Graduate Applicants

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Launch your journey to a graduate education by applying to one of our degree or certificate programs.

We offer master’s degrees, four-course certificate programs and doctoral degrees that encompass the fields of business, leadership, criminal justice, counseling, creative writing, healthcare administration, nursing and international relations. Most of our graduate programs are offered in flexible formats that include evening classes, online coursework or low-residency programs.

General Application Requirements 

To apply to one of our master’s, doctoral or certificate programs, the general 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.

There is no fee to apply, and you may begin your online application at any time. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, except for certain programs that have specific deadlines and additional application requirements as outlined below. Applications must be completed within one year of initial submission, or you may be required to resubmit materials. All application materials become a permanent and confidential part of University records and are not returned.

Currently a Student at Salve? 

Students who are currently enrolled in one of our bachelor's or master's programs should complete the application form designed for internal candidates. If you are a prospective undergraduate student, be sure to review our combined bachelor's/master's programs, which can save you time and money.

International Applicants

At this time, Salve does not process I-20s, therefore international students 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.

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

Master's Degree Program-Specific Application Requirements and Deadlines

Behavior Analysis
  • Dec. 15 - priority deadline for fall admission
  • July 1 - regular deadline for fall admission

Individuals without a master's degree in behavior analysis should apply to Salve'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.

Clinical Counseling
  • March 1 - summer admission deadline
  • July 1 - fall admission deadline
  • November 1 - spring admission deadline

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.

Newport MFA in Creative Writing
  • May 1 - summer admission deadline
  • November 15 - spring admission deadline (January start)

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.

Nursing

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.

Dual-Degree and Second Master’s Degree Options

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.

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.

Following Your Acceptance

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.

Doctoral Degree Program-Specific Application Requirements and Deadlines

Behavioral Analysis Ph.D.

Individuals must have a master's degree in behavior analysis to apply for the doctorate program.

Application Requirements:

  • 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 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
  • Deadlines: December 15 - priority deadline for fall admission; May 1 - regular deadline for fall admission
Humanities and Technology Ph.D.

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.
  • Deadline: July 1 for fall admission 
International Relations Ph.D.

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.
  • Deadlines: July 1 for fall admission; Nov. 1 for spring admission; March 1 for summer admission
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

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.

Learn more and apply here.

Certificate Program Deadlines and Requirements

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.

Certificate of Graduate Studies

This program 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.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies 

This program 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
  • Counseling applicants are required to interview with the program director prior to full acceptance to the program.

Seeking licensure as a mental health counselor?

Students who are seeking licensure through the completion of a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies 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.