Oakland University
GRADUATE COUNCIL
Policy
Effective: Summer 2008
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Admission to Graduate Programs – Transcripts
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Official Transcripts
According to the guidelines set by the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officiers
(AACRAO), an official college transcript is one that has been received in a sealed envelope directly from the
issuing college or university. It must bear the college seal, current date and an appropriate signature.
Additionally, transcripts providing certification of the degree earned must include the degree and the date the
degree was awarded. Transcripts received that do not meet these requirements are not considered official.
All transcripts become the property of Oakland University and will not be returned to an applicant, or sent to
another institution.
All transcripts are purged by OU Academic Records or Graduate Study1 six years after a student graduates or
after the last date of enrollment. For current OU degree students, copies of any official transcripts received
and archived in the offices of OU Academic Records or Graduate Study will be provided to the graduate
admissions office.
International University Transcripts
International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service. The
credential evaluation provides the university with required degree equivalency information, as well as
verification of the authenticity of original documentation. Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning can
recommend a professional credential evaluation service, but will accept any transcript evaluation prepared by
a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) member. Graduate programs requiring
more detailed information may require an applicant to submit a course-by-course (or detailed) evaluation
report rather than the general evaluation report. Official foreign transcripts will not be required by Oakland
University since official transcripts must be submitted to the evaluation service.2
Minimum Transcript Requirements for Admission to Graduate Program
Official transcripts are required from all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant
earned a degree (beginning with first baccalaureate) and all enrollment in graduate level course work beyond
the bachelor's degree. Unofficial transcripts may be accepted for admissions evaluation purposes. When
unofficial transcripts are reviewed, the student’s acceptance should be regarded as provisional pending
receipt of an official transcript within a specific time frame.
Establishment of Standards Beyond Minimum Transcript Requirements
As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from postsecondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate degree and all enrollment in
course work both pre- or post-bachelor’s degree.
1
2
OU Academic Records - official repository for undergraduate student records
Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning - official repository for graduate student records
See graduate policy - Admission to Graduate Programs – Students with Foreign Academic Credentials
02/13/2008 - approved
2009-11 Graduate Catalog
GRADUATE COUNCIL
Admission to Graduate Programs -Transcript Requirements