Find your perfect college degree
In this article, we will be covering...
Data Points
- A high school student’s grade point average (GPA)* is “five times stronger than their ACT scores at predicting college graduation.”
- Many graduate programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA** for admissions. More competitive programs generally admit applicants with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
- In Fall 2022, Education was the largest broad field for first-time graduate enrollment*** at 53.4%. Business and Health Sciences field follow at 32.2% and 31.1%, respectively.
Pursuing higher education can be tough if you have a low Grade Point Average (GPA) in your undergraduate degree or your past graduate-level courses, considering that prestigious graduate schools across the country typically require applicants to have a GPA of 3.0 (or B grade) on a 4.0 scale.
Fortunately, there are a few Universities and graduate degree programs that accept students with a low GPA of at least 2.0 (or C grade) as part of the admission requirements.
California University of Management and Sciences
California University of Management and Sciences offers its graduate programs to applicants who hold a related Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 2.0. Currently, CALUMS offers two traditional, on-campus Master’s degree programs, namely:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- MS in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS)
Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree related to the Master’s program they’re applying for will have to attend program prerequisite courses as determined by the Head of Academics.
Some of the other admission requirements include:
- Non-refundable $100 application fee
- Filled-out CALUMS application
- Official Bachelor’s degree transcripts and diploma/certificate
- Letter of Recommendation from business professionals with credentials or active members of the academe
CALUMS uses a holistic admissions process where applicants are evaluated based on their individual merits. Their academic and professional backgrounds are the foremost considerations.
Founded in 1998, CALUMS is a higher education institution with the goal of providing affordable, high-quality education combined with Christian values.
Graduate degree programs offered at CALUMS are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Merit University
California-based Merit University offers two graduate degree programs in the traditional, face-to-face learning format, namely:
- Master of Science in Management (MSM)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Both programs accept applicants with at least 2.0 cumulative GPA in their bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts are required as evidence.
Other admission requirements include:
- Non-refundable application fee of $100
- Completed Merit University application form
- A filled-out Financial Verification Form
- Current resume
- A copy of passport or other forms of valid identification
Applicants may also submit the following documents to boost their admission chances:
- A statement of purpose (at least 250 words highlighting their academic and work history, as well as their goals)
- A letter of recommendation from either an academic or professional referee
Merit University, a private nonprofit university, obtained approval for its MBA program from California’s Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. It aims to provide domestic and international students with a budget-friendly college education. Here, the emphasis is on exceptional professionalism and academics combined with community building and social development.
Merit University is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Underwood University
Underwood University, a TRACS member, has campuses in Georgia and California. The university offers graduate degree programs that accept applicants with at least a 2.0 GPA on their bachelor’s degree.
Among the post-baccalaureate programs offered are:
- Master of Arts in Intercultural Leadership
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies
- Master of Business Administration
- Master in Divinity
- Master of Fine Arts
Underwood also offers these post-graduate programs:
- Doctor of Business Administration
- PhD in Intercultural Global Leadership
Some of the University’s courses are available in online learning formats. In addition, the University’s traditional, in-person programs are also offered through its Distance Education platform.
Other admission requirements include the following:
- A non-refundable application fee of $100
- Filled-out admission application forms
- Signed and completed UU Forms, including Student Disclosure and Biblical Foundations Statement
- Official transcript(s)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal essay
Underwood University is a learning institution offering Christ-centered education. It aims to pass knowledge to its students, foster a sense of social responsibility, and nurture a passion for positive impact.
American InterContinental University
Headquartered in Arizona, American InterContinental University (AIU) offers online master’s degree programs via its AIU Online platform. These are in the fields of:
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Design
- Education
- Healthcare Management
- Information Technology
Applicants must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on their undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
Many of its online master’s degree programs are also available in its physical campuses including:
- Master of Business Administration (Atlanta and Houston campuses)
- Master of Science in Information Technology (Houston campus)
- Master in Healthcare Management (Atlanta and Houston campuses)
Its Master of Education degree program has a full accreditation status from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Furthermore, its business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
AIU is a component of the American InterContinental University System. The system itself has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Full Sail University
Most of the master’s degree programs offered by Full Sail University accept applicants with at least 2.0 cumulative GPA on their bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The exceptions are for the Game Design and Computer Science programs where at least a 2.5 GPA is required for admission purposes.
Full Sail offers online master’s degree programs, too. There are also on-campus programs at its Winter Park campus.
- Master of Science in Business Intelligence (Online)
- Master of Science in Digital Marketing (Online)
- Master of Fine Arts in Film Production (Campus)
- Master of Science in Entertainment Business (Online and Campus)
- Master of Science in Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Online)
Full Sail University has the following qualifications to offer graduate programs:
- Licensed by the Florida Education Department’s Commission for Independent Education (CIE) to award degrees at all levels, including Master’s degrees
- Acknowledged by the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to offer online programs to California residents
- National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) participant authorized to offer online education courses and programs to students in member states
- Active accreditation status from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
The University was founded in 1979 initially as a workshop for audio recording in Ohio. It relocated to its current location in Central Florida in 1989. It has since evolved as an institution offering degrees at all levels. It’s known for specializing in the constantly changing fields of emerging technologies and entertainment media.
Liberty University
Liberty University, a private evangelical Christian university, offers master’s degree programs in diverse fields. Students choose from on-campus, online, and hybrid programs. Many of these graduate degree programs welcome applicants with at least a 2.0 GPA on their bachelor’s degrees.
Among the popular programs are:
- MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling (online and on-campus)
- MS Psychology (on-campus)
- Master of Social Work (online and on-campus)
- MA in Pastoral Counseling (online and on-campus)
- MA Marriage and Family Counseling (on-campus)
- MA Human Services Counseling (online)
Liberty also offers graduate degree programs for applicants with a 2.0 GPA but on Academic Caution admission status.
- MA Visual Communication Design (online)
- MA Worship Studies (on-campus and online)
Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Many of its graduate programs also have programmatic accreditation including:
- The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for its Marriage and Family Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate degrees,
- The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for its graduate programs at the School of Divinity,
The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) for programs offered by the School of Music,
University of Illinois Springfield
University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), a public university, allows applicants with a 2.0 to 2.49 cumulative GPA to apply to its MS in Human Resource Management program. Note, however, that admission is on a case-to-case basis. Furthermore, applicants must have at least two years of relevant professional work experience in human resources to be considered.
Under UIS’s admission to graduate study policies, applicants must have at least 2.5 GPA on their bachelor’s degrees. Applicants must also meet other admission requirements to be considered for acceptance.
Among the programs classified as “no additional admission requirements” other than the University’s general criteria include:
- MS Cybersecurity Management
- MA Education
- MA Educational Leadership
- MS Finance
- MS Healthcare Informatics
- MS Management Information Systems
There are no specific GPA requirements for admission into the MS Data Analytics program. But applicants must submit a personal and academic statement. It must highlight their ability to perform at a high academic level.
UIS holds active accreditation status with the HLC. Other official recognition are from these bodies:
- Illinois State Board of Education
- Network of Schools of PPAA
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
University of Dallas
University of Dallas – Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business maintains robust corporate partnerships that benefit its students. The Bank of America partnership offers the bank’s employees and their spouses and children the opportunity to earn a graduate business degree at UD. The foremost admission requirement is a bachelor’s degree with at least 2.0 cumulative GPA.
UD’s wide range of graduate programs include:
- Master in Business Administration (100% online)
- MBA with Concentration (100% online)
- MS Cybersecurity (100% online)
- MS Accounting
- MS Business Analytics
- MS Cyber Intelligence
- MS Financial Analytics
- MS Finance
Applicants with graduate-level courses must have at least 3.0 GPA on these courses. There are no GMAT requirements.
The Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business has been granted accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for its programs.
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University, a private university known for its excellent online programs, has a provisional acceptance policy. Applicants with at least 2.0 cumulative GPA on their bachelor’s degrees may be accepted on a provisional basis. Full acceptance requires at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA on a bachelor’s degree.
SNHU offers a wide range of online Master’s degree programs, including the following:
- MS Accounting
- MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- MS Applied Economics
- MS Criminal Justice
- Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Education
- MS Data Analytics
- MS in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- MS Healthcare Administration
- MA History
- MS Information Technology
- MS Health Information Management
SNHU is a regionally accredited institution by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). It also has official recognition by the New Hampshire’s Higher Education Commission.
Many of its programs also have programmatic accreditations including:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- CACREP
- CAHIIM
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University offers graduate degree programs in diverse fields including business, computer science, and education. Interested individuals must be aware that EKU has more selective admissions criteria. Applicants must have at least a 2.75 to 3.0 cumulative GPA on their bachelor’s degrees.
But there are master’s degree programs that consider applicants with at least 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- The Master of Science in Instructional Design and Learning Technology online program allows applicants who don’t meet the 2.5 GPA requirement to enroll on probationary status. Submission of satisfactory GRE scores is a must in these cases.
- The Master of Science in Safety, Security & Emergency Management program doesn’t require GRE scores for applicants with at least 2.5 GPA on their bachelor’s degrees. Candidates can choose between the online and on-campus formats. The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours.
- The Master of Public Health program considers applicants with at least 2.5 GPA for provisional admission. Candidates must maintain at least 3.0 grade on their first two academic terms.
Programmatic accreditation for its master’s degree programs are from:
- Council on Education for Public Health
- National Environmental Health Science & Protection Accreditation Council
EKU maintains regional accreditation with the SACSCOC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What other factors are considered for admissions purposes in case of a low GPA requirement?
A: Graduate schools consider other elements including your academic background, professional work experiences, and research experience. Even your personal circumstances, such as being a minority or first-gen student, can be considered. Admissions officers look at your personal statement, letters of recommendation, and professional resume to assess your suitability for the program.
Q: What steps can you do to increase your chances of admission with a low GPA?
A: Highlight your relevant professional work experience, internships, volunteer work, high-impact projects and research, and certifications. Submit strong letters of recommendation that highlight your fit for the program. Demonstrate your resilience, resourcefulness, and drive in your personal statement. Give a brief explanation about your low GPA; avoid dwelling on it.
Q: What advantages are there in applying to graduate programs that accept applicants with low GPAs?
A: First, you have a higher chance to be accepted into a graduate program that offers your area of interest. Second, you’ll enjoy quality academic instruction and experiential learning opportunities. Third, you’ll earn a master’s degree that can boost your career advancement opportunities. Be sure, however, to choose a graduate program offered by an accredited university to enjoy these advantages.
Please note: If you are interested in locating an online Master of Business Administration program that will accept those with a low GPA, check out this valuable resource: Best Online MBA Programs for a Low GPA
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