Graduate Non-Degree Application Procedures
Congratulations on your decision to apply to the University of Michigan-Dearborn!
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is committed to building a diverse learning community. We serve highly motivated candidates whose accomplishments suggest the ability to succeed in graduate study.
The instructions below are intended for applicants for Graduate Non-Candidate for Degree (NCFD)/Guest status.
All graduate applicants are required to meet the following minimum requirements for admission:
- Completion of a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent*
- Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency
*Some degrees, including certain three-year bachelor's from India, Australia, or certain other countries, are not considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's as standalone degrees. However, additional credentials earned, such as post-graduate diplomas or graduate degrees, may make you eligible to apply. For questions about your degree's equivalency, you are encouraged to obtain an Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) course-by-course evaluation, which is aligned with our equivalency guidelines.
A holistic review of each applicant is conducted. Admission is granted to applicants who have been recommended for admission by the academic unit. Preference is generally given to students who have at least a B average (3.0 in a 4.0 grading system) in relevant coursework or otherwise provide evidence of promise that is satisfactory to the admitting program.
Applicants should submit all required materials by the posted deadline in order to be considered for admission.
Graduate Non-Degree Deadlines
Application Procedures
All materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies for processing; any materials submitted to other offices on campus will experience delayed processing.
The Online Application generally opens for Graduate NCFD/Guest applicants two weeks before registration begins for new graduate students until 5 business days before the start of classes.
Final Day to Submit FALL 2024 Graduate NCFD/Guest Application: AUGUST 21
To apply, create a login with a valid email address using the provided link and follow the prompts. You can save your progress since the system allows you to return and finish your application later with your login information.
- Start A New Application
- Under Non-Degree and Certifications, select Start Application
- Select Graduate Guest (if currently enrolled in a graduate program elsewhere) or Graduate Non Candidate for Degree under Non Degree Student Type as applicable
Itemization of the specific course(s) requested for that term is required in the online application; to see what courses are available that term, use the Class Schedule once posted.
Once an Online Application has been submitted, we recommend all applicants become familiar with our instructions on monitoring your portal. If you need to make changes to your application, reach out to the Office of Graduate Studies via email instead of submitting a new application. A staff member can either provide guidance or update that information for you.
Required Transcripts
Transcript are required for your undergraduate degree-granting institution(s) and all institutions where graduate-level coursework has been completed or is in progress.
Non-U.S. academic records require an evaluation for institution accreditation validation, U.S. equivalency determination, and grade conversion to the 4.0 scale. Applicants have two options to meet this requirement. While not required by UM-Dearborn, applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain a course-by-course evaluation from an accepted vendor, in order to expedite the application process.
Accepted Providers:
- Educational Credential Evaluators preferred
- Designate University of Michigan-Dearborn - Graduate Studies in ECE Dispatch
- International Education Evaluators
- Our custom UM-Dearborn link above auto-selects the correct evaluation type for a discounted rate of $145
- SpanTran (Course Analysis)
- Our custom UM-Dearborn link above auto-selects the correct evaluation type for a discounted rate of 10% off
- World Education Services (Course-by-Course ICAP)
- Designate University of Michigan-Dearborn - Graduate Studies in Access WES
- Educational Perspectives
Course-by-course evaluations from other NACES members may be utilized on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with non-U.S. academic history who forgo a third-party evaluation can request an internal UM-Dearborn evaluation within the Online Application, exclusive for institutional assessment and not disclosed to the applicant. If electing this process, be sure to include your transcript legend/grading scale with your document submission to prevent delays in completing your evaluation and receiving an admission decision. This internal assessment does not begin until all other required materials have been received and extends the admissions timeline by an additional 4-6 weeks for programs with rolling admissions.
How to Submit Transcripts
An official transcript is securely sent directly from the institution via their approved means or received in an envelope sealed by the issuing institution, bearing the institutional seal and the official signature of the Registrar or Recorder of Records.
- Electronic transcripts can be submitted to [email protected]. Electronic delivery is only accepted when sent directly from the institution, by a Registrar or similar official of the university. Transcripts sent by the applicant via email will be considered unofficial.
- Transcripts can also be sent by mail in an institution-sealed envelope. Unsealed, unattested, or notarized copies are considered unofficial.
Office of Graduate Studies
University of Michigan-Dearborn
4901 Evergreen Road, 1055 AB
Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide an official score report of an accepted English Language Proficiency Test. Proficiency tests that are accepted are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants only need to take one of these test options. Achieving the minimum score does not guarantee admission, only consideration. Please see below for minimum required scores for each proficiency test.
Please see below for minimum required scores for each proficiency test:
- IELTS
- IELTS (Academic)/IELTS Indicator: Overall score of 6.5
- IELTS scores are received electronically. An institution code is not required. Use the following information to locate our institution: University of Michigan, Dearborn - Graduate Studies.
- TOEFL
- IBT Internet-Based Test: Overall score of 79
- Our ETS Institution Code for TOEFL registration is 1861. Individual department codes are not necessary for the TOEFL. As long as the institution code is used, your scores will be electronically delivered to us.
- At this time we are not accepting the TOEFL MyBestScore to meet our English language proficiency requirement and will continue to require the posted overall minimum score for an individual test.
- Duolingo English Test
- Duolingo: Overall score of 105
- Scores should be sent electronically to University of Michigan, Dearborn - Graduate
English Proficiency Exemptions
Applicants are exempt from providing an English language proficiency score if they meet one of the following criteria.
- Applicants who have earned or will earn an accredited bachelor's or master's degree from one of the following countries: United States of America, Australia, or United Kingdom.
- Applicants who have earned or will earn an accredited bachelor's or master's degree from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English. Verification from the school is required. Some institutions post a designation directly on the transcript or related academic record (ex. diploma supplement). In cases where there is not a designation on the transcript, a supplemental letter from the institution may be required. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies for further details regarding verification for your case.
Current UM-Dearborn Graduate Students
Students already enrolled in a graduate degree program at UM-Dearborn may declare a Graduate Certificate to supplement their primary field of study or area of expertise. Rather than completing the Online Application, submit a completed Declaration of Certificate Form and return it to the academic unit which supports the certificate.