Fielding Graduate University (Admissions)

Fielding Graduate University is a graduate-level institution, so applicants should start by choosing a specific master’s, doctoral, or certificate program. Admission rules, costs, deadlines, and career requirements vary by program. Confirm the current requirements, verify accreditation and licensure fit, then build an application and budget around your intended degree and career.

Graduate applications can feel hard to manage when every program asks for different materials and your career goal is still taking shape. Adaptability matters: you may need to adjust your school list, course plan, or timeline as you learn what a particular program requires. I recommend working in stages, and confirming important details with Fielding before you apply.

Fielding Graduate University admissions and program overview

Fielding offers graduate study, not undergraduate or first-year transfer admission. Your first decision is therefore which specific graduate program fits your academic background and career goal. Fielding’s institutional accreditation is through WSCUC, but that status does not prove that every program meets the rules for a professional license.

Start with the program’s official page, not a general summary or an older application guide. Check the degree level, delivery format, start terms, application deadline, and admission materials for the entry term you want. Then confirm Fielding’s current institutional accreditation in the WSCUC directory. Accreditation status can change, so check the directory rather than relying only on a school’s general description.

A key distinction: institutional accreditation reviews the university as a whole. Programmatic accreditation reviews a specific program against professional standards. Neither one, by itself, guarantees that a degree will qualify you for a license in your state.

If you are considering a transfer, ask what graduate credits Fielding may review. Graduate transfer credit is not the same as undergraduate transfer admission. Do not assume that earlier coursework will count toward a new degree; ask about limits and approval rules before you enroll.

Admission requirements and how to build your application

Admission requirements are the documents and qualifications a program uses to review an application. Most applicants should be ready to provide academic records and program-specific materials, but the exact list varies. Treat the official requirements for your chosen program and entry term as the controlling checklist.

Applicants generally need a completed bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution or a recognized equivalent. Some programs may require a different prior degree, specific coursework, or other preparation. Check the exact wording for your intended program. If your education or coursework does not clearly meet a requirement, ask admissions for a written answer before paying an application fee.

Do not assume there is one GPA cutoff for all of Fielding. A program may set a minimum, state a preferred range, or explain how it reviews exceptions. Confirm the current rule and ask how the program considers factors such as later coursework or relevant experience, if that is not clear in its published guidance.

You may need official transcripts, a résumé or CV, a statement of purpose, recommendations, a writing sample, an interview, or prerequisite coursework. Do not assume every applicant needs all of these, or that the GRE is required or waived across the university. Build your list from the program’s current instructions.

I suggest making a requirement tracker before you begin:

• Copy each requirement from the program page into a checklist.
• Note who must send it, how it must be sent, and when it is due.
• Request transcripts and recommendations early.
• Tailor your statement to the program’s stated aims and selection criteria.
• Confirm test rules, prerequisite courses, and GPA questions with admissions.
• Save written answers and check for updates before you submit.

A strong statement connects your preparation to the program and explains why the degree fits your next step. It should not make claims about licensure or career access that you have not verified. Ask a recommender who can speak to your academic or professional readiness, and give that person enough time and clear submission instructions.

Degree curriculum, prerequisites, and completion requirements

A program’s curriculum is the set of courses and milestones required to earn the degree. Before applying, look beyond the course names. Check the sequence, expected workload, research or practice requirements, transfer-credit rules, and any on-campus or residency obligations that could affect your schedule and total cost.

For each program, find the current catalog or curriculum plan. Record the required credits, course order, and whether courses are offered in the terms you need. A published degree plan can help you estimate time to completion, but confirm whether it is a sample plan or a guarantee. Ask how often required courses run and what happens if a course is unavailable.

The table below shows how I would assess two illustrative applicant situations. These are planning examples, not reports about actual Fielding students.

If you already have graduate credits, ask whether they can be reviewed, what documentation is needed, and whether approved credits change the time or cost to finish. Do not subtract those credits from your plan until Fielding confirms how they apply.

Academic success, advising, and student experience

Student support can help you plan, but it does not replace checking program rules. Ask what advising is available, when you receive an advisor, and how students get help with course planning or milestones. Also confirm the expected format of instruction and any in-person requirements before you decide whether the program fits your life.

I encourage applicants to ask practical questions, not only broad ones. Who helps students plan required courses? How are changes in a student’s schedule handled? What support is available if a student has difficulty meeting a milestone? The answers can help you judge whether the program’s structure suits your work, family, and learning needs.

Check the program’s published information on retention, completion, and student outcomes where available. Ask how those figures are defined and which student groups they cover. A rate without context can be hard to interpret; for example, it may include a different program or entry period than the one you are considering.

Before enrolling, make a personal completion plan. List the course sequence, key deadlines, expected study time, and any work or family commitments that could affect progress. If you need accommodations, ask the university what process and documentation apply.

Cost, financial aid, and comparing an offer

Your real cost is more than tuition. Build an estimate that includes required fees, course materials, travel or residency costs, and any expenses linked to placements or research. Then compare that total with confirmed aid and your own resources. Tuition alone cannot show whether a program is affordable.

Costs and aid terms can change by program, course load, and entry term. Use Fielding’s current tuition and financial-aid information, and ask which charges apply to your plan. If you may use federal aid, review the current FAFSA instructions and confirm the program’s eligibility and any enrollment conditions with the financial-aid office.

Use this simple comparison:

Estimated net cost = tuition + required fees + other required expenses − grants and scholarships.

Keep loans separate from grants in your budget. Loans can help cover costs, but they must be repaid under their terms. Confirm whether aid renews each year, what academic progress rules apply, and whether changing enrollment affects eligibility. Do not count an award until you have its written terms.

Before paying a deposit, compare the written aid offer with the full estimated cost. Ask whether the deposit is refundable, what conditions apply, and when it is due. If your estimate depends on transfer credit, future course availability, or a scholarship renewal, note that uncertainty rather than treating it as guaranteed savings.

Career pathways, licensure, and employment outcomes

A graduate degree does not automatically qualify you for a license or a particular job. That is especially important in psychology and other regulated fields, where education, supervised experience, exams, and state rules may all matter. Check the exact program and the jurisdiction where you plan to work before you commit.

Start with the job or license you want, then work backward. Find the relevant state licensing board’s current education and experience rules. Compare those rules with the program’s curriculum and any required supervised practice. Ask Fielding whether graduates of that specific program meet the educational requirements in your state, and request the answer in writing.

Also ask about the program’s professional accreditation, if relevant, and verify it with the accrediting body. Institutional accreditation through WSCUC is not the same as professional accreditation. If a program does not hold a credential you expected, ask whether that affects your eligibility or future options before you enroll.

For employment outcomes, look for data tied to the specific program and recent graduating groups. Ask how the university defines employment, what share of graduates responded, and whether the data distinguish jobs related to the degree. Do not rely on broad career examples as proof that graduates secure those roles.

My practical decision rule is to avoid paying a deposit until three points are clear: the program meets your academic needs, the total cost is workable, and the degree supports your intended career path under current rules. If any point remains uncertain, ask the university or licensing board before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

These short answers cover common questions about applying to Fielding. Because requirements can change, use them as a starting point and confirm program-specific details on current official pages. For decisions about professional eligibility, also check the rules of the relevant state board or accrediting body.

Is Fielding Graduate University an undergraduate school?
No. Fielding is a graduate-level institution. Applicants should look at its master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs rather than undergraduate or first-year transfer options.

What degree do I need to apply?
Applicants generally need a completed bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution or a recognized equivalent. Some programs may require further preparation, so check the program’s rules.

Is there one GPA requirement for every Fielding program?
No. GPA rules can differ by program. Check the current admissions page for the minimum, preferred range, and any information about exceptions.

Does every program require the GRE?
Do not assume so. Testing rules are program-specific and may change. Confirm the requirements for your chosen program and entry term.

What application materials should I prepare?
Materials may include transcripts, a résumé or CV, a purpose statement, recommendations, a writing sample, an interview, or prerequisite coursework. Follow the official checklist for your program.

Is Fielding institutionally accredited?
Fielding reports institutional accreditation through WSCUC. Confirm its current status in the WSCUC directory before applying. Institutional accreditation does not confirm that a particular program meets licensing rules.

Will a Fielding degree qualify me for a professional license?
Not automatically. Eligibility depends on the specific program and the rules where you plan to practice. Confirm education, supervised experience, and exam requirements with the state licensing board.

Can I transfer graduate credits to Fielding?
You may ask the program to review prior graduate work, but acceptance and limits depend on its rules. Get a written decision before using transfer credit in your cost or completion estimate.

How do I compare the cost of two programs?
Compare estimated total expenses, not tuition alone. Include required fees and other program costs, then subtract confirmed grants and scholarships. Review loan terms and aid-renewal conditions separately.

Where can I find current deadlines and start dates?
Check the official application page for your specific program and entry term. Deadlines and start options may vary, so confirm them directly before submitting.

A workable application plan begins with the career goal, not the application form. Choose the program, verify its admission and professional requirements, and map the curriculum and full cost. Then build a checklist and confirm any unclear rules in writing. That process helps you make a decision based on fit, affordability, and realistic next steps.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Christopher Langston. Visit our Meet the Team page.)