Grand Canyon University welcomes applications from all qualified students, who are at least 16 years of age. Although the University seeks to integrate Christian faith and practice into all aspects of campus life, no statement of faith or religious affiliation is required of prospective students. Applications for admission are considered primarily in light of the applicant’s academic qualifications. Any qualified student willing to uphold the University’s vision and mission and open to the possibility of spiritual as well as intellectual development is encouraged to apply.

Grand Canyon University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, gender, or handicap in its programs and activities. Please send all inquiries related to the University’s non-discrimination policies to:

General Counsel
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017
602-639-6656.

Standards for Undergraduate Admission First-Year Students

Applicants with fewer than 24 transferable credits from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university, or program may be accepted to the University if they meet, at least, one of the following admission standards:

• Secondary (high school) transcript, documenting no less than 75% of the coursework needed for degree completion, with an unweighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or above
  • Degree-bearing transcript must be submitted when conferred.
  • If final transcript negatively impacts admissibility, acceptance status may be rescinded or modified to include specifications.
• Degree-bearing, secondary (high school) transcript with an unweighted GPA of 2.75 or above
• Post-secondary (college) transcript(s), including 6 – 23 credits with an unweighted GPA of 2.75 or above
• Passing scores of 520 (2002 Series or later) on the tests of General Education Development (GED); and transcripts of all credit-bearing course work
• Average of 15% above the minimum passing scores (tests preceding 2002 Series) on the tests of GED; and transcripts of all credit-bearing course work
• Composite score of 19 or above on the ACT; and a degree bearing, secondary (high school and/or GED) transcript
• Composite score of 920 or above on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); and a degree-bearing, secondary (high school and/or GED) transcript. Applicants who do not meet one of the above criteria may be admitted with specification. Please see the Standards for Admission with Specification section for details.

 **Applicants who cannot provide official copies of their secondary (high school) transcripts or of a completed GED and do not have any post-secondary transferable credits may complete the HS Self- Certification form, provided by their Academic Counselor. These students may be admitted with specification. Transcripts records must be mailed directly from the issuing school to the Office of Academic Records. Transcripts mailed or hand carried by applicants are unacceptable unless they are delivered in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution.

Transfer Students

Applicants with 24 or more transferable credits from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university, or program may be accepted to the University if they have an unweighted GPA of 2.25 or above.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have earned a Bachelor’s degree from GCU or another institution, but are interested in pursuing a second Bachelor’s degree, may be accepted to one of the Undergraduate
degree programs if they meet the minimum admission standard of an unweighted GPA of 2.00 or above.

Recommended Undergraduate Preparation

Grand Canyon University recommends a certain level of academic preparation to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate success. To promote such success, admission to the University does not necessarily guarantee admission to some programs of study for which the standards are more rigorous. Students desiring to be admitted into these programs should
review the appropriate college section of the catalog for additional admission details.

Standards for Graduate Admission

Applicants to the graduate programs may be accepted for admission by meeting one of the criteria specified below.

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university, or program with a grade point average of 2.75 or better on the degree-bearing transcript
• Graduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university, or program

Recommended Graduate Preparation

Some programs of study at Grand Canyon University require a higher GPA and/or other criteria to qualify for admission. A student desiring to be admitted into these programs should review the appropriate college section of the catalog for additional admission details.

Standards for Post-Graduate Admission

Applicants to the doctoral programs may be accepted for admission by meeting the full range of criteria for one of the options specified below.

• Option 1
  • Graduate-level GPA of 3.4 or higher, calculated on an earned advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Two letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicant’s ability to complete doctoral-level work successfully
  • Goals statement describing reasons why the applicant wants to pursue a doctorate at Grand Canyon University
  • Resume detailing three to five years of work experience in positions of increasing responsibility
• Option 2
  • Graduate-level GPA between 3.00 and 3.39 calculated over the most recent 30 semester units of credit towards a masters degree
  • Satisfactory score on an accepted graduate admissions exam taken in the past seven years
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Verbal>450, Quantitative>500, Analytical>4.0
  • Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) >500, Analytical>4.0
  • Miller Analogies Test (MAT) >400
  • Two letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicant’s ability to complete doctoral-level work successfully
  • Goals statement describing reasons why the applicant wants to pursue a doctorate at Grand Canyon University
  • Resume detailing three to five years of work experience in positions of increasing responsibility.
• Option 3
  • Graduate-level GPA between 3.00 and 3.39, calculated over the most recent 30 semester units of credits towards a masters degree
  • Two letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicant’s ability to complete doctoral-level work successfully
  • Goals statement describing reasons why the applicant wants to pursue a doctorate at Grand Canyon University
  • Resume detailing three to five years of work experience in positions of increasing responsibility
  • Portfolio providing evidence of adequate preparation for graduate studies and containing:
    • Writing sample that shows graduate level communication and analytical skills
    • Documentation of awards and professional recognition
    • Letter explaining the reasons the applicant believes he or she or is a good candidate for doctoral study in the discipline requested.

Deferred Admissions

Applicants who cannot provide sufficient admissions documentation will be deferred until complete and acceptable documentation is provided.

Standards for Admission with Specification

Undergraduate students who do not meet the standards for undergraduate admission may be admitted to Grand Canyon University undergraduate programs with specification. Graduate students who do not meet the standards for graduate admission may be admitted to Grand Canyon University graduate programs with specification.

Students being considered for admission with specification may be asked to submit additional information such as personal references and an essay addressing academic history. Students may also need to schedule an interview to help clarify academic goals and help the University make an informed decision. Admission with specification will require students to limit the first semester’s course work to no more than 12 credits (undergraduate level) or 6 credits (graduate level). After students with admission specifications have completed 12 credits (undergraduate) or 6 credits (graduate), the equivalent of one full-time semester at Grand Canyon University, their academic records will be reviewed. The University will remove the specification for those students who have achieved a minimum GPA of 2.00 for undergraduates or 3.00 for graduates. Students who do not meet achieve the minimum GPA will be permitted one additional semester with specification to demonstrate their ability to be successful in the academic program. At the end of the additional semester, students may be refused continued enrollment if the above criteria remain unmet.

For complete information please view the Admissions portion of the Course Catalog.