Jul 01, 2024  
Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Graduate and Pharmacy Catalog 2024-2025

Admissions



Palm Beach Atlantic University is committed to serving the learning needs of graduate students by offering the opportunity to earn graduate degrees by attending classes on the West Palm Beach campus, Orlando campus, or Online campus.

PBA strives to maintain a student body which represents a broad variety of abilities, backgrounds, and career goals. All qualified men and women are welcome to apply without regard to race, color, age, sex, handicap, religion, or national or ethnic origin. The Evening and Graduate Admission office is located in the Enrollment Services Center. The Evening and Graduate Admission staff is available to meet with prospective students and help determine which program would fit their needs based on their educational goals, previous college coursework and work experience. Prospective students are welcome anytime, although appointments are advisable to ensure the best service possible. Schedule an appointment by calling 561.803.2100 for the West Palm Beach Campus and 407.226.5955 for the Orlando Campus.

Depending on the program new students may begin classes in the fall, summer, or spring semester. Students can be admitted unconditionally, conditionally and provisionally. For details, contact the Evening and Graduate Admission Office.

Palm Beach Atlantic University offers the following graduate degree programs:

  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Accountancy
  • Master of Science in Computer Science
  • Master of Science in Community Development
  • Master of Science in International Development
  • Master of Science in Educational Leadership
  • Master of Science in Ethics and Organizational Behavior
  • Master of Science in Health Science
  • Master of Science in Counseling
    • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
    • Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Concentration
    • School Counseling Concentration
    • Play Therapy Concentration
    • Crisis and Trauma Counseling Certificate  
  • Master of Divinity
  • Master of Divinity and Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion
  • Master of Divinity and Master of Arts, Intercultural Studies
  • Master of Arts, Christian Studies
  • Master of Arts, Christian Studies and Master of Science, International Development
  • Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion
  • Master of Arts, Intercultural Studies
  • Master of Arts, Community Transformation and Chaplaincy
  • Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration Joint Degree
  • Master of Divinity / Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • PhD in Practical Theology
  • Master of Science in Nursing- Health Systems Leadership
  • Physician Assistant (ARC-PA)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (Hybrid Online)
  • Doctor of Pharmacy
  • Doctor of Pharmacy / Masters of Business Administration Dual Degree Program

Graduate Admission Requirements

The various degree programs at Palm Beach Atlantic University have specific admission requirements. Each degree program’s admission requirements are as follows:

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is recommended for professional nurses to practice at the highest level and equips them to meet the changing face of healthcare.  PBA offers five tracks in the DNP program: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Executive Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Master’s and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  Applicants should hold a baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing.  Degree plan of Master’s prepared applicants will vary based on transcript review.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Completed NursingCAS application at http://nursingcas.org/ (NursingCAS is the Centralized Application Service for students applying to nursing programs)
  2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an institutionally accredited university and nationally accredited nursing program
    1. Applicants for Post-Master’s DNP track must have Master of Science in Nursing from an institutionally accredited university and nationally accredited nursing program
    2. Graduates of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s BSN, RN to BSN and RN to MSN tracks are eligible for seamless admissions to the University’s DNP program. Contact the Graduate Admissions office for details.
  3. Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, minimum nursing courses 3.0 GPA
  4. No GRE required; however, applicants who score less than 3.0 (cumulative and nursing) on a 4.0 scale must provide acceptable GRE scores of 50th percentile on both verbal and quantitative sections and 4.0 on the analytical writing section
  5. Minimum of one year’s work experience as an RN or current employment as an RN.
  6. Required documents below may be submitted through NursingCAS* at www.nursingcas.org.
    1. Official Transcripts from all schools attended
    2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    3. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s academic ability and leadership potential, including one from a current supervisor
    4. GRE scores if applicable
    5. Current and active Florida license OR a valid RN license from another state and proof of application to Florida Board of Nursing
    6. Personal statement supporting future goals, faith, and interest in obtaining a practice doctorate (no more than 500 words)
  7. Personal interview with the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee
  8. After interview and upon acceptance, applicants must:
    1. Submit Admissions Deposit of $400 (non-refundable; will be applied to tuition upon enrollment
    2. Provide Documentation to the School of Nursing
      1. Background Check with Fingerprints
      2. Drug Screen
      3. Proof of Immunization/Titers
      4. PPD or other TB Test
      5. CPR
      6. Florida RN License
      7. Proof of Health Insurance

 

All required documentation MUST be provided one month prior to the start of the semester

             

All candidates will be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee

Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Admission Requirements:

  1. Complete all required pharmacy pre-requisite courses from an institutionally accredited institution. See https://www.pba.edu/academics/schools/gregory-pharmacy/admissions for list of pre-requisites.
  2. A minimum grade of C- must be earned in all pre-requisite courses
  3. All pre-requisites should be completed by May of the year a student plans to enter the Pharm.D. program. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  4. All coursework must be completed within the past 10 years.
  5. For course substitution requests, please contact Pharmacy Admissions at (561) 803-2750
  6. Submit:
    • Online PharmCAS application & application fee by June 1 of the year a student plans to enter the Pharm.D. program.
    • Send official transcripts from all coursework, and three (3) letters of recommendation directly to PharmCAS.
  7. After all of the above has been received and verified, the Pharmacy Student Recruitment and Admissions committee will review applicants to determine who is eligible to receive an invitation for an interview.
  8. After interviews are completed, candidates are notified within two-weeks regarding their admission into the Pharm.D. program.

Master of Business Administration

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree in business administration from an institutionally accredited institution or a baccalaureate degree in another major with successful completion of foundational business courses in financial accounting, managerial accounting, micoreconomics and statistics.
  2. Submit:
    • A completed online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • GMAT scores taken within the past five years*
    • A current resume
    • Two letters of recommendation
  3. Faculty interview - Once candidates submit all required documents, the complete application is reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee to determine invitations for an interview.

*GMAT/GRE requirement is waived for applicants whose GPA from an AACSB accredited business school is above 3.25, or for others whose record of work and scholarship similarly demonstrates to the Graduate Admissions Committee their ability to succeed in a rigorous MBA curriculum.

Master of Accountancy

Admission Requirements: 

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  2. Achieve an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
  3. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • GMAT/GRE scores taken within the past five years 
    • Two confidential MBA recommendation forms
    • Current resume with complete work history and dates
    • Enrollment essays (prompts provided)
  4. Interview with the Admission Committee

Note: All candidate applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee.  For details, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 561.803.2100.

Master of Science in Community Development

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  2. Achieve an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
  3. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • Two confidential recommendation forms (submitted directly on the application)
    • Enrollment essays (uploaded directly on the application.
  4. Faculty interview

 

Master of Science in Computer Science

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  2. Achieve an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
  3. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • Current resume with complete work history and dates
  4. Faculty interview

 

Master of Science in Educational Leadership

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  2. Achieve an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
  3. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • School Administrator Commitment Form
    • Two confidential recommendation forms (submitted directly on the application)
    • Enrollment essays (uploaded directly on the application)
  4. Faculty interview

 

Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Arts, Christian Studies (MACS) Admission Requirements:

Admission Requirements:

  1. Minimum Criteria for Application:
    • Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. (A GPA that falls below this minimum threshold may be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission with probationary status.)*
    • An undergraduate student majoring in PBA’s School of Ministry may apply for early graduate admission to the MDiv degree program. In addition to the normal admissions requirements and process, these applicants must have completed the following: 1) all forty-three (43) credit hours of general education requirements, 2) all the required courses in their major according to the Early Graduate Admission requirements as stated in the PBA undergraduate catalog, 3) at least ninety-one (91) credit hours with a mini- mum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Submission Requirements (additional details are supplied in the online application):
    • Online application
    • Personal faith and calling essay (minimum 500 words)
    • Research paper or academic essay if your undergraduate degree is in religious studies, Biblical studies, theology, or another related field, as requested.
    • Academic recommendation (from undergraduate or graduate institution, cannot be a relative)
    • Ministerial recommendation (from minister of your current local church, cannot be a relative)
    • Signed Informed Consent Form
    • Official transcripts from all institutions where courses were taken (undergraduate and/or graduate)
    • Any additional requested items.
  3. Admission Interview: Once you have submitted all the necessary application materials, the School of Ministry Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications to determine whether the applicant is invited for an admissions interview. A final admission decision will then be communicated to the applicant.

 

Applicants who are admitted to the M.Div. and MBA Dual Degree Program may take MBA foundational courses while completing prerequisite coursework.

Applicants for the other dual degree programs (M.Div. + M.S. Mental Health Counseling Dual Degrees; MACS + M.S. Global Development Dual Degrees) must complete applications for and gain acceptance into both degree pro- grams. If an applicant only gains acceptance into the M.Div. degree program, however, that applicant can still enter the M.Div. degree program (M.Div. conditional acceptance with prerequisite coursework would still apply, if required).

Master of Arts, Philosophy of Religion (MAPR) Admission Requirements:

Admission Requirements:

  1. Minimum Criteria for Application:
    • Applicants must hold an earned a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. (A GPA that falls below this minimum threshold may be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission with probationary status.)
    • An undergraduate student majoring in PBA’s School of Ministry may apply for early graduate admission to the MAPR degree program. In addition to the normal admissions requirements and process, these applicants must have completed the following: 1) all forty-three (43) credit hours of general education requirements, 2) all the required courses in their major according to the Early Graduate Admission requirements as stated in the PBA undergraduate catalog, 3) at least ninety-one (91) credit hours with a mini- mum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Submission Requirements (additional details are supplied in the online application):
    • Online application
    • Philosophy of Religion Essay (minimum 500 words)
    • Research paper or academic essay if your undergraduate degree is in religious studies, Biblical studies, theology, philosophy, or another related field, as requested.
    • Two recommendations – either academic recommendation (from undergraduate or graduate institution, cannot be a relative) or ministerial recommendation (from minister of your current local church, cannot be a relative). Academic preferred.
    • Official transcripts from all institutions where courses were taken (undergraduate and/or graduate)
  3. Admission Interview: Once you have submitted all the necessary application materials, the School of Ministry Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications to determine whether the applicant is invited for an admissions interview.

Master of Arts, Intercultural Studies (MAIS) Admission Requirements:

Admission Requirements:

  1. Minimum Criteria for Application:
    • Applicants must hold an earned a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. (A GPA that falls below this minimum threshold may be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission with probationary status.)*
    • An undergraduate student majoring in PBA’s School of Ministry may apply for early graduate admission to the MAIS degree program. In addition to the normal admissions requirements and process, these applicants must have completed the following: 1) all forty-three (43) credit hours of general education requirements, 2) all the required courses in their major according to the Early Graduate Admission requirements as stated in the PBA undergraduate catalog, 3) at least ninety-one (91) credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Submission Requirements (additional details are supplied in the online application):
    • Online application
    • Intercultural Studies Essay (minimum 500 words)
    • Two recommendations – either academic recommendation (from undergraduate or graduate institution, cannot be a relative), ministerial recommendation (from minister of your current local church, cannot be a relative),
    • Official transcripts from all institutions where courses were taken (undergraduate and/or graduate)
  3. Admission Interview: Once you have submitted all the necessary application materials, the School of Ministry Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications to determine whether the applicant is invited for an admissions interview.

Master of Divinity and Master of Business Administration Dual Degree

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree in from an institutionally accredited institution.
  2. All students must meet the prerequisite Ministry requirements prior to acceptance but MBA foundational courses (12 credit hours) can be completed congruently while in the graduate program.
  3. Achieve an undergraduate minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, with exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
  4. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • Two specific confidential M.Div. recommendation forms (Academic and Ministerial)
    • Business Essays (300-400 words each)
    • Ministry and Calling Essay (500-word minimum)
    • Informed Consent form (provided at Admissions interview)
  5. Admissions and Faculty Interview- Once your online application for admission is complete by meeting all the admission requirements and providing the required documents, you will be invited to an interview with the Graduate Admissions Committee. 

Master of Divinity/Master of Science in Counseling Dual Degree

  1. Minimum Criteria for Application:
    • Applicants must hold an earned a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. (A GPA that falls below this minimum threshold may be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission with probationary status.)*
    • An undergraduate student majoring in PBA’s School of Ministry may apply for early graduate admission to the MDiv degree program. In addition to the normal admissions requirements and process, these applicants must have completed the following: 1) all forty-three (43) credit hours of general education requirements, 2) all the required courses in their major according to the Early Graduate Admission requirements as stated in the PBA undergraduate catalog, 3) at least ninety-one (91) credit hours with a mini- mum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Submission Requirements (additional details are supplied in the online application):
    • Online application
    • Personal faith and calling essay (minimum 500 words)
    • Counseling essay (minimum 500 words)
    • Research paper or academic essay if your undergraduate degree is in religious studies, Biblical studies, theology, or another related field, as requested.
    • Academic recommendation (from undergraduate or graduate institution, cannot be a relative)
    • Ministerial recommendation (from minister of your current local church, cannot be a relative)
    • Signed Informed Consent Form
    • Official transcripts from all institutions where courses were taken (undergraduate and/or graduate)
  3. Ministry Interview: Once you have submitted all the necessary application materials, the School of Ministry Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications to determine whether the applicant is invited for an admissions interview. If the interview cannot be conducted on campus, the interview will be conducted by phone or video conference.
  4. Counseling Interview: Once a student has interviewed with Graduate School of Ministry, they will need to be interviewed by the counseling faculty. Final decisions will not be made or communicated to a student until both interviews are completed.

 

Master of Arts, Community Transformation and Chaplaincy (MA, CTC) Admission Requirements:

Admission Requirements:

Minimum Criteria for Application:

  1. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. (A GPA that falls below this minimum threshold may be considered on a case-by-case basis for admission with probationary status.)
    • An undergraduate student majoring in PBA’s School of Ministry may apply for early graduate admission to the MDiv degree program. In addition to the normal admissions requirements and process, these applicants must have completed the following: 1) all forty-three (43) credit hours of general education requirements, 2) all the required courses in their major according to the Early Graduate Admission requirements as stated in the PBA undergraduate catalog, 3) at least ninety-one (91) credit hours with a mini- mum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  2. Submission Requirements (additional details are supplied in the online application):
    • Online application
    • Personal faith and calling essay (minimum 500 words)
    • Research paper or academic essay if your undergraduate degree is in religious studies, Biblical studies, theology, or another related field, as requested.
    • Academic recommendation (from undergraduate or graduate institution, cannot be a relative)
    • Ministerial recommendation (from minister of your current local church, cannot be a relative)
    • Signed Informed Consent Form
    • Official transcripts from all institutions where courses were taken (undergraduate and/or graduate)
    • Any additional requested items.

Admission Interview: Once you have submitted all the necessary application materials, the School of Ministry Graduate Admissions Committee will review applications to determine whether the applicant is invited for an admissions interview. A final admission decision will then be communicated to the applicant.

 

Master of Science in Counseling (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  2. Achieve undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
  3. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • Three confidential Counselor Education recommendation forms
    • Essay (prompt provided)
    • Signed Informed Consent Form
  4. Faculty Interview

Note: Admission decision recommendations are made by the Counselor Education Program’s Faculty Selection Committee and include consideration of each applicant’s articulation of career goals, record of academic achievement, relevant preparation and experience, potential success in becoming a counselor, and attitude of openness to diverse cultures and people.

Master of Science in International Development

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  2. Achieve an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
  3. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred and from college/university where prerequisite courses were taken
    • Two confidential recommendation forms (submitted directly on the application)
    • Enrollment essays (uploaded directly on the application)
  4. Faculty interview

Master of Science in Ethics and Organizational Behavior

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earn a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution
  2. Achieve an undergraduate minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with exceptions, on a case-by-case basis
  3. Submit:
    • Online application
    • Official transcript from college/university where bachelor’s degree was conferred

MSN Program

Admission Requirements:

  1. Completed NursingCAS application at www.nursingcas.org (NursingCAS is the Centralized Application Service for students applying to nursing programs)
  2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an institutionally accredited university and nationally accredited nursing program
    1. Exception for qualified applicants with RN license who meet remaining criteria but enroll in RN to MSN track
  3. Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, minimum nursing courses 3.0 GPA
  4. No GRE required; however, applicants who score less than 3.0 (cumulative and nursing) on a 4.0 scale must provide acceptable GRE scores of 50th percentile on both verbal and quantitative sections and 4.0 on the analytical writing section
  5. Minimum of one year’s work experience as an RN or current employment as an RN
  6. Required documents below may be submitted through NursingCAS* at www.nursingcas.org.
    1. Official Transcripts from all schools attended
    2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    3. Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s academic ability and leadership potential, including one from a current supervisor
    4. GRE scores if applicable
    5. Current and active Florida license OR a valid RN license from another state and proof of application to Florida Board of Nursing
    6. Personal statement supporting future goals, faith, and interest in obtaining a practice doctorate (no more than 500 words)
  7. Personal interview with the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee
  8. After interview and upon acceptance, applicants must:
    1. Submit Admissions Deposit of $400 (non-refundable; will be applied to tuition upon enrollment
    2. Provide Documentation to the School of Nursing
      1. Background Check with Fingerprints
      2. Drug Screen
      3. Proof of Immunization/Titers
      4. PPD or other TB Test
      5. CPR
      6. Florida RN License
      7. Proof of Health Insurance
  9. Upper division undergraduate nursing students may apply to the graduate nursing Dual Enrollment BSN/MSN track with the following conditions:
    1. Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, minimum nursing courses 3.0 GPA
    2. Currently enrolled PBA nursing students only need to submit one letter of recommendation.
    3. Acceptance is provisional until the applicant provides evidence of
      1. A valid Florida RN license.
      2. Current employment as an RN.

Master of Science in Health Science

  • GPA minimum requirements
    • Overall: 2.75
    • Science: 3.0
  • Examination
    • Not required but can be used to supplement deficient GPA requirements. Standardized examination score within the 50th percentile.
  • Statement letters
    • Two Letters: Personal Statement & Faith Statement.
  • 3 Letters of Reference
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  • Admissions Interview with potential faculty member in the MSHS program.
  • Academic Degree
    • B.S. or B.A. from an institutionally accredited academic institution. International students holding equivalent degrees must be reviewed by recognized evaluation company (NACES affiliation).

Ph.D. in Practical Theology

See Admission Requirements for the Ph.D. in Practical Theology

Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant

See Master of Medical Science in PA Application Requirements .

Special Graduate Admission (All Graduate Programs)

Auditing

Professional level courses cannot be audited while Graduate level courses may be approved for audit only by permission from the Dean. A student desiring to enroll in a graduate class without being admitted to a graduate program must apply for admission as a non-degree-seeking student. See “Special Graduate Admission - Non-Degree- Seeking Status” under Admissions.

International Student Admission

International student applicants must meet the following requirements, in addition to those specified for admission to the graduate program:

  1. Official transcripts in English from all prior colleges and universities attended are required. Official transcripts must be original documents bearing all necessary authoritative seals, stamps, and other evidence that prove their authenticity to the satisfaction of the specific Graduate Admission Committee. PBA accepts course-by-course international transcript evaluations from SpanTran: The Evaluation Company. A student may also request a course-by-course evaluation from any of the evaluators who are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A list of current members can be found here: https://www.naces.org/members
  2. Proof of ability to meet the financial requirements while in attendance at PBA is required. Applicants needing a student visa are required to provide bank statements showing funds equivalent the costs to cover the first year of expenses. Continuation of the visa after the first calendar year may require further proof and certification of the applicant’s financial ability.
  3. An acceptable score must be attained on the Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) if the student’s native language is not English or if the bachelor’s degree was not earned at an institutionally accredited institution where all instruction was in English. The TOEFL Bulletin of Information and registration form can be obtained in a number of cities outside the United States. They are often available at American embassies and consulates, or at offices of the United States Information Service (USIS).
  4. International students who hold a student visa are required to carry a full course of study during every semester except the summer term. A minimum full-time graduate load at PBA is nine credit hours.
  5. A student presenting a baccalaureate degree from an international institution in which a three-year baccalaureate degree is recognized as standard may be eligible for provisional admission to a graduate program once all other admission criteria have been satisfied.  Upon successful completion of 12 graduate credit hours with a 3.0 GPA within a specified Palm Beach Atlantic University degree program, the student’s provision will be removed.

Non-Degree Student Status

Master of Science in Counselor Education: An individual may be granted non-degree status to take 5000-level courses for graduate credit in the Counselor Education Program for licensure purposes, provided that room is available in the class and the admission is approved by the appropriate Graduate Admissions Committee. To qualify for such status, one must hold a graduate degree in Counselor Education (or a similar degree) from an institutionally accredited institution.  Students may take up to 12 credit hours as a non-degree student in the Counselor Education program.

Master of Divinity: Non-Degree students may register for up to 12 total hours of Master of Divinity courses when the following conditions are met: 1) the student has earned a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution; 2) the credit hours are approved elective or language hours.  Non-degree students may not register for courses offered as part of the block schedule.  Enrollment as a non-degree student does not guarantee acceptance into the M.Div. program, and students are required to complete the full admission process to be considered degree-seeking. 

Master of Accountancy and Master of Business Administration:  Non-Degree students may register for up to 12 total hours of graduate business courses when the following conditions are met: 1) the student has earned a bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited institution; 2) the credit hours are approved elective or concentration courses.  Enrollment as a non-degree student does not guarantee acceptance into the Master of Accountancy or Master of Business Administration program, and students are required to complete the full admission process to be considered degree-seeking.  (Effective January 1, 2018). 

Non-Institutionally Accredited Baccalaureate Degrees

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university to be considered for admission to any of PBA’s graduate programs.  Hobe Sound Bible College and Pensacola Christian Bible College are the only two exceptions to this rule.  Therefore, applicants from these two colleges will be considered for admission to PBA graduate programs as if they graduated from an institutionally accredited institution.

Provisional Admission

Students may be admitted on a provisional basis if approved by the admissions committee for the graduate program to which they are applying. Missing documentation must be submitted no later than the middle of the first semester of enrollment or the student will not be permitted to register for classes for the following semester.

Transfer Credit

Since the Master of Arts, Christian Studies requires 36 hours, students may transfer up to 9 approved credit hours to satisfy elective requirements. Credit hours used toward the completion of another degree may not be transferred into the M.A. degree. No transient study credit may be applied toward completion of the M.A.

Applicants may transfer up to 9 credit hours of graduate-level coursework from an institutionally-accredited institution. Since the Counselor Education program requires 51 to 60 semester hours, students may, in exceptional circumstances, transfer up to 15 hours of graduate-level work. Students in the 72 hour Master of Divinity program may transfer up to 12 approved hours to satisy elective requirements. In addition, M.Div. students may transfer up to 4 approved hours of graduate-level Greek or Hebrew to count toward the M.Div. language requirements. No student may apply more than a combined total of 16 hours of transfer and transient credit toward the M.Div. degree.

Transfer hours may be applied toward one of the PBA’s master’s programs provided the following conditions are met:

  1. A minimum grade of “B” has been earned on courses considered for transfer, and an official transcript is received.
  2. The courses are substantially equivalent in scope and sequence to courses at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
  3. Request for transfer of credit has been made before or during the first semester of enrollment at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
  4. The courses were not previously applied towards the conferral of a degree.

Credit hours used toward the completion of another degree may not be transferred into any graduate program.

Special Student Status (Non-baccalaureate)

An individual may be granted special student status to take a maximum of two 5000-level courses for graduate credit. To qualify for such status one must be an undergraduate student who is within nine hours of graduating with a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution. The Graduate Admission Committee of the appropriate Graduate Program will make final determination for admission.