Admission and Matriculation
An individual is admitted to The Graduate School to pursue a single specified degree program beginning in the semester designated in the offer of admission letter. There is no transfer process between programs once admitted to The Graduate School.
The Graduate School does not offer conditional or provisional admission.
A desire to pursue a different degree requires a new application to the new degree program. For example, an individual who is admitted to a PhD program in Department A may not transfer to a PhD program in Department B. The individual must formally apply and be admitted to the PhD program in Department B in a subsequent semester.
Degree level changes within the same graduate program are allowed, such as doctoral students opting to earn a master's degree or master's students granted Permission to Proceed or to Bypass the Master’s Degree to the doctoral level. Other cases of degree changes within the same graduate program (e.g., online/residential or multiple master's degrees) often require a new admission application and will be handled on a case by case basis taking into consideration timing, advising, and accreditation requirements.
Non-degree Students
The Graduate School does not admit non-degree students. If non-degree students decide at any time to pursue a degree, they must formally apply for new admission, and all Graduate School and program criteria standards must be met. If an individual is granted admission and subsequently wishes to transfer credits earned while in non-degree status into the academic program, The Graduate School's transfer of course credit guidelines will apply.
See Transferring Course Credit.
Dual Bachelor's-Master's Programs
An undergraduate student admitted into a master's degree program as part of a dual bachelor's-master's program must meet all the policies and guidelines for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. For additional information about course credits, admissions, and funding, please see the Dual Bachelor's-Master's Degree Programs.
Readmission
A formal request for readmission to The Graduate School is required whenever a student fails to register for a regular (fall/spring) semester without being approved for a leave of absence—whether the student withdrew during the semester or simply did not register. To resume their studies, such students must submit an Application for Readmission
according to the following deadlines:
- July 1 for the fall semester
- December 1 for the spring semester
- April 1 for the first summer session
- June 1 for the second summer session
Readmission after a long absence is not automatic and will be reviewed carefully by the academic program prior to making a recommendation to The Graduate School.
If a student has not been enrolled for one academic year, the student must also request a new residency determination via the Residency Determination Service
and follow the instructions to be considered a NC resident for tuition purposes.
A student who receives a medical withdrawal may be required to receive medical clearance before being readmitted.
If a student is not registered for as long as two academic years, a new immunization record and Medical History Form must also be submitted to Campus Health Services to avoid future registration cancellation.
Reapplication
An individual must formally apply for new admission (Admission Application, application fee, academic program admission requirements, etc.) in the following circumstances:
- An individual remains unregistered for five years or longer and wishes to resume graduate study. The academic program and The Graduate School will consult to determine if credits previously earned will meet current degree requirements.
- An individual cancels registration prior to the first semester of enrollment in an academic program and does not defer admission to a future term.
- An individual withdraws during the first semester of enrollment in an academic program and later wishes to pursue the degree after two years have passed.
- A student exceeds the time limit for degree completion and wishes to continue studies. See Time Limit for Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree for information about time limits and options for extensions.
To resume their studies, such students must submit an Admission Application request according to the following deadlines:
- July 1 for the fall semester
- December 1 for the spring semester
- April 1 for the first summer session
- June 1 for the second summer session
Students should first contact their former academic program to develop a feasible academic plan for returning to complete the degree. The academic program and The Graduate School will consult to determine admission application requirements, an academic plan for completion of degree requirements, and a new timeline for completion. The academic plan should be submitted as part of the reapplication materials.
If a student has not been enrolled for one academic year, the student must also request a new residency determination via the Residency Determination Service and follow the instructions to be considered a NC resident for tuition purposes.
Faculty as Students
Members of the General Faculty of UNC-Chapel Hill may not pursue a graduate degree at this institution except under the following conditions:
- The course of study and the conditions of employment are approved annually by The Graduate School; and
- The employing academic program chair(s) and dean must certify annually that the degree to be pursued is of demonstrable value to the institution.