Getting Started
Before starting an application, please read below to find answers to our most frequently asked questions about applying, requesting transcripts, and more.
Application Steps - Getting Started
Eligibility - Review Before Starting an Application Close Accordion Open Accordion
To be eligible for admission for graduate study at the University of North Carolina Wilmington applicants must:
Regionally Accredited Bachelor's Degree: Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent in a foreign institution (as evaluated course-by-course through a NACES approved credit evaluation service) by the first official day of classes for the term of the application.
- Seven Accrediting Bodies for Regional Institutions:
- Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association (NH)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (M)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (EH)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NW)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WJ)
Create Account & Check Deadlines Close Accordion Open Accordion
- You will create your account after choosing a Regular Term Instruction (RTI) or Online Accelerated Program (OAP) program option on our application page.
- Please create only one account. Use the same log-in anytime you start or continue an application.
- Review the deadlines for your program of interest on our Key Dates page.
Application Fee Close Accordion Open Accordion
- A $75 USD (non-transferable and non-refundable) application fee is due upon submission and is payable by MasterCard, Visa, or Discover via the online application.
- Applicants will be prompted by the system to pay the application fee upon submission.
- If you are eligible for an application fee waiver, complete the proper form (including any required approvals) from the choices below and upload it into the application when prompted.
- You will be prompted to add a discount code, in addition to the document upload.
- Active Duty Military
- McNair Scholar (form located within the online application)
- UNCW Faculty/Staff or Dependent
Personal Information Close Accordion Open Accordion
- Why does the graduate application ask for my social security number?
- Financial Aid
- Working on campus
- Helps to match test scores
- Use your full legal name
- Include any previous names
Recommendations Close Accordion Open Accordion
Recommendation Info
- Recommendations
- Required by some programs. View the key dates pages to see if your program requires recommendations.
- Recommenders submit the recommendation through the online application.
- During the application process, applicants will be prompted to enter the names and contact information of your recommender.
- An e-mail notification will be sent on your behalf, prompting the recommender to complete the survey.
- Your application may be submitted prior to recommender completion.
- Self-monitor the progress from your online application and application checklist.
Recommendation FAQ
My recommender has not received the e-mail with the login information. What do I do?
- Notification e-mails will indicate "gradschool@uncw.edu" as the sender. If the recommender's e-mail uses a spam-blocking tool, ask that the recommender add gradschool@uncw.edu to their safe/known recipient list.
- Type the recommender email address to avoid the addition of invisible characters by using copy/paste.
- Ask for a personal email address (i.e., Gmail or Yahoo)
How do I change a recommender?
- As long as the recommender has not already submitted the recommendation, you may log back into your online application and choose 'cancel' and add an alternate recommender.
May I reuse recommendations from a previous application?
- Recommendations may be reused from a submitted application (with paid application fee) for up to one academic year.
My program only requires 2 recommendations. What happens if I list 3 recommenders?
- Listing more than the required recommendations will delay the processing of your application.
I did not waive my right to review the recommendation. How may I view the recommendation that was submitted on my behalf?
- Recommendations from a submitted application (with paid application fee) may be viewed by making an appointment. We are happy to meet with you virtually to review the recommendation(s) that were submitted on your behalf. Please note that state-issued photo identification is required.
