Graduate Programs Admissions Requirements

Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences (MABS) Admission Requirements

Many criteria beyond your GPA play a role in the admissions process to the Master of Arts in Biomedical Science degree (MABS) program. Acceptance into the program is competitive. While our MABS program provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate an improved academic capability, it does not ensure admission to a professional school.

To be considered for admission, students must have:

Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Completed, with a grade of C or better prior to matriculation, the following undergraduate courses:
- Biological Sciences: One year with laboratory
- Physic: One year
- General or Inorganic Chemistry: One year
- Organic Chemistry: One year
- English: One year
  (Laboratories for physics, general or inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry are strongly encouraged for all applicants.)
Earned a minimum GPA of:
- Overall 3.0
- Science 3.0
Met the Bluefield University and VCOM Technical Standards for Admission and Continued Enrollment listed in the MABS Student Handbook.

While the MCAT is required to obtain admission to medical school, it is not required for admission to the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences program. Students who enter our program with an MCAT score of 496 or higher have an advantage because they will have met the MCAT component of the benchmarks and can focus solely on their coursework.

To apply to the Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences program, students must:
1. Complete the online application through the PostBacCAS portal.
2. Submit official, verified transcripts from all universities and/or colleges attended; these are to be submitted directly through the PostBacCAS portal.
3. Submit two letters of recommendation; these are to be submitted directly to the PostBacCAS portal by the letter writers.

Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program Admission Requirements

Admission to Bluefield University’s online MBA program is open to candidates who demonstrate the ability to perform on the graduate level and meet all of the requirements listed below. The GRE and GMAT exams are not required.

Complete the online application for admission.
Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
Possess a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Students with a GPA below 2.75 may apply for probationary admission status.
Submit three positive letters of recommendation.
Have two years of current work experience.
Show evidence of English proficiency for international students.

Online Hybrid Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSN program is competitive and open to candidates capable of performing at the graduate level and meet all of the following requirements:

Complete an online application for admission.
Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate program; this includes earning a grade of “C” or better in the undergraduate, 3-hour courses listed below. Prospective students with a GPA below 3.0 may apply through our holistic admission process.
- Nursing research
- Health assessment
- Pathophysiology
- Microbiology
- Statistics
Hold an unencumbered RN license in a U.S. jurisdiction.
Submit three satisfactory recommendations:
- Two professional recommendations from nursing colleagues
- One personal recommendation
Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of registered nurse experience (equivalent to one year of full-time clinical experience).
Submit a written personal statement of goals and objectives (two pages, APA style).
Submit a current curriculum vita or resume.
Attend an in-person interview with the School of Nursing faculty.

Post-master’s degree admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner or Leadership/Education certificate programs includes all the above requirements in addition to having a Master of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program.

Master of Arts in Counselor Education Admission Requirements

Admission to the hybrid online graduate program in counselor education is open to qualified candidates who meet all of the following requirements:

Complete an online application for admission.
Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Students with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 may apply for probationary admission status.
Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
Submit official transcripts showing any completed graduate coursework at any institution attended.
Submit three satisfactory recommendations.
Submit a written personal statement (two pages, double-spaced).
Submit a current curriculum vitae/resume.
Attend an in-person interview with the School of Education and Social Sciences faculty.

Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) Admissions Requirements

Admission to the MAEd program is limited to candidates capable of performing on the graduate level. Applicants must have the following:

Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher for the conferred degree.
Complete an online application for admission.
Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
Submit a copy of a valid professional teaching license.
- Prospective students with a valid professional teaching license from the state of Virginia may choose to have their license verified via the Virginia Department of Education website instead of submitting a copy to Bluefield University.
- Prospective students who wish to take courses in the program to complete requirements for a provisional license or to renew their teaching license should provide a copy of their provisional paperwork from the state or a copy of their expired license.
- Prospective students who do not have a valid teaching license, but who have the credentials for teaching in their chosen career, may be considered if the graduate coursework is mutually determined to be beneficial to their performance in that career.
Submit two positive recommendations from individuals who have observed the applicant in a classroom or professional setting, or have knowledge of their work ethic, academic abilities, and teaching proficiency.
Completed the Pre-Self-Assessment of Professional Temperament and Performance survey, including essays.

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Admission Requirements

Admission to the online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) graduate program is open to qualified candidates who meet the following requirements:

Complete an online application for admission.
Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher for the conferred degree.
Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
Submit official transcript/s showing any completed graduate coursework.
Receive two positive responses from either the Bluefield University web-based reference forms or submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who have observed the applicant in a classroom or professional setting or have knowledge of their work ethic, academic abilities, and teaching proficiency.
Have a valid professional teaching license and provide a copy of that license.
- Prospective students with a valid professional teaching license from the state of Virginia may choose to have their license verified via the Virginia Department of Education website instead of submitting a copy to Bluefield University.

Candidates applying for licensure must:

Have completed three years of successful, full-time experience in an accredited public or private school in an instructional personnel position that requires licensure in Virginia.
Pass a school leader’s assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education for all individuals who are seeking an initial endorsement authorizing them to serve as principals and assistant principals in the public schools. Individuals seeking an initial administration and supervision endorsement who are interested in serving as central office instructional personnel are not required to take and pass the school leader’s assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.