For our graduate programs, we welcome applications from students who hold a bachelor's degree (or higher) from a college or university accredited by a regional or general accrediting agency. It is recommended that applicants have at least a B average in undergraduate course work (or otherwise give evidence of promise that is judged satisfactory by the admitting program).
Each graduate program is responsible for setting application requirements and admission criteria beyond the minimum requirements set by the university (outlined below). Programs set their application deadlines, and they set their own schedule for making admission decisions. Programs have the authority to require certain pre-admission examinations, to require the satisfactory completion of certain coursework prior to admission, and to establish other admission requirements. Admissions decisions are made by the program, and those decisions are final.
Your application, application fee, and all required materials must be submitted by the program's deadline in order to be considered for review.
- GRE - Required of all international students; GRE is exempt for students that earned a degree from an ABET accredited university (or equivalent accreditation) in the USA with a GPA of 3.0+
- Transcript(s) and Degree Certificates (unofficial transcripts are used for admissions review, only admitted applicants submit official transcripts)
- GPA minimum 3.0 or equivalent
- Statement of Purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
- International students - English Proficiency Test: TOEFL (minimum 92) or IELTS (minimum 6.5)
University Admission Requirements
Admissions Application
Most programs utilize the UC Graduate Admissions Application. In order to begin an application, you will create an account with UC's Application Portal. You'll select the proper application year, entry term, and program to get started on the application!
Select programs use outside applications instead, including:
Please note that UC admits by entry term (semester), so ensure that you are applying to the proper entry term. Not all programs are available to start every entry term. Please reference your program's admissions website for more information.
Application Fee
Application fees vary by program and application type. For more information, see our Application Fees page.
Transcripts
Submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please add each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended to the application, including the institution you are currently attending (if applicable). An unofficial transcript (scan of transcript or degree audit) is required for each institution (including in-progress coursework) even if you have previously submitted official transcripts or attended the University of Cincinnati. This will be used for the admissions review process and so must contain a complete record of your courses and grades.
A note to international applicants: Some programs require that applicants who completed coursework outside of the United States submit an official transcript evaluation by a NACES member (commonly used members include IEE, Josef Silny & Associates, SpanTran, WES, etc.) at the time of application. These programs include: Criminal Justice, Information Technology, Respiratory Therapy, Biostatistics, Clinical & Translational Research, Epidemiology, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety & Ergonomics, Telehealth, and Toxicology.
Additionally, some programs at UC, mostly within the Lindner College of Business, accept certain international three-year degrees as applicable to U.S. four-year degrees. Please contact the Lindner College of Business at graduate@uc.edu with questions and to see if your degree qualifies. All other programs, unless otherwise stated, do not accept three-year degrees.
Please note: Applicants to programs within the College of Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, and Public Health MUST submit official transcripts or transcript evaluations through the appropriate CAS application system at the time of application. This includes UC transcripts for those applicants who previously attended UC.
Letters of Recommendation
The number of required letters varies by program. Please search for your program on the Graduate Program Finder to view full application requirements, including the number of letters of recommendation required and any specific guidelines for those letters.
Proof of English Language Proficiency (for international applicants)
The following exams and minimum scores are accepted as proof of English proficiency:
- TOEFL: minimum score of 80 iBT
- In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted. TOEFL Essentials and My Best Test scores are not accepted.
- IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 overall band
- In-person and at-home (online) exam scores accepted
- Duolingo (DET): minimum score of 110
- PTE: minimum score of 54
UC only accepts official scores sent directly from the testing agency to UC, preferably via electronic sending methods. For TOEFL, please use school code 1833. IELTS scores must be sent directly from your testing center to UC.
Self-reported scores will not complete your application nor will scores that are below the minimum qualifying scores listed above.
Proof of English proficiency is required of all applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and who were educated in a country where the official national language is not English. Applicants can demonstrate English proficiency via standardized test score or by meeting the requirements for one of our accepted waivers. Please view our full requirements, including minimum scores, on our English Language Proficiency Requirements page.
Official Standardized Test Scores (if required by program)
Test score requirements vary by program. Please search for your program on the Graduate Program Finder to view full application requirements, including if the program requires submission of a standardized test score for admission.
Please note that UC only accepts official scores sent directly from the testing agency to UC, preferably via electronic sending methods. For GRE scores, please use school code 1833. Do NOT choose a department code. Choosing a department code will likely cause your scores to go to the wrong place and not be added to your application.
Both the in-person and at-home versions of the GRE are accepted. Self-reported scores will not complete your application.
For proper matching of your test score(s) to your application, please use the same email address for both your test registration and your admissions application.
CV/Resume, Personal Statement, etc. (vary by program)
Other requirements such as CV/Resume, Personal Statement, etc. vary by program. Search by program to view full admissions requirements.
Questions about your graduate application?
Contact Graduate Admissions at grad.admissions@uc.edu or (513) 556-1100.
https://grad.uc.edu/admissions/criteria.html