Frequently Asked Questions
› How do I apply for graduate school Admission?
› What does it cost to attend graduate school?
› Should I submit a full application for admission or a readmission application?
› I would like to make payments on my tuition, is this available?
› What is the mailing address if I want to mail any application documents (i.e. official
transcripts)?
› I am applying to a program that requires the GRE. Is it possible to be admitted without
taking the test?
› How do I become a graduate assistant and what funding opportunities are available?
› I have taken the IELTS instead of the TOEFL exam. Will this be okay?
› I have taken the GRE but did not make the required score. Is it possible that I could
still be admitted?
› How do I obtain information regarding the GRE and Englis language admissions tests?
› How many letters of recommendation are required?
› What is considered a full-time load for a graduate student?
› What is considered a maximum load for a graduate student?
› How can I be reclassified as an in-state student?
› I live outside of Tennessee. Can I be classified as an in-state student?
› What is the time limit allowed to complete a graduate degree?
› My six years have expired. What do I do?
› If I don't have a master's degree, can I apply for an Ed.S. Degree?
› Is it possible that I can go straight from my bachelors to Ph.D. or Ed.S.?
› Do I have to pay the application fee?
› I was an undergraduate at Tennessee Tech; do I still have to pay the application fee?
› When I graduate, how do I get my diploma and transcripts?
› Can I transfer coursework from another university to TTU?
How do I apply for graduate school Admission?
- Apply online at 'Apply to the College of Graduate Studies'
- Pay the one-time application fee: $35 ($40 for international students) nonrefundable
- Request Official college transcripts from ALL previously-attended institutions
- Input recommender names and email addresses (if required by your program) into the application portal.
- International students may have to provide English Language Proficiency results (See International Admissions page)
- Request Satisfactory Test Scores (if needed) please review your program's admission
requirements for any required exams)
What does it cost to attend graduate school?
- Graduate school is very affordable - over time, the return on investment (ROI) in having a graduate degree results in increased pay and promotional opportunity!
- Instate residents pay approximately $699 per credit hour or $6,300 per semester for 9 hours. An on-campus master's degree runs about $21,000 total. Online students pay an additional $147 per credit hour bringing the cost of an online master's degree to $25,380. MBA and MAcc students pay under $30,000 for their total program.
- Out-of-state students pay approximately $1,425 per credit hour or $12,825 per semester for 9 hours
- All tuition and fee information may be found at the Tennessee Tech Bursar website
Should I submit a full application for admission or a readmission application?
The same application is used for both regular admission and readmission. You will
fill out the readmission form if you were a previous graduate student who took a semester
or so off. You will simply go the the application portal as a new user or returning user.
I would like to make make payments on my tuition. Is this available?
You are able to split your tuition into four installment payments. To take advantage
of this plan, contact the Bursar.
What is the address if I want to mail any application documents (i.e. official transcripts?
When ordering transcripts online, you will want to select that they sent to Graduate Studies not Undergraduate.
College of Graduate Studies
Tennessee Tech University
1 William L. Jones Drive, Room 306
Cookeville, TN 38505
I am applying for a program that requires the GRE, is it possible to be admitted without taking the test?
Many programs have removed the requirement for the GRE requirement - so be sure to check the program website to find out if you have to take the GRE. If the GRE is required for your program, you will have to submit the GRE before your application will be reviewed for admission by the department. If the GRE is required, Tennessee Tech will not waive the GRE requirement.
How do I become a graduate assistant or find other funding opportunities?
At the graduate level, scholarships are generally not available, thus graduate students look to 'graduate assistant' positions to fund their education. A graduate assistantship covers the cost of tuition and fees, and provides a monthly stipend to assist with living expenses. Each department determines the number of graduate assistant positions or student worker positions they may offer. All admitted applicants are encouraged to discuss the availability of an assistantship with the program department.
Visit our "Costs and Funding" webpage for specific details on additional funding options for your degree.
I have taken the IELTS instead of the TOEFL exam. Will this be okay?
The Graduate School will accept the IELTS as a replacement for the TOEFL exam, as
well as the PTE Academic, DuoLingo, and ELS (Level 112). See our International Admissions page to view the numerous English Language Proficiency tests that TTU accepts.
I have taken the GRE admissions test but did not make the required score. Is it possible I can still be admitted.?
You must successfully meet the requirements stated by the department.
How do I obtain information regarding the admissions and English language tests?
Students who do need to take the GRE, IELTS, or TOEFL may go to the respective test information website to register for a convenient test location. Just search in your browser with the appropriate test name and word 'registration' to begin the process. Many tests are now available to take from your home.
How many letters of recommendation are required?
Each program determines their admissions requirements. Several majors require 3 letters
of recommendation, except M.B.A. and Chemistry, which only requires 1. The M.Acc.
program does not require any. Be sure to check the program admissions requirements
website. In addition, many departments only require recommender name and email address
in the application process because the system will send out an email to the recommender
for a letter.
What is considered a full-time load for a graduate student?
9 hours = Full-time Fall and Spring Semester
6 hours = Full-time Summer Semester
NOTES: Graduate Assistants are considered full-time with 6 hours in fall and spring semesters
and 1 hour in the summer semester. For financial aid purposes, students are required
to enroll in 5 credit hours to be eligible for student loans and Tennessee Promise.
What is considered a maximum load for a graduate student?
16 hours = Any Semester - GA's must have approval from their department to register for more than 12 hours
How can I be reclassified as an in-state student?
To receive the in-state tuition rate, you will want to provide first, and foremost,
a copy of your Tennessee driver's license. If you have not lived in Tennessee for
a year but work full-time, you may send in a letter from your employer to our office
indicating that you are working full-time (30 hours per week or more) in Tennessee.
If approved, you may register for up to 7 hours per term at in-state rates while establishing
permanent residency. See the residency requirements listed in the Graduate Catalog for more information.
I live outside of Tennessee. Can I be classified as an in-state student?
If you do not live or work in the state of Tennessee then you are most likely a resident in another state (or country), thus you would not qualify for the in-state tuition rate. Please see the admissions residency requirements listed in the Graduate Catalog. For information on out-of-state rates, visit the Bursars website.
What is the time limit allowed to complete a graduate degree?
Master's and Ed.S. students must complete all degree requirements within a period
of six consecutive years. Doctoral programs must be completed within a period of eight
consecutive years.
My six years have expired. What do I do?
Contact your academic advisor.
If I don't have a master's degree, may I apply for an Ed.S. Degree?
No. The master's degree is a prerequisite for the Ed.S. program.
Is it possible I can go straight from my bachelors degree to a Ph.D. or Ed.S.?
Many of our Ph.D. programs allow students with a bachelor's degree to go straight
into a Ph.D. degree. Be sure to check the program website to determine if this will
apply to your situation. The Ed.S. degree always requires the student to have completed
a 30 or more hour master's degree. See the program website for admissions requirements
and program lengths.
Do I have to pay the graduate admissions application fee?
The graduate admissions application fee is a one-time fee and is not waived. If you have previously attended Tennessee Tech as a graduate student, you will not have to pay a second application fee. However, if you haven't been a Tennessee Tech graduate student, then the fee is required. There have been several times that the College has waived the application fee during the month of May as a special promotion for fall applications. Keep your eye on our website for the May-only promotional message.
I was an undergraduate at Tennessee Tech; do I still have to pay the application fee?
Yes. This fee must be paid at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
When I graduate, how do I get my diploma and transcript?
All graduates will receive a diploma through the mail approximately three weeks following
graduation. Following degree conferral (one week after final grades are posted and
closed), student transcripts are updated with the degree award and are available for
ordering through the national student clearing house and Parchment services. If your
employer requires an updated transcript, you will want to request your transcript
via the Records Office.
Can I transfer coursework from another university to TTU?
Tennessee Tech may accept transfer credit from other accredited institutions. The program that you are applying to will determine the graduate level courses that they are willing to transfer into your program of study. It is important to note that the grades earned in those courses are not used in the calculation of a student’s overall cumulative GPA. Only courses with a B or better will be considered as acceptable potential transfer credit.
Your transcript will display 8 specific GPA calculations; however, for most purposes you will be interested in only 2 of those:(1) Overall GPA and (2) Inclusive Combined GPA. The Overall GPA will not include the grades earned in transfer courses but the Inclusive Combined GPA include the grades earned in transfer courses.
Note: Grades in transfer courses will show on your Tennessee Tech transcript with a leading T. For example a grade of A will transfer to Tennessee Tech as a TA, a grade of B as a TB, a grade of C as a TC, etc.
Questions? Contact us!