The University has a centralized Admissions Office to serve all prospective student applicants - undergraduate, graduate, doctorate, and non-degree. This centralized structure honors the University’s commitment to lifelong learning and to offer a more fluid and comprehensive service for those seeking access to a quality educational experience.
Doctorate Program Admission
Philosophy
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology seeks to admit doctorate program students from a variety of backgrounds. The University considers many factors in the review of applicant files and generally admits the qualified individual who has completed a graduate degree with related graduate coursework, or those who have a graduate degree but possess related professional experiences or potential.
The doctoral program at Harrisburg University focuses on enabling students to make original contributions to their respective fields of study. There are two phases of the doctoral program at Harrisburg University, an initial learning phase that can include coursework, seminars, research, and fieldwork that contributes to the student’s knowledge in the program of study; and a second research phase that focuses on student’s original research culminating in the final dissertation defense. Upon a student’s defense of the dissertation and completion of all other graduate requirements, the student will be awarded the doctoral degree in the program of study.
Doctorate Program Admission Process
Doctorate program applicants are encouraged to apply at least six months prior to the start of any semester. This application process allows ample time for acceptance and development of an academic schedule. The Admission Committee reviews all documents and will request an interview with the applicant prior to making an admission decision for a limited number of applicants to become resident or non-resident candidates for the degree.
Doctorate Admission Requirements
A faculty admission committee will evaluate each applicant’s candidacy once all admissions materials have been received. The doctorate admission process requires the candidate to:
- Complete the application online at www.HarrisburgU.edu/Apply.
- Write an essay (in English) on how this degree supports the candidate’s academic and career aspirations.
- Submit final official transcript(s) from the college or university at which the highest degree earned was conferred.
- Submission of an official record of Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE) is recommended.
- Provide two letters of recommendation from academic or industry professionals.
- Submit a resume or by email to Admissions@HarrisburgU.edu.
- Interview with Faculty Admission Committee.
- Individual programs may have additional admissions requirements beyond those listed here. Please see additional requirements listed with individual academic programs.
International Students
An international student planning to attend the University on a student (F-1) visa must satisfy the appropriate admissions requirements and procedures, demonstrate proficiency in the English language, and provide an affidavit of financial support if admitted as a non-resident candidate. Academic records should include courses studied, grades earned, diplomas, certificates, and results of comprehensive national examinations.
A demonstration of English language proficiency is required of any student who is not a United States citizen. Acceptable demonstrations would include one of the following:
- completing a college degree program from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education,
- scoring above average on the Analytical Writing section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE),
- earning a TOEFL score of 80 or higher on the web-based version, 200 on the computer version, or 520 on the paper version; or
- earning an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher.
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is approved by the Department of Homeland Security - U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (DHS-USCIS-SEVP) as an eligible institution for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to enroll non-immigrant students.
This approval allows an international student to apply for entry into the United States for study as nonresident candidate on an F-1 visa only after a complete application package is received an “Affidavit of Financial Support” is deemed sufficient by the University and a tuition deposit payment of at least $1,000 toward the first semester’s tuition has been received. A USCIS Form I-20 is then certified and submitted to SEVIS. The SEVIS application fee of $200 is then paid by the student directly to SEVIS.
Following entry into the United States and arrival at the University, the student will be required to provide a copy of the visa to confirm all identification information in SEVIS.
An international student does not qualify for Federal or State financial aid. Private education loans through participating lenders may be available, if eligible.
Readmission
The Readmission Application Form is available through Records and Registration by emailing registrar@harrisburgu.edu. The form must be completed and submitted to that office. Despite the student’s academic standing at the time of departure from the university, a student reapplying for admission to the doctorate program is not guaranteed readmission due to the selectivity of the program. The application will be reviewed a committee appointed by the Provost, who will make the readmission decision. A student who leaves the University and returns from an absence of one year or more will be subject to the Catalog edition in effect during the year of return.
|
