College of Graduate Studies

General Graduate University Admissions Requirements

Admission to the College of Graduate Studies is open to anyone holding a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university.  A foreign degree must be equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree and must be accredited by its regional or national accreditation agency or Ministry of Higher Education. Applicants should have completed undergraduate or graduate work of sufficient quality and scope to enable them to successfully pursue graduate study. Tennessee Tech University offers equal educational opportunity to all persons, without regard to race, religion, sex, age, creed, color, national origin, or disability.

Students are admitted to Tennessee Tech University through a cooperative effort of the Graduate College and the departments, colleges, and schools of the University. When the Graduate College receives the student's application material, an official file is established. The department then reviews the application file and makes a recommendation to the Graduate College. The Graduate College notifies applicants as soon as a decision has been reached.

Applicants must submit the following for admission consideration:

1. 1. The online application for admission;
   2. Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate credit from all institutions attended;
   3. Letters of recommendations from persons acquainted with the applicant's scholastic and professional accomplishments;
   4. Graduate admissions test scores, as defined by the major department;
   5. One-time application fee payment at the graduate level; and
   6. Any other applicable requirements as required by the major department or division in which the applicant is applying.

In order to be admitted to a degree program in any academic unit, applicants are also required to meet any additional standards set by the department, school, or college.  Applicants are selected on a competitive basis and, therefore, admission is not granted to all applicants who meet only the minimum requirements. In addition, academic programs may have additional requirements such as portfolios, proficiency examinations, professional licensing, etc.

Individual program requirements are described in the Tennessee Tech University Graduate Catalog and on department websites. Requirements are subject to change. 

The current rate for the nonrefundable graduate application fee is $35.00 for domestic applicants and $40.00 for international applicants. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed.

All credentials become the property of the University and will not be forwarded or returned. If the applicant does not enroll, credentials will be maintained in active files for 1 year, after which they will be destroyed. After that time, candidates must reapply for admission and submit a new set of credentials if they wish to be admitted to the Graduate College. Students who do not enroll for a Fall or Spring semester must apply for readmission.

Learn more about specific degree programs by requesting more information.

Students requesting exceptions to any provision of the Graduate Admissions Policy 270 or departmental requirements must submit their request to their program chairperson, and the departmental chairperson, college dean, and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies must authorize the exception in writing.