The Graduate School

About the school

North Carolina State University – The Graduate School boasts 120 years of offering top-quality education paired with real-world experience of working with industry leaders, government bodies, and non-profit partners. You can choose from 160 Master’s and 62 doctoral programmes ranging from humanities and social sciences, agriculture and life sciences, and veterinary medicine, to engineering, natural resources, statistical sciences, and textiles. The faculty at the school includes more than 20 members from National Academies. They help promote interdisciplinary learning in upcoming fields. The school, being close to the Research Triangle Park, facilitates beyond-campus collaborative research.

Where is the school located?

The Graduate School is located in Raleigh, a city dotted with educational institutions and museums, and one that serves as the capital of North Carolina.

Life at The Graduate School

You can look forward to an active and exciting campus life, with more than 600 student clubs to pick from as per your interest. Whether your passion lies in culture, art, wellness, or recreation, you will find something to keep yourself engaged beyond academics. The school partners with other organisations on-campus to help students hone their scientific communication skills. Innovative events like Research Symposium, Research Image Contest, and Three Minute Thesis are held here.

On-campus housing options include conventional hall-style buildings, suite-style buildings, tower apartments, and hotel-style buildings. They are all well-furnished, cleaned regularly, and conveniently located. Some have fitness centres, community gardens, and even courts for tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Off-campus accommodations are usually in the form of townhouses, complete with all the necessary furniture and everyday appliances such as stove, refrigerator, and washer-dryer. Meal plans are available whether you live on or off campus, and they are designed to suit different budgets and needs. You can expect discounts as well.

Additional benefits of studying at The Graduate School

• World-class Facilities: The school offers writing retreats, workshops, completion camps, and other aids to help you earn that coveted Master’s degree easily. There is a counselling centre too, where you can seek individual or group advice. Help is available for addiction, violence, mental health issues, and more. A Graduate Peer Mentoring Collaborative enables doctoral students in veterinary medicine, humanities and social sciences, and agriculture and life sciences to guide fellow graduate students. You can apply for scholarships, loans, grants, and other types of financial aid.

• Supportive and Inclusive Environment: The school also hosts several initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, such as Graduate Student Crosstalks and focused conferences and recruitment fairs. Diversity Enhancement Grants, up to $3000, are offered as supplemental fellowships. Second-year graduate students who have demonstrated their support for Black communities are awarded the Witherspoon Graduate Fellowship.

Admissions criteria

Note that application eligibility and requirements might vary from one programme to another. Generally, your application should include the following types of information:

• A completed application form (online)
• You must have a 3-year Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• 3 letters of recommendation (from those who know your academic history and potential)
• Statement of Purpose
• Work samples or portfolio (if required)
• Unofficial transcripts of all the universities and colleges you have attended in the past (both in English translation and native language)
  
• GRE: Optional

International students must additionally meet the following requirements:

• Visa clearance forms (usually F-1 or J-1) and a Certificate of Financial Responsibility that proves you will be able to fund your study and stay
• Health insurance and check the limitations associated with employment or assistantship
• Proof of English proficiency: You must obtain the minimum score in the following exams to be eligible- TOEFL Internet-Based exam: 80, IELTS: 6.5, and Duolingo: 110

• Exceptions apply if you are a citizen of a country where the official language is English/English was the instruction language for your higher education

  Fees and other expenses

  Other annual costs which are not consistent throughout school admissions information online:

• Books and supplies: $869

• Food: $5,723

• Housing: $9,540

• Personal expenses: $2,004

• Transportation: $1,686

• Health insurance (if you don’t waive out or submit verifiable information): $1,392.40 per semester

Please consult the school’s website to obtain more information on admissions and financial aid.

Job placements

• Comprehensive Career Support: The Graduate School has a Professional Development Team to help students develop core competencies for securing gainful employment. You will pick up written and oral communication skills, learn how to collaborate, and develop at a personal and professional level. The team can also cultivate management and leadership skills in you and show how you can stay healthy and effective throughout the process. You can also pursue certificates in writing, teaching, leadership, and career readiness, to prepare better for job openings.

• High Earning Potential: As per May 2022 employment information, graduate students across colleges experienced a good start to their careers. The average starting salaries for each are mentioned below:

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: $64,630

• College of Engineering: $103,120

• College of Education: $55,000

• College of Natural Resources: $64,762

• College of Humanities and Social Sciences: $59,365

• Institute for Advanced Analytics: $110,518

• Wilson College of Textiles: $66,731

• Poole College of Management: $87,585