Graduate Application Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about your graduate studies application? Here is a list of questions commonly asked by incoming graduate students.
What are official transcripts? Do I have to have official transcripts?
How do I submit my supplemental items?
When is the application deadline?
Can I get an application fee waiver?
Can I defer my graduate admission?
Are there funding opportunities such as scholarships or graduate assistantships?
How do I take graduate classes if I am still an undergraduate student?
How do I transfer graduate classes? Can I transfer graduate classes?
Are there online graduate programs offered?
What are official transcripts? Do I have to have official transcripts?
Official transcripts are transcripts that are sent directly from academic institutions to the University of Central Oklahoma Jackson College of Graduate Studies. These transcripts may be submitted via the following methods:
- Sent via mail in sealed college/university envelopes;
- Hand delivered in sealed college/university envelopes;
- Electronically sent directly to our office via email from your college/university; or,
- Electronically sent directly from a third-party company (such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse).
Members of the Graduate Admissions team will have the ability to access official UCO transcripts;therefore, you will only be tasked with submitting official transcripts from outside of UCO. Applicants will need to submit transcripts from all institutions (except for UCO) attended at the undergraduate and graduate level, and any degree(s) earned will need to be posted on the appropriate transcript(s). Failure to submit transcripts from all institutions attended will result in a delayed admissions process.
If you currently attend or previously attended UCO and submitted official transcripts from other institutions once before, we may be able to access those from your UCO student record, however, it is not a guarantee. The Jackson College of Graduate Studies may ask that you resubmit transcripts from other institutions that were previously submitted to UCO if they are no longer on file.
Below are detailed instructions on how specific student/applicant types may submit transcripts.
Domestic applicants
(U.S. citizens, naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent residents, asylees/refugees, and those who identify as undocumented applicants/DACA recipients)
- Official electronic transcripts may be submitted directly to the Jackson College of Graduate Studies from your institution via email to gradcoll@uco.edu or via a third-party delivery service. We do not accept forwarded electronic transcripts or emailed electronic transcripts from applicants.
- Transcripts requested via Parchment should be sent to: University of Central Oklahoma – Jackson College of Graduate Studies
- Transcripts requested via National Student Clearinghouse should be sent to: University of Central Oklahoma – Graduate College Admissions
- Hard-copy transcripts in university issued sealed envelopes may be hand-delivered or mailed using the address provided below.
Jackson College of Graduate Studies
100 N. University Drive, Box 117
Nigh University Center, Room 404
Edmond, OK 73034
International applicants
(Any individual who is currently on a visa or is seeking a visa to study at UCO)
For international applicants, we will accept scanned copies of your original academic records (graduation certificate / diploma / transcripts) for admission purposes unless we have reason to believe the documents submitted have been altered in any manner. All international students will be expected to present original documents or official transcripts in a university issued sealed envelope upon arrival for check-in at the university.
Instructions for international applicants who wish to submit official transcripts:
International applicants who wish to submit official transcripts from U.S. institutions may use the instructions listed above under “domestic students.”
International applicants who wish to submit official transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S. may use the following instructions:
- Official electronic transcripts may be submitted directly to the Jackson College of Graduate Studies from your institution’s Registrars’ Office via email to gradcoll@uco.edu.
- Hard-copy transcripts in university issued sealed envelopes may be hand-delivered or mailed using the address provided below.
Jackson College of Graduate Studies
100 N. University Drive, Box 117
Nigh University Center, Room 404
Edmond, OK 73034
Special Instructions
- If your academic records are issued by your school in a language other than English, we require the original language documents as well as a certified English translation.
- We do not accept third-party evaluations from companies such as WES or ECE. The evaluation of your academic records will be done by trained admissions specialists within the Jackson College of Graduate Studies.
- Applicants who have not yet completed their bachelor's degree will be asked to submit an official letter from their institution’s registrars’ office notating the month/year you will complete your bachelor’s degree and that you are in good academic standing.
Country-specific instructions
- Applicants from India are required to submit all individual mark sheets, including any retake semesters or backlogs. We also ask that you submit your consolidated mark sheet, if available.
- Until further notice, applicants with academic documents from Cameroon and Benin are required to have them sent directly from their institution at the beginning of the application process.
How do I submit my supplemental items?
After you have successfully submitted your online application for admission along with the application fee, you may have the ability to upload the necessary documents needed to complete your application in your online application portal. Keep in mind, some items may not be uploaded by you, but rather, shall be sent officially to the Jackson College of Graduate Studies. Review supplemental item descriptions for detailed instructions.
When is the application deadline?
Select graduate degree programs require applicants to meet a specific application deadline. International students can expect a separate application deadline which may come before or after a program deadline; whichever deadline arrives first takes precedence. A full list of application deadlines can be found at Graduate Application Deadlines.
Can I get an application fee waiver?
We do not currently offer any application fee waivers.
Can I defer my graduate admission?
Students who have been accepted may request to defer their admission for 12 months from the start date of the semester for which they were admitted, provided that the student still meets all admission requirements at the time of UCO enrollment and has reported all credit hours attempted at other higher education institutions since the time of UCO graduate admission. Students seeking deferrals may login to make a deferral request. Students who are approved for a deferral are not charged an additional application fee. Beyond the 12-month deferral deadline, the student must reapply for admissions and again pay an application fee.
International students are subject to the same guidelines but must complete two deferral requests. An academic deferral should be requested in the student's graduate application portal and if an I-20 has been issued, a request for I-20 deferral can be completed with the Office of Global Affairs. Academic deferrals can only be granted for Fall or Spring entry.
Can I get a GRE/GMAT waiver?
A GRE/GMAT waiver application is only available for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. Submission of this form does not guarantee approval of the waiver. You can reach out to the MBA program with more questions on this waiver at mba@uco.edu.
How much is tuition?
Graduate courses at UCO are charged based on a combination of mandatory tuition and fees for all courses, plus specific fees, which vary by course, and the college offering the course. Graduate students who take undergraduate course to meet prerequisites, or for general preparation, pay undergraduate tuition and fees for those courses. Review the Tuition and Fees webpage to estimate your tuition and fees cost.
International students can review the Certificate of Financial Resources forms to determine the current cost of attendance estimate including fees, tuition, books, housing, meals and other living expenses.
Are there funding opportunities such as scholarships or graduate assistantships?
Scholarships and other financial opportunities are available to current and/or prospective graduate students. Current graduate students may find additional scholarships at the scholarship portal. International graduate students are reviewed by the Office of Global Affairs for international scholarship eligibility. These scholarships do not require an application and will be awarded post-admission to those are eligible.
Assistantships can vary from semester to semester, as they are contingent upon funding availability. UCO offers positions as research assistants, teaching assistants and graduate assistants. All assistantship jobs postings go through the University of Central Oklahoma's Human Resources department. Interested students should search the university job board for open positions and requirements.
How do I take graduate classes if I am still an undergraduate student?
There are two ways to take graduate classes as an undergraduate student: mixed enrollment and Accelerated Degree Pathways. Mixed Enrollment is permission for a qualified undergraduate student to take graduate courses. Students interested in mixed enrollment must submit a mixed enrollment packet to the Jackson College of Graduate Studies.
An Accelerated Degree Pathway (ADP) allows qualifying UCO students to earn graduate credit, generally in the last year of their undergraduate program, and to use that graduate coursework to satisfy degree requirements in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. You can review the required application and list of approved pathways on our website.
How do I transfer graduate classes? Can I transfer graduate classes?
A maximum of 10 eligible semester hours of graduate credit from an appropriately regionally-accredited, degree-granting institution may be transferred to a graduate program at the University of Central Oklahoma. To begin your request for a transfer of graduate credit, you will need to complete a form. A full explanation of transfer credit may be found in the Academic Regulations and Graduate Requirements section of the graduate catalog.
Are there online graduate programs offered?
Yes, we offer numerous online graduate programs. These offerings vary between; exclusively online, and available online. In addition to online offerings, some programs have a hybrid model that blends online and in-person instruction.- Exclusively online: Programs under this distinction offer coursework with no in-person instruction and no designated meeting times. Courses are instructed via an online learning portal.
- Available online: Programs under this distinction may be completed exclusively online or exclusively in-person.
I am an international student; when can I get my I-20?
I-20/DS-2019 documents will come from the Office of Global Affairs once you have been admitted to the Graduate College.
To receive your I-20/DS-2019, admitted students will need to submit the appropriate immigration related documents (financial documentation and passport) in the application portal.
Allow 1-2 weeks for your I-20/DS-2019 to be processed and sent electronically. If you would like to inquire on the status of your I-20/DS-2019, please email the Office of Global Affairs.
Do I need my transcript evaluated or translated?
If your graduate certificate or transcript is issued by your school in a language other than English, we require the official, original language documents as well as an official, or certified, English translation. We do not accept third-party evaluations from companies such as WES or ECE. The evaluation of your academic records will be done by trained admissions specialists within the Jackson College of Graduate Studies.