Admission Requirements

Applicants wishing to pursue graduate studies at Saint Leo University must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Admission decisions are competitive and based on consideration of all criteria. Candidates who, in the judgment of the University, clearly show the potential for success in graduate work will be accepted for admission. Each graduate program has special admission requirements. Applicants are evaluated individually. The candidate's motivation, maturity, work experience, and leadership qualities are carefully considered along with academic records and test scores. Applications should be submitted 60 days prior to the beginning of the term in which the applicant wishes to enroll.

Master of Business Administration—Weekend and Online Programs

1. Applicants must submit the following documents:
   1. Application form.
   2. Application fee of U.S. $80, which is neither refundable nor applicable against other school fees.
   3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended, foreign and/or U.S. institutions, directly to the Director of Graduate Admission. A U.S. $230 credential evaluation fee or United States equivalency evaluation must accompany transcripts from foreign institutions certified by an approved evaluation service. Graduates or former students of Saint Leo University do not need to submit transcripts if they have been previously submitted and are on file at the University.
   4. Two professional recommendations from work associates completed on the forms provided. Work associates include current and former supervisors.
   5. Current résumé.
   6. Statement of professional goals.
2. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
   1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
   2. A minimum of two years of professional work experience.
   3. A minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA in last 60 hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university.
   4. If the applicant has less than 3.0/4.0 GPA, a minimum GMAT score of 500 can be used to meet this criteria. Official GMAT test results should be mailed directly to the Director of Graduate Admission. Test scores more than five years old are not accepted.
   5. Applicants who do not meet the admissions requirements may be evaluated by the MBA Director, who may recommend admission to the Office of Graduate Admission. If accepted, the student will be given a conditional admission that allows the student to take only one course during his or her first enrolled term, and the student must earn a grade of B or higher to continue in the program.
3. All international students whose native language is not English are required to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test). Applicants holding an undergraduate degree from an academic institution within the United States, an English-speaking country, or from an institution where the language of instruction is English are not required to take the TOEFL examination.
4. Contingent admission as non-degree-seeking students may be granted only for up to six credit hours of graduate work.
5. After the application has been processed, the Director of Graduate Admission may contact the applicant for a personal interview.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

1. Complete and submit application form and $80 application fee.
2. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, unless otherwise approved by the Director.
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended, sent directly to the Director of Graduate Admission from the former institution. Graduates or former Saint Leo University students do not need to submit transcripts if they have been previously submitted and are on file at the University.
4. Conditional admission as non-degree-seeking students may be granted only for up to six semester hours of graduate work.
5. Completed applications will remain active for two years.

Master of Science in Critical Incident Management

1. Complete and submit application form and $80 application fee.
2. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, unless otherwise approved by the Director.
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended sent directly to the Director of Graduate Admission from the former institution. Graduates or former Saint Leo University students do not need to submit transcripts if they have been previously submitted and are on file at the University.
4. Conditional admission as non-degree-seeking students may be granted only for up to six semester hours of graduate work.
5. Completed applications will remain active for two years.

Master of Education
Master of Science in Instructional Design
Education Specialist

1. Complete and submit application form.
2. Submit U.S. $80 application fee, which is neither refundable nor applicable against other school fees.
3. A 3.0 or higher GPA in the last 60 hours of upper-division work that led to the bachelor's degree (all master's degree coursework for the Ed.S.) from a regionally accredited institution or a minimum score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or a minimum score of 410 (68^th percentile) on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) will be required. Official test results should be mailed directly to the Director of Graduate Admission. Test scores more than five years old are not usually accepted.
4. Two professional recommendations. At the time of admission to the Florida state-approved educational leadership master's program, the student must secure a high-performing school principal, veteran assistant principal, or district-level administrator to serve as mentor during the program of study. This agreement must be in the form of a letter on school or district stationery signed by the prospective mentor. Florida state-approved educational leadership master's candidates must meet applicable state of Florida ESOL requirements prior to completing their degree program.
5. Current résumé.
6. Statement of professional goals. This statement must clearly outline the applicant's educational and professional goals.
7. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended, foreign and/or U.S. institutions, directly to the Director of Graduate Admission. A U.S. $230 credential evaluation fee or U.S. equivalency evaluation must accompany transcripts from foreign institutions certified by an approved evaluation service. Graduates or former students of Saint Leo University do not need to submit transcripts if they have previously submitted them and they are on file at the University.
8. Copy of the applicant's valid professional teaching certificate, unless waived. A professional teaching certificate is required for the Educational Leadership Concentration and M.Ed. with Reading Concentration. Master of Science in Instructional Design candidates are exempt from only this requirement. Candidates for the Exceptional Student Education concentration are expected to have the ESOL endorsement.
9. All international students whose native language is not English are required to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test). Applicants holding an undergraduate degree from an academic institution within the United States, an English-speaking country, or from an institution where the language of instruction is English are not required to take the TOEFL examination.
10. Contingent admission as non-degree-seeking students may be granted only for up to six semester hours of graduate work.
11. After the application has been processed, the Director of Graduate Admission may contact the applicant for a personal interview.
12. Completed applications will remain active for two years.

Master of Social Work

Two-Year Full-Time Program (Regular)

1. A 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate degree. If GPA is below 3.0, submit GRE or MAT scores. Must achieve a minimum score of 1000 or higher on the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum score of 410 (68^th percentile) or higher on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Official test results should be mailed directly to the Director of Graduate Admissions. Test scores must be less than five years old.
2. An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a broad liberal arts preparation and at least 21 semester hours in social and behavioral sciences and 6 credits in each of the following: the natural sciences, the humanities and visual and performing arts, and quantitative reasoning.
3. A course with human biology content and a course in statistics.*
4. Complete Saint Leo University graduate school application.
5. Submit a $80 application fee, which is neither refundable nor applicable to other school fees.
6. One official copy of all academic transcripts, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. They must arrive in envelopes sealed by the Registrar.
7. Provide three letters of recommendation. Recommendations should include one academic source, one professional source, and one additional source from either of the above.
8. Résumé.
9. A personal statement of 3-5 double-spaced, typewritten pages addressing the following three questions:
   1. What are your specific professional goals? How would the Saint Leo University Master of Social Work Program, with its emphasis on advanced clinical social work practice and management, help you to achieve your goals?
   2. Please describe how you will complete the normal daytime work hours for internships.
   3. What particular personal strengths do you bring to the social work profession? What limitations do you perceive you have? How have both been demonstrated?
   4. What other personal or professional experiences or qualities do you see as aiding you in your goals?
10. Social Work practicum and employment agencies frequently require criminal background checks for students and employees. While past convictions do not necessarily preclude admission to the MSW Program, they may affect availability of practicum placements and future employability.
    
    Have you ever been convicted of a felony or any crime that involved harm or the threat of harm to another person? If yes, describe the circumstances that led to the court action, the year of conviction, and an explanation of your plans to cope with potential limitations on your practice of social work once you graduate from the MSW Program. Students are responsible for updating the MSW Program on any convictions and/or criminal charges after they are admitted to the MSW Program. Students with felony convictions might not be eligible for licensure as an LCSW in the State of Florida.
     
11. A personal interview and/or additional information as requested by the program's admission committee.

There will be no credit given for work experience.

*SLU alumni who have completed their undergraduate program by completing SCI 102 are required to take SCI 103. This course must be completed before or within the first academic year of the program.

One-Year Full-Time Advanced Standing Program

Applicants seeking admission to the Advanced Standing Program must meet all the following admission requirements:

1. A bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited social work program within the last five years.
2. An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25.
3. Attained A's and B's in all junior- and senior-level social work courses.
4. Complete Saint Leo University graduate school application.
5. Submit a $80 application fee, which is neither refundable nor applicable to other school fees.
6. One official copy of all academic transcripts, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. Transcripts must arrive in envelopes sealed by the Registrar.
7. Three letters of recommendation from those who can comment on your academic abilities. One of the three professional letters of reference required must be from the BSW field director/coordinator/liaison or BSW program director, or the agency-based field supervisor where the applicant completed his or her BSW field internship.
8. Submit a copy of the senior fieldwork evaluation from your undergraduate social work program. If the evaluation is no longer on file, submit a letter from the social work department describing the following: practicum setting, types of clientele and/or groups of clientele, duties performed, and final grade. If you have not entered your internship, submit the social work professional skills form completed by your employer or a BSW social work faculty member who can attest to your generalist practice skills.
9. Résumé.
10. A personal statement of 3-5 double-spaced, typewritten pages addressing the following three questions:
    1. What are your specific professional goals? How would the Saint Leo University Master of Social Work Program, with its emphasis on advanced clinical social work practice and management, help you to achieve your goals?
    2. Please describe how you will complete the normal daytime work hours for internships.
    3. What particular personal strengths do you bring to the social work profession? What limitations do you perceive you have? How have both been demonstrated?
    4. What other personal or professional experiences or qualities do you see as aiding you in your goals?
11. Social work practicum and employment agencies frequently require criminal background checks for students and employees. While past convictions do not necessarily preclude admission to the MSW Program, they may affect availability of practicum placements and future employability.
    
    Have you ever been convicted of a felony or any crime that involved harm or the threat of harm to another person? If yes, describe the circumstances that led to the court action, the year of conviction, and an explanation of your plans to cope with potential limitations on your practice of social work once you graduate from the MSW Program. Students are responsible for updating the MSW Program on any convictions and/or criminal charges after they are admitted to the MSW Program. Students with felony convictions might not be eligible for licensure as an LCSW in the State of Florida.
     
12. A personal interview and/or additional information as requested by the program's admission committee
13. Be in good standing at the last institution attended.

There will be no credit given for work experience.

Three-Year Program

1. A cumulative 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate degree. If cumulative GPA is below 3.0, submit GRE or MAT scores. Must achieve a minimum score of 1000 or higher on the Graduate Record Examination or a minimum score of 410 (68^th percentile) or higher on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Official test results should be mailed directly to the office of graduate admissions. Test scores must be less than five years old.
2. An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a broad liberal arts preparation and at least 21 semester hours in social and behavioral sciences and 6 credits in each of the following: the natural sciences, the humanities and visual and performing arts, and quantitative reasoning. Those who are in process of completing their undergraduate degree must complete all classes by June 30th. You will be conditionally admitted based on the following: 1) a submission of an official degree completion letter in your application packet, 2) submission of official transcripts by the end of the fourth week of the first semester in order to remain in the program, and 3) meeting all admission requirements.
3. A course with human biology content and a course in statistics.*
4. Complete Saint Leo University graduate school application.
5. Submit a $75 application fee, which is neither refundable nor applicable to other school fees.
6. One official copy of all academic transcripts, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. They must arrive in envelopes sealed by the registrar.
7. Provide three letters of recommendation. Recommendations should include one academic source, one professional source, and one additional source from either of the above
8. Résumé.
9. A personal statement of 3-5 double-spaced, typed-written pages addressing the following four questions:
   1. What are your specific professional goals? How would the Saint Leo University Master of Social Work Program, with its emphasis on advanced clinical practice, help you to achieve your goals?
   2. Please describe how you will complete normal daytime work hours for internships.
   3. What particular personal strengths do you bring to the social work profession? What limitations do you perceive you have? How have both been demonstrated?
   4. What other personal or professional experiences or qualities do you see as aiding you in your goals?
10. Social Work practicum and employment agencies frequently require criminal background checks for students and employees. While past convictions do not necessarily preclude admission to the MSW Program, they may affect availability of practicum placements and future employability. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or any crime that involved harm or the threat of harm to another person? If yes, describe the circumstances that led to the court action, the year of conviction, and an explanation of your plans to cope with potential limitations on your practice of social work once you graduate from the MSW Program. Students are responsible for updating the MSW Program on any convictions and/or criminal charges after they are admitted to the MSW Program. Students with felony convictions might not be eligible for licensure as an LCSW in the State of Florida.
11. A personal interview and/or additional information as requested by the program’s admission committee.

There will be no credit given for work experience.

*SLU alumni are required to complete SCI 103 before or within the first academic year of the program.

Master of Arts in Theology

1. Completed application form and $80 application fee.
2. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, unless otherwise approved by the Director of the program.
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended sent directly from the former institution. Graduates or former students of Saint Leo University do not need to submit transcripts if they have been previously submitted and are on file at the University.
4. A letter of application indicating interest and desire to pursue this program.
5. Two letters of recommendation.
6. Conditional admission as non-degree-seeking students may be granted only for up to six semester hours of graduate work.
7. Completed applications will remain active for two years.