graduate admissions manual

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Graduate Admissions Information for Advisors

Spring 2015

Office of Graduate Admissions Texas Tech University Graduate School

Updated January 2015

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Table of Contents

Graduate Admissions .................................................................................................................................... 1

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4

Schedule of Advisor Availability –Fall 2014 .............................................................................................. 4

Section 1: Application Processing in the Office of Graduate Admissions .................................................... 5

Graduate Admissions Staff ........................................................................................................................ 6

Graduate School Organizational Chart ..................................................................................................... 7

Graduate Application Processing .............................................................................................................. 8

Application Requirements .................................................................................................................... 9

The Evaluation Process ......................................................................................................................... 9

Official Transcripts and Diplomas ....................................................................................................... 10

Test Scores .......................................................................................................................................... 11

English Proficiency Measures .............................................................................................................. 12

Conditional Admission for English Proficiency .................................................................................... 12

Returned Application Decision Processing ............................................................................................. 13

Communication with Admitted Applicants ......................................................................................... 14

Time Tickets for Graduate Students ....................................................................................................... 15

Residency for Tuition Purposes .............................................................................................................. 16

Holds ....................................................................................................................................................... 18

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for New Students ......................................................... 19

Additional Information Regarding International Applicants .................................................................. 20

Conditional Admission for English Proficiency .................................................................................... 20

I-20 Issuance ....................................................................................................................................... 20

Types of I-20s ...................................................................................................................................... 20

Section 2: How-To Information for Graduate Advising Faculty and Staff .................................................. 22

Graduate Application Review for Advisors ............................................................................................. 23

Online Review Access.............................................................................................................................. 25

Reviewing Applicant Records .................................................................................................................. 27

Electronic Application Worksheet .......................................................................................................... 32

How to Request a Reset of Your Submitted Recommendation Status ............................................... 34

Important Worksheet Notes ............................................................................................................... 34

Updating Funding Requests After Decision Submitted .......................................................................... 35

Applicants with Below-Minimum English Proficiency Scores ................................................................. 36

Technical Assistance on the Graduate Applicant Review Site ................................................................ 37

pg. 2


Conditional Admissions for English Proficiency ...................................................................................... 38

Running Graduate Admissions Reports in Cognos .................................................................................. 42

Looking Up TTU Transcripts .................................................................................................................... 50

Section 3: Appendices ................................................................................................................................. 51

Application Process Flowchart ................................................................................................................ 52

Area of Study Admissions Codes ............................................................................................................. 53

Conditions Boilerplate ............................................................................................................................ 58

I-20 Issuance Flowchart .......................................................................................................................... 59

Sample eRaider Activation Email ............................................................................................................ 60

Sample Acceptance Letter ...................................................................................................................... 61

Sample Acceptance Letter – Conditional Admission for English Proficiency .......................................... 62

Texas Education Code 51.842 ................................................................................................................. 63

Texas Education Code 51.917 ................................................................................................................. 64

Types of Visas .......................................................................................................................................... 65

Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ .................................................................................. 69

Prospective Students .......................................................................................................................... 70

Applicants ............................................................................................................................................ 71

International Applicants ...................................................................................................................... 80

Newly Admitted Students ................................................................................................................... 83

Newly Admitted International Students ............................................................................................. 85

Residency for Tuition Purposes........................................................................................................... 86

Acceptable Credentials for Graduate Admissions .................................................................................. 92

Glossary ................................................................................................................................................. 106

Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................. 112

pg. 3


Introduction

Graduate Admissions: Information for Advisors was created to provide graduate faculty and staff the knowledge and skills to use the tools provided by Texas Tech University as they review prospective graduate student applications.

This manual is divided into three parts:

1. Application Processing in the Office of Graduate Admissions (GA) – this section explains how GA staff process prospective students throughout the application lifecycle, including a staff directory.

2. “How to” – this section explains how graduate advising faculty and staff can use various resources such as Banner, the Graduate Application Review Page, Xtender, Cognos, and more.

3. Appendix – this section includes various handouts which provide additional information advisors may find useful, including Texas statutes affecting graduate admission, acceptable credentials for graduate admission consideration, and frequently asked questions.

This manual will not answer every question you may have, so please contact us by telephone or email. Please feel free to contact me directly if I can provide any additional information or assistance. I am available via telephone (834-1678), email ([email protected]), or on TTU’s Microsoft Lync instant messaging system. Thank you for helping us better serve our graduate students!

With grateful appreciation,

Shelby L. Cearley, Director of Graduate Admissions

Schedule of Advisor Availability –Fall 2014 Walk-In/phone advising is available in Administration Room 328 at the following times:

8 AM-12 PM 12-1 PM 1-5 PM Domestic Kelsey Brunson

Terri Kirkpatrick Unavailable – Lunch Evelyn Arnold

Lacey Whitaker International Kristina Luera

Rebecca Enis Unavailable – Lunch Darina Brackeen

Mary Katherine Bartlett

pg. 4

mailto:[email protected]


Section 1: Application Processing in the Office of Graduate Admissions

The Office of Graduate Admissions works with both applicants and graduate departments to facilitate the admission of quality applicants to Texas Tech University. This section outlines what our staff does during the application

process.

Applicant

Graduate Admissions

Graduate Department

pg. 5


Graduate Admissions Staff

Vice Provost of Graduate Affairs/Dean of the Graduate School Mark A. Sheridan [email protected] 806-834-5537

Director of Graduate Admissions/Designated School Official Shelby L. Cearley [email protected] 806-834-1678

Lead Graduate Admissions Counselor Recruiting Coordinator Shannon Samson [email protected] 806-834-5201

Senior Graduate Admissions Counselor Recruiter Gayle Jeffers [email protected] 806-834-8327

Chief Evaluator/Residency Determination Officer (Domestic) Credential evaluation, processes acceptances, matriculation cleanup, GPIDEA/Athletic admissions Evelyn Arnold [email protected] 806-834-3695

Chief Evaluator/Designated School Official (International) Credential evaluation, processes admissions, matriculation cleanup, initial I-20 issuance Rebecca Enis [email protected] 806-834-3893

Chief Evaluator/Designated School Official (International) Credential evaluation, processes returned recommendations, initial I-20 issuance Darina Brackeen [email protected] 806-834-3602

Senior Lead Evaluator/Residency Determination Officer (Domestic) Credential evaluation, processes acceptances Terri Kirkpatrick [email protected] 806-834-4922

Senior Lead Evaluator (International) Credential evaluation, data entry, reports Mary Katherine Bartlett [email protected] 806-834-2612

Senior Lead Evaluator (International) Credential evaluation, data entry, reports Cy Cawthron [email protected] 806-742-2787

Senior Lead Evaluator (Graduate) Credential evaluation, data entry, reporting, electronic test score maintenance, GTMP/PGRD decisions Lacey Whitaker [email protected] 806-834-6804

Evaluator (Domestic) Graduate Admissions data entry Kelsey Brunson [email protected] 806-834-6884

Evaluator (International) Graduate Admissions data entry Kristina Luera [email protected] 806-742-2787

Document Imaging Specialists Mary Hildebrand | Sharon Trang [email protected] | [email protected] 806-834-1621 | 806-834-4368

pg. 6

















Graduate School Organizational Chart

pg. 7


Graduate Application Processing There are two types of applicants, domestic and international. Domestic applicants are U.S. citizens, immigrant permanent residents and undocumented illegal aliens. International applicants are all other international applicants, including asylees and refugees. Applicants have a choice of two applications:

1. ApplyTexas application (http://www.ApplyTexas.org) – online application mandated by the State of Texas for all public higher education institutions. Applicants create a profile which can be used for multiple applications, and they can submit their fee payment via credit/debit card before submitting their application.

2. Paper application (available at http://www.gradschool.ttu.edu or in our office) – application in PDF format. Applicants must submit payment either via our secure fee payment webpage or by submitting payment via mail or in person to our office. We encourage applicants not to send cash through the mail.

Additionally, there are two types of admission:

• Degree-Seeking o Master o Doctoral

• Non-Degree-Seeking o GTMP – Graduate Temporary student; up to 12 grad hours o PGRD – Post-Graduate; undergrad classes only o CPED – Continuing Professional Educational Development o CERT – Teacher Certification (College of Education) o FCSC – Family & Consumer Science Teacher Certification (College of Human Sciences) o GCRT – Graduate Certificate

There are certain situations in which an applicant will need to submit a different form, the Graduate Application Change Form:

• Add/Change Current Application – this form is for TTU graduate applicants who are not currently enrolled as graduate students and who wish to add to or change their study objective or level of study and submit the $50 application change fee. A note of “add program” or “change program” will appear on the Admission Decision Worksheet.

• Change of Initial Entry Date – an applicant can apply for a deferral of their admission or of their application for the same program and submit the $50 application change fee. A note of “Change Entry Date” will appear on the Admission Decision Worksheet.

• Request to Be Readmitted – students who have been accepted into the Graduate School and fail to register or previously enrolled TTU Graduate School students who are not currently enrolled as graduate students at Texas Tech University who wish to be readmitted to the Graduate School must reapply for graduate admission and submit the $50 application change fee. Our staff will send new worksheets to the student’s department. There is no guarantee of readmission.

pg. 8

http://www.applytexas.org/

http://www.gradschool.ttu.edu/

https://secure.touchnet.net/C20210_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=5&SINGLESTORE=true

https://secure.touchnet.net/C20210_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=5&SINGLESTORE=true

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS Application Requirements

Domestic Applicants International Applicants 1. Application 2. Application fee

• Initial application - $60 • Any subsequent application - $50

Includes changes of entry date, add/change application, and readmit

3. Residency Questionnaire – included in ApplyTexas and paper initial application

4. Official transcripts of all post-secondary college/universities attended

5. Resident Alien Card (permanent residents only)

1. Application 2. Application fee

• Initial application - $60 • Any subsequent application - $50

Includes changes of entry date, add/change application, and readmit

3. Official proof of English proficiency 4. Official transcripts of all post-secondary

college/universities attended, including official English translation

5. Official diploma/degree certificate of all post-secondary degrees earned, including official English translation

6. Proof of financial support (optional) 7. Passport Bio Page (optional)

The Evaluation Process Advisors in the Office of Graduate Admissions begin the application evaluation process by reviewing the application itself. We then review the academic credential(s), which involves the following tasks:

• Verifying accreditation of the issuing college/university, • Determining degree equivalency, and • Calculating GPAs

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), our regional accreditation body, mandates that a foreign bachelor’s degree must be equivalent to 120 semester credit hours in order to be considered equivalent to a comparable US bachelor’s degree. A list of acceptable credentials for applicants who attend foreign schools is available in the appendix and also on our website. A prospective student must have a credential in the “Basic First Degree” column to be eligible for admission consideration. In some situations, we must combine degrees (such as the 3-year BCOM from India plus a 1-year post-graduate diploma course) to get an equivalent bachelor degree. We note this on the Remarks section of the electronic application worksheet. Please note that no transfer credit can be awarded if the home country graduate degree is used in combination with another degree to equate to a US bachelor’s degree.

pg. 9

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS Official Transcripts and Diplomas We must receive at least six semesters (or three years) of bachelor-level coursework in order to review an application. Unofficial documents are acceptable for evaluation purposes, but official documentation must be received within the first semester of attendance. This is a SACS accreditation issue, not a Graduate Admissions one. Notarized copies are not considered official. Prospective students must include all post-secondary colleges/universities attended on their applications, and they must also provide official transcripts from those schools as part of their application materials, even if transfer credit appears on another school’s transcript. Failure to include that information on either the application or to submit those transcripts is considered an omission of pertinent applicant information and is therefore a violation of Texas Tech University’s academic integrity code; it can lead to automatic denial of admission or removal from the university if the applicant has been admitted. As our advisors review applications, they will contact applicants to ask for an updated application if there are any discrepancies between the educational information on the application and credentials received. A copy of the email will be available in the applicant’s Xtender record; samples of the email we send are available in the appendix. International transcripts and diplomas must be submitted in the original language and be accompanied by an official English translation. Many schools provide English translations. Applicants can also have professional translations done in their home country, but it must be a literal, word-for-word translation. We prefer that applicants do not submit their own English translation. We recommend that applicants use Rev (www.rev.com) or Credential Consultants (www.credentialconsultants.com) if they need a professional translation. Prospective students who have degrees earned outside the United States must also submit official diplomas or degree certificates. Some degrees may not be complete at the time of application, so a diploma/degree certificate is not required at time of application or of admission. Official English translations are also required if the diploma/degree certificate is issued in a language other than English. For all applicants, we must receive at least unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions before we will evaluate the application, even if courses taken at one institution appear as transfer credit at another institution. Transfer credit does not always include all courses taken at a previous institution and may not include the full academic history needed for your department to make an admission decision based on a holistic review of the applicant’s full and complete academic history. The only exception to this policy is for applicants currently enrolled in their first semester at an institution.

pg. 10

http://www.rev.com/

http://www.credentialconsultants.com/

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS Test Scores All test scores are posted upon receipt on SOATEST in Banner. GRE/GMAT scores are not required by the Office of Graduate Admissions. We will defer applications without these scores if we have everything we need to evaluate. This policy was confirmed at the January 18, 2007, special meeting of the Graduate Council. The notes from this meeting are available on our website. Test score information will be included on the worksheet, if received before a worksheet is generated.

• Test Score Information –includes all test scores received. Block Information includes: o Test code o Test code description o Test score – look at the bottom of the form to see the possible score range of the line

item o Test date o Admission request* o Source – which may be coded as:

STUD Student-supplied TAPE Testing agency upload; indicates official HARD Official hard copy manually entered

* – The Admission Request will only populate if that particular test code (TF04 for TOEFL Total or IEL5 for IELTS Total) is required to complete the item on the Application Checklist on SAAADMS.

pg. 11

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS English Proficiency Measures We currently accept six measures of English proficiency:

Measure Minimum Required Score TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Paper-based: 550

Internet-based: 79 IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) Overall band score: 6.5 PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) 60 Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) Grade C Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) Grade B ELS Certification of Completion Level 112

Below is the list of countries we consider exempt from the English proficiency requirement at this time. This list comes from the University Catalog and also in the Operating Policy/Procedures Manual (OP 64.01: Admission to the Graduate School).

1. Australia 2. Canada (except the Province of Quebec) 3. Commonwealth Caribbean Countries:

a. Anguilla b. Antigua c. The Bahamas d. Barbados e. Belize f. British Virgin Islands g. Bermuda h. Cayman Islands i. Dominica

j. Grenada k. Guyana l. Jamaica m. Montserrat n. St. Kitts and Nevis o. St. Lucia p. St. Vincent q. Trinidad and Tobago r. Turks and Caicos Islands

4. Republic of Ireland 5. Liberia 6. New Zealand 7. United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales) 8. United States

Official proof of English proficiency is required from all other countries, unless the applicant has received a degree from an accredited college/university in one of the above-listed countries.

Conditional Admission for English Proficiency Prospective international students who meet the minimum academic requirements for admission consideration except for proof of English proficiency may apply for conditional admission through ELS University Admissions. If an international graduate student is admitted conditionally, the student must complete ELS Level 112 plus any additional departmental requirements before beginning an academic program at Texas Tech University.

pg. 12

http://www.toefl.org/

http://www.ielts.org/

http://www.pearsonpte.com/pteacademic

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/generalenglish/cpe.html

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/generalenglish/cae.html

http://www.els.edu/

http://www.els.edu/en/UniversityAdmissions


Returned Application Decision Processing An application is referred for departmental review if the applicant meets the minimum requirements. A Decision Worksheet becomes available on the Graduate Applicant Review Online Application site as soon as the application decision “Referred to Department” is saved on SAADCRV. The second part of GA’s application processing comes after the Decision Worksheet is submitted on the Graduate Applicant Review Online Application site. At present, there are eight possible application decision codes which indicate a final decision on an application: 1. Withdrawals

• WB (Withdrawn Before Acceptance) – This code is used when an applicant informs GA that they wish to withdraw their application before the department makes an admission decision or if the department indicates “This student is no longer an applicant” on the Admission Decision Worksheet. It is also used if we are notified by the student or the department that the student will not attend TTU after the acceptance has been entered and if the student had prior TTU history.

• WA (Withdrawn After Acceptance) – This code is used if we are notified by the student or the department that the student will not attend TTU after the acceptance has been entered and if the student had no prior TTU history.

2. Denials • RL (Rejected-Low English Proficiency) – This code is used when an international

applicant’s English proficiency scores do not meet the minimum requirements. Admission decision worksheets will not be available for these applicants.

• RJ (Denied Admission) – This code is used either for departmental or Graduate Admissions rejections. Some applications will be rejected by GA before the application is referred. This usually happens when the applicant does not have the required bachelor’s degree equivalent. We will enter a new item on the checklist so that both you and the applicant can see the reason for the rejection. The new item is called “Essential Form Function” (EFF), and there will be a brief description in the Item Description, such as “Bachelor not equivalent”. There will also be a Graduate Remark (GRRM) on SAAADMS/Sources, Interests, Comments.

pg. 13

https://portal.grad.ttu.edu/GraduateAdmissions/default.aspx

https://portal.grad.ttu.edu/GraduateAdmissions/default.aspx


Returned Application Decision Processing (cont.) 3. Acceptance

• AD (Student Admitted) – This code is used when an applicant is admitted and does not need to provide any additional materials to GA.

• CD (Student Admitted Conditionally) – This code is used when a student needs to submit at least one missing item from their SAAADMS checklist. Graduate conditions are viewable on SAAADMS/Sources-Interests-Comments tab as a GRCD (Graduate Comment).

• CE (Conditional Admit-ELS) – This code is used when an applicant who has applied for conditional admission for English proficiency is admitted. This is an acceptance code, but a matriculation will not be created, and no time ticket will be issued. When such admitted students submit proof of completion of ELS English for Academic Purposes program’s level 112 (transcript and diploma), the application status will be changed to either AD, CD or GD, a matriculation will be opened, and a time ticket will be issued.

• GD (Graduate Admit) – This code is primarily used for those applicants who have prior or current Texas Tech matriculations. Banner will not allow us to use the regular admit codes because it doesn’t want us to accidentally close out a current matriculation. Please allow additional time for the matriculations for these students to be opened, as they require numerous additional steps to complete the acceptance. GD is also used when a conditionally admitted student submits the required items. We cannot change them to AD anymore because Banner will not allow us to change them from CD to AD.

• NF (Need Financial Guarantee) – This code is used when an international applicant is accepted by the department but has not provided proof of enough financial support for an I-20 to be issued. This is an acceptance code, but a matriculation will not be created and no time ticket will be issued. If adequate financial support documentation is submitted, the application status will be updated to either AD or CD (as appropriate), and a matriculation opened, and a time ticket and I-20 issued.

Communication with Admitted Applicants An acceptance letter will populate on the Application tab in Raiderlink for applicants who are admitted with a decision code of AD, CD or GD; it appears as link underneath the application status. The link opens as a PDF in a new internet window, and the applicant will be available until the start of the semester for which the student is admitted. A sample acceptance letter is available in the Appendix. Letters are not created for applicants who are denied admission. Additional email communication is required for international applicants. Those international applicants who are coded as NF receive an email from GA which instructs them to check their status to find out what amount of funding they must provide, along with a request for additional forms required for I-20 issuance and preference for I-20 delivery (express mail or regular airmail). Those international applicants who are coded as AD or CD receive an email asking for additional forms required for I-20 issuance and preference for I-20 delivery. Samples of both emails are available in the Appendix.

pg. 14


Time Tickets for Graduate Students Unlike time tickets for undergraduate students, time tickets for graduate students are ONLY issued by the Graduate School. Time tickets for newly admitted students are issued by Graduate Admissions evaluators during the acceptance decision process for applicants admitted with an acceptance code of AD, CD, or GD. International applicants admitted with a code of NF or CE are not given time tickets because those two codes do not create a student matriculation. We begin assigning time tickets approximately a month before the beginning of registration. Every effort is made to ensure that all applicants admitted before then are given time tickets, but occasionally a newly admitted student does not receive a time ticket. You may contact Evelyn Arnold or Terri Kirkpatrick for domestic students or Rebecca Enis for international students. Time tickets for currently enrolled graduate students are entered by Graduate Enrollment Services. Please contact [email protected] or contact one of the Graduate Enrollment Services staff for issues related to time tickets for currently enrolled students.

pg. 15



Residency for Tuition Purposes Students at Texas Tech University pay tuition based on their residency status. There are four types of residency used: Resident (R), Non-Resident (N), Foreign (F), and Resident-HB 1403 (A).

The Higher Education Coordinating Board requires that all public higher education institutions receive “core questions” (a.k.a. a Residency Questionnaire) from incoming applicants so that the applicant’s residency for tuition purposes can be determined. Schools must use the core questions as is and may only add fields to require names/identifiable information. The core questions:

• Are included in the domestic ApplyTexas and PDF applications • Separate form required if student wants to be reclassified

o Reclassification requests MUST be entered by the 20th class day of the semester a student is trying to claim residency for; otherwise residency will attach begin the following semester. This is state law, not Texas Tech or GA policy.

• Includes questions about: o Previous enrollment o Residency claim o Acquisition of high school diploma/GED o Dependency status o Immigration status for student/parent o Info regarding domicile for student/parent o Certification statement o Affidavit for undocumented illegal aliens

Note: All exemptions/waivers (bordering county, military, TA/RA, competitive scholarship, etc) are processed by Student Business Services.

There are two main rules which govern residency for tuition purposes: THECB Rules, Chapter 21 Subchapter B (amended February 2012) and the Texas Education Code §54.052-§54.057.

The residency status of domestic applicants is automatically set at non-resident. Domestic applicants are required to submit the core residency questions with their applications. These questions are included as part of the ApplyTexas application, so a separate residency questionnaire is not required. The ApplyTexas application database auto-determines residency for most applicants, and the residency type will upload into Banner along with the application. For domestic applicants who submit the PDF application, they must submit a separate residency questionnaire, and the residency status will be manually updated as needed after review by our office.

Each school is allowed two residency determination officials. Senior Advisor Evelyn Arnold and Advisor Terri Kirkpatrick serve in that capacity for the Office of Graduate Admissions.

There are two types of classification: initial determination of residency status and reclassification of residency status. Both types have separate workflows.

pg. 16


Initial Residency Determination Process

Residency Redetermination Process

pg. 17


Holds

Banner does not allow us to place conditions on newly admitted students. Instead, we created two comment codes to use on SAAADMS:

• GRRM – Graduate Remark • GRCD – Graduate Condition

GRRM is used throughout the application process to indicate missing items and/or special notes (e.g., 3-yr BOT+1-yr MOT=US Bachelor equivalent; no transfer credit allowed). GRRM comments that indicate conditions are changed to GRCD if the applicant is admitted.

We use the same two-digit alpha-numeric codes for missing items that we did in TechSIS, our previous student records database. A copy of the “Conditions Boilerplate” is included in the Appendix.

A final check of Xtender is made during the application decision entry. If GRRM items have been received, the GRRM comment is deleted, and the student is admitted with a decision code of AD. If GRRM items are still missing, the GRRM is deleted and replaced with a GRCD. The application decision is updated to:

• CD (Student Admitted Conditionally) – if the student has no prior TTU history • GD (Graduate Admit) – if the student has current/prior TTU history

The matriculation is created automatically if the admit code is CD or manually if the admit code is GD. A TB (TTU Registration & Transcript) hold is placed on WOAHOLD. Multiple holds may be required if more than one item is required. This is due to character limits on the Hold Description field. Effective dates for the hold depend on the term admitted:

• Spring – 03/01/yyyy • Summer/Fall – 10/01/yyyy

Processing the Hold Report The FFG007 (Admit Conditions Remaining for Already Admitted Graduate Students) report is run approximately 4 times per semester. GA advisors check Xtender for GRCD-listed items. If all items received, the hold cleared on WOAHOLD, and the admission decision changed to GD on SAADCRV. If some items received, that particular hold cleared on WOAHOLD, and the admission decision left as is on SAADCRV. If the condition is for a TTU bachelor’s degree and the student didn’t graduate, the admission decision changed to “Withdrawn”. The matriculation manually changed back to UG, and the student notified via email about the change and to contact Graduate Enrollment Services for permission to take GR classes as an undergraduate student. GA no longer sends hold letters. Currently, students know about holds via these methods:

• Admission letter, although conditions are not individually listed • Raiderlink – a red flag appears on the student’s record if they have holds • TechAnnounce – a notice is posted before the 12th class day in fall/spring • Social Media – a generic message regarding holds is posted on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

pg. 18


Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement for New Students Pursuant to SB 1107 enacted by the State of Texas, all entering students enrolling at Texas Tech University starting Spring 2012 must provide proof that the meningitis vaccination was administered at least 10 days prior to the first day of the term. Vaccinations must have been received or renewed within the last 5 years. Proof must be submitted to:

Texas Tech University Student Health Services

Box 43095 Lubbock, TX 79409-3095

Proof of vaccination must include the date of vaccination. Acceptable forms include: an official immunization record, an official school record or a physician’s note.

The legislation exempts students who:

• Are 30 years of age or older by the first day of the start of the semester. • Enroll only in 100% online or other distance education courses. • Enroll in a continuing education course or program that is less than 360 contact hours, or continuing

education corporate training. • Enroll in a dual credit course which is taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a higher

education institution campus. • Are incarcerated in a Texas prison. • Submit an affidavit or certificate signed by a duly licensed physician that states, in the physician’s opinion,

that the vaccination would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student. • Submit a form requesting exemption for reasons of conscience. There are two types of exemptions:

o For students living off-campus – the “Affidavit for Exemption from Immunizations for Bacterial Meningitis for Reasons of Conscience” form must be used.

o For students living on campus – The “Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience" from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used. Allow up to six months to submit and have the form approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The affidavit must be requested online at https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm.

An entering student is defined as a student who is a first-time student of an institution of higher education, a transfer student from another college, or a returning student who has had a break in enrollment of at least one fall or spring semester.

The Office of Graduate Admissions will automatically place holds on students new to Texas Tech University whose campus location is not coded as distance education.

Extensions for submission of proof of vaccination or of the State Health Services Vaccine Exemption Affidavit form may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Student Health Services for information.

Students coded as distance education students will have this hold on their account every semester in order to confirm that they are still taking classes via distance methods. Please contact Student Health Services directly about clearing the hold each semester.

pg. 19

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/html/SB01107F.htm

http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF/2554.PDF?CFID=28228795&CFTOKEN=84338756

http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF/2554.PDF?CFID=28228795&CFTOKEN=84338756

https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm


Additional Information Regarding International Applicants

Conditional Admission for English Proficiency Prospective international students who meet the minimum academic requirements for admission consideration except for proof of English proficiency may apply for conditional admission through ELS University Admissions. If an international graduate student is admitted conditionally, the student must complete ELS Level 112 plus any additional departmental requirements before beginning an academic program at Texas Tech University.

I-20 Issuance An I-20 is a “Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students.”I-20 forms are issued by Designated School Officials. The completed form verifies that an international student has been admitted to an academic program for full-time enrollment and has shown evidence of financial support. The form is used by international students to request student visas (F-1) and student immigration status (F-1). It is not a visa. The I-20 is the document that TTU issues via the SEVIS database to prove to USCIS and DOS that a student has been lawfully admitted and is expected to enroll at TTU. This form is one of the most important official documents while the student is enrolled and studying in the US. The student should have the I-20 at ALL times, especially when travelling outside the US or close to the borders.

Types of I-20s 1. Initial attendance – issued for a student new to school in the United States or one that has

been absent from the U.S. for more than 5 months. Initial attendance I-20s for TTU students are issued by the Office of Graduate Admissions, except for student athletes and for third-party sponsored students.

2. Continued Attendance – issued at the beginning of each academic term by the Office of International Student & Scholar Services; this is a requirement of SEVIS maintenance.

3. Change of Level/Program – issued when a student changes their current level of study (e.g., bachelor’s to master’s) or their current program of study (e.g., Agricultural Engineering to Civil Engineering); issued by the Office of International Student & Scholar Services.

4. Change of Visa Status – issued when a student needs to change from one non-immigrant visa type to F-1 student status (e.g., from F-2 to F-1); issued by the Office of International Student & Scholar Services. USCIS approval is required before the change is granted, and adjudication typically takes between 3-4 months.

5. Transfer – issued when an F-1 student currently studying in the US is transferring their SEVIS record from one institution to another; issued by the Office of International Student & Scholar Services

pg. 20

http://www.els.edu/en/UniversityAdmissions


Additional Information for International Applicants (cont.) International admissions advisors contact newly admitted international students to request additional forms (the Supplemental International Student Information form and Supplemental Dependent Information form); samples of the forms are available in the Appendix. Some students are also required to submit proof of financial support if it was not included in their original packet or if they must provide additional financial documentation. F-1 visa holders must be in a degree-granting program or in the CERT or GCRT programs. They cannot be a PGRD or CPED student. They can only be a GTMP during OPT. J and H1B visa holders can be GTMPs. Certain visa types are eligible either for only work or only school. Some are eligible for both. A list of visa types and what they are eligible to do is available in the Appendix.

F-2 visa holders cannot enroll in or register for classes. B-2 visa holders can enroll in IEP but not in academic classes. They must be accepted into a degree-granting or Intensive English program and then apply for a change of visa. Changing from an F-2 to an F-1 takes a minimum of 4 months or more.

pg. 21


Section 2: How-To Information for Graduate Advising Faculty and Staff

This section outlines how to use various IT products to help you process graduate applications.

Application Decision

Other Materials

Credentials

Application

pg. 22


Graduate Application Review for Advisors The Graduate Applicant Review Online site on the Graduate School’s SharePoint site is our “one-stop shop” for information about your graduate applicants. The online review site lists all applicants for a given department, major, and term. The online review site will link you directly to the application documents scanned into Xtender and to Texas Tech University transcripts in Raiderlink, eliminating the need to open multiple Internet browser windows. The online review site is also where departments will make application decisions on our electronic decision worksheet. The first time you access the Graduate Applicant Review Online site, you will see this screen:

Please read it carefully, and then click the “Click to continue with Login” button. Enter your username as “TTU\username”, then your password, and then click “OK”.

pg. 23

https://sharepoint2010.itts.ttu.edu/graduateschoolintranet/GraduateAdmissions/default.aspx


Graduate Application Review for Advisors (cont.)

The online review site’s front page includes the following features:

1. Sign Out – you may sign out by clicking on “Sign Out”. 2. Announcements – this is where we will post important announcements pertaining to the site or its

maintenance. 3. Modify or Request New Access – click here to enter requests for new or updated access. 4. Cognos Report GR_GG_DetailReportforDepartmentalUsage – direct link to a detailed report of

referred applications awaiting departmental admission decisions; instructions on how to run this report are included in this manual.

5. View Instructions for this site – this is a brief set of instructions on how to maneuver around the online review site, created by the Graduate School IT Team.

6. Request Assistance – click here to submit a Graduate School IT help ticket to assist with any user issues, trouble accessing the site, or accessing information related to the site.

7. KEY – this explains some of the columns on your applicant list. 8. Term/View All Applicants – by default, the online site lists referred applicants for the next long

semester. However, you may choose to view a different term by choosing from the drop-down menu here. You may also click on “View All Applicants” to see all applicants, not just referred applicants.

9. Filter – click here to choose parameters by which you can filter the applicant list. 10. Applicant Information – the column headings for your applicant list. 11. Awaiting Processing – this indicates that you have already submitted a decision and that this file is

the admission decision processing queue for our staff to input. Grey indicates reject, green indicates admit, and blue indicates admit with funding to be determined by your department at a later date.

12. *NEW* – this indicates a new referred application. 13. Status Date – applications that have been referred more than 60 days are orange.

pg. 24


Online Review Access Access from the prior Graduate Application Review Page was migrated to this system, so you may need to update your current access or request access for a new user. There are two types of access to the online review site:

• Approver – people with “Approver” access can view all the applicant information and access the Decision Worksheet and Funding Request forms. Approvers submit the Decision Worksheet (and any Funding Request updates), which becomes the official departmental decision on the application.

• Read-Only – people with “Read-Only” access can view all the applicant information but do not have access to the Decision Worksheet or to update the Funding Request forms.

How to Request Updated Access to the Online Review Site To request updated access for a current user, please click on “Modify or Request Access” on the online review site front page:

The following box will open:

Your information (TechID and name) will appear as a default. You may choose another name if you are requesting the modification for someone else. You must select a department and major. If you have a Graduate Certificate program, you will also need to choose “GRAD” as the department and “GCRT” as the major. If you need “Approver” access, please put a check in the box by the question “Can user view and edit decision worksheets?”. The request will be reviewed by Graduate Admissions, and we may need to confirm with the department chair before access is updated/granted. Notification will be sent to the user when access is modified/granted.

pg. 25


Online Review Access (cont.) How to Request New Access to the Online Review Site To request access for a new user, please visit this website: https://portal.grad.ttu.edu/GraduateAdmissions/Lists/GraduateReviewUsers. Click on “Add new item”:

This box will pop open. Click on the open book icon to search for the name of the person; type in the name, double-click on the name in the search results, and click “OK”. Put a check next to IS_APPROVER if this person needs “Approver” access. Then choose the department(s) and click “Add”. Choose the major(s) and click “Add”. Then click “Save”. The request will be reviewed by Graduate Admissions, and we may need to confirm with the department chair before access is updated/granted. Notification will be sent to the user when access is modified/granted.

pg. 26

https://portal.grad.ttu.edu/GraduateAdmissions/Lists/GraduateReviewUsers


Reviewing Applicant Records To review an individual applicant’s file, click on the red TechID number from the online review front page.

This pop-up box will open.

pg. 27


Reviewing Applicant Records (cont.) Information is arranged in tabs.

• Admission Information – see above. This tab includes two parts: Admission Information and Admissions Requirements. Admission Information includes demographic and contact information (from SPAIDEN in Banner) plus the application term/level/major information (from SAAADMS in Banner). Admissions Requirements includes an application checklist of Graduate Admissions-required application items for that term/major (from SAAADMS in Banner). Any item highlighted yellow is an item that has not been received:

• Institutions Attended – this tab provides information about previous institutions that the applicant has attended, including degree types, institution names, dates of attendance, and GPA. If the applicant has TTU transcripts, you will see “View TTU Course Credit”. Click on that link to view the unofficial TTU transcript from Raiderlink.

pg. 28


Reviewing Applicant Records (cont.)

• Test Scores – this tab provides all test scores available on SOATEST, including test name, test date, test score, and test source. TEST_SOURCE indicates whether a score is official (“Testing Agency/Tape” or (“Official Hard Copy”) or unofficial (“Student Supplied”).

• Student Documentation – this tab contains links to all the documents indexed to this applicant’s record in Xtender, Texas Tech University’s digital filing system.

pg. 29



Click on the document type (written in red in all capital letters) to access the document. In this example, the admission application was clicked:

pg. 30



You can view additional pages by clicking on “Page 2”, etc. If you need to see additional options, click on “View in Advanced Control”, and then click on the “View in Advanced Control” link:

You may need to download Microsoft Silverlight, for which a link is provided. The document will then open in a new internet browse tab rather than a pop-up window:

Click “Rotate” to rotate the page 90 degrees. Use the slider to enlarge/reduce the image. Click the arrow to go to the next page. Remember to close the tab when you are finished viewing the document. NOTE: if you wish to print documents for hard-copy files, you will need to go into the applicant’s record in Xtender rather than try to print them from this page. You must close the “Student Documentation” box to return to the applicant’s information.

• All Address Information – this tab includes all addresses available in Banner.

pg. 31


Electronic Application Worksheet Click on “Decision Worksheet” to access the application worksheet. Only people designated as “Approver” will be able to access the worksheet. If you have “Read-Only” access, you will not be able to click on decision worksheet.

A pop-up window opens. Two items are mandatory: the recommendation (your decision of Accept, Reject, or Withdraw Application) and Financial Assistance Awarded (your choice of Yes, No, or To be determined later). In this example, this applicant will be admitted with a $1000 scholarship. First, the recommendation of “Accept” is chosen.

pg. 32


Electronic Application Worksheet (cont.) Then “Yes” is selected under “Financial Assistance Awarded”, and the type and amount is entered. NOTE: you will have to enter an amount under each of the three available types; use 0 if you will not offer any of that particular type of funding:

So in this example, we entered $1,000 by Scholarship, 0 for TA Amount, 0 for RA Amount, and chose “No” for “At least 20 hours per week”. If you do award an assistantship, you must indicate if the assistantship is at least 20 hours per week. Then click “Submit”.

If you already know that you will not award financial assistance, choose “No”. Then click “Submit”. If you have not made a decision on funding, please choose “To be determined later”. You will see this message when you click “Submit”:

pg. 33


Electronic Application Decision Worksheet (cont.) Once you click “Submit”, the applicant’s worksheet is immediately placed in the processing queue for our advisors to process. Every effort is made to process returned decisions within 1-2 days for domestic applicants and 2-3 days for international applicants. The decision will remain “Referred to Department” until we update the decision in Banner. However, you will be able to quickly tell which applicants you have already made decisions for when you return to the Graduate Applicant Review listing:

The Application Status will show Referred to Department, plus the recommendation status that you submitted and are color-coded by recommendation status (grey=Reject, blue=Accept with Funding to be determined later, green=Accept with funding decision indicated at time of decision).

How to Request a Reset of Your Submitted Recommendation Status Occasionally, you may need to amend your original admission decision. Please send an email to [email protected] which includes the name, TechID, degree/major, and reason for requesting the decision be amended. We will enter a new “Referred to Department” decision in Banner, reset the recommendation status to “DD” on the electronic application review, and the file will once again appear in your “Referred Applicants” list.

Important Worksheet Notes • You must indicate a funding choice for ALL applicants, not just international applicants. • Please submit ALL electronic application decision worksheets for all applicants each

semester. o If an applicant has not supplied the necessary departmental requirements or is no

longer an applicant for your department, please check “Withdraw Application”. o If decisions are not returned by the twelfth class day of the applicant’s intended

semester, the decision will be changed to “No Department Decision Received”. • It is critical that departments return Admission Decision Worksheets as quickly as possible

so that decisions can be processed in a timely manner. This is especially important for international applicants who must make any necessary visa/travel arrangements in order to arrive in time for classes.

• If you indicate that funding is to be determined later, please remember to go back to the “Funding Request” form and enter the funding decision. You can indicate “Yes” or “No” and follow the instructions as listed above.

pg. 34



Updating Funding Requests After Decision Submitted You can update the funding for those applicants for whom you indicated a funding decision “To be determined later” by going to the front page of the review site and clicking on “View All Applicants”:

Then look for the ID number of the applicant for whom you’d like to update funding. You should see a color-coded entry for the applicant, so your applicant should be blue with the phrase “FUNDING REQUEST NEEDED” at the end of the APPLICATION_STATUS column. Click on the red ID number.

The Applicant Detail Page will open, but instead of seeing “Decision Worksheet”, you will see “Funding Request”:

Click on that, and then you will be able to input the financial information if you are going to award aid or choose “No” if you will not. Click “Submit”, and our advisors will receive a notification of the updated financial information. To update a funding decision for any other admitted applicant, please send an email to [email protected], including the name, TechID, degree/major, funding type/amount, and if 20 hours per week if awarding assistantships.

pg. 35



Applicants with Below-Minimum English Proficiency Scores Applicants who English proficiency score does not meet the minimum required score will be denied automatically with a code of “Denied-Low English Proficiency”. However, if the applicant scored within the standard margin error for that exam, you can submit an English proficiency override request if you wish to still review the application. Only the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores are eligible for this request; there is no override for CAE, CPE or ELS results. The standard margin of error on the paper-based TOEFL is ten points, while the standard margin of error for the internet-based TOEFL version and for the Pearson Test of English is 5 points. To submit an override request, you will need to submit an override request form on the Admissions SharePoint site: https://sharepoint2010.itts.ttu.edu/graduateschoolintranet/GraduateAdmissions/_layouts/listform.aspx?PageType=8&ListId={476ACDDE-F28D-46AD-9D30-73B2EE59CB47}&RootFolder=.

This must include a detailed but brief explanation as to why you want to review the application. These requests are reviewed by the Director of Graduate Admissions. A workflow email is sent to her for her review. She will review the request, and If approved, the application decision will be changed from Denied for Low English Proficiency to either incomplete, pending evaluation or referred to department. She then updates the status of the request to either “Approved” or “Denied”, which then sends a workflow email to the submitter of the request so that they know what the decision was. If approved, the application status for the applicant will be updated accordingly.

pg. 36

https://sharepoint2010.itts.ttu.edu/graduateschoolintranet/GraduateAdmissions/_layouts/listform.aspx?PageType=8&ListId=%7b476ACDDE-F28D-46AD-9D30-73B2EE59CB47%7d&RootFolder

https://sharepoint2010.itts.ttu.edu/graduateschoolintranet/GraduateAdmissions/_layouts/listform.aspx?PageType=8&ListId=%7b476ACDDE-F28D-46AD-9D30-73B2EE59CB47%7d&RootFolder


Technical Assistance on the Graduate Applicant Review Site You may submit a request for assistance by submitting an IT ticket. From the Graduate Applicant Review site homepage, click on “Request Assistance”:

Fill in the required fields and click “Save”:

Your ticket will be added to the IT assistance queue. You will receive an email to confirm submission of the ticket. Members of the Graduate School IT staff may contact you if they require additional information, and you will receive an email when your ticket has been completed.

pg. 37


Conditional Admissions for English Proficiency Texas Tech University partners with ELS Educational Services (http://www.els.edu) to provide conditional admission for students who are academically qualified but who don't meet our English Language proficiency requirements at the time of application to the university. We accept proof of completion of ELS Language Center's English for Academic Purposes Level 112 as satisfying the requirements for English proficiency for most degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who have met the university's academic requirements, but have not yet satisfied the English requirement, may apply for conditional admission based upon eventual completion of the required ELS Language Centers level. More information about how prospective students can apply for conditional admission for English proficiency by applying through ELS University Admissions (http://www.els.edu/UniversityAdmissions). The only thing different from a regular application will be that there will be no English proficiency scores and no GRE/GMAT scores (or very low scores if they do submit GRE/GMAT). You can tell in three places: The new electronic application review page will show a column indicating “YES” in the ELS column, so you will be able to easily tell who is applying for conditional admission for English proficiency when you log into the Graduate Applicant Review site:

We put “ELS Level 112” in the Item Description for the English Proficiency checklist item, and we also include a Graduate Remark of “ELS”. On the new electronic worksheets, the Graduate Remark is now visible at the bottom of the worksheet.

pg. 38

http://www.els.edu/

http://www.els.edu/UniversityAdmissions


Conditional Admission for English Proficiency (cont.) You are not required to admit an applicant applying for conditional admission, but you are required to review the application and submit a decision on the electronic application review SharePoint site. This should be done if at all possible within two weeks of receipt of the conditional admission application. Prospective students applying for conditional admission for English proficiency are not likely to provide GRE or GMAT results because those tests are given in English; if they do provide scores, they will most likely be much lower than those for the rest of your applicant pool. What most other institutions who partner with ELS have done is allow conditionally admitted students to submit GRE/GMAT results either after completion of ELS Level 112 but prior to matriculation or during their first semester of graduate enrollment. However, please note that you may not withdraw an acceptance upon receipt of those scores. If you admit someone applying for conditional admission for English proficiency, we will process the returned decision, and that applicant will receive a different acceptance letter than our regular one. This letter outlines that (1) the applicant has been admitted conditionally for English proficiency and (2) s/he must complete ELS Level 112 prior to being allowed to register for coursework. A copy of the letter is put into the student’s Xtender record, and a copy is mailed to ELS University Admissions in Princeton, New Jersey. We do not issue I-20s in this instance since they will attend ELS first, so their initial attendance I-20 will come from ELS. It will be for English language training rather than an academic program, but my understanding is that most of our conditionally admitted students have also shown a copy of their TTU acceptance letter at their visa interviews. The student will then attend the English for Academic Purposes program at ELS. Depending on the proficiency level that they test at, the student may be there anywhere from a year (if they test at Level 101, the lowest level), to 1-2 months (if they test in the Advanced levels 110 – 111). This means that in some cases there are students who will have to change their entry terms one to two times, but we do our best to accommodate that with the approval of the graduate advisor. Conditionally admitted applicants are notified in the conditional acceptance letter that they will not be allowed to submit TOEFL or IELTS results in place of completion of ELS Level 112. If they wish to do so, they will need to withdraw their conditional acceptance, apply for regular admission, and be re-referred for departmental consideration. Conditionally admitted students will be required to submit an official Certificate of Completion of ELS Level 112 plus an official ELS transcript. Upon receipt, these items will be added to the student’s Xtender, the application checklist and decision code will be updated, and the hold will be removed.

pg. 39


Conditional Admission for English Proficiency (cont.) Conditionally admitted applicants may take one graduate-level class as GTMP students if they are enrolled in ELS’ master level, which are levels 110-112. The class must begin after 4 p.m. because ELS classes end at 3:50 p.m. Applicants conditionally admitted for English proficiency must submit a Certificate of Completion and an Academic Report from ELS’ English for Academic Programs. They must complete Level 112 before they are fully admitted into a graduate program. Samples of the required documents are below: Sample Certificate of Completion:

pg. 40


Conditional Admission for English Proficiency (cont.) Sample ELS Transcript:

pg. 41


Running Graduate Admissions Reports in Cognos

Graduate applicants can be tracked via both the Graduate Application Review Page and through two reports in Cognos: IMG021 Graduate Applicant Status Report and Detailed Report of Referred Applicants.

How to Run IMG021

1. Log into http://cognos.texastech.edu. Click on “My home”.

2. Click on “Student”.

3. Click on “TTU”.

pg. 42

http://cognos.texastech.edu/


Running Graduate Admission Reports in Cognos (cont.)

4. Click on “Admissions Reports”.

5. Click on “Shortcut to IMG021 Graduate Admissions Applications Status Report 002”.

pg. 43



6. Select your desired parameters. The only item that must be selected is the term. You can select all the choices in each parameter box by clicking the “Select All” link at the bottom of the box. Then click “Finish”.

7. A dialog box will open. Click on “Select a Delivery Method”:

pg. 44



8. Another dialog box will open. Click on “Email Report”.

9. The email dialog box will open. The default email address is the one assigned to your eRaider account. Click “OK”.

10. You will receive an email when the report is complete.

Click on the Excel document to open the report.

pg. 45



How to Run the Enhanced Referred to Department Report 1. Log into http://cognos.texastech.edu. Click on “My home”.

2. Click on “TTU Graduate School”.

pg. 46

http://cognos.texastech.edu/



3. Click on “Admissions – Department Reports”.

4. Click on “GR_DD_DetailReportForDepartmentalUsage”.

5. Cascading prompts are used here. That means that when you select a parameter, the report will generate the next set of parameter values for you to choose from. Begin by choosing a term; choose multiple terms by holding down the CTRL button.

pg. 47



6. Next choose the department.

7. The degree field in this example shows “All Degrees” by default; otherwise, choose your degree(s).

8. Choose the desired major(s).

9. The next prompt asks for concentrations, something not all programs have. Either choose a concentration, or choose “All Concentrations”.

10. Click “Finish”.

pg. 48



11. In Internet Explorer, you can follow the procedures outlined in the IMG021 instructions to have the report emailed to you.

12. In Mozilla Firefox, a dialog box will appear. Click “OK” to open the report in Excel.

13. The report is now ready for you to filter and process.

pg. 49


Looking Up TTU Transcripts You can now view TTU transcripts by clicking on “View TTU Course Credits” on the “Institutions Attended” tab:

The TTU transcript will open in a new window:

You may need to scroll down to view the entire transcript.

pg. 50


Section 3: Appendices

This section provides various handouts which provide additional information advisors may find useful.

FAQ Glossary

Flowcharts Sample Communications

Graduate Admissions

pg. 51


Application Process Flowchart

pg. 52


Area of Study Admissions Codes

Major Code Level College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available Agribusiness*** AGBS MAB

Agricultural & Applied Economics*** AAEC MS, PhD

Agricultural Communications ACOM MS

Agricultural Communications & Education AGCE PhD

Agricultural Education AGED MS, EdD

Animal Science ANSC MS, PhD

Food Science FSCN MS

Horticulture HORT MS

Landscape Architecture LARC MLA

Plant & Soil Science PSS MS, PhD

Wildlife, Aquatic & Wildlands Science Management WSAM MS, PhD

Major Code Level

College of Architecture ***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available Architecture (TTU Undergraduates Only)*** ARMA MAR

Architecture (Non-TTU Undergraduates Only) ARMS MSR

Land-Use Planning, Management & Design LPMD PhD

Major Code Level

College of Arts & Sciences ***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available Anthropology ANTH MA

Atmospheric Sciences ATMO MS

Biology BIOL MS, PhD

Chemistry CHEM MS, PhD

Clinical Psychology CLIN PhD

Communication Studies COMS MA

Counseling Psychology COUN PhD

Economics ECO MA, PhD

English ENGL MA, PhD

Environmental Toxicology ENTX MS, PhD

Exercise & Sport Sciences ESS MS

Experimental Psychology EXPR MA, PhD

Forensic Science FSCI MS

Geography GEOG MS

Geosciences GEOS MS, PhD

pg. 53


Area of Study Admission Codes (cont.)

Major Code Level College of Arts & Sciences

***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available History HIST MA, PhD

Languages & Cultures* *** LACU MA

Mathematics*** MATH MA, MS, PhD

Microbiology MBIO MS

Philosophy PHIL MA

Physics PHYS MS, PhD

Political Science*** POLS MA, PhD

Professional Science Master - new program/no code yet PSM

Public Administration*** PUAD MPA

Sociology SOC MA

Spanish SPAN PhD

Statistics STAT MS

Technical Communication ENTC MA

Technical Communication & Rhetoric TCRH PhD

Zoology ZOOL MS, PhD

Major Code Level Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration

***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available Accounting*** ACCT MSA

Business Administration BA MS, PhD

General Business*** GBM MBA

International Business IMBA IMB

Management Information Systems*** MIS MS

Major Code Level College of Education

Bilingual Education EDBL MED

Counselor Education EPCE MED, PhD

Curriculum & Instruction EDCI MED, PhD

Educational Leadership EDLD MED, EdD

Educational Psychology EPSY MED, PhD

Elementary Education EDEL MED

Higher Education HIED MED, EdD, PhD

Instructional Technology EDIT MED, EdD

pg. 54



Major Code Level College of Education

Language Literacy Education EDLL MED

Multidisciplinary Science MSCI MS

Secondary Education EDSE MED

Special Education EDSP MED, PhD

Major Code Level Edward Whitacre, Jr, College of Engineering

***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available Bioengineering BIOE MS

Chemical Engineering*** CHE MSI, PhD

Civil Engineering*** CE MSI, PhD

Computer Science*** CS MSI, PhD

Electrical Engineering*** EE MSI, PhD

Engineering ENGR MEN

Environmental Engineering*** (TTU Undergraduates Only) ENVE MEV

Industrial Engineering*** IE MSI, PhD

Mechanical Engineering*** ME MSI, PhD

Petroleum Engineering*** PETR MSI, PhD

Software Engineering*** SWEN MSI

Systems and Engineering Management SYEM MSI, PhD

Major Code Level

College of Human Sciences ***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available Environmental Design ENVD MS

Family & Consumer Sciences Education FCSE MS, PhD

Hospitality Administration HA PhD

Hospitality & Retail Management HRM MS

Human Development & Family Studies HDFS MS, PhD

Interior & Environmental Design IED PhD

Marriage & Family Therapy MFT MS, PhD

Nutritional Sciences NSCI MS, PhD

Personal Financial Planning (Master's)*** PFP MS

Personal Financial Planning (Doctoral) PFPP PhD

Major Code Level College of Media & Communication

Mass Communication (Master's) MCOM MA

Mass Communication (Doctoral) MCMD PhD

pg. 55



Major Code Level College of Visual & Performing Arts

**=Requires a minimum of 2 concentrations ***=Joint Bachelor/Master Program Available Art ART MFA

Art Education ARTE MAE

Art History ARTH MA

Fine Arts* FA PhD

Music** MUS MM

Music Education*** MUED MME

Theatre Arts THA MA, MFA

Major Code Level Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs

Arid Land Studies ARLS MS

Biotechnology BIOT MS

Interdisciplinary Studies INDS MA, MS

Museum Science MUSM MA

Wind Science & Engineering WDSE PhD

Major Code Level

Non-Degree Programs - NO FINANCIAL AID AVAILALBLE Post Graduate (undergrad classes only) PGRD ND

Continuing Professional Education Development* CPED ND

Graduate Certificate Program* GCRT ND

Teacher Certification - Education* CERT NDE

Teacher Certification - Human Sciences FCSC NDH

Temporary Graduate (Up to 12 grad hours only) GTMP NDGD

pg. 56



Major Code Level Dual-Degree Programs

Accounting/Law ACCT MSA & JD

Agricultural Economics/Law AAEC MS & JD

Biotechnology/Law BIOT MS & JD

Business Administration/Architecture GBM/ARMA MBA & MAR

Business Administration/French BA/RMLN MBA & MA

Business Administration/German BA/GERM MBA & MA

Business Administration/Law GBM MBA & JD

Business Administration/Medical School GBM MBA & MD

Business Administration/Personal Financial Planning BA/PFP MS

Business Administration/Pharmacy PHMB MBA

Business Administration/Spanish BA/RMLN MBA & MA

Environmental Toxicology/Law ENTX MS & JD

General Business/Environmental Toxicology GBM/ENTX MBA & MS

General Business/Personal Financial Planning GBM/PFP MBA & MS

Personal Financial Planning/Law PFP MS & JD

Public Administration/Economics PUAD/ECO MPA & MA

Public Administration/Environmental Toxicology PUAD/ENTX MPA & MS

Public Administration/Law PUAD MPA & JD

pg. 57


Conditions Boilerplate

Code Definition

1B Official copy of bachelor's diploma/degree certificate or provisional certificate

1D Official final doctoral transcript and diploma with official English translation 1M Official copy of master's diploma

2B Official copy of final bachelor's transcript and diploma showing successful completion

2M Official copy of final transcript showing the awarding of master's degree 9B Official copy of final doctoral transcript and diploma

CAE Official Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English results CF Certificate of Naturalization form (NOT a photocopy of USCIS form) CO Residency Questionnaire CPE Official Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English results

DAPR Approval required from Associate Dean of Graduate Enrollment Services prior to deferral

ELS Proof of successful completion of ELS Level 112 (transcript and certificate) required FI Proof of sufficient financial support required before an I-20 will be issued IL Official IELTS results

MU Official transcript showing the awarding of master's degree PR Copy of the front and back of your Resident Alien card PT Official Pearson Test of English Academic results TC Complete, official transcript showing the awarding of a bachelor's degree TM Completion of TTU master's degree TO Official TOEFL results TR Complete official transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended TT Completion of TTU bachelor's degree

pg. 58


I-20 Issuance Flowchart

pg. 59


Sample eRaider Activation Email __________:

Your eRaider account is your electronic identification that you will use to access resources at Texas Tech University:

• Check admission status using the Raiderlink portal • Check the status of financial aid • Register for classes • Access IT services

Most graduate programs require additional application information (e.g., letters of recommendation, statements of purpose, resumes, etc.); please contact your prospective department for more information regarding additional requirements and deadlines. You will send all of the information that is specifically required by the department to the department.

Follow the easy steps to activate your eRaider account, so you can access the information and resources you need.

Your eRaider username and code:

Username: :USERNAME Activation code: :CODE

Once you have activated your eRaider account, you may check your application status by visiting http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/appstatuscheck.php For assistance in activating your account, contact: IT Help Central 806.742.HELP (4357) [email protected]. www.ttu.edu/it4students

pg. 60

http://www.raiderlink.ttu.edu/

http://www.ttu.edu/it4students/activate_eraider.php

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/appstatuscheck.php


http://www.ttu.edu/it4students


Sample Acceptance Letter

pg. 61


Sample Acceptance Letter – Conditional Admission for English Proficiency

pg. 62


Texas Education Code 51.842

Sec. 51.842. ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIP FACTORS FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS. (a) A graduate or professional program of a general academic teaching institution or medical or dental unit may consider the following factors in making an admissions or scholarship decision for admissions into or competitive scholarships for the graduate or professional program:

(1) an applicant's academic record as a high school student and undergraduate student; (2) the socioeconomic background of the applicant while the applicant attended elementary and

secondary school and was an undergraduate student, including any change in that background; (3) whether the applicant would be the first generation of the applicant's family to attend or graduate

from an undergraduate program or from a graduate or professional program; (4) whether the applicant has multilingual proficiency; (5) the applicant's responsibilities while attending elementary and secondary school and as an

undergraduate student, including whether the applicant was employed, whether the applicant helped to raise children, and other similar factors;

(6) to achieve geographic diversity, the applicant's region of residence at the time of application and, if the applicant graduated from a public high school in this state within the preceding 20 years, the region in which the applicant's school district is located;

(7) the applicant's involvement in community activities; (8) the applicant's demonstrated commitment to a particular field of study; (9) for admission into a professional program, the current comparative availability of members of that

profession in the applicant's region of residence while the applicant attended elementary and secondary school; (10) whether the applicant was automatically admitted to a general academic teaching institution as an

undergraduate student under Section 51.803; and (11) the applicant's personal interview.

(b) An applicant's performance on a standardized test may not be used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process for a graduate or professional program as the sole criterion for consideration of the applicant or as the primary criterion to end consideration of the applicant. If an applicant's performance on a standardized test is used in the admissions or competitive scholarship process, the applicant's performance must also be used to compare the applicant's test score with those of other applicants from similar socioeconomic backgrounds to the extent that those backgrounds can be properly determined and identified by the general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit based on information provided in the institution's or unit's admissions or competitive scholarship process. This subsection does not apply to a standardized test used to measure the English language proficiency of a student who is a graduate of a foreign institution of higher education.

(c) A general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit may not assign a specific weight to any one factor being considered in the admissions or competitive scholarship process for a graduate or professional program.

(d) Not later than one year before the date that applications for admissions and competitive scholarships are first considered for a graduate or professional program under this subchapter, each general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit shall publish in the catalog of the institution or unit a description of the factors to be considered by the institution or unit in making those admissions and competitive scholarship decisions and shall make the information available to the public.

(e) The requirements of Subsection (d) do not apply to admissions and competitive scholarships for the 2002 fall semester. Each institution or unit covered by Subsection (d) shall make the required information available to the public and to applicants to its graduate and professional programs not later than December 1, 2001, for the 2002 fall semester. This subsection expires September 1, 2002. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1039, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2001. Renumbered from Education Code Sec. 51.822 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, Sec. 2(25), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

pg. 63


Texas Education Code 51.917

Sec. 51.917. FACULTY MEMBERS; USE OF ENGLISH. (a) In this section: (1) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003 of this

code, but does not include a medical or dental unit. (2) "Faculty member" means a person who teaches a course offered for academic credit

by an institution of higher education, including teaching assistants, instructors, lab assistants, research assistants, lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors.

(3) "Governing board" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003 of this code. (b) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall establish a program or

a short course the purpose of which is to: (1) assist faculty members whose primary language is not English to become proficient

in the use of English; and (2) ensure that courses offered for credit at the institution are taught in the English

language and that all faculty members are proficient in the use of the English language, as determined by a satisfactory grade on the "Test of Spoken English" of the Educational Testing Service or a similar test approved by the board.

(c) A faculty member may use a foreign language to conduct foreign language courses designed to be taught in a foreign language.

(d) This section does not prohibit a faculty member from providing individual assistance during course instruction to a non-English-speaking student in the native language of the student.

(e) Each institution of higher education shall submit to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board a description of the program or short course established under this section, and the coordinating board shall approve and monitor the program or short course established at each institution of higher education.

(f) The cost of such English proficiency course as determined by the coordinating board shall be paid by the faculty member lacking proficiency in English. A faculty member must take the course until deemed proficient in English by his or her supervisor. The cost will be deducted from said faculty member's salary. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 975, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

pg. 64


Types of Visas

pg. 65


Types of Visas (cont.)

pg. 66


Types of Visas (cont.)

pg. 67


Types of Visas

pg. 68


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ

• Application Status Blank - This means that your file has

not yet been evaluated by one of our admission advisors.

Pending - Pending means that we have all the materials we need to evaluate your file, and your file has been added to the queue to be reviewed by one of our advisors. Your transcript's status will be updated when an advisor evaluates your file.

Referred to Department - Referred to Department means that our office completed the preliminary evaluation of your file (which includes credential evaluation and review of English proficiency scores) and created paperwork for your prospective department to review. This also means that our office is awaiting a final admission decision pending departmental evaluation.

Waiting for Test Scores (international applicants only) - Waiting for Test Scores means that we have not received either student-supplied or official TOEFL or IELTS scores. These scores are only valid for two years.

• Decision Date - This indicates the most recent update to your decision status, and it includes decision statuses of Pending, Referred to Department, and Waiting for Test Scores. It does not necessarily mean that an admission decision has been made on your application.

• College Transcript - This code is designated for the final/official receipt of transcripts in our office. • College Transcript Pending - Our database only allows us to code transcripts and diplomas as

received if they are final and official. We created a separate requirement College Transcript Pending to indicate when either incomplete or unofficial transcripts are received.

• Degree/Diploma/Certificate - This will be updated once your file is reviewed by an admissions advisor.

• IELTS or TOEFL Scores (international applicants only) - Only official scores will be listed. Our database does not allow us to input student-supplied scores on the checklist.

pg. 69


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.)

Prospective Students How can I get more information about Texas Tech University and its graduate programs? You can find out more about the Graduate School and our programs by visiting our website (http://www.gradschool.ttu.edu) and by visiting the websites of our programs. You can learn more about Texas Tech University by visiting “About Texas Tech University” here: http://www.ttu.edu/about/. What graduate programs are available? A list of graduate programs is available here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/about/programs.php. I am not certain what graduate program is best for me. What should I do? Texas Tech University offers more than 50 graduate certificate programs, 55 master’s programs, 60 doctoral programs in ten (10) different academic colleges. We invite you to visit the website of each program to find out what areas departments are currently researching and also about their application requirements. Compare this to your own academic background, professional experience, interests, and goals. Then create a profile on RaiderConnect (https://apply.texastech.edu/Graduate/Pages/Welcome.aspx) so that we can send you additional information about TTU and your program of interest! What are the requirements for admission? The minimum requirements for graduate admission eligibility are:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited US college/university or a recognized equivalent degree from a non-US university recognized by the appropriate government entity in that country to award undergraduate degrees

• For international applicants, proof of English proficiency which meets the minimum required score for Texas Tech University

• Sufficient undergraduate education/training to pursue graduate work in your chosen discipline Many departments have additional and/or higher requirements than those listed above, and satisfying minimum standards does NOT guarantee admission to Texas Tech University. How can I arrange for a campus visit? We would be delighted to show you our beautiful campus! Please contact our Recruiting Coordinator Shannon Samson to schedule a tour. Shannon can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 806-742-2787.

pg. 70


http://www.ttu.edu/about/

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/about/programs.php

https://apply.texastech.edu/Graduate/Pages/Welcome.aspx




Applicants Questions for both domestic and international applicants How does the graduate application process work at Texas Tech University? The application, academic records, and (for international applicants) English proficiency scores you send to the Office of Graduate Admissions are evaluated to make sure that they meet the minimum standards set by Texas Tech University and our regional accreditation body. If you meet minimum standards, your application is then forwarded to your prospective department, where it is added to the department-specific materials (such as letters of recommendation, written statements, etc.) you may have supplied. Depending on your prospective department, either an admission committee or the department’s graduate program coordinator will review all of your application materials and make a decision on your application. Decisions about financial assistance (scholarships and assistantships) are typically made at the same time, although some departments choose to make financial considerations later in the fiscal year. The department will then submit their admission decision to our office electronically. Our staff enters the decision, which is then available in the Raiderlink portal for you to view. When is the Office of Graduate Admissions open? The Office of Graduate Admissions is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, except when Texas Tech University is closed for observed federal/state holidays and/or weather-related emergencies. However, office hours are NOT the same as advisor availability. A domestic admissions evaluator and an international admissions evaluator will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Our office closes from 12-1 p.m. for lunch. A walk-in advising session is limited to 15 minutes per student and is on a “first come, first served” basis. Walk-in advising is typically for things such as getting more information on the application process or for submitting final/official documents. Please be advised that you may have to wait to speak with an evaluator. We welcome in-person or telephone call appointments during times outside of the daily advising times. Please email us at [email protected] at least twenty-fours (24) hours in advance if you would like to schedule an advising appointment. Please include your name, TechID number (if known), date of birth, reason for requesting the appointment, and possible dates/times for the appointment. One of our staff will contact you to confirm the date and time of the appointment. When is the application deadline? There are two types of deadlines: Graduate Admissions deadlines and department deadlines. Some departments have deadlines which are earlier than Graduate Admissions deadlines, so please check with your prospective department to determine when their deadline is; some departments will not review applications received after their departmental deadline.

pg. 71



Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) For domestic applicants, there is no specific Graduate Admissions deadline, although we encourage domestic applicants to apply at least three (3) months in advance of the semester to which they want to apply. For international applicants, we have the following deadlines:

• Summer and Fall: January 15th • Spring: June 15th

How much is the application fee? The initial application fee is $60, and any subsequent application is $50. My application materials are not ready. Should I wait until I get them to submit my application? We encourage to apply as early as possible before the application deadline, which may mean you need to apply before items such as your test scores are ready to send. If you do need to apply before you have taken one of these tests, include your test date on your application. Please note the following regarding standardized test scores:

• For international applicants, your application will not be evaluated without proof of English proficiency scores. You are encouraged to submit a copy of your TOEFL test-taker score report or of your IELTS score report as soon as you receive it. Screenshots of English proficiency reports are not acceptable.

• Departments which require GRE/GMAT scores typically will not review your application without such scores. You are encouraged to send a copy of your GRE Examinee Score Report or GMAT unofficial results as soon as you receive them; screenshots of GRE/GMAT scores are not acceptable.

My program will not consider my application because the departmental deadline has passed for that term. Can I get a refund? No, as application fees are non-refundable. Can I apply to more than one program with one application and one fee? No. You must submit a separate application and application fee for each application. The initial application fee is $60, and any subsequent application fee is $50. The only exception to this rule is for joint degree programs.

pg. 72


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) How can I apply for a waiver of the application fee? Application fee waivers are only available in the following circumstances:

• To Texas Tech University System faculty/staff employed at least half-time, their spouses, and dependents under the age of 25 – a Faculty/Staff/Dependent fee waiver form must be submitted; this form is available on our website or in our office. If you apply via ApplyTexas, please indicate “Pay by Check or Money Order” when submitting that application and then submit the fee waiver form. This form will need to be submitted with each application you submit.

• To McNair/GEM Scholars – please have your McNair or GEM scholar coordinator contact Shannon Samson ([email protected]) to confirm your participation in the McNair Scholars/GEM programs. If you apply via ApplyTexas, please indicate “Pay by Check or Money Order” when submitting that application and then submit the fee waiver form. This form will need to be submitted with each application you submit.

• To US Military personnel – the application fee for readmission after deployment/reassignment will be waived; please contact Shelby Cearley, Director of Graduate Admissions, by email at [email protected] to request such a waiver. If you apply via ApplyTexas, please indicate “Pay by Check or Money Order” when submitting that application and then submit the fee waiver form. This form will need to be submitted with each application you submit.

• To VEF Fellows – the application fee will be waived upon confirmation of your fellowship status with VEF. If you apply via ApplyTexas, please indicate “Pay by Check or Money Order” when submitting that application and then submit the fee waiver form. This form will need to be submitted with each application you submit.

How do I add, change a program, or make a correction after submitting my application? To add or change the program of your application, please complete and submit the Graduate Application Change form plus a $50 application change fee; the form is available on our website or in our office in Administration 328. If the program you wish to change to is in a different department, you may be required to provide new department-specific application materials, so please check that department’s website to find out what materials they will require. You can contact us by email at [email protected] to request corrections to such things as your name, date of birth, and address. You cannot change degree level, program or term unless you submit the Graduate Application Change Form and the $50 application change fee. How do I update/correct my mailing or email address? You may email us at [email protected] with your updated address. Can I change the term that I originally applied for? You may apply for a change of application term by submitting the Graduate Application Change Form and a $50 application change fee.

pg. 73






Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) How can I check my application status? You can check your application status at any time by logging into the Raiderlink portal (http://portal.texastech.edu) with your eRaider username and password. We are not able to give application status updates via telephone or in person due to the volume of applications received. What is a TechID number, and how can I get one? Each graduate applicant to Texas Tech University is assigned a unique nine (9)-digit identification number when their application is entered into our database; in some cases, this ID number is generated before the application is submitted if the applicant has already submitted standardized test scores such as GRE, GMAT or TOEFL scores. You should be able to view your TechID number when you log into the Raiderlink portal. Your TechID number, which starts with the letter “R”, should be visible at the top of Raiderlink towards the right side of the black banner. Please note that your TechID number is NOT the same as your ApplyTexas ID. I already applied. Why have I not received my eRaider username and activation code? eRaider activation emails are generally created within 1-5 business days of your application uploading into our student records database. This may be up to 3 business days after you submit an application through ApplyTexas. The username and activation code is generated if you have never had an eRaider username before. This email is sent by our office, but we do not generate the username/activation code. If you have not received an eRaider activation code within 5-7 business days of submitting your application, please send an email to [email protected] which also includes your full name, date of birth, program applied to, and we will do our best to assist you. I activated my eRaider account but cannot log into the Raiderlink portal. What should I do? Please make sure that you are logging into the correct website (http://portal.texastech.edu). There will not be an Applications tab in the eRaider Manager (http://eraider.ttu.edu). If that does not help, please contact us by email at [email protected]; please include a screenshot of what you see when you log in to Raiderlink if at all possible, as this will assist us in diagnosing the problem. How can I contact my prospective graduate department? Contact information for graduate departments is available on our website here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/Graddir/ga.php. The directory is sorted by colleges. Click on the college, and then departments are listed alphabetically. How long does it take to process an application and to receive a decision? With the exception of Graduate Temporary and Post-Graduate non-degree programs, all applications have a two-part decision process. This means your application will be reviewed by the Office of Graduate Admissions and then by your prospective department. Decision times vary by department. Our goal is to have a decision within eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks of your application being submitted, assuming that your application is complete shortly after your application is submitted. Incomplete applications will cause a delay in your application processing, which will result in a delay in receiving an application decision. Graduate Temporary (GTMP) and Post-Graduate/Undergraduate Classes Only (PGRD) application decisions are made by our office. Therefore, you should have an application decision within one (1) or two (2) weeks of your application being completed.

pg. 74

http://portal.texastech.edu/



http://eraider.ttu.edu/


http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/Graddir/ga.php


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) My application fee has not been received, or my debit/credit card has been declined. Will you review my application anyway? No. The application fee must be received before we can proceed with your application evaluation. Where do I send my materials? That depends on how you will submit your application materials. Please use the address listed below for whatever method of shipment you chose to send your materials:

Physical Mailing Address (Express Mail Only) Texas Tech University Office of Graduate Admissions Boston Ave at Akron Ave Administration 328 Lubbock, TX 79409-1030

Postal Mailing Address (US Postal Service regular airmail) Texas Tech University Office of Graduate Admissions Box 41030 Lubbock, TX 79409-1030

Several US institutions offer electronic delivery of official transcripts. If your institution offers such a service, we encourage you to use it, as electronic transcripts typically arrive much sooner than those sent via regular airmail. For schools which use ANSI/ASC X12-formatted electronic transcripts, you should only have to indicate that you wish to send your transcripts to Texas Tech University; these types of transcripts are delivered directly to the TTU Registrar’s office and uploaded into your file in our secure digital filing system. For institutions using a secure electronic transcript delivery service (such as the National Student Clearinghouse, e-Scrip Safe, or Parchment), please make sure that those are sent to [email protected] rather than your prospective department. Department-specific materials (letters of recommendation, written statements, resumes, etc.) should be sent directly to your prospective department rather than our office. Can I upload my application materials instead of sending them by mail? At present, we are not yet able to offer electronic upload of application materials on ApplyTexas, on Raiderlink or on our website. We hope to offer such a service in the near future. You may, however, send unofficial copies of application materials to us by email attachment to [email protected]. I sent my materials and have proof of delivery. Why are my items not listed as received on my checklist? Our office works diligently to update materials as quickly as possible. However, it typically takes between 2-3 weeks for us to enter materials received into our database due to the volume of applications and application materials we receive. These packets are processed in the order in which they were received, and items like transcripts and diplomas are entered after the document has been evaluated by one of our admission evaluators. For international applicants, we enter a received date on the checklist item called “Packet Received-Evaluation Pending” within 1-2 days of your packet being opened so that you will know when your packet is received. We encourage applicants to continue to check online as we cannot confirm receipt of packages via e-mail or telephone due to the volume of materials.

pg. 75




Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) Can my application materials be returned to me? No. All materials submitted become property of the Office of Graduate Admissions and cannot be returned. I am a current TTU student. Do I need to complete the education history information on the application? Yes. All applicants, including those currently enrolled at TTU, must complete all sections of the application. Do I have to have finished my undergraduate degree by the time I apply? No, you may apply to a graduate program while you are finishing your undergraduate degree. You must submit transcripts which show at least three (3) years or six (6) semesters of coursework in order to be eligible for graduate admission consideration. If admitted, you will be required to show proof of completion of your bachelor’s degree by the twelfth (12) day of your first semester of graduate enrollment at TTU. Am I eligible for admission if I graduate from a non-regionally accredited college/university? No. You must have a bachelor’s from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or a recognized equivalent degree from a non-US university recognized by the appropriate government entity in that country to award undergraduate degrees. Why are my transcripts listed as "Not Received"? Our database only allows us to code transcripts and diplomas as received if they are final and official. We created a separate requirement called “College Transcript Pending” to indicate when either incomplete or unofficial transcripts are received. I entered recommender information on ApplyTexas, but my recommenders have not received information on how to submit letters of recommendation. Why? At present, letters of recommendation are required by departments but not by the Office of Graduate Admissions, and departments vary on both the number of letters required and also on how those letters should be submitted. Please contact your prospective department to find out how they require those letters to be submitted; contact information for graduate advisors is available on our website. The ApplyTexas application does ask you to provide that information, but our office does not contact your recommenders, nor does our office have a means for them to electronically submit your recommendation letters. Do I have to take the GRE/GMAT in order to apply for graduate admission? The Graduate School does not require GRE/GMAT scores, but many graduate programs will require GRE/GMAT scores. Please check the website for your prospective department to find out if you will need to submit GRE/GMAT scores.

pg. 76


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) Why are my GRE/GMAT scores not listed on my application checklist? At present, GRE/GMAT scores are required by departments but not by the Office of Graduate Admissions. This means that you will not see GRE/GMAT scores as received in your application checklist. However, if you ordered a score report from ETS or from GMAT, we will receive the official scores electronically within 10-14 business days of your order being received and processed by the testing organization. Your scores will be viewable to your prospective department’s graduate program coordinator on our electronic application review site. I took the GRE/GMAT several years ago. Do I need to take the exam again? You will need to check with your prospective department to find out if they will accept scores more than five (5) years old. This is because GRE and GMAT scores are only valid for five (5) years from the date of your exam. This means that after five (5) years, you will no longer be able to request official scores be sent to Texas Tech University. How will I know when an application decision is made on my application? All admission decisions will be posted on your application status. Please continue to check your status online via the Raiderlink portal (http://portal.texastech.edu). How do I apply for financial assistance? The Office of Graduate Admissions does not award any financial assistance. The majority of financial assistance is awarded by academic departments. Some programs may require a separate application, while some will consider each applicant at the time they review your application. Please visit your prospective department’s website to find out how to apply for financial assistance. Additionally, the Graduate School offers some fellowships and scholarships for new and continuing graduate students. For information on how to apply for these, please visit the Graduate School Fellowships and Scholarships page here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/scholarships.php. The Graduate School also has additional information on other funding opportunities on our website here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/financialaid.php. I was enrolled in the Graduate School previously but had to take a leave of absence. What do I need to do to re-enroll? You will need to apply for readmission to the Graduate School by submitting the Graduate Application Change Form and a $50 application fee. Some departments will also require you to submit a departmental application, so please contact the graduate program coordinator in your prospective department to find out what other materials they will require. My application was denied. How can I find out why? If your application was denied, you will need to contact your prospective department directly to ask if they will discuss why your application was denied. Many departments, however, will not discuss individual application decisions with applicants due to the volume of applications. The Office of Graduate Admissions cannot provide reasons for departmental denials. In some cases, your application may be denied by our office; in those instances, we try to contact those applicants by email to let them know why their application was denied.

pg. 77


http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/scholarships.php

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/financialaid.php


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) How do I appeal the application decision? Texas Tech University graduate applicants have the right to appeal admissions decisions. The appeal must first be filed with the academic department responsible for the admissions decision; please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for that department to find out in what format the appeal must be filed. The department will reconsider your application and inform you of their decision on your request for reconsideration. An unfavorable ruling at the department level may be appealed to the Graduate School in writing within thirty (30) days of the date on the correspondence that you received from the academic department's decision on the initial appeal; please contact the Director of Graduate Admissions ([email protected]) for more information on how to file such an appeal. Applicants can only appeal once, and decisions resulting from an appeal are final. Application fees are non-refundable regardless of the result of an appeal. How can I contact you with additional questions which are not answered on your website? You may contact us by email at [email protected]. I contacted your office to check my application status. Why can you not tell me my status over the telephone or by email? Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot provide individual application status updates over the telephone or by email. You must check your application status on Raiderlink (http://portal.texastech.edu). What do the various parts of the Raiderlink application status mean?

• Application Date: This is the date that your application uploaded into our database, not necessarily the date that you submitted the application on ApplyTexas.

• Application Type: This should say Graduate since you are applying as a graduate applicant. • Application Entry Term: This is the term listed on your application, followed by "TTU" to

designate that you have applied to Texas Tech University rather than one of the other institutions in the Texas Tech University System.

• College: This should say Graduate since you are applying to the Graduate School. • Degree: This will indicate the type of graduate degree to which you are applying (Master of Arts,

Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.). • Major: This will indicate your application major. • Application Status: This refers to any decision entered into our database, including non-

admissions decisions. These are the most common non-admission decisions you will see under “Application Status”.

o Blank - This means that your file has not yet been evaluated by one of our admission advisors.

o Pending - Pending means that we have all the materials we need to evaluate your file, and your file has been added to the queue to be reviewed by one of our advisors. Your transcript's status will be updated when an advisor evaluates your file.

pg. 78





• Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.)

o Referred to Department - Referred to Department means that our office completed the preliminary evaluation of your file (which includes credential evaluation and review of English proficiency scores) and created paperwork for your prospective department to review. This also means that our office is awaiting a final admission decision pending departmental evaluation.

o Waiting for Test Scores (international applicants only) - Waiting for Test Scores means that we have not received either student-supplied or official TOEFL or IELTS scores. These scores are only valid for two years.

• Decision Date: This indicates the most recent update to your decision status, and it includes decision statuses of Pending, Referred to Department, and Waiting for Test Scores. It does not necessarily mean that an admission decision has been made on your application.

• Requirement Type: This is the list of items required for your Graduate School application only. It will NOT show department-specific items such as letters of recommendation, written statements, and/or GRE/GMAT scores. The checklist item will show first, followed by a description of the item. For example, seeing "Application Fee. PAID" means that your application fee from ApplyTexas uploaded into your application in our database.

• Status: This will show either "Received" if your checklist item has been received and evaluated or "Not Received". Please note that items will NOT appear on your checklist until the item has been evaluated by our staff.

• Received Date: This indicates the date that the item was evaluated and marked as received by our staff. For test scores, this typically will show the date that your test score was electronically received and uploaded into our database from ETS (GRE and TOEFL) or Pearson VUE (GMAT).

• Application Fee: This will populate when your application fee or your application change fee is received.

• Statement from Sponsor's Bank: This item is OPTIONAL at time of application for international applicants. You do NOT need to submit proof of financial support unless you are admitted and require either an I-20 or a DS-2019 for visa purposes.

• College Transcript: This code is designated for the final/official receipt of transcripts in our office.

• College Transcript Pending: Our database only allows us to code transcripts and diplomas as received if they are final and official. We created a separate requirement College Transcript Pending to indicate when either incomplete or unofficial transcripts are received.

• Degree/Diploma/Cert/Foreign: This code is designated for the final/official diploma or degree certificate. This will be updated once your file is reviewed by an admissions evaluator. Neither provisional certificates nor unofficial copies of diplomas/degree certificates will be entered as received.

• IELTS or TOEFL Score: This is the code used for proof of English proficiency for international applicants. Only official scores will be listed as received. Our database does not allow us to input student-supplied scores on the checklist.

• Copy of Passport Bio Page: This item is OPTIONAL at time of application for international applicants. It will only be required upon admission to ensure that your I-20 or your DS-2019 is correctly formatted, as your passport and immigration documents must match.

pg. 79



International Applicants Questions specifically related to international applicants Am I considered an international applicant? You are considered an international applicant if you are not a US citizen or an Immigrant Permanent Resident. International students must have a visa type which allows for academic study. Undocumented illegal aliens are eligible to apply for graduate admission consideration and must apply as international applicants. What non-US academic credentials are acceptable for graduate admission consideration? The Office of Graduate Admissions maintains a list of acceptable credentials here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/forms/Acceptable%20Credentials.pdf. Do you accept three-year bachelor's degrees for graduate admission? We do not accept three-year bachelor’s degree on their own for graduate admission. If you have a three-year bachelor’s degree AND a post-bachelor’s degree including the one-year post-graduate diploma, you should be eligible to matriculate as a degree seeking student. Partial completion of the post-bachelor program (either a post-graduate diploma or master’s degree) is NOT sufficient; the post-bachelor degree must be awarded prior to the start of a graduate program at Texas Tech University if you are admitted to Texas Tech University. A list of acceptable credentials for graduate admission eligibility is available here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/forms/Acceptable%20Credentials.pdf. My institution does not appear in the search on ApplyTexas. What should I do? Please enter “Foreign College”. My degree is/will be issued by a university, but I attended an affiliated institution. Which school should I put on my application? Please enter the name of the university, not the name of the affiliated institution. The application asks for prior colleges/universities. Does that mean I have to enter my upper/higher secondary school on the application? No. Please enter only post-secondary institutions on your application. My institution does not provide English translations. What can I do? If the documents you are submitting are written in a language other than English, you must also submit complete and official English translations together with the original language records. If your school does not provide an English translation, you must submit a translation done by an American Translators Association-certified translator or translation service. We recommend Credential Consultants, and you may visit their TTU translation portal here: http://www.txtech.cc.credentialconnection.com/. Do you require a transcript evaluation? No, you do not need to provide an outside credential evaluation report. Our evaluators evaluate all credentials as part of our internal evaluation process. However, you may submit a credential evaluation report if you would like to, but we may not accept the credential evaluation service’s determination of the equivalence of your foreign degree. You will still need to provide official copies of your transcripts.

Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) pg. 80

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/forms/Acceptable%20Credentials.pdf

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/forms/Acceptable%20Credentials.pdf

http://www.txtech.cc.credentialconnection.com/

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS I submitted a credential evaluation report of my foreign transcript, but my transcript still shows as not received. Why? We do not require you to submit an outside credential report. However, if you submitted only a credential evaluation report, we mark that as an unofficial transcript, which will appear as a “College Transcript Pending” on your checklist. You must also submit official transcripts/marksheets and degree certificates in addition to a credential evaluation report. I have only one official transcript/diploma. Do you accept photocopies? You should NOT send the only official transcript/diploma, as we cannot return documents after they are submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions. You may submit unofficial copies for evaluation purposes. If admitted, you may bring your one official copy to our office so that we can make an exact copy of your documents for your file. What English proficiency measures do you accept? We accept the following six measures of English proficiency:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – the minimum required score on the paper-based TOEFL is 550, and the minimum required score on the internet-based TOEFL is 79. The institution code for the TOEFL is 6827.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) – the minimum required overall band score on the Academic version is 6.5. There is no institution code for the IELTS.

• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) – the minimum required score is 60. There is no institution code for the PTE Academic.

• Cambridge CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English) – the minimum required Cambridge CAE grade is B. There is no institution code for the Cambridge CAE.

• Cambridge CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English) – the minimum required Cambridge CPE grade is C. There is no institution code for the Cambridge CPE.

• ELS EAP (ELS English for Academic Purposes) – submit a transcript and certificate of completion for ELS EAP’s Level 112.

My English proficiency results will expire before the term I am applying for begins. Will you require me to submit a new set of scores? If your English proficiency scores will expire before the term you apply for, we recommend that you submit official scores with your application before you learn of your admission decision. Otherwise, you may be required to submit new, valid scores. It is after the application deadline. Can I still apply? You are welcome to still apply, but we cannot guarantee that there will be sufficient time for your application to be entered and reviewed by our office, for your prospective department to review your application, and for you to make any necessary visa/travel arrangements IF you are admitted. To apply after the deadline, you may still submit an application on ApplyTexas. However, we suggest that you submit unofficial copies of your application materials to [email protected]. We strongly encourage you to apply as close to the application deadline as possible.

pg. 81



Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) I submitted a screenshot of my English proficiency scores. Why does my application decision say "Waiting for Test Scores"? We do not accept screenshots of your test scores. Our office must receive one of the following in order for your application to be updated: (1) official electronic results from the TOEFL or PTAE, (2) a copy of the IELTS, CPE, or CAE which show your test report form number so that we may verify your scores on those testing organizations’ websites, (3) a copy of the TOEFL Test-Taker Score Report you received in the mail, or (4) a copy of your ELS transcript showing “Pass” for English for Academic Purposes Level 112. I would like to apply for admission, but I do not have proof of English proficiency (or my scores do not meet your minimum required scores). What can I do? You may apply for conditional admission for English proficiency into many of our graduate programs. Texas Tech University partners with ELS Educational Services to provide conditional admission for students who are academically qualified, but who do not meet our English Language proficiency requirements at the time of application to the university. You must apply for conditional admission for English proficiency through our English language instruction partner, ELS, by visiting their website at http://www.els.edu/UniversityAdmissions. If you are admitted conditionally for English proficiency, you must submit an ELS transcript and certificate showing successful completion of ELS’ English for Academic Purposes program level 112. Please note, however, that some graduate programs will require GRE or GMAT results before reviewing your application, even if you are applying for conditional admission for English proficiency. You may contact ELS University Admissions for more information. Am I required to submit proof of financial support when applying for admission? Proof of financial support is not mandatory to process. You may submit at the time of application if you have copies or you may wait until a final admission decision has been made. By providing at the time of applying it should speed up the time to process your I-20 if accepted. However you may choose to wait until an official admission decision is made, at which time our office will contact you with the estimated amount needed to prepare your I-20. Do I need to submit a copy of my passport bio page for my application to be processed? You do not need to submit a copy of your passport bio page with your application materials. However, your name as it appears on your application must match your passport. If you do not have a passport at the time you apply, please enter your name as it appears on your birth certificate. I submitted my degree certificate, but it does not show as received. Why? Only final, official degree certificates are entered on your checklist as received. Many applicants include their provisional certificates as proof of degree completion, but we must have an official copy of the final degree certificate if you are admitted.

pg. 82

http://www.els.edu/UniversityAdmissions



Newly Admitted Students Questions for newly admitted domestic and international students How do I accept or decline the admission offer? At present, the Office of Graduate Admissions does not require you to accept or decline the admission offer. However, some departments will, particularly if they have offered you financial assistance. Please check with your department to find out if they require you to accept their offer and how to do so. Do I need to provide any immunization records? Beginning in Spring 2012, all newly admitted students must provide proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccine BEFORE they can register for classes. Please visit the university’s meningitis vaccine information page for more information about the requirement, including exemptions and waivers, at http://www.admissions.ttu.edu/index.php/admission-financial_aid/meningitis-vaccine/. Additionally, all students must provide proof of additional immunizations by the twelfth class day of their first semester of enrollment; some international students may also be required to submit tuberculosis screening results. Please visit Student Health Services’ immunization webpage (http://www.ttuhsc.edu/studenthealth/documents/Offical_Immunization_2009.pdf) for more information. When do I enroll for classes? Advanced registration begins about 3-4 months before the fall semester begins and about 2-3 months before the spring semester begins. You can find out the precise date by looking on the university calendar here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/index.php. Search for “advanced registration”. How do I pay my tuition bill? Your tuition bill is available in Raiderlink. The preferred method of payment is eBill, and you can pay with electronic bank transfer, credit card or debit card through eBill . International students can also make payments through peerTransfer (http://ttu.peertransfer.com/). When do classes begin? Please check the university calendar to find out when academic terms begin. The calendar is available here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/index.php. How do I get a student ID card? Once you are registered for classes, you can get your student ID card at the University ID office, which is located in room 103 of the Student Union Building 103. Is there on-campus housing for graduate students? You may apply for on-campus housing through University Student Housing (http://www.housing.ttu.edu); however, on-campus housing for graduate students is very limited. The majority of graduate students live off-campus. You can find more information about living off-campus at the Lubbock Apartments website (http://www.lubbockapartments.com) and on the Raider Off-Campus Student Services website (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/centerforcampuslife/ROCS/default.htm).


pg. 83

http://www.admissions.ttu.edu/index.php/admission-financial_aid/meningitis-vaccine/

http://www.ttuhsc.edu/studenthealth/documents/Offical_Immunization_2009.pdf

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/index.php

http://ttu.peertransfer.com/

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/calendar/index.php

http://www.housing.ttu.edu/

http://www.lubbockapartments.com/

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/centerforcampuslife/ROCS/default.htm

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS I was admitted but cannot enroll. Will my admission be automatically deferred to a new term? No. Admission is guaranteed only for the term to which you were admitted. You may apply for a change of entry date by submitting a Graduate Application Change Form and a $50 application change form. Some departments will require you to submit updated departmental materials as well, so please check with your prospective department to find out what, if any, materials you will need to send to them. How can I apply for financial assistance? The Office of Graduate Admissions does not award any financial assistance. The majority of financial assistance is awarded by academic departments. Some programs may require a separate application, while some will consider each applicant at the time they review your application. Please visit your prospective department’s website to find out how to apply for financial assistance. Additionally, the Graduate School offers some fellowships and scholarships for new and continuing graduate students. For information on how to apply for these, please visit the Graduate School Fellowships and Scholarships page here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/scholarships.php. The Graduate School also has additional information on other funding opportunities on our website here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/financialaid.php. How can I get a campus parking permit? Please visit University Parking Services’ webpage for Student Parking (http://www.parking.ttu.edu/students/student-parking-home) to find out how students can get campus parking permits. My classes will only be at night. Am I required to get a campus parking permit? Please visit University Parking Services’ webpage for Graduate Student Parking information: http://www.parking.ttu.edu/shared/graduate-student-parking. When am I required to submit my final transcripts? You must submit your final transcripts and diplomas by the twelfth (12th) class day of your first semester of enrollment at Texas Tech University.

pg. 84

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/scholarships.php

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/funding/financialaid.php

http://www.parking.ttu.edu/students/student-parking-home

http://www.parking.ttu.edu/shared/graduate-student-parking



Newly Admitted International Students Questions specifically for newly admitted international students My department told me I was admitted. When will my I-20 be issued? At peak processing times, your admission and I-20 processing may take 1-2 weeks after your paperwork has been returned to our office. We realize that visa and travel arrangements must be made, but in an effort to be fair to all admitted applicants, all initial attendance I-20s are issued in the order in which we received decisions back from departments. If you will not receive an initial attendance I-20, your I-20 is issued by a different office, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. They will be in contact with you about any required documentation for your I-20 issuance. How much funding will I need to show proof of in order to get an I-20? This amount varies according to what program you were admitted to and whether or not you were awarded any financial assistance from your department. The amount of funding for which you will need to provide proof of funding will be listed on your application checklist in the description next to “Statement from Sponsor’s Bank” if you are admitted and have not provided proof of financial support with your application materials. I received my I-20, but I am not certain what to do next. What should I do? We encourage you to visit your local EducationUSA advising center. EducationUSA maintains a webpage about the student visa process here: http://www.educationusa.info/5_steps_to_study/graduate_step_4_apply_for_your_student_visa.php. Once you receive your student visa, EducationUSA centers around the world host pre-departure orientations as you get ready to travel to Lubbock to start your graduate program. I need to submit my final transcript/diploma, but they will not be issued before my hold is active. What do I need to do? Please contact our office by email at [email protected] after you arrive on campus. You will need to let us know the approximate date when your transcript/diploma will be issued. Such holds will be extended one additional semester.

pg. 85

http://www.educationusa.info/5_steps_to_study/graduate_step_4_apply_for_your_student_visa.php




Residency for Tuition Purposes Questions about establishing residency for tuition purposes How can I determine if I am eligible for in-state tuition? For detailed information about regulations relating to residency in the State of Texas, visit the College for All Texans Residency Information page here: http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?ObjectID=6D1466D9-AEA5-DE00-C12F3F75E7367718. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has established rules that govern Texas residency for higher education in Texas. You may view the rules online here: http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=1&ch=21&sch=B&rl=Y. Individuals can establish residency in two basic ways, one based on graduation from high school and the other based on the establishment of domicile. The option related to establishment of domicile is available to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and to international students who hold certain types of visas.

Option 1: Residency through High School Graduation This option for establishing Texas residency is available to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and to international students. To establish residency through high school graduation, you must

1. Graduate from a Texas high school or receive a GED in Texas; and 2. Live in Texas for the 36 months immediately before high school graduation; and 3. Live in Texas for the 12 months immediately before the census date (usually the 12th

class day) of the semester in which you enroll at Texas Tech University (or another college or university).

If you are an international student seeking residency through high school graduation, you must submit a Residency Affidavit stating that you will apply for permanent residency when you are eligible to do so.

Option 2: Residency by Establishing Domicile This option for establishing Texas residency is available to

• Citizens or permanent residents of the US (Non-citizens and non-permanent residents may also use this option if they have an application for permanent residency on file with the US Citizenship and Immigration Service.)

• International students who hold an eligible visa; a table of eligible visas is available online here: http://info.sos.state.tx.us/fids/200804066-1.html.

If you are independent for tax purposes, you may gain resident status if you establish domicile in the state. If your parent(s) claim you as a dependent on their federal income tax return, they must establish domicile in the state for you to claim residency.

pg. 86

http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?ObjectID=6D1466D9-AEA5-DE00-C12F3F75E7367718

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=19&pt=1&ch=21&sch=B&rl=Y

http://info.sos.state.tx.us/fids/200804066-1.html


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) To establish domicile, you or your parent(s) must meet the following criteria:

1. Live in Texas for 12 consecutive months; and 2. Establish and maintain domicile for 12 consecutive months by doing one of the following:

• Be gainfully employed in Texas (Student jobs do not qualify as gainful employment.) • Sole or joint marital ownership of residential real property in Texas by the person seeking to

enroll or the dependent’s parent, having established and maintained a domicile at the residence

• Own and operate a business in Texas • Be married for one year to a person who has established domicile in Texas

How is my residency for tuition purposes determined? When students apply for admission, the university uses information they provide on their ApplyTexas applications to make an initial determination about residency. If the submitted information indicates that the student isn’t a U.S. citizen or permanent resident but that he or she may qualify for residency based on Texas high school graduation, the student will be prompted by the ApplyTexas application to download and submit the Residency Affidavit. The affidavit is a statement by the student that he or she qualifies for residency. It must be completed, signed, notarized, and submitted to the university in order for the student to be classified as a resident. I am eligible to pay in-state tuition because of a scholarship/assistantship, but my tuition account still shows out-of-state tuition. Why? An out-of-state waiver is not the same as residency for tuition purposes. Our office determines residency for tuition purposes, while the out-of-state waiver for a scholarship or an assistantship is processed by Student Business Services. Waivers are attached according to statutory regulations. It is possible that your tuition balance will not reflect your waiver until after the payment due date, so please visit the Student Business Services website (http://www.sbs.ttu.edu) for more information. How do I apply for residency? If you are a prospective student, you must submit your application for admission. Students completing a U.S. application will complete the residency questions as part of the admissions application. International students will need to submit the Residency Core Questions or the Residency Affidavit to apply for residency. Currently enrolled students may submit the Residency Core Questions after they or their parents have lived in Texas for twelve (12) consecutive months. I would like to have my residency status reviewed. How can I do that, and what is the best time to request such a review? To have your residency status reviewed, you must submit a new set of residency questions. The residency questionnaire may be downloaded from our website, or a copy may be obtained from our office in Administration 328. A request for reclassification or review of residency must be made before

pg. 87

http://www.sbs.ttu.edu/

Spring 2015 GRADUATE ADMISSIONS the census date of the semester (the 12th class day). If your residency request is received after the census date, your residency status cannot be updated until the next semester. How can I obtain the Residency Core Questions or the Residency Affidavit? These forms are available either on our website or in our office at Administration room 328. What other documents should I turn in with the Residency Core Questions form? You should submit verification that you have established domicile in Texas. To establish domicile, you should submit documentation that verifies

• One year of employment (paycheck stubs or letter from employer), • Property ownership in Texas for one year (Warranty Deed), • Business ownership in Texas for one year • Proof that you have been married to a Texas resident for one year (marriage license and

verification of spouse’s employment, property ownership or business ownership in Texas). After review of your responses to the Residency Core Questions, the residency determination officer may request additional items from you to help establish your residency status. What can I do if my application for residency was denied by the Residency Determination Official? You can appeal the residency officer’s decision. To do so, you must write a letter to the Director of Graduate Admissions stating why you feel you should be considered a Texas resident and providing any additional information, including documentation, to state your case further. The director will review the appeal and make a determination. The decision of the Director of Graduate Admissions is final; no additional levels of appeal are possible. Are their additional waivers of out-of-state tuition for which I may be eligible? Information concerning waivers of out-of-state is available at the College For Texans Financial Aid – Waivers webpage (http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/financialaid/tofa.cfm?Kind=W). My parents live in a state other than Texas and claim me on their taxes. Can I establish residency? If your parents live in another state and claim you as a dependent on their federal income taxes, then you are not eligible to establish residency unless one of the following is true:

• You are graduating from a Texas high school. • Your parents can claim a temporary absence from Texas. • You are over the age of 18 and your parents stop claiming you as a dependent when filing

federal income taxes; in this case you would be eligible to establish residency as an independent student.

One of my parents is a Texas resident. May I claim residency even if I live out of state? You can base Texas residency on the parent who resides in Texas if that parent

• Claims you as a dependent on his or her federal income tax return or • Is eligible to claim you as a dependent on his or her federal income tax return. (In general,

parents who pay child support are eligible to claim a child for federal income tax purposes.)

pg. 88

http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/financialaid/tofa.cfm?Kind=W


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) I am currently attending Texas Tech as a Texas resident, but my parents will be moving to another state. Will I still be classified as a Texas resident? Once you enroll as a Texas resident, your status will not change as long as you remain continuously enrolled each fall and spring semester. If I am temporarily absent from Texas, will I lose my status as a Texas resident? A temporary absence by a student or by the parent of a student (upon whom the student bases his or her residency) does not affect the student’s ability to claim residency if the temporary absence is the result of:

• Service in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Public Health Service, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Department of State,

• An employment assignment • Educational purposes

The person or the dependent’s parent must provide documentation of the reason for the temporary absence. To claim a temporary absence, a student or parent must first establish Texas residency. Non-resident classification may result if the temporary absence occurs before completion of at least one year of residency connected to establishment of a domicile. I am currently enrolled at a Texas college or university and am classified as a Texas resident. Will my residency status transfer to Texas Tech University? If you were classified as a Texas resident while you were enrolled in another Texas college or university and you were enrolled for more than one summer term, you will be classified as a Texas resident if you enroll at Texas Tech University. You may be required to verify your residency classification at the previous institution to be classified as a resident at Texas Tech University. If you were enrolled at another Texas college or university for only one summer term, you will not qualify under this rule. I live in a state other than Texas and I am marrying a Texas resident. Does marriage to a Texas resident make me a Texas resident? Being married to a Texas resident does not qualify a person for immediate Texas residency. If you are a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident of the U.S., or an international student with an immigration status that allows you to domicile in the U.S. and you are married to a Texas resident, you must live in the state of Texas for 12 consecutive months and be married to a Texas resident for 12 months to qualify for Texas residency. Spouses of Texas residents may attend a Texas college or university during the 12 months needed to establish residency but will pay out-of-state tuition during that time. If you are in this situation, you may apply for reclassification as a Texas resident after one year of residence in Texas and one year of marriage to a Texas resident.

pg. 89


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) I received resident status some time after classes started. Will I get a refund for the out-of-state portion of tuition and fees that I previously paid? You must submit the Residency Core Questions by the census date (12th class day) of the relevant term in order for your classification as a Texas resident to be effective for that semester. Students are eligible for refunds only if the residency form is submitted before the census date. I moved to Texas to go to Texas Tech University (or another college/university). But I think I now meet the criteria for establishing residency. Is it possible for me to be classified as a resident? In general people who move to Texas to attend college are presumed not to have the required intent to make Texas their domicile. In some situations, however, this presumption may be overruled if the student submits "clear and convincing evidence" that he or she has established and maintained a residence or domicile, as appropriate. Submitting such evidence is the responsibility of the student seeking to be classified as a resident. I am a member of the military. What are the general rules about my residency status? A military member’s residency is based on the state they list as their legal residence for tax purposes with the military as found on their LES. If you’re in the military and you list Texas as your legal residence for tax purposes, you will be classified as a resident of Texas. To claim residency through this process, you must have resided in Texas for one year at some point. Please see the College for Texans Financial Aid – Waivers webpage (http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/financialaid/tofa.cfm?Kind=W) for information on out-of-state-tuition waivers for military members who are not Texas residents. I am currently active duty military. How can I have my out-of-state tuition waived so I can pay in-state tuition? Active duty military (including active reserves and National Guard) may have their out-of-state tuition waived to in-state tuition if they are stationed with a unit in Texas. To obtain this waiver, active duty military and their dependents must submit the Certification of Military Personnel Who Enroll at Texas Tech University form and submit it to Student Business Services. This form must be submitted each academic year of enrollment.

pg. 90

http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/apps/financialaid/tofa.cfm?Kind=W


Graduate Application Status Definitions and FAQ (cont.) What is the residency status for teachers, professors and their dependents? Teachers and professors employed at least half time on a regular monthly salary basis by any Texas public institution of higher education are entitled to pay the same tuition as a resident of Texas for themselves, their spouses, and their dependent children. This waiver of out-of-state tuition does not depend upon the length of residence in Texas as long as the effective date of employment for the teacher or professor is on or prior to the official census date of the relevant term(s). To obtain this waiver, such employees must submit, before each semester’s enrollment, the Nonresident/Foreign Tuition Exemption form certifying employment from the director of personnel or a designated representative of the institution of higher education by which he or she is employed. This provision applies to eligible teachers and professors and their dependents no matter which Texas public institution of higher education they may attend. It is the intent of this rule that employment be for the duration of the period of enrollment for which a waiver is awarded. Such requests at Texas Tech University should be directed to Student Business Services. The student will remain classified as a non-resident on the mainframe database as this exception is a result of a waiver of tuition to in-state rates. I am a student employed as a teaching or research assistant. Am I eligible to pay in-state tuition? Teachers and professors employed at least half time on a regular monthly salary basis by any Texas public institution of higher education are entitled to pay the same tuition as a resident of Texas for themselves, their spouses, and their dependent children. This waiver of out-of-state tuition does not depend upon the length of residence in Texas as long as the effective date of employment for the teacher or professor is on or prior to the official census date of the relevant term(s). To obtain this waiver, such employees must submit, before each semester’s enrollment, the Nonresident/Foreign Tuition Exemption form certifying employment from the director of personnel or a designated representative of the institution of higher education by which he or she is employed. This provision applies to eligible teachers and professors and their dependents no matter which Texas public institution of higher education they may attend. It is the intent of this rule that employment be for the duration of the period of enrollment for which a waiver is awarded. Such requests at Texas Tech University should be directed to Student Business Services. The student will remain classified as a non-resident on the mainframe database as this exception is a result of a waiver of tuition to in-state rates.

pg. 91


Acceptable Credentials for Graduate Admissions

pg. 92


Acceptable Credentials for Graduate Admissions (cont.)

pg. 93



pg. 94



pg. 95



pg. 96



pg. 97



pg. 98



pg. 99



pg. 100



pg. 101



pg. 102



pg. 103



pg. 104



pg. 105


Glossary

pg. 106


Glossary (cont.)

pg. 107


Glossary (cont.)

pg. 108


Glossary (cont.)

pg. 109


Glossary (cont.)

pg. 110


Glossary (cont.)

pg. 111


Frequently Asked Questions 1. I don’t have access to the Student Folder in Xtender. How can I get it?

Completion of the FERPA workshop is a pre-requisite prior to gaining access to the Xtender system. To complete a FERPA workshop; contact Rachel Galley ([email protected]) to set up a workshop. If you have already completed the FERPA workshop, you will need to submit a BUG request to EAS to have Xtender added to your security. How to submit a BUG request for Xtender

· Go to… http://bugs.itis.ttu.edu o Log in using your eRaider username/password o Click on Enter a new bug report o Click on Banner Enterprise Products o Click on EAS: Enterprise Application Security (EAS) Support

§ In the Component window · Scroll down and Highlight Xtender

§ In the Summary Box · Type in Xtender Access Requested

§ In the Description Box · Type in …

o Your Name o Department o Oracle ID o eRaider Username

§ Click the Commit button § You will receive an email from the EAS team

2. I have access to view Xtender, but the website keeps shutting down. Why?

Typically, there are two reasons why this may happen. First, the Google toolbar’s pop-up blocker must be disabled, as it will immediately close your internet browser window if you try to view a document in Xtender. Second, you may not have all the ActiveX controls installed to be able to view documents. You can contact IT Help Central (742-4357) for assistance installing these files.

3. What is FERPA? FERPA is an acronym for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974; it is sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment. This federal law governs the access and release of student education records maintained by Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. TTU provides FERPA training in conjunction with Banner training. You can register for the class on the TTU Administration and Finance Information System Management website (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/afism/AFISMClassRegistration/ClassCatalog.aspx). Additional information is available at http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/CampusCrime/buckleyamendment.asp.

pg. 112


http://bugs.itis.ttu.edu/

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/afism/AFISMClassRegistration/ClassCatalog.aspx

http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/CampusCrime/buckleyamendment.asp


Frequently Asked Questions (cont.) 4. How can I get access to the Graduate Application Review Page?

Please see page 24 for this answer.

5. Why don’t my worksheets have GRE/GMAT scores anymore?

Per the January 2007 decision by the Graduate Council, the Office of Graduate Admissions no longer requires GRE or GMAT scores as part of our admission requirements; a copy of the meeting notes is available online (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/docs/facstaff/gcminutes/Min0118_07.pdf). Our advisors will defer files when all Graduate Admissions requirements for evaluation are met. These worksheets may or may not already contain GRE/GMAT scores. However, the worksheet will auto-populate with that information when it arrives, so you can print out a new worksheet with scores from the Graduate Application Review Page.

6. How often are official test scores received? Official GRE, GMAT and TOEFL scores are received electronically throughout the week and are uploaded into Axiom (a third-party program used to push electronic applications and test scores into Banner). We log into Axiom daily to push through test scores and ApplyTexas applications. IELTS, Pearson Test of English Academic, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English, and Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English results are manually entered when we receive them. IELTS and PTAE scores are not currently received electronically. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate sends a Test Results Form (TRF) to the Office of Graduate Admissions upon the test-taker’s request; an applicant can also submit a copy of his/her personal TRF. Our staff then logs into the IELTS TRF Verification website and verifies if the test scores are valid/genuine. If so, we will then manually enter the scores into Banner form SOATEST using the source code “HARD”. ELS completion certificates are received periodically throughout the year.

7. What is the minimum English proficiency score required for admission? We accept six measures of English proficiency. Our minimum required scores are listed below:

English Proficiency Measure Minimum Required Score TOEFL (Computer-Based Test) 550 TOEFL (Internet-Based Test) 79 IELTS (Academic Version) 6.5 Overall Band Score Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English B Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English C Pearson Test of English Academic 60 ELS Certificate of Completion Level 112

pg. 113

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/docs/facstaff/gcminutes/Min0118_07.pdf


Frequently Asked Questions (cont.) 8. What are the institution codes for the GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, and IELTS tests?

The GRE and TOEFL institution codes are 6827. There is no institution code for the IELTS or PTAE tests; test-takers are able to choose TTU from a drop-down menu when they take the exam or request additional Test Result Forms. There is no institutional code for Cambridge results. There are six GMAT codes for TTU:

GFS-3F-17 – Master’s in Accounting GFS-3F-64 – PhD Program in B A GFS-3F-24 – MBA, Flexible Part-Time GFS-3F-96 – MS in B A GFS-3F-05 – MBA, Full Time GFS-3F-29 – Other Programs

9. What types of international credentials are accepted for admission to graduate programs?

A list of acceptable credentials for graduate admission is available in the appendix to this document or on our website (http://www.gradschool.ttu.edu).

10. How can applicants check their application status online? An applicant can check their status online via the Applications tab on the Raiderlink portal (http://raiderlink.ttu.edu/). An applicant is sent an eRaider activation email within 1-2 weeks of their application uploading into Banner. This email instructs them how to activate their eRaider account, and it also gives them a link to the Application Status Check Frequently Asked Questions. Applicants who have previously been enrolled at Texas Tech University but are not now attending may not receive an eRaider activation email. If they do not, they need to contact IT Help Central ([email protected]; 806-742-4357) to request that a new one be created. Our office does not have any involvement in the creation of eRaider activations.

11. What is the International Teaching Assistant workshop, and why does my new international TA have to take it? Isn’t their English proficiency test score enough? The current International Teaching Assistant (ITA) workshop was created in response to the passage of Texas Education Code Chapter 51.917 (available online at http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.51.htm#51.917), which regulates the use of English by faculty members at Texas public higher education institutions. This statute requires faculty members (including ITAs) to achieve a satisfactory score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or another approved test, and it also requires institutions to provide a program or short course to meet the needs of those faculty members (including ITAs) who do not achieve a satisfactory TSE score. In addition to the state mandate, TTU Operating Policies 64.03 and 32.19 require that ITAs and international graduate part-time instructors (GPTIs) whose native language is not English participate in the annual ITA workshop. Only those ITAs and international GPTIs who are certified by the ITA workshop faculty as classroom ready will be allowed to teach; those who are not certified as classroom ready will be required to take additional English proficiency training before assuming teaching responsibilities.

pg. 114


http://raiderlink.ttu.edu/


http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.51.htm%2351.917


Frequently Asked Questions (cont.) 12. What are the deadlines for applications?

There are no deadlines for domestic applicants. The preferred deadlines for domestic applicants are June 1st (Fall), September 1st (Spring), and March 1st (Summer). Priority deadlines for international applicants are January 15th (Fall and Summer) and June 15th (Spring). International applications may be submitted after those dates, but we cannot guarantee that late applications will be processed in time to allow admitted applicants to make any necessary visa/travel arrangements.

13. Does the Office of Graduate Admissions issue acceptance letters? Yes. Acceptance letters for newly admitted graduate students will appear on the applicant’s application status in Raiderlink the instant that the acceptance decision is entered in Banner. Students will see a “Letter of Acceptance” link. When clicked, the acceptance letter will open as an Adobe PDF document in a new window. We do not issue denial letters.

14. Where are the Graduate Admissions forms located? Graduate Admissions forms are available on our website (http://www.gradschool.ttu.edu) or in hard copy form in our office in Administration Room 328.

15. What do the status codes mean in Banner and Cognos reports?

Application Status Decision Status C – Complete AD – Student Admitted PE – Pending D – Decision Made CD – Student Admitted

Conditionally RJ – Denied Admission

I – Incomplete DD – Referred to Department RL – Denied/Low English Proficiency

FE – Application Fee Needed WA – Withdrawn After Acceptance

GD – Graduate Admit WB – Withdrawn Before Decision

NF – Need Financial Guarantee WS – Waiting for Test Scores

pg. 115



Frequently Asked Questions (cont.) 16. Which form does an applicant/student need to submit to modify their application?

That depends on what kind of modification the applicant/student needs to make. a. The Request to Change the Current Study Objective form is designed for graduate applicants

who are not currently enrolled as graduate students and who wish to add to or change their study objective or level of study.

b. The Request to Change the Initial Entry Date form is designed for applicants who have applied within the last 3 semesters but have not attended and wish to change the initial entry date on their application. Both domestic and international applicants can use this form.

c. The Request to be Re-Admitted form is designed for Tech graduate students not currently enrolled but who have attended the Graduate School within the last 3 semesters. However, if the student has not attended graduate classes for more than 3 semesters, a new Admission Application and a new application fee is required.

17. What is an I-20? An I-20 is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security document issued by TTU that provides supporting information for the issuance of a student visa or change of status (F, J and M non-immigrant statuses). There are two kinds of I-20s: student and dependent. Students can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before their report date. They must arrive by their report date. If they will be late, they must notify us as soon as possible. An I-20 is not a contract between the department and the student. Departments can withdraw any or all financial assistance awarded to a student, even if that amount is on their I-20. If aid is withdrawn before the student arrives, please notify both the student and us in writing. We will amend the official I-20 record, but a new I-20 will not need to be issued.

18. What is a visa? A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission from the U.S. immigration officer to enter the United States. It does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A student can be denied entry at the port of entry. Most of our int’l students will receive an F-1 non-immigrant visa. However, there are numerous visa categories in which study is allowed. Please contact us if you have any questions.

19. One of my distance education students has a bacterial meningitis hold. Why? How can it be cleared? Students are exempted from the bacterial meningitis hold if their campus/site locations are coded as “TTU Distance Education”. This is why it is vital for prospective students to choose the correct location on their applications. If your student’s location is coded as TLB, that is why they have the hold. Please submit an email request to [email protected] requesting the location code be updated. If your student contacts us, we will confirm with you that the student’s code should be changed before making any changes to the matriculation.

pg. 116


graduate admissions manual

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