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
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.
*Effective May 2026: UM-Dearborn is piloting a change in how we evaluate three-year bachelor’s degrees for graduate admission. Rather than relying primarily on the number of years completed, we will use a benchmarking approach to assess whether a three-year degree meets internationally recognized standards of quality and rigor.
- Some credentials may still not be considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree for graduate admission. Applicants who have completed additional qualifications, such as an honors degree, post-graduate diploma, or graduate degree in addition to an HND or three-year bachelor’s degree, may strengthen their eligibility.
- Applicants unsure about the equivalency of their educational credentials are encouraged to obtain a course-by-course evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or International Education Evaluation (IEE) with a benchmarking approach. UM-Dearborn will honor benchmarked three-year degree equivalency determinations by these providers.
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. Summer and Fall registration open together.
Final Day to Submit Graduate NCFD/Guest Application
- Summer 2026: April 27
- Fall 2026: August 21
To apply, create a login with a valid email address using the provided link and follow the prompts, which includes a verification email to set your password. 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
Official transcripts are required for your undergraduate degree-granting institution(s) and all institutions where graduate-level coursework has been completed or is in progress.
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.
- Request your institution to send official records electronically to [email protected]. Records must be sent directly from the Registrar through an institutional domain or approved third-party services (e.g., Parchment, National Clearinghouse) to be considered official.
- Mail official records to: Office of Graduate Studies, 1145 Renick University Center (RUC), 4901 Evergreen Rd., Dearborn, MI 48128.
Unsealed, unattested, or notarized copies are considered unofficial.
Non-U.S. Records
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, UM-Dearborn strongly encourages you to obtain a course-by-course evaluation from an accepted vendor to expedite your application. If you enroll at UM-Dearborn with an accepted evaluation, you will receive a reimbursement of up to $200 toward the cost, credited to your first term’s bill after the add/drop period ends and enrollment is confirmed.
You are encouraged to compare accepted providers to find the best fit for your needs. Providers differ in cost, turnaround time, and documentation requirements.
Accepted Providers:
- Educational Credential Evaluators preferred
- Designate University of Michigan-Dearborn - Graduate Studies in ECE Dispatch
- Use our custom UM-Dearborn link for a discounted rate of 10% off and a free digital report to be sent to UM-Dearborn
- International Education Evaluators
- Use our custom UM-Dearborn link for a discounted rate of $145
- The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran) - Course Analysis
- Use our custom UM-Dearborn link 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.
Alternatively, you may request an internal evaluation within your Online Application, used only for institutional assessment and not disclosed to you. If you choose this option, include your transcript legend or grading scale to avoid delays. The internal evaluation begins only after all required materials are received and may extend the timeline to decision by 2-4 weeks.
Any applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Submit official scores from an approved English language proficiency exam
- Meet the criteria for an exemption from taking an English language proficiency exam
Accepted English Language Proficiency Exams
We accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Duolingo English Test (DET), and Michigan English Test (MET). Applicants only need to take one of these test options.
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
- Michigan English Test
- MET: Overall score of 57
- Scores should be sent electronically to University of Michigan-Dearborn, Graduate Studies
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.