Admissions

UT Permian Basin graduate programs comply with Regents' Rule 40303 and Texas Education Code (TEC) 51.842 (TEC 51.842) by requiring a holistic graduate application review and admission process.

There are five basic requirements for acceptance to a graduate program: (1) a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution; (2) a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4 point scale on the last 60 hours of coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree. To be considered for conditional admission, other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study*; (3) a satisfactory score (if required) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT),** or other evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study; (4) adequate subject preparation for the proposed graduate program; and (5) a favorable recommendation from the Graduate Admission Committee of the college/school/department in which the student expects to pursue graduate study, with final approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Note: Individual degree programs may have additional requirements for acceptance to graduate study and advancement to degree candidacy.

* The "other evidence" may include documentation of professional experience and educational achievement, professional letters of reference, professional awards or achievements, and appropriate scores on the GRE or GMAT. Applicants must clearly document this evidence in their Graduate Studies application. Applicants should review the specific program admission standards of their intended program of study for specific information concerning the "other evidence" considered for admission. By considering multiple factors, such as the combination of GPA and "other evidence" in its graduate admissions decisions, the University is compliant with TEC 51. 842.

In those cases in which a graduate program wishes to consider and recommend for admission an applicant whose GPA is below a 3.0, the program must provide a written memorandum specifying the compelling evidence that suggests that the student is qualified for graduate studies. These exceptional cases must be approved by the program coordinator, the dean of the respective college/school, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. This multi-level approval and admission process assures compliance with Regents' Rule 40303, Section 4.

** An applicant's performance on a standardized test may not be used as the sole criterion for admission to a graduate or professional program. In addition, no specific weight will be assigned to any one factor being considered in the admissions process for a graduate or professional program.

All students who wish to apply should:

Complete an online application at https://www.applytexas.org.
Present an Official Transcript certifying completion of a bachelor's degree.

Students who intend to apply for a degree program or educational certification should also:

Submit Official Transcript(s) that certifies bachelor's degree awarded and, at minimum, contain the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work leading towards the bachelor's degree.
Submit standardized test scores as follows:

For certification – THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment)
For Business – GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
For other programs - GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
International students – TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

3. Supply other materials required by the program. (See program descriptions.)

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General (Aptitude) Test: The General (Aptitude) Test of the Graduate Record Examination is designed to test preparation and aptitude for graduate study. Students seeking acceptance in a graduate degree program, except the MBA and MPA, must achieve a satisfactory Entrance Score but performance on a standardized test may not be used as a sole criterion for consideration or to end consideration. The GRE is taken at the applicant's expense at licensed sites.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): The GMAT is an aptitude test designed to measure certain mental capabilities important in the study of management at the graduate level. Students seeking acceptance into the MBA and MPA program must achieve a satisfactory Entrance Score but performance on a standardized test may not be used as a sole criterion for consideration or to end consideration. The GMAT is taken at the applicant's expense at licensed sites.

Additional Admissions Information

Deadlines for Submission of Application: The application and all supporting documents should be received by the Graduate Studies Office at least 60 days prior to the registration date.

Criminal Background Checks: Certain programs require students to submit to and satisfactorily complete a criminal background check review as a condition of admission and/or participation in education experiences. Students who refuse to submit to a background check or who do not pass the background check may be dismissed from the program. The student is responsible for the costs of the criminal background check.

Military Service: A student who withdraws from the University to perform active military service (not including Texas National Guard training exercises) will not have to reapply for admission but will be readmitted upon a request made within one year of being released from active military services. A student may be eligible for the same financial assistance provided before the student's withdrawal.

A student who withdraws from or defers admission to the Institution to perform active military service in a combative operation will be readmitted to their program, that previously earned coursework will be applied toward the program, and that any Standardized test score previously submitted will be accepted.

Senior-Graduate Concurrent Study: UT Permian Basin seniors needing fewer than 10 semester credits for graduation and meeting other admission requirements may be admitted to graduate study. They must be registered concurrently for all remaining courses required for the bachelor's degree and obtain written permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Vice President of Research to take graduate courses. (The MPA program has provisions for concurrent study. See MPA Dual Degree Program).

Academic Fresh Start

Postgraduate/Professional Programs
An applicant who has earned a baccalaureate degree under the "academic fresh start" statute, Texas Education Code, Section 51.931, and applies for admission to a postgraduate or professional program will be evaluated on only the GPA of the course of work completed for that baccalaureate degree and the other criteria stated herein for admission to the postgraduate or professional program.

Grade Point Calculations: The Office of Graduate Studies at UT Permian Basin uses the Uniform Grade Point Calculations as prescribed by the THECB, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 5, subchapter A, Section 5.3. The description of this method is shown below. For consistency, this method is also used for subsequent calculations by the Office of Graduate Studies.

5.3. Uniform Grade-Point Calculation for Admission to Graduate and Professional Schools

Procedures for calculating the GPA for students seeking admission to a graduate or post-baccalaureate professional school of an institution of higher education will be as follows:

Only official transcripts from accredited institutions of higher education shall be accepted by the graduate and professional schools of an institution of higher education for evaluation and grade-point calculation.
All academic work undertaken and grades or symbols assigned at each institution shall be reflected on the student's official transcript(s). No student's grade may be expunged from their record.
All grades assigned for academic course work will be used in calculating the GPA, except that an institution may base the calculation on the last 60 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of undergraduate work and any previous work in a graduate or professional school.
A four-point scale will be used in computing the GPA (e.g.: A, 4 points per semester hour; B, 3.0; C, 2.0; D, 1.0; F, 0.0).
A grade or symbol indicating failure (i.e.: F, WF, NC, or in a pass/fail system, FL equals F) will count as hours undertaken, but no grade points will be earned.
Excluded from the GPA will be any credit by examination (CR), Quit (Q); Withdrew (W); Withdrew Passing (WP); Incomplete (I or X); and a pass grade within a pass/fail system.
The GPA will be computed by multiplying each grade point (see paragraphs (4) and (5) of this section) by the semester or quarter credit hours earned per course and totaling the products. The semester or quarter hours of courses undertaken will then be totaled. The total of the products will be divided by the total semester or quarter hours. The result is to be calculated to the hundredth place, giving the official cumulative GPA.
Academic work at foreign colleges, universities, or preparatory schools shall be excluded from the calculation. In such cases, the GPA and credit shall be evaluated and computed as determined by the graduate or professional school to which the student is applying.

International Students

For purposes of admission, an international student is defined as "a student who is, or will be, in the United States on a nonimmigrant student visa." This specifically refers to the Student (F) and Exchange Visitor (J) Visas. International student admission requirements apply but are not limited to international students on F or J visas. To comply with federal laws and immigration requirements international students must be degree-seeking students in order to enroll at UT Permian Basin.

Foreign-born students who are naturalized U.S. citizens or who have immigrant status (permanent resident status) in the United States should note the following:

Please allow ample time for receipt, verification, and evaluation of any foreign credentials. Regulations for foreign credentials are the same as listed under international student requirements.
TOEFL scores or other evidence of communication skills sufficient for classroom work may be requested if the student's first language is not English or if academic preparation was not in English.
Financial arrangements required of international students do not apply to resident or naturalized U.S. citizens.

In addition to the general admission requirements previously listed, the following regulations apply to all international students:

International Applicants should apply for admission using the ApplyTexas Application (electronic) at www.goapplytexas.org at least six months before the anticipated enrollment date and should arrange to have test scores and academic records in the Office of Admission no later than 60 days before the enrollment date. Verification of credentials may also be required. UT Permian Basin will issue the documents required (I-20 or DS2019) for student visas after all admission credentials have been received and approved. For more information contact the International Student Adviser at (432) 552-2605. There is no application fee (subject to change). All international students are considered nonresident students for tuition and other purposes.

High School or Secondary School Transcripts - Submit an official record (transcript) of all secondary school work attempted, including subjects taken and grades earned. In addition, an official copy of final examinations taken at the end of the secondary school program, such as school leaving certificates and matriculation exam results should be submitted. If documents are written in a language other than English, complete and official English translations must be provided. Each transcript (mark sheet) should contain a complete record of studies at the institution from which it is issued (i.e. the subjects taken and grades (marks) earned in each subject.) Send these to UT Permian Basin Admissions, 4901 E. University, Odessa, TX 79762-0001.
College/University Transcripts - Official, certified transcripts of student's academic record (mark sheets) from universities previously attended must be submitted. Both a copy of the official foreign academic record and an official English translation must be included. Moreover, where university-level studies are to be considered for possible undergraduate transfer credit, a syllabus, catalog, or similar bulletin must be submitted which describes the courses in sufficient detail for proper evaluation.
Certification of Financial Support – Student must submit a completed and signed Certification of Finances form that provides evidence guaranteeing the student's ability to pay expenses while enrolled at UT Permian Basin. This form must be accompanied by documentation supporting the statement in the form of a current letter from a bank or other reliable institution or from the sponsor's employer. (Photo static copies of support statements furnished to meet another university's requirements are not acceptable.) The University has no financial aid available for international students. Additional support can be from family members, a sponsor or government with supporting documentation and signatures attached to the Certification of Finances Form (available online at www.utpb.edu).
English Proficiency - All applicants whose native language is not English, must submit proof of English proficiency by one of the following:
1. TOEFL scores or other evidence of communication skills sufficient for classroom work may be requested if the student's first language is not English or if academic preparation was not in English. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores must be submitted before admission will be granted. Minimum score for admission consideration is 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79(internet-based). Information concerning the TOEFL may be obtained by writing to: TOEFL, Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540 (The University of Texas of the Permian Basin institution number: 6914) or
2. The Academic Examination of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5 or better. There is no institutional code for UT Permian Basin and so send your scores to UT Permian Basin Admission, 4901 E. University, Odessa, TX 79762-0001 or
3. An official transcript from a regionally accredited US college or university showing degree earned.
Medical Insurance Requirement - It is required for international students on F-1 visas to have medical hospitalization and repatriation insurance for themselves. Insurance for dependents is optional. Students on J-1 visas are required to carry medical, hospitalization and repatriation insurance for themselves and their dependents.
Employment Restrictions - Students on F-1 visas do not normally have employment privileges. Government regulations require international students to certify that they have finances deemed sufficient by the University while pursuing their degree without employment. Thus, international students should not expect to support themselves through employment while attending the University. International students may request permission to seek employment while attending the University after they have completed one academic year of study. See the International Student Advisor.
Full course of study- Holders of F-1 student visas and J-1 sponsored Student Visas must enroll for a full load of study. Nine semester hours is the minimum load for graduate students.
Graduate Studies - Students requesting admission to graduate programs must comply with all of the above requirements in addition to the graduate studies requirements listed in the Graduate Catalog.
International Transfers from U.S. Institutions – Graduate students wishing to transfer to UT Permian Basin will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Only those students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will be considered and no more than six semester hours of appropriate course work will be accepted in transfer. In some cases, after the appropriate appeal process is completed, an additional three semester hours may be accepted in transfer. If currently "in-status" under a F or J Visa, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must be notified when an international student transfers from one U. S. institution to another. Once a student is admitted, UT Permian Basin will provide a Transfer-In Form that will need to be completed by the previous U.S. institution and submitted to UT Permian Basin to release the active Visa information for update. However, if a student is "out of status" with USCIS, that student should reinstate themselves with USCIS prior to enrolling at UT Permian Basin. Questions regarding a student's immediate immigration status must be directed to the international student advisor. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the correct visa and to maintain the appropriate immigration status while in the United States. International students should refer to, carefully read, and make sure the conditions of the visa, noted on the back of Form I-20 or DS2019, are understood before signing the form.