (202) 884-9400 for an appointment to visit the campus.

Transfer Application Procedure

To apply for admission to the School of Professional Studies as an undergraduate transfer student, applicants must:

1. Complete the application and return it to the Office of Admissions with a non-refundable application fee of $40, payable to Trinity.
2. Submit a 500 word statement of purpose (see application for explanation).
3. Send a letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, faculty advisor, or employer, supporting the application for admission.
4. Submit official transcrips from each previously attended college or university.
5. If the applicant has less than 15 transferable college credits, or has never completed any college coursework, he or she must also submit a high school transcript.
6. All materials should be sent to:

   Office of Admissions
   Trinity Washington University
   125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
   Washington, DC 20017

Transfer Credits Satisfying Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Requirements

Courses eligible for transfer must meet the following requirements:

• The course must have been completed at an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning.
• Courses taken as either Pass/No-Pass or Credit/Non-Credit are not eligible for transfer to Trinity.
• Courses that have been audited are not eligible for transfer to Trinity.
• For transfer to undergraduate programs, the course must have been completed with a final grade of "C" or better, although certain academic programs require higher grades to count toward major or minor requirements. Transfer courses taken at the undergraduate level must be applicable to Trinity's liberal arts curricula. However, transfer credits may be approved to satisfy the requirements of the major or minor field(s) as determined by the appropriate Program Chair(s).
• For transfer to graduate programs, the course must have been completed with a final grade of "B" or better, must have been taken at the graduate-level, and must have been completed no longer than five years prior to the date of matriculation in the degree program. Additionally, requests for transfer credit must be relevant to the degree sought and must be approved by the student's faculty advisor.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for Undergraduate Non-degree Students

Individuals interested in taking courses at Trinity on a part-time, non-matriculating basis may apply as non-degree students. They may be eligible to take undergraduate courses providing they have a high school diploma from an accredited institution. Prospective non-degree students must complete an application for non-degree student status with the Office of Admissions and pay the $40 application fee.

Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only. Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. A non-degree student may apply for status as a degree student according to the applicable admissions policy. No more than nine undergraduate credit hours earned as a non-degree student may be applied toward the degree. No additional course work may be undertaken prior to acceptance into a degree program at Trinity.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for International Students

International applicants must submit all credentials for undergraduate first-year, transfer, or non-degree admission listed above. The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documents:

• An application form, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of U.S. $40.00, payable to Trinity.
• A copy of the applicant’s official high school or college/university transcript. Transcripts must be translated into English and evaluated by an accredited agency such as the World Education Services, Inc. - www.wes.org or the American Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers - www.aacrao.org/credential/index.php
• A letter of recommendation from an instructor or supervisor from a previous college/university or workplace, supporting the application for admission.
• Official score reports of TOEFL to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam or 213 on the computer-based exam or 79-80 on the internet exam is required.) 
• Proof of financial responsibility, such as a Declaration/Certificate of Finances or an official bank statement for the first year of study.
• A 250 - 500 word essay, written in English. (The applicant may choose to write about his/her future ambitions, goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets him/her apart from peers, or a significant professional or community experience.

Trinity will issue the form I-20 (for the F-1 / Student Visa) to applicants who:

• Are admitted to Trinity.
• Are proficient in the English language.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year.

Deadlines: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.

All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.

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Admission Requirements for Degree-Seeking Graduate Students

Who Should Apply
Entrance Requirements
Application Procedures
Interviews
Application Deadline
Transfer Credits for Graduate Degrees

Who Should Apply

Trinity seeks students who have academic potential for its graduate programs, a record of scholastic achievement at the undergraduate level, and promise for success in the professional area in which they are applying. Students are admitted without regard to race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged.

Entrance Requirements

Candidates for admission must possess a bachelor's degree from any appropriately accredited institution of higher learning with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.

Students who do not meet the standard admission requirements but who demonstrate potential may be provisionally admitted and may take up to six credits during their first semester. A student must receive a minimum grade of "B" in each of these courses in order to be fully admitted to a graduate program.

Application Procedure

Candidates for admission to graduate programs in the School of Professional Studies must submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions:

1. A completed application form with a non refundable application fee of $40.
2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended at the undergraduate and graduate level. Students should request that the transcripts be sent directly to them in a sealed envelope.
3. Two letters of recommendation in support of the application testifying to the applicant's aptitude for graduate education and potential for professional growth and development. Letters from college instructors and employers are acceptable.
4. A 1000-1500 word essay that outlines personal and professional goals.
5. A current résumé or curriculum vitae.
6. All materials should be sent to:

   Office of Admissions
   Trinity Washington University
   125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
   Washington, DC 20017

All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate institutions, graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will become the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the admissions office to applicants or to third parties.

Interviews

An interview may be required for admission to the graduate degree programs. Interviews will be scheduled after the Office of Admissions has received a completed application.

Application Deadline

There is no application deadline, but candidates for admission should apply and arrange that all credentials be forwarded well in advance of the semester in which they wish to matriculate.

In some instances, students may be permitted to register for up to six credits prior to the receipt of all admission materials. Such students will be assigned non-degree status for no more than one semester. In such cases permission to register should not be construed as conferring admission to the degree program.

Transfer Credits for Graduate Degrees

Students enrolled in a graduate degree program may transfer a maximum of six credits from appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning toward a degree at Trinity. For specific rules governing transfer credits, see the Graduate Academic Policies section.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for Non-degree Graduate Students

Non degree-seeking students may take courses at Trinity without being admitted to a degree program. Those wishing to take individual graduate courses may be eligible to do so providing they have an undergraduate degree from an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning. Prospective non-degree students must complete an application for non-degree student status with the Office of Admissions and pay the $40 application fee.

Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only.  Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. Students may earn no more than six graduate credit hours as a non degree-seeking student.  No additional course work may be undertaken prior to acceptance into a degree program at Trinity.

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Admission Requirements and Procedures for International Students

International applicants must submit all credentials for graduate degree-seeking or non-degree admission listed above. The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documents:

• An application form, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of U.S. $40.00, payable to Trinity.
• A copy of the applicant’s official high school or college/university transcript. Transcripts must be translated into English and evaluated by an accredited agency such as the World Education Services, Inc. - www.wes.org or the American Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers - www.aacrao.org/credential/index.php
• A letter of recommendation from an instructor or supervisor from a previous college/university or workplace, supporting the application for admission.
• Official score reports of TOEFL to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam or 213 on the computer-based exam or 79-80 on the internet exam is required.) 
• Proof of financial responsibility, such as a Declaration/Certificate of Finances or an official bank statement for the first year of study.
• A 250 - 500 word essay, written in English. (The applicant may choose to write about his/her future ambitions, goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets him/her apart from peers, or a significant professional or community experience.

Trinity will issue the form I-20 (for the F-1 / Student Visa) to applicants that:

• Are admitted to Trinity.
• Are proficient in the English language.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year.

Deadlines: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.

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Graduate Readmission

A student previously registered as a degree candidate who has failed to maintain continuous enrollment in the same graduate program for one calendar year or more must apply for readmission. A letter requesting file reactivation should be submitted along with a $40 non refundable application fee to the Admissions Office. Two current letters of recommendation and a writing sample should also be forwarded to this office.

Students who have not taken classes for five years or longer must apply for admission under the current academic program. Under certain circumstances, students who leave the college may be required to repeat courses that have expired. Students in specific programs may be required to complete additional course work to meet degree, licensure, or certification requirements. The student's transcript and program of study will be evaluated by the appropriate Dean.

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