ACADEMICS
Tests Required for Admission to Graduate School
GRE: Please check on GRE requirements with the coordinator of the specific graduate program(s) in which you are interested. If GRE is required, official scores should be sent directly from the ETS. The institutional code for Louisiana Tech University is 6372.
GMAT requirements for admission to the MBA, MAcc, and DBA programs can be found on the College of Business Graduate Programs page (GMAT not required for Executive MBA, Concurrent MAcc/MBA, or Graduate Certificate applicants). If GMAT is required, official scores not older than 5 years should be sent directly from the GMAC. The institutional code for Louisiana Tech University is 6372.
College of Business: The College of Business will waive the GMAT/GRE admission requirement for MBA and MAcc applicants with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2. Click here for more information.
Kinesiology will waive the GRE requirement for applications to the Master of Science in Kinesiology for applicants with an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology or a related field with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2. GRE is required for others. Questions? Contact David Szymanski (dszyman@latech.edu).
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences will waive the GRE requirement for applications to some (but not all) of their graduate programs. The GRE will be waived for applications to the Doctor of Philosophy program in Counseling Psychology for the cohort entering in Fall of 2023 (application deadline December 15, 2022). The GRE will also be waived for applications to the Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology for those with an undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related field with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2. The GRE is waived for all applicants to the Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance (concentration in Human Services). Questions about graduate programs in psychology? Contact Dr. Mitzi Desselles, Interim Department Head, (mdessell@latech.edu) or the faculty in charge of each program:
- Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Dr. Frank Igou (figou@latech.edu)
- Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance (concentration in Human Services): Dr. Mary Livingston (maryml@latech.edu)
- PhD in Counseling Psychology: Dr. Walt Buboltz (buboltz@latech.edu)
- PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Dr. Steven Toaddy (toaddy@latech.edu)
PRAXIS II is required by the College of Education and Human Sciences.
English Language Proficiency — In addition to the general admission requirements, international applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. Exceptions to this requirement are listed below.
Countries Exempt from Proof of English Proficiency
Louisiana Tech University classifies the following overseas countries as majority native English speaking for admission purposes and do not require proof of English Proficiency.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
The following proofs of English proficiency are accepted:
TOEFL with a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 80 (iBT, iBT Home Edition, or iBT Paper Edition), or 8.5 (TOEFL Essentials Test). The official score must be sent from the Educational Testing Center (ETS) and cannot be more than two years old. The institutional code for Louisiana Tech University is 6372.
IELTS with a minimum score of 6.5 (over 4 modules) The official score must be sent from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and cannot be more than two years old.
DuoLingo with a minimum score of 105. The official score must be sent through your DuoLingo account and cannot be more than two years old.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) with a minimum score of 58. The official score must be sent from Pearson Academic and cannot be more than two years old.
Louisiana Tech also accepts the certificate of completion of ELS Level 112 intensive English course from the English Language Schools as proof of English proficiency.
Each applicant must assume the initiative of determining and meeting the test requirements for a specific degree program. Official test scores must be on file in the Graduate School in advance of registration for the session in which the student expects to enroll.
Additional Requirements for International Students
- Copy of passport
- Copy of bank statement (less than 6 months old and showing the minimum yearly amount on the current affidavit of support
The documents above can be submitted at the time of application submission or when requested by Graduate Admissions.
Policies Regarding Transfer Credits
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requires that at least 50% of the total semester hours for a degree be earned from the degree-granting institution.
1. Doctoral degrees
With the approval of the Dean of Graduate School, there would be no limit at the doctoral level regarding transferring courses for degree credit, except that set by SACS (see above). The grade earned must be “B” or above, and the credits must be accepted as applicable to the degree program by the student’s academic college. No transfer credit for extension courses will be accepted. The request for transfer credit is initiated by the student through the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies of the college. Transfer credit from non-U.S. institutions may require the evaluation of transcripts by an external agency.
2. Master’s degrees
With the approval of the Dean of Graduate School, a maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate resident credit, or 1/3 of the hours required for the master’s degree, may be transferred for degree credit from a U. S. regionally accredited college or university. The grade earned must be “B” or above, and the credits must be accepted as applicable to the master’s degree program by the student’s academic college. No correspondence credits are applicable toward a master’s degree. The request for transfer credit is initiated by the student through the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies of the college.
3. Second Master’s degrees
A student pursuing a second master’s degree must earn a minimum of 15 additional graduate hours at Louisiana Tech and must satisfy the requirements for a minimum number of exclusive graduate courses, in addition to the thesis or practicum if required, to be taken in the area in which the second degree is being earned. Some colleges may require more than 15 hours. Transfer hours will not be approved on a second master’s degree.