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Graduate Admissions Requirements

The decision to admit a student is based upon a variety of factors which take into account what an individual may contribute to the University, as well as what the University is able to contribute to that person. Point Park University does not condone any policy or practice which deprives any individual of rights because of race, religion, gender, national origin or disability.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DOCTORAL PROGRAMS:

Ed.D. in Leadership and Administration

  1. Complete the online application for admission. Application fee waived if submitted online.
  2. Request official transcripts from all previous institution(s) attended and have them sent to Point Park University. A minimum 3.25 graduate QPA is required for admittance.
  3. Current resume detailing all previous educational/administrative experience—fax to 412-392-3902 or email to gradadmission@pointpark.edu.
  4. Submit a statement of purpose (minimum three pages; maximum five pages) addressing your reasons for pursuing a terminal degree and why you feel Point Park’s program will best suit your needs— fax to 412-392-3902 or email to gradadmission@pointpark.edu.
  5. Submit two letters of recommendation. All letters should address your ability to work successfully under multiple demands. Recommenders may be contacted by Point Park University:
    • One from an academic reference who is familiar with your academic career;
    • One from a professional reference who can speak to your work performance individually and with colleagues.
      • Please note that two professional references can be used in lieu of one academic and one professional for individuals who have been out of school for a significant period of time.
  6. All applicants must submit a personal photo and a picture of a government-issued photo ID, for identity verification purposes—fax to 412-392-3902 or email to gradadmission@pointpark.edu.
  7. Once all materials have been received and reviewed, selected applicants will be invited to interview.
  8. Those hoping to transfer post-master's credits may be required to have an individual meeting with the program director to determine transferability.

Low-Residency Ph.D. in Community Engagement

  1. Complete the online application for admission. Application fee waived if submitted online.
  2. Request official transcripts from all previous institution(s) attended and have them sent to Point Park University. A minimum 3.25 graduate QPA and a master’s-level degree are required for admittance.
  3. Submit a current resume.
  4. Submit a written description (three-page minimum, five-page maximum) of the reason for pursuing a terminal degree and why you feel Point Park University will provide the program best suited to meet your needs. Included on the online application; fax to 412-392-3902 or email to gradadmission@pointpark.edu.
  5. Submit three letters of recommendation. All letters should address your ability to work successfully under multiple demands. Recommenders may be contacted by Point Park University:
    • One from an academic reference who is familiar with your academic career;
    • One from a professional reference who can speak to your work performance individually and with colleagues; and
    • One from an individual who is familiar with your integrity and commitment to improvement.
  6. Submit a sample of research writing. This should be a research-based paper preferably related to your research interest. A paper that shows your ability to select a topic/question, develop ideas through analysis of existing literature and/or data and formulate a conclusion is recommended. If you do not have access to an example of your research writing, a prompt may be provided.
  7. Once all materials have been received and reviewed, you may be selected for an interview with the program director/admission committee.
  8. Applications are now being accepted and will be reviewed upon receipt. Admission will be granted to highly qualified applicants on a rolling basis until the cohort is full.

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

  1. Complete the online application for admission. Application fee waived if submitted online. 
    • Please note that the application deadline for Fall 2025 is December 1, 2024
  2. Request official transcripts from all previous institution(s) attended and have them sent to Point Park University.
  3. Completion of undergraduate degree. Students in the process of completing an undergraduate degree can apply. However, if accepted prior to completion of the undergraduate degree, admission is conditioned upon successful completion of the undergraduate degree by the start of the fall semester for the year in which the applicant applied for admission.
  4. A minimum 3.25 cumulative G.P.A. at the undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate level is preferred for consideration for admission to the program (i.e., students may apply directly to the Psy.D. program with only a B.A. or B.S. level degree).
  5. Psychology, social science or philosophy background (with a minimum of four psychology courses overall) is also required.
  6. Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV preferred).
  7. Students should understand that admission to the program is competitive, and that the average G.P.A. of students admitted is typically much higher. Successful applicants will typically have a strong academic background, at least one letter of reference from a prior faculty member, and also some type of experience working/volunteering with people in a "helping" context.
  8.  In referencing the full program description, describe why you are attracted to graduate clinical study in a human-science oriented program. Also tell us a bit about what thinkers or writers have been most influential in driving your interest in psychology. A two-page minimum, three-page maximum description should be emailed to gradadmission@pointpark.edu.
  9. Please describe your thoughts about conceptualizing and working with people who are individually and culturally different than you. Please tell us about experiences when you have been successful in working across difference, broadly understood. A two-page minimum, three-page maximum description should be emailed to gradadmission@pointpark.edu.
  10. Submit three letters of recommendation. All letters should address your ability to work successfully under multiple demands. Recommenders may be contacted by Point Park University.
  11. Once all materials have been received and reviewed, selected applicants will be invited to participate in a required, on-site interview.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL MASTER'S PROGRAMS:

  1. Complete the online application.  Application fee waived if submitted online.
  2. Request official transcripts from all previous institution(s) attended and have them sent to Point Park University.
    NOTE: Point Park alumni do not need to request Point Park transcripts. Your counselor will pull those for your file.
  3. A 500-word statement explaining the applicant’s motivation for seeking graduate education, professional experience and career goals.
  4. Submit a current resume.
  5. Submit two letters of recommendation. Your references should be in a position to assess your potential for successful graduate study. Recommendation forms can be downloaded but a letter is also acceptable.
    NOTE: Candidates for the MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage and the MA in Professional Studies are not required to submit letters.
  6. Fully-online programs require two forms of identification:
    1. Selfie or headshot
    2. Photos of license or passport
  7. GMAT/GRE Scores are not required unless specified.

SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES

Criminal Justice

M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration

Not currently enrolling new students.

  • Undergraduate QPA of 2.75 required for full admission.
  • Students should have successfully completed research methods and quantitative methods classes.

M.A. in Intelligence and Global Security Online

  • Undergraduate QPA of 2.75 required for full admission.

Natural Sciences and Engineering

M.S. in Environmental Studies
Not currently enrolling new students.

Applicants must have 6-9 undergraduate credits in university science coursework completed.

Psychology

M.A. in Community Psychology 
  • Undergraduate QPA of 3.0 is required for full admission 
  • Degree specifically in psychology or behavioral sciences is encouraged, but not required. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in psychology should have strong theoretical and critical thinking skills.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

  • Minimum undergraduate QPA of 2.75 for full admission.

M.S. in Health Care Administration and Management

  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 for full admission.
  • Students must have one or more years of professional experience in a business or health care field. If candidate does not have professional experience, they may present Graduate Record Examination  (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores.

M.S. in Information Systems and Business Analytics

  • Undergraduate degree in a business, engineering, math, or science discipline.
  • Applicants below a 3.00 QPA must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (preferred GRE score 290).
  • For international students: TOEFL score of 70 or above, IELTS score of 6.00 or above.

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

SCHOOL OF CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

M.A. in Professional Studies 

  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 required for full admission.

SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION

M.A. in Multimedia

  • Undergraduate QPA of 2.75 is required for full admission.
  • Applicants with undergrad QPAs below 2.75 overall and/or less than 3.0 in their major are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination.
  • Applicants are encouraged to include examples of professional work.

M.A. in Broadcasting, Sports Media, Documentary

  • Undergraduate QPA of 2.75 is required for full admission.
  • Applicants with undergrad QPAs below 2.75 overall and/or less than 3.0 in their major are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination.
  • Applicants are encouraged to include examples of professional work.

M.A. in Public Relations, Advertising and Social Media

  • Undergraduate QPA of 2.75 is required for full admission.
  • Applicants with undergrad QPAs below 2.75 overall and/or less than 3.0 in their major are required to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination.
  • Applicants are encouraged to include examples of professional work in journalism and mass communication professions.

CONCURRENT M.A./MBA

Student must satisfy the admissions requirements for both the MBA program and the M.A. programs in the School of Communication.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

  • All programs require a QPA of 2.75

The following Education programs do not have additional requirements:

M.Ed. in Athletic Coaching and Administration

M.Ed. in Education with PA Certification PreK-Grade 4

Master of Arts in Learning, Design and Technology

M.Ed. in Reading and Literacy

M.Ed. in Special Education with PA Certification PreK-Grade 12 (for candidates seeking initial certification)

M.Ed. in Teaching and Leadership

M.Ed. in PreK-12 Dance Education Certification 

  • Baccalaureate degree in dance is strongly preferred. However, applicants with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline may be considered for admission if they can demonstrate extensive professional investment in the field, such as professional performance or dance pedagogy experience.

M.A. in Educational Administration

  • Applicants must have three years of relevant educational experience to be eligible for principalship certification.

M.Ed. in Secondary Education Leading to PA Certification in Grades 7-12

  • Baccalaureate degree in the content area or related field is required.
  • Students must complete PDE requirements, including passing Content Area Praxis exams.

M.A. in Special Education with PA Certification PreK-Grade 12 (for certified teachers)

  • Applicants seeking certification must hold valid PA teaching certificate.

Master of Education in Learning, Design and Technology

  • Applicants must hold a valid PA teaching certification to be eligible for the Instructional Technology Specialist Certification or the Online Instruction Endorsement

CONSERVATORY OF PERFORMING ARTS

M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts

  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required
  • Two letters of recommendation from professional individuals
  • Submit an artistic portfolio consisting of the following three components
    1. Personal Essay
    2. Creative Resume
    3. Creative Work Samples (5-10)
  • All portfolio materials must be submitted online through app.getacceptd.com/pointpark. 
  • Applicants are required to create an account to begin the online submission process
  • A phone interview is required of all candidates

M.F.A. in Writing for the Screen and Stage

  • Submit an artistic portfolio consisting of the following three components:
    1. Personal essay
    2. Creative and professional resume
    3. Portfolio of writing samples not to exceed 25 pages
  • All portfolio materials must be submitted online through app.getacceptd.com/pointpark. Applicants are required to create an account to begin the online submission process.
  • An in-person or phone interview is required of all candidates.