Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me to graduate?
What is needed for me to get into the SGPS accelerate program?
How would this degree help me in the job market?
How much does this program cost?
How long will this degree take to complete?
Can I take more than the required classes at a time to finish quicker?
Are there any child care programs offered?
Can I complete my program online?
What are the professors/advisors like?
How do I find more information about internships? Does our advisor/professor help us find internships?
Does WAU offer institutional aid or scholarships?
How long does the application process take?
What is the website address?
If I have a question, whom do I call?
Do I have to take an entrance exam or the GRE/GMAT as a graduate student?
Is WAU accredited?
Can I make payments online?
Is there a time frame in which I can drop my classes?
Do I have to use federal loans or can I set up a payment plan?
Can students get discounts and can they be retroactive to the start date of enrollment?
How do I get a refund from my account?
What platform are the online courses taught on?
If I am a senior citizen, can I get a discount on tuition?
What are the in-state and out-of-state costs?

How long will it take for me to graduate?
It will depend on how many hours you transfer in from another college or university. WAU accepts up to 70 credits from a 2-year college and 90 credits from a 4-year university or a combination of both. A maximum of nine credits can be transferred of graduate level courses. The Registrar’s office confers with the respective department chairs to determine what will transfer.
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What is needed for me to get into the SGPS accelerated program?
You will need to complete an application and submit official transcripts from any college or university you have attended. A 2.0 GPA is the minimum GPA requirement if you are applying for the undergraduate (professional studies) program. An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher is required for most graduate programs (some programs require higher). Click on the application link at https://www.wau.edu/academics/school-of-graduate-and-professional-studies/ for more information, or apply to one of our SGPS programs.
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How would this degree help me in the job market?
Obtaining a graduate degree from Washington Adventist University would enable you to excel in the job market in such fields as business administration, health care, mental health, government, and psychology.
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How much does this program cost?
The tuition per semester hour is $625.00 per credit for graduate students
[The cost per course—3 credit hours—is $1,875]
[The cost per semester—6 credit hours—is $3,750]
For the undergraduate program, the tuition per semester is $465.00 per credit
Tuition does not include fees and books
A onetime non-refundable fee of $275 is charged for all new students
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How long will this degree take to complete?
The condensed program format allows students to complete a master’s degree in as little as 12 months, with the flexibility of attending classes two nights per week, or 24 months in the one night a week program.
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Can I take more than the required classes at a time to finish quicker?
You can take as many classes as you can handle, based on your allowed financial aid and maintaining the grade expected of a master’s student.
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Are there any child care programs offered?
Not at this time.
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Can I complete my program online?
Yes! Our Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Public Administration are both offered fully online, with the option of taking courses on campus as well.
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What are the professors/advisors like?
With this being a small university setting, the advisors and professors are easily accessible and provide a welcoming atmosphere. They bring real-life experiences from the federal government and private sector. In addition to that, they are very accommodating in helping our students obtain their goals.
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How do I find more information about internships? Does our advisor/professor help us find internships?
Your advisor/professor will guide you in obtaining information that provides options for different internship sites. Your professor can explain what past students have done as possibilities. You can also talk to fellow classmates and compare the information that you have found on your own.
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Does WAU offer institutional aid or scholarships?
Not at the moment. There are scholarships available through various corporations, but each student would need to conduct their own research on that.
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How long does the application process take?
Graduate Admissions Committee meets every two weeks. Undergraduate Admissions Committee meets weekly. To ensure acceptance in a timely manner, ensure you have submitted all your admissions documents quickly.
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What is the website address?
wau.edu; scroll to the bottom of the page, select School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
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If I have a question, whom can I call?
For academic issues, call your academic advisor. The SGPS staff list and contact information is listed on our website. Financial aid advising, call the financial aid advisor.
For matters concerning your student account, registration or classes, contact the business manager. The SGPS main number is 301-891-4092.
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Do I have to take an entrance exam or the GRE/GMAT as a graduate student?

Some programs require the GRE/CMAT for candidates who do not meet regular admission standards. Please check with your academic advisor for further details.
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Is WAU accredited?

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Tel: 267-284-5000. A unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
The Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges and Universities, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600. Tel: 301-680-6000.
The programs in education for teacher certification are approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. 410-767-0100; and the North American Division of Education, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600. Tel: 301-680-6440.
Maryland Higher Education Commission, 839 Bestgate Road, Suite 400, Annapolis MD 21401-3013. Tel: 410-260-4500.

Can I make payments online?

Yes, once you are registered and have created your online profile, you can go to WebAdvisor.wau.edu, login using your username and password. From the left-hand menu, select Make a Payment and proceed.

You can also mail a check or money order, include your ID number on the memo section and address it to Washington Adventist University or WAU.

School of Graduate & Professional Studies
Attn: Business Manager
7600 Flower Avenue
Takoma Park MD 20912

Is there a time frame in which I can drop my classes?
A student who withdraws from a single core course or general education course may do so by sending his or her advisor an email or letter indicating his or her desire to withdraw.

A student can drop a class anytime, however, to receive a refund; it must be within the first 3 class sessions. If you drop the class within 6 days of the start date, you get 100% refund. Before the 2nd class session, 65%, before the 3rd class session, 50%. After that, tuition will not be refunded. To be dropped from a class, the student must fax or scan and email the registration form to the SGPS office and indicate which class he/she would like to drop.

If you are using federal loans/pell grant for your education, you cannot drop below the 6-credits for undergraduate students. Dropping below that would mean a returned of your federal loans to the government.
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Do I have to use federal loans or can I set up a payment plan?
Yes, you may set up a payment plan with the business manager. Contact the business manager when you are ready to make an agreement.
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Can students get discounts and can they be retroactive to the start date of enrollment?
Discounts are only available with various entities that have an agreement with WAU, such as Montgomery County Public School system. Students must clearly identify who their employer is and show proof prior to registration.

Discounts can be retroactive if the HR department from your employer was late in providing information. If your employer pays for part of your tuition, that information should also be provided at the time of registration.
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How do I get a refund from my account?
Once a credit balance appears on your account, Accounting has 14 days to issue a check and mail it to your home address. Balances not associated with the federal government, or for credit balances prior to Fall 2014, students must complete a Check Request form and return it to the Business Manager by Wednesday morning. Checks are issued on Thursdays.
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What platform are the online courses taught on?
SGPS online courses are taught on the Learning House Moodle platform. Students will be given access to the course a few days before it begins.

D2L is a web based platform used by some professors to supplement their grounded classes. It is not used for online courses. Any questions about access to your online courses, contact the business manager.
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If I am a senior citizen, can I get a discount on tuition?

60-64 – 50%
65-69 – 75%
Over 70 – 100%

What are the in-state and out-of-state costs?
Being a private university, there are no in-state or out-of-state costs.

IMPORTANT: If you wish to purchase your textbooks using financial aid or grant funding, please read these instructions first.