Graduate Admission Policies & Disclosures

Please consult the Graduate Study portion of the Roger Williams University Academic Catalog. 

Applicants who submit a completed application for review will be considered for one of the following admission statuses: 

Full Admission Status

Students who submit all required application materials and meet the minimum academic criteria set forth by the appropriate dean and faculty may be considered for full admission. Full admission will be granted to students upon full review by the appropriate dean and/or faculty committee. RWU reserves the right to require students to take undergraduate prerequisites and to successfully complete them at a prescribed minimum grade in their initial semester or semesters of enrollment as a condition of continued participation in the program.

Probationary Acceptance Status

Upon the recommendation of the appropriate dean, applicants who have submitted all required admission documentation, but do not meet program requirements for full admission and show potential for succeeding at the graduate level, may be offered probationary admission on a temporary basis. Applicants admitted on a probationary status may register for no more than a total of nine credits of graduate coursework over no more than two consecutive semesters, provided all required coursework toward an earned bachelor’s degree has been completed. Students admitted on a probationary basis to complete undergraduate prerequisites must successfully complete the assigned prerequisite coursework prior to beginning courses in a graduate program. Probationary students must receive a grade of “B” (3.0) or better in all coursework to be considered for full admission. Under no circumstance will undergraduate degree requirements be waived. Probationary status may not be continued for more than one year, and is subject to the terms set by the graduate admissions committee.

Conditional Acceptance Status

Applicants who have not submitted all required credentials for graduate admission, but who meet the requirements for admission, may be offered conditional admission. Conditionally admitted students may take up to three (3) courses for a maximum of one semester of study before submitting remaining application requirements to the Office of Graduate Admission. If the graduate application requirements are not fully met prior to the end of the first semester, students will be administratively withdrawn and must reapply to continue in a graduate program. Students will not be granted conditional acceptance without undergraduate transcripts and proof of an earned bachelor’s degree. Applicants to the Architecture, Clinical Psychology, or Forensic Psychology programs are not eligible for conditional acceptance. Under no circumstances will undergraduate degree requirements be waived.

Roger Williams University is committed to assisting all members of the RWU community in providing for their own safety and security.  As required by federal law, each year RWU prepares and distributes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.  The report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as crime prevention, fire safety, crime reporting policies, educational programs, disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus.  It also includes information regarding policy, programs, and procedures regarding dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The report contains information about crime statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by RWU, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the RWU campus, as well as fire statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported fires that occurred in RWU residence halls. A copy of the report is available online at https://www.rwu.edu/sites/default/files/annual_security_report.pdf. A paper copy can also be obtained by contacting the Office of Graduate Admission at 401-254-6200 or gradadmit@rwu.edu.

The Office of Graduate Admission reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission under any of the following circumstances:

• If there is a significant deterioration in any ongoing academic work prior to enrollment in your intended program at RWU.  
   
• The conditions of your admission are not satisfactorily completed as stipulated in your acceptance letter, which may include, but are not limited to, satisfactory completion of your undergraduate degree and ability to produce your final, official transcript to RWU prior to enrollment. 
   
• If your graduate application and/or your behavior brings into question your honesty, integrity, or character and is contrary to/inconsistent with our community values or University policy. This includes, but is not limited to, information that is determined to have been deliberately omitted or falsified in any portion of the application file. 
   
• Failure to complete required steps for enrollment by the appropriate deadlines.

We encourage students in jeopardy of rescission to be proactive and contact us as soon as possible. All decisions related to rescinding admission will be made by the Director of Graduate Admission in consultation with the appropriate academic Dean and Program Director of the student’s intended program.
 

Students who receive an offer of admission may elect to defer their enrollment for up to one year from the intended term without penalty. Please notify the Office of Graduate Admission if you wish to defer your enrollment by sending an email explaining your request to gradadmit@rwu.edu. Deferments will only be granted when a request has been made via email or in writing. 

Requests to begin enrollment more than one year following the original term will require a new application. 

All applicants for graduate programs must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Candidates holding degrees from institutions outside the United States will be evaluated on an individual basis at the discretion of Roger Williams University. All applicants must submit official transcripts of all previous undergraduate coursework, a letter of intent discussing relevant past experiences and educational and/or career goals, a completed and signed application, and the $50 application fee. Additionally, students must submit any additional program-specific requirements, which may include two or three letters of recommendation, an entrance examination such as the GMAT or GRE, an admissions interview, resumé, and/or portfolio.

Please refer to the graduate program listing to learn the specific requirements for your program. In certain circumstances, a credential may be waived with approval from the appropriate dean or academic program director.

Registered full-time Roger Williams University undergraduate students must obtain the permission of the appropriate dean if they wish to enroll in a graduate course. A completed graduate course cannot replace a degree, major, or core undergraduate course requirement without written approval from the appropriate dean being filed with the University Graduation Coordinator. If students subsequently apply to the program in which the course was taken, at the time of application they must petition in writing the appropriate dean for a waiver of that course. The decision of the dean is final. If a waiver is granted, the total number of credit hours required for the master’s degree is not reduced. Notification of the waiver will be sent in writing from the dean to the Registrar.

In some cases, RWU undergraduates can earn graduate credit that fulfills both undergraduate and graduate curriculum requirements by participating in a Bachelor's Plus program. Students must apply and gain admission to a Bachelor's Plus program to be eligible for these benefits. 

To secure your space in class, all graduate students are required to pay a $200 enrollment commitment deposit. You can submit your deposit online.

The enrollment commitment deposit will be applied directly to your first semester bill. In most cases, this deposit is nonrefundable. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 401-254-6200 or gradadmit@rwu.edu if you have any questions. 

For admission, fee, and tuition purposes, students are classified as full-time or part-time based on the following course load:

• Full-Time Graduate Students: 9 credits or more per term
• Part-Time Graduate Students: 8 credits or less per term

For financial aid eligibility, graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time, which is defined as 4.5 credits or more per term.

Roger Williams University and the Office of Graduate Admission are committed to supporting students coming from outside of the United States to pursue their education.

Please review the International Student page for full details on the admission process, important forms, and related policies.

Roger Williams University and Roger Williams University School of Law do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis in admission to, access to, employment in, and treatment in its programs and activities.

Please review the official Roger Williams University Non-Discrimination Policy for full details and the appropriate contacts for inquiries regarding non-discrimination practices and reporting procedures at the University. 

Students interested in graduate coursework for personal or professional enrichment, or who wish to eventually apply to a degree program, may enroll in up to two graduate level courses as a non-degree student. Individuals are encouraged to contact both the Office of Graduate Admission and the Program Director for guidance in course selection, especially in circumstances where the student intends to apply for a degree or certificate program at a later time. Students must meet the prerequisite requirements for individual classes. Successful completion of non-degree coursework does not guarantee admission into any graduate degree or certificate program. Additional coursework beyond two (2) classes as a non-degree student must be approved by the appropriate dean.

To apply, students must complete the graduate application form and submit an official undergraduate transcript reflecting a conferred bachelor’s degree. Additionally, students may be asked to provide official transcripts from any and all colleges and universities attended to confirm completion of prerequisite classes and aid in properly advising the student. Upon approval of both the Office of Graduate Admission and the appropriate dean or academic program director, the student will be allowed to register for the approved course(s). If a student intends to continue on to a full degree or certificate program after the completion of two (2) classes, s/he must apply to the full degree or certificate program and submit all required documents for a completed application. With the approval of both the Office of Graduate Admission and the appropriate dean or academic program director, students may be accepted into a full degree program and become a fully-matriculating student. A maximum of two (2) classes taken while in a non-matriculated status can be applied to a full degree program. Coursework taken above two (2) classes while in a non-matriculated status cannot be applied to a full degree program. A maximum of one (1) class taken while in a non-matriculated status can be applied to a graduate certificate program. Coursework taken above one (1) class while in a non-matriculated status cannot be applied to a graduate certificate program.

Visiting/Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for Federal, State or Roger Williams University grants, financial aid or student employment, nor are they eligible to live in University housing. They will be charged at a per-credit rate plus relevant fees as determined by the University. Visiting students must meet all University deadlines and requirements including adherence to all University academic regulations, providing proof of health insurance and fulfilling all financial obligations to the University.