Graduate Admissions

Achieve Your Ambitions at Salve Regina

Launch your journey to a graduate education by applying to one of Salve Regina University’s degree or certificate programs. We offer master’s degrees, four-course certificate programs and three doctoral degrees that encompass the fields of business, leadership, administration of justice, counseling, healthcare administration, nursing and international relations. To accommodate students’ schedules, many of our graduate programs are offered in flexible formats that include evening classes, online coursework or low-residency programs.

Graduate Admission Requirements

Choose your intended graduate program below to learn about the application process and required materials. There is no fee to apply, and you may begin your online application at any time by creating an account on our graduate application page.

Applications must be completed within one year of initial submission or individuals may be required to resubmit materials. All application materials become a permanent and confidential part of University records and are not returned.

Master’s Degree Programs

Our master’s degree programs are designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or an equivalent degree from a nationally accredited college or university outside the United States.

General Requirements

To apply for one of Salve Regina’s master’s degrees, the general application requirements are:

  • A completed online application.
  • Official transcripts from each college or university attended. "Official” means it must come to us directly from the school.
  • A personal statement.
  • A current resume.

Program-Specific Requirements

Students currently enrolled in one of Salve Regina's bachelor's or master's programs should complete the application form designed for internal candidates.

For the behavior analysis program, application deadlines are:

  • Feb. 15 - priority deadline for fall admission
  • July 1 - regular deadline for fall admission

The application deadline is March 1 for summer admission, July 1 for fall admission and Nov. 1 for spring admission. For the clinical counseling programs, applicants must submit two professional letters of recommendation from faculty and/or work supervisors who can attest to their ability to be successful in graduate studies.

For the Newport MFA in creative writing, applicants must submit a writing sample. For those interested in fiction or nonfiction, we accept up to 6,500 words (20-25 pages) of prose. For those interested in poetry, we accept up to 10 pages. Applicants may submit fewer pages or multiple short pieces that add up to 6,500 words. The application deadline is May 1 for the summer cohort and Nov. 15 for the spring cohort (January start).

Applicants to the nursing program must provide a copy of their RN license. Evidence of successful completion of three credits in statistics is an additional program-specific requirement. The credits must have been completed within the past eight years and resulted in a grade of C or better.

Program of Study

Upon acceptance to a master’s program, an individualized program of study will be developed, which may include transfer credits from other institutions or a six-credit thesis option under appropriate faculty direction. Details for a graduate thesis are established prior to registration and in consultation with the thesis supervisor and program director.

Dual-Degree Program

Graduate students at Salve Regina may design a dual-degree master's program based on career interests and educational goals. Applicants must receive permission from the program directors and the dean. The dual-degree program offers a common set of core courses, making it possible to earn two master’s degrees with fewer credits than if earned separately.

Second Master’s Degree

Students who have earned a master's degree from Salve Regina and wish to complete a second master's degree may petition the appropriate program director. Upon approval, the required credits for the second degree may be reduced to 30 credit hours. This option may not be available for programs with accreditation or licensing requirements.

Doctoral Programs

Prospective students interested in one of Salve Regina's four doctoral programs should apply through graduate admissions.

Individuals with a master's degree in behavior analysis are encouraged to apply. Individuals without a master's degree in behavior analysis should apply to Salve Regina's M.S. in behavior analysis program. Students who are pursuing the M.S. in behavior analysis are eligible to complete an internal application for the Ph.D. program near the completion of their master's program.

Application requirements:

  • Completed online application 
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each college or university attended. “Official” means it must come to us directly from the school.
  • Current resume or CV
  • Personal statement describing interest and experience in behavior analysis
  • Research proposal form (available upon request or within the application portal) 
  • Two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty or clinical supervisors who can speak to the applicant's technical knowledge of behavior analytic research and practice

Applicants who are potentially eligible for the program will be asked to complete an interview process for further evaluation.

For the Ph.D. in behavior analysis, application deadlines are:

  • Feb. 15 - priority deadline for fall admission
  • May 1 - regular deadline for fall admission

Individuals with a master's degree who are highly motivated to explore the relationship between humanities and technology are encouraged to apply.

Application requirements:

  • Completed online application.
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each college or university attended, including proof of an accredited master's degree with a GPA of 3.30 or higher. “Official” means it must come to us directly from the school.
  • Personal statement.
  • Two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty who have taught the applicant, that address the applicant's ability to succeed in doctoral studies.
  • 15-page paper completed for a master’s-level course.
  • Online writing sample.
  • Current resume.
  • Applicants who successfully pass a first-round application review may be selected for interview at the discretion of the admissions committee.

For the low-residency Ph.D. in humanities, the application deadline is July 1 for fall.

Individuals with a master's degree granted by an English-speaking institution and at least five years of relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply.

Application requirements:

  • Completed online application.
  • Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each college or university attended, including proof of an accredited master’s degree. “Official” means it must come to us directly from the school.
  • Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty who have taught the applicant, that address the applicant’s ability to succeed in doctoral studies.
  • Current resume.
  • Applicants who successfully pass a first-round application review may be selected for interview at the discretion of the admissions committee.

For the Ph.D. in international relations, the application deadlines are July 1 for fall admission, Nov. 1 for spring admission and March 1 for summer admission.

Individuals with a master’s degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 are encouraged to apply.

Application requirements:

  • Completed online application.
  • Official transcripts for baccalaureate and master’s degrees in nursing from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 3.0, along with all other official transcripts in which collegiate credit was obtained. “Official” means it must come to us directly from the school.
  • Evidence of completion of three credits in statistics and three credits in a master's-level advanced research course. These credits must have been completed within the past eight years and resulted in a grade of C or better.
  • Signed attestation from master's program showing the number of clinical hours completed.
  • Copy of unencumbered RN license or eligibility for RN licensure in the state of Rhode Island (license will need to be obtained prior to any clinical experiences).
  • Copy of unencumbered APRN license and certification (if applicable).
  • Personal statement relating doctoral study and research expectations to professional goals.
  • Portfolio (include curriculum vitae/resume) that includes a description of current and past clinical practice as well as any presentations and/or publications.
  • Interview with a member of the graduate nursing admissions committee.

Applicants may have the opportunity to take two non-matriculating courses while their applications are being reviewed. Please contact the program director for more information.

Certificate Programs

Salve Regina's certificate programs are ideal for those who want to pursue focused study on a particular topic to meet personal or professional goals.

The Certificate of Graduate Studies is designed for students who hold a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited institution.

Application requirements:

  • Completed online application.
  • Official transcripts from each previous college or university attended. "Official” means it must come to us directly from the school.
  • Current resume.

Students who wish to continue beyond the certificate by entering a master's program should contact the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. For students who are accepted into a master's program, courses already completed for the certificate program may be applied to the master's degree consistent with University policy.

Students who are currently enrolled in one of Salve Regina's master's programs should complete the application form designed for internal candidates.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) is designed for students who hold a master's degree from an accredited institution and are seeking advanced knowledge within their field of study. Students should consult with the program director before pursuing this certificate regarding the appropriate program for their career interests.

Application requirements:

  • Completed online application.
  • Official transcripts from each college or university attended. "Official” means it must come to us directly from the school.
  • Personal statement.
  • Current resume.
  • Two professional letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty and/or work supervisors who can attest to the applicant’s ability to be successful in graduate studies.

Students who are currently enrolled in one of Salve Regina's master's degrees should apply using the application form designed for internal candidates. Counseling applicants are required to interview with the program director prior to full acceptance to the program.

Licensure in Mental Health Counseling

Students who are seeking licensure as a mental health counselor through the completion of a CAGS must confirm with the licensing board in the state in which they wish to practice that at least 42 credits from their previous master's degree are eligible toward licensure in mental health counseling.

Students must also confirm one of the following:

  • You are currently working in the mental health field and graduated from your previous master's degree program 10 or fewer years ago.
  • You are not currently working in the mental health field but graduated from your previous master's degree program six or fewer years ago.

International Applicants

Please note: At this time, Salve Regina does not process I-20s for international students so they are only eligible to enroll online from their home country

Admission requirements for each graduate program vary, however, all international applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and provide an undergraduate record that reflects their ability to be successful in graduate studies.

International students who intend to apply for an F-1 student visa should complete their application by July 1 for fall admission and Nov. 1 for spring admission. For more information, email the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at graduate_studies@salve.edu.

Students who attended a college or university outside the United States should have their official transcript(s) translated into English and the credits evaluated by a recognized agency such as World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. When making your request to the evaluating agency, provide instructions to include your transcript(s), along with the completed evaluation, when it is sent to our office.

Physical evaluations of international education credentials should be directed to Admissions - Graduate and Professional Studies, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave., Newport, RI 02840. Digital evaluations should be sent by the evaluating agency to graduate_studies@salve.edu.

Students whose native language is not English must submit the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Admission to the graduate programs requires a minimum iBT of 100 or IELTS of 7.0. The TOEFL and IELTS may be waived for applicants who have earned a degree from a U.S. college or university or an overseas university where the primary language of instruction is English.

Salve Regina does not offer graduate student housing, employment, assistantships, scholarships or financial aid of any kind for international students.

Students who do not hold U.S. citizenship need to obtain an F-1 visa to study in the United States or have their immigration status transferred if already in the United States. For more information, contact the Center for Global Education and Fellowships at +1 (401) 341-2372 or iss@salve.edu.

Meet Our Admission Counselors

If you have questions about the graduate admissions process or if you're looking to speak with someone about one of our graduate and professional studies programs, please contact our admissions counselors for a one-on-one experience.

Graduate Admission Events and Webinars

graduate admission events

To learn more about applying to one of Salve Regina's master's degree, certificate or doctoral programs, check out our webinars offered throughout the year. Webinars provide more information about the academic experience, distinct learning opportunities and alumni success, and we welcome you to ask questions to our admissions counselors and faculty/program directors. If you'd like to be notified directly of future webinars for your program of interest, please complete our request for information form.

Learn More About Graduate Admissions

Salve Regina University provides students with transformative master’s, doctoral and professional studies programs that expand their scholarship and further their visionary ambitions.

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