Requirements & Deadlines
2023 Minimum University Requirements
Admission to graduate study is a two-step evaluation process:
- Step 1: The Office of Graduate Admissions determines eligibility for admission to LSU.
- Step 2: The academic department or college determines admissibility to the degree program.
Final admission to the University is subject to approval by the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Minimum University Requirements
A conferred baccalaureate (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited college or university by the expected date of entry into the graduate program. The Pinkie Gordan Lane Graduate School requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale or in the last 60 credit hours in the previous undergraduate or graduate coursework. All applicants must submit transcripts from all post-secondary colleges or universities. A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume with a complete and accurate chronological outline of all previous college-level education is required. Applicants may upload application materials to the Slate Application Portal.
Submitting Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to the Slate Application Portal for review; however, it will be considered unofficial but can be used to process your application for admission. Applicants who qualify will be admitted on a provisional basis until official transcripts are submitted. The official transcripts will be compared to any unofficial documents used for admission. If discrepancies are identified, your admission may be rescinded.
Current or former students at the Louisiana State University and A&M College in Baton Rouge do not need to request transcripts. All other schools in the LSU System are required to submit official transcripts.
LSU reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admission process and to rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between unofficial and official transcripts are found.
Official vs Unofficial Transcripts
An official transcript, whether a physical copy or a secure .pdf document, ensures authenticity and content accuracy. Official transcripts must contain the University's seal and the signature of the University Registrar, Principal, Controller of Examinations, or Minister of Education. You must provide transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions for us to process your application. A transcript is considered official if it is sent directly from the applicant's home institution to the Pinkie Gordan Lane Graduate School in one of the following ways:
- Electronic: We accept electronic submissions of official transcripts over a secure network from a service such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, SPEEDE, eScript-Safe, or your institution’s electronic delivery system. If using one of these services, please have transcripts delivered to gradtranscripts@lsu.edu.
- Mail: A sealed original transcript sent from the issuing institution by postal mail directly to graduate admissions. Transcripts sent directly to departments must be submitted to graduate admissions sealed from the applicant or department representative.
- In-Person: Applicants or departments may hand deliver with sealed copies of their official records to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Envelopes which have been opened or appear to have been tampered with will be considered unofficial.
- LSU Departments: Official transcripts sent directly to academic departments must follow the transcript submission requirements. Unsealed transcripts submitted from prospective students to academic departments are not considered official. If a department submits an unsealed official transcript, graduate admissions must verify the transcript was sealed upon receipt.
- LSU A&M Current/Former Students: Applicants who have previously attended LSU A&M (LSU Baton Rouge) do not need to request their LSU A&M official transcript. All other LSU system schools transcripts must be submitted.
Official hard copy transcripts can be mailed or hand delivered to:
Louisiana State UniversityOffice of Graduate Admissions
114 West David Boyd Hall
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
Applicants can submit unofficial transcripts to expedite the admissions process. Please note, these copies of transcripts are not considered official. All admitted students are required to submit official transcripts. Applicants may qualify for admission to the Graduate School on a provisional basis until official transcripts are received. All provisionally admitted students must submit official transcripts within 30 days after classes begin in the semester of entry. If official transcripts are not submitted 30 days after the first day of class, an admissions hold will be placed on the admitted student's academic record preventing future registration.
Unsealed transcripts submitted from prospective students to academic departments are not considered official. If a department submits an unsealed official transcript, the Office of Graduate Admissions must verify the transcript was sealed upon receipt.
Photocopies or other duplications of a transcript, such as notarized copies, faxed, or scanned documents are not considered official.
Please Note: The official transcript requirement will remain "Outstanding" on your Slate application checklist. However, this will not prevent your application from proceeding to "Departmental Review."
Admission Requirements for International Students
Please visit International Applicant Requirements section to learn more about international student admissions and other resources.
Admission Requirements for Non-Degree Seeking Students
LSU offers admission to students desiring to take graduate courses without pursuing a graduate degree. Minimally, the Graduate School requires non-degree applicants to meet the same admission requirements previously listed. We advise you to contact the specific graduate program for guidance on admission requirements and which courses are eligible for non-degree registration.
Readmission
Readmission only applies to students previously enrolled in a graduate program at LSU. Former students must apply for readmission if they do not enroll for three consecutive terms, including a summer term. All readmission applicants must meet the current admission requirements of the college or school they expect to enter. Readmission is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. Consult the graduate program’s admission requirements.
Please Note: If you are currently enrolled or have been enrolled within the past 12 months, in an LSU A&M graduate program, you are not required to submit an application for admission. You must submit a Request for Change of Degree Program Form. All application fees are non-refundable. Please email Academic Services at gradsvcs@lsu.edu.
Graduate Degree Program Requirements
Graduate degree programs have admission requirements, often more rigorous than those set by the Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School. Applicants can upload the required documents, such as; standardized exam results, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a writing sample, or an application for a graduate assistantship in SLATE.
- The Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School does not require the submission of official standardized admission test scores from nationally standardized graduate admission test, such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or an equivalent test. Because these tests are required by departments rather than by the Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School, contact the program of interest for more information.
- These scores are considered official only when they are sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agency. Examinee copies are not considered official.
- Please use ETS Institution Code 6373 to have the agency send scores to LSU.
- Note: Although there is not a grad school option, we can access your scores if the correct institution code is used.
- If applying to MS in Athletic Training using ATCAS. use the following code: 4927 (LSU-MS Athletic Training-ATCAS-Grad)
- Please include a valid email address for each person writing a letter of recommendation.
- A link is emailed to each recommender with detailed instructions on how to submit the letter directly to the Graduate School.
2023 - 2024 Application Deadlines
The University deadlines are listed below; however, most academic programs have earlier deadlines than those established by the University or may admit only for a specific term. Prospective
applicants must contact the academic program for those deadlines.
Applicant (On-Campus) | Fall | Spring | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Domestic Students | June 30 | November 15 | May 1 |
International Students | April 15 | October 1 | April 15 |
Non-Degree Students | August 23 | January 17 | May 16 |