Inquire
Visit
Apply
Inquire
Visit
Apply
Bluefield College



Experience
Academics
Admissions
Athletics
News & Events
About
Canvas
myBU
Campus Store
Directory
Alumni
Giving

Inquire  Visit  Apply

Home > Admissions > Graduate Admissions > Graduate Admission Requirements

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:

  1. Earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. 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.)
  3. Earned a minimum GPA of:
    • Overall 3.0
    • Science 3.0
  4. 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.

  1. Complete the online application for admission.
  2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
  4. Possess a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Students with a GPA below 2.75 may apply for probationary admission status.
  5. Submit three positive letters of recommendation.
  6. Have two years of current work experience.
  7. 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:

  1. Complete an online application for admission.
  2. Hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
  4. 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
  5. Hold an unencumbered RN license in a U.S. jurisdiction.
  6. Submit three satisfactory recommendations:
    • Two professional recommendations from nursing colleagues
    • One personal recommendation
  7. Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of registered nurse experience (equivalent to one year of full-time clinical experience).
  8. Submit a written personal statement of goals and objectives (two pages, APA style).
  9. Submit a current curriculum vita or resume.
  10. 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:

  1. Complete an online application for admission.
  2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. 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.
  4. Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
  5. Submit official transcripts showing any completed graduate coursework at any institution attended.
  6. Submit three satisfactory recommendations.
  7. Submit a written personal statement (two pages, double-spaced).
  8. Submit a current curriculum vitae/resume.
  9. 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:

  1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. Possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher for the conferred degree.
  3. Complete an online application for admission.
  4. Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:

  1. Complete an online application for admission.
  2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  3. Possess a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher for the conferred degree.
  4. Submit an official undergraduate transcript showing the degree conferred and the major completed.
  5. Submit official transcript/s showing any completed graduate coursework.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Quick Links

Career Services

Meet Your Counselor

Financial Aid

Academic Programs

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Moran

Associate Professor of Counseling

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education & Counseling,
Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program,
Title IX Confidential Counselor

Our team is here for you! How can we help?

This form requires credentials in order to request information.