- Apply for Admission
If you apply online, we will waive the $35 application fee.
- Request that one official transcript reflecting your highest degree conferred be sent to:
Hood College Graduate School
401 Rosemont Ave.
Frederick, MD 21701-8575
Transcript request form
Students holding a doctoral degree may submit a letter from their employer verifying their degree in lieu of submitting transcripts. Please note that certain programs require the submission of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
- To ensure timely review of applications and enrollment, students are strongly encouraged to apply and submit all required supplemental documents by the following deadlines:
• July 15 for fall semester
• Dec. 1 for spring semester
• May 1 for summer terms
Any applications to become complete after the deadlines may be reviewed on a space- and time-permitting basis. Late applications may be deferred for review for the following semester. International students requiring Visas must adhere to these deadlines to be considered for the semester of choice.
Program Specific Application Requirements
The Graduate School welcomes applications from qualified candidates holding a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. GRE or GMAT exams are not required. Due to state regulations for teacher certification, international students are not eligible to apply to the following graduate programs: Educational Leadership (M.S. and 18-credit certification preparation), Reading Specialization, Curriculum and Instruction.
The following degree or certificate programs have additional application requirements:
- Biomedical Science (M.S.)
Students applying for the Biomedical Science program must complete an essay that includes the student's matriculation intent, future goals and relevance of work experience. All official transcripts must be submitted. Students are only eligible to apply to this program if they have completed and earned a grade of C or higher in the following undergraduate coursework: Microbiology, Organic Chemistry (2 semesters), Pre-Calculus, Genetics (upper level equivalent to BIOL 316 at Hood) and Cell Biology (upper level equivalent to BIOL 339 at Hood).
- Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Students applying for the M.B.A. program must complete an essay of 250 words or less that includes background experience and future goals. All official transcripts must be submitted. Students whose cumulative GPA from their conferring institution is below 3.0 must also submit a résumé and two letters of recommendation, which can be emailed to the Graduate School at gofurther@hood.edu.
- Ceramic Arts (Certificate)
Submit an essay detailing your experiences in clay and your art background, as well as your goals for entering the program. Submit a portfolio of 10-20 images of your work. Slides are preferable. Students are encouraged to contact the program coordinator, Joyce Michaud, jmichaud@hood.edu.
- Ceramic Arts (M.A.)
Candidates for the M.A. program must have obtained a prior baccalaureate degree, B.A. or B.F.A. as a studio arts major or equivalent training in ceramic arts. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended; two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with recent work; a personal statement that describes goals in entering the program and a portfolio of 20 300dpi digital images, on CD, accompanied by an artist statement about the portfolio and an image list stating title of work, medium, size and dates of completion.
- Ceramic Arts (M.F.A.)
Submit all official transcripts. All applicants should submit a portfolio of no more than 20 images submitted as 35mm slides or 300dpi digital images; a slide/image index with written objectives for the body of work; a résumé; an essay (no more than 500 words) discussing how the M.F.A. relates to previous experience, current direction, career and academic goals and two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's recent work. An interview and portfolio review with the program director is also required.
- Computer Science (M.S.)
All official transcripts and a résumé/CV that provides educational and professional experience with specific information about mathematics background, programming background, if any, and technical skills must be submitted. Applicants should also provide a statement of purpose indicating their motivation for choosing the program and the goals they hope to achieve through completing it.
- Curriculum and Instruction (M.S.)
Qualified applicants will be contacted to arrange for an interview and essay (required).
- Educational Leadership (M.S. and certification preparation)
Students applying to the Educational Leadership program must also submit a recommendation letter from their current supervisor, which can be emailed to the Graduate School at gofurther@hood.edu. Qualified applicants will be contacted to arrange for an interview and essay (required).
- Environmental Biology
Students applying for the Environmental Biology program must complete an essay of 500 words or less that includes background experience and future goals. All official transcripts must be submitted. Two letters of recommendation are suggested but not required.
- Gero Certificate
Submit an official transcript from the institution where the highest degree was conferred. Students applying for the certificate in Gerontology program must also submit a resume and a formal essay of no more than 500 words, describing background experience and future goals. The quality of the essay’s content and structure carries considerable weight in determining admission to this program.
- Human Sciences (M.A.)
Submit one official transcript reflecting the highest degree conferred. Submit a written statement of goals. The quality of the personal statement’s content and structure carries considerable weight in determining admission to this program.
- Humanities (M.A.)
Students applying for the M.A. in Humanities program must complete a formal essay of no more than 500 words, discussing how this degree relates both to previous academic experience and to their occupational or personal goals, and identifying a proposed area of study within the program. The quality of the essay’s content and structure carries considerable weight in determining admission to this program. Official transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted. While the cumulative GPA is a significant factor in the application review, a candidate’s record of humanities courses will be closely examined. Some students may be required to provide additional information, such as a recommendation letter and/or a phone interview with the program director.
- Information Security (Certificate)
This program is designed for students who have a solid background in Computer Science or Information Technology, either through formal study or professional experience. All official transcripts and a résumé/CV that provides educational and professional experience with specific information about mathematics background, programming background, if any, and technical skills must be submitted. Applicants should also provide a statement of purpose indicating their motivation for choosing the program and the goals they hope to achieve through completing it.
- Information Technology(M.S.)
All official transcripts and a résumé/CV that provides educational and professional experience with specific information about mathematics background, programming background, if any, and technical skills must be submitted. Applicants should also provide a statement of purpose indicating their motivation for choosing the program and the goals they hope to achieve through completing it.
- Management of Information Technology (M.S)
All official transcripts and a résumé/CV that provides educational and professional experience with specific information about mathematics background, programming background, if any, and technical skills must be submitted. Applicants should also provide a statement of purpose indicating their motivation for choosing the program and the goals they hope to achieve through completing it.
- Mathematics Education (M.S.)
All official transcripts must be submitted. Students applying for the Mathematics Education program must complete a one-page statement describing how the M.S. in Mathematics Education relates to their previous academic and professional experience and to their occupational or personal goals.
- Reading Specialization (M.S)
Qualified applicants will be contacted to arrange for an interview and essay (required).
- Thanatology (M.A.)
Submit a written statement of goals and two letters of recommendation, which can be emailed to the Graduate School at gofurther@hood.edu. Qualified applicants will be contacted to arrange for an interview (required). The quality of the personal statement’s content and structure carries considerable weight in determining admission to this program.
- Regulatory Compliance (Certificate)
All official transcripts must be submitted.
- Secondary Mathematics Education (Certificate)
Submit an official transcript from the institution where the highest degree was conferred.
- Thanatology (Certificate)
Submit an official transcript from the institution where the highest degree was conferred.