Admission Requirements and Process
Which graduate Program Are You Interested In?
Qualified applicants for the Masters of Business Administration program must have graduated from an accredited baccalaureate program with a GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants will be required to provide the following:
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Business Administration. There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Teacher Preparation Programs
Designed for individuals possessing a bachelor's degree, regardless of major, who seek initial teaching licensure. Completion leads to an Illinois PEL (Professional Educator License) and a master's degree.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Teaching: Alternative Licensure - Early Childhood Education (Birth - Grade 2). There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Teaching: Alternative Licensure - Elementary Education (Grades 1-6). There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Teaching: Alternative Licensure - Middle Level Education (Grades 5-8). There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Teaching: Alternative Licensure - Secondary Education (Grades 9-12). There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education (Grades 1-6). There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Education: Secondary Education. There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Special Education. On your application, choose the Not Yet Licensed option if pursuing this program for your initial licensure or choose the Already Licensed option if already have a license for regular ed and now pursuing credential to teach special ed. There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Teacher Enhancement Programs
Designed for Illinois licensed teachers who seek to "enhance" their educator credentials.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Early Childhood Special Education Letter of Approval. There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, initial licensure program institution if different than bachelor degree granting institution, and possibly additional institutions' transcripts if determined necessary after receipt of your application.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
This is the application requirements for the Master of Arts in Education Dual Endorsement LBS I and Bilingual/ESL.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Arts in Education: Dual Endorsement LBS1 and Bilingual/ESL. There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, initial licensure program institution if different than bachelor degree granting institution, and possibly additional institutions' transcripts if determined necessary after receipt of your application.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Graduate Endorsement: ESL/Bilingual. There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, initial licensure program institution if different than bachelor degree granting institution, and possibly additional institutions' transcripts if determined necessary after receipt of your application.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Graduate Endorsement: Special Education - Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1). There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, initial licensure program institution if different than bachelor degree granting institution, and possibly additional institutions' transcripts if determined necessary after receipt of your application.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Qualified applicants for the Masters of Science in Exercise Science program must have graduated from an accredited baccalaureate program with a GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applicants will be required to provide the following:
- A completed Graduate Student Application for Master of Science in Exercise Science. There is no application fee. After submitting your application, you will receive an automated confirmation email within 24 hours (check your spam). Within several business days, a representative from the Office of Graduate Admission will reach out to discuss next steps and inform you how to have your official transcripts submitted.
- Official transcript(s) from bachelor degree granting institution, plus any other institution where undergraduate or graduate coursework was completed and regardless of whether a degree was completed.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
MSES students may request credit transfer for courses completed at other accredited institutions prior to enrollment at Saint Xavier University. Subject to faculty approval, a maximum of six credit hours of non-clinical courses earned elsewhere may be accepted toward completion of graduate degree requirements in the MSES program. This request must be made formally, in writing, after the student's admission into the graduate program. See the Saint Xavier University graduate academic catalog for further details.
Registered nurses with a BSN who are interested in advancing their career are eligible to apply to our online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program or Nurse Educator (NE) program. Registered nurses with a BSN and MSN can apply for one of the Post-Master's Certificate programs.
Our graduate nursing programs begin once per year (the fall term which begins in August). The application deadline date is typically a date in mid-July, but it may vary and so we strongly encourage you to contact our Office of Graduate Admission for details. Completed applications, however, are reviewed on a rolling basis year-round. As such, the sooner a candidate completes the application process, the sooner the candidate can receive a decision.
For more information about the application process and admission requirements, please select the Admission Requirements tab below or contact the Office of Graduate Admission at graduateadmissionFREESXU or 773-298-3053.
Qualified applicants for the MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program must have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
Qualified applicants for the Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program must have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited master's in nursing program.
For either Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Special consideration will be given to applicants whose transcripts indicate high performance in science coursework and/or graduate level coursework.
- Graduate Student Application. There is no application fee.
- Applications are currently being accepted only from Illinois, northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin.
- Copy of U.S. RN license
- Must have a minimum one year's worth of full-time work experience as a registered nurse (RN) by the time program begins.
- Official transcript(s) sent directly from the Registrar of all colleges, universities and professional schools attended including accredited baccalaureate degree-granting college/university and all graduate level coursework, to graduateadmissionFREESXU.
- Applicants may be asked to complete an interview with faculty.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Qualified applicants for the MSN: Nurse Educator (NE) program must have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
Qualified applicants for the Post-Master's Nurse Educator (NE) program must have graduated from an ACEN or CCNE accredited master's in nursing program.
For either Nurse Educator (NE) program, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Special consideration will be given to applicants whose transcripts indicate high performance in science coursework and/or graduate level coursework.
- Graduate Student Application. There is no application fee.
- Copy of U.S. RN license
- Must have a minimum one year's worth of full-time work experience as a registered nurse (RN) by the time program begins.
- Official transcript(s) sent directly from the Registrar of all colleges, universities and professional schools attended including accredited baccalaureate degree-granting college/university and all graduate level coursework, to graduateadmissionFREESXU.
- Applicants may be asked to complete an interview with faculty.
- Additional documents may be required as part of the application/admission process. If this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Request an information packet for any graduate nursing program.
Before beginning courses, applicants must provide all of the following:
- Physical Examination
- Titers
- Tetanus
- Annual TB Screen
- Influenza Immunization
- Current BLS certification for Health Care Providers
- Complete Immunization Record
Additionally, students are required to test negative for drugs in a 12 panel drug screening prior to beginning their clinical experience and as required by clinical agencies. The University and School of Nursing reserve the right to require random drug screenings based upon reasonable suspicion.
Students are responsible for completing and clearing a criminal background check as a condition of admission to the nursing program and must do so annually thereafter. In addition, all students have an ongoing duty to report any violations of this policy and/or state and/or federal law.
Family Nurse Practitioner Applicants
Your statement should be clear and succinct, double-spaced, 1-2 pages in length and should respond to the following topics:
- How your previous education, experience and professional interests have prepared you to be successful in the FNP program.
- Your professional goals and how completing the FNP track will help you meet your professional goals.
- Your understanding of the primary care nurse practitioner role and your intentions regarding service in primary care practice with underserved populations.
Nurse Educator Applicants
Your statement should be clear and succinct, double-spaced, 1-2 pages in length and should respond to the following topics:
- How your previous education, experience and professional interests have prepared you to undertake a graduate-level nursing leadership/educator program.
- Your rationale for the specialty track to which you are applying.
- Your professional goals upon completion of your MSN or post-master's certificate program.
Nursing students may request credit transfer for courses completed at other accredited institutions prior to enrollment at Saint Xavier University. Subject to faculty approval, a maximum of six credit hours of non-clinical courses earned elsewhere may be accepted toward completion of graduate degree requirements in nursing. This request must be made formally, in writing, after the student's admission into the graduate program. See the Saint Xavier University graduate academic catalog for further details.
The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program is designed for students who are interested in gaining hands-on experience with speech-therapy clients.
NOTE: Do not complete a Saint Xavier University application through the Saint Xavier University website! Only submit an application through CSDCAS.
Applicants to Saint Xavier University's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program must meet the following specific requirements in addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study at the University:
- Completion of an undergraduate major, or equivalent undergraduate course sequence,
in speech language pathology. Undergraduate preparation typically includes:
- coursework in biological and physical sciences, mathematics, behavioral and social sciences, statistics, linguistics and psycholinguistics
- basic human communication and swallowing processes, including: anatomy and physiology of speech, hearing and swallowing mechanisms; speech and hearing science; phonetics; normal language development; basic audiology; neurological bases of communication and swallowing
- introduction to developmental and acquired communication disorders, basic clinical methods and up to 50 hours of clinical practicum
- For CSDI "Majors," a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.2/4.0 is required. For "Non-Majors," the cum GPA from either your bachelor's degree or CSDI bridge courses must be 3.2/4.0. If you do not meet either of these GPA requirements, you will not be considered for admission.
- Three written recommendations from individuals able to comment on the applicant's academic and clinical achievements and potential for successful graduate study.
- Submission of a narrative regarding interest in the field.
In order to apply to the graduate program in communication sciences and disorders at Saint Xavier University, individuals must submit an online application through the communication sciences and disorders central application service (CSDCAS) only. Do not submit an application through Saint Xavier University's website. CSDCAS posts frequently asked questions on the applicant portal. You are encouraged to read the FAQs before submitting your application.
Important CSDCAS Information
- CSDCAS Application Portal
- You must have your application and all materials submitted directly to CSDCAS by January 15 in order to be considered for admission into the following fall. The SXU CSDCAS GRE code is 0755. We encourage you to submit your application to CSDCAS by December 31 to allow CSDCAS ample time to process your application, combine it with the required supplemental items, and prepare it for the admission committee.
- Your application and all supplemental items must reach CSDCAS by January 15 in order for you to be considered for admission. The admissions committee at SXU will not review any applicant's file whose application, three recommendations, narrative statement, GRE results, or official transcripts do not reach CSDCAS January 15.
- CSDCAS Customer Service Information is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST at 617-612-2030 or csdcasinfo@csdcas.org.
- Send official transcripts to:
CSDCAS Verification Department
P.O. Box 9113
Watertown, MA 02471
International students have additional application/admission requirements. See Supplementary Admission Criteria for International Students.
If your bachelor's degree is not in CSDI or speech-language pathology, you may still apply to our graduate SLP program. However, as a non-major, you will need to complete a specific set of CSDI coursework. Please see the Communication Sciences and Disorders Post-Baccalaureate Requirements page for more details.