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If you lot want to get to graduate school, you might consider the GRE a big hurdle. Perhaps you don't think y'all have time to properly prep. Or perchance you already took the test and got a lower score than yous wanted.

The good news is that it's possible to go into graduate school without the GRE! In this guide we'll describe several program types that often don't crave the GRE and some common GRE score-waiving policies. We'll too discuss some things to consider when deciding to apply to graduate school without GRE scores. Finally, nosotros'll close out with a list of schools with no GRE required policies.

Can You Go Into Graduate School Without GRE Scores?

The brusque answer: aye, you can! In that location are many programs that don't require the GRE in a range of disciplines, including Main's, PhD, and MPH programs. There are also programs that allow you to waive the GRE requirement under sure circumstances. Still others only crave the GRE if yous are applying for funding or fellowships. Furthermore, there are even programs that, while they may require the GRE, strongly de-emphasize it in the admissions process. In this case your score really doesn't thing very much.

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Hurrah! You don't need the GRE subsequently all!

Graduate Programme Types Without GRE Scores Required

There are a few specific graduate school program areas and types that frequently have a "No GRE Required" policy. We'll describe those here:

MFA Programs

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs are advanced degrees for those involved in the creative pursuits—music, moving-picture show, theater, creative writing, painting, and so on. MFA programs frequently either waive the GRE score requirement or strongly de-emphasize it in admissions. Instead, what typically matters most in MFA admissions is a portfolio of your creative work. You will be evaluated and offered admission primarily based on the force of that piece of work; GRE scores merely aren't that important. You are better off putting your hours into your portfolio or audition rather than into GRE prep.

Executive Programs

Programs designed for working professionals oftentimes practise non require the GRE. This is because these programs are designed to expand specific professional skills, makingwork experience more than salient than test scores. Additionally, those with established careers may have less patience and time to prepare for a standardized examination. Non requiring the GRE can make these programs much more attractive to professional applicants.

The take hold of is that you frequently have to have a certain corporeality of work experience (often 5+ years) to utilise. But if you do take robust piece of work feel and you don't desire to take the GRE, look for an executive program. These can as well be called professional person programs. They are often offered through a university'southward school of continuing or professional studies.

Online Main's Programs

Another area where you lot may find many main'southward programs without GRE score requirements is online. Students getting their master's degrees online don't have to be fed, housed, placed in classrooms, and and then on. Thus, it doesn't take as many resources to accommodate them. This means online programs can beget to have more students and don't necessarily demand to be as rigorously selective in admissions equally in-person programs.

The flip side is that some consideronline principal's programs less legitimate than in-person programs. In the early days of online education, bogus schools and programs proliferated apace, offering low-quality pedagogy with fiddling value in the real world. However, many well-established schools and universities at present offering legitimate, high-quality online programs in improver to their on-campus ones.

Some employers likewise value online programs less because student-student and pupil-faculty interaction create a big part of the value of any degree, and it's harder to facilitate that in an online program. In-person programs also accept the benefit of making it much easier to do enquiry or projects with professors, which is another thing that adds a lot of value to a degree.

Additionally, many online programs are for-turn a profit. Degrees from for-profit institutions are typically non well-respected considering these institutions aren't really learning-driven so much as turn a profit-driven. This is something to be aware of when considering a pricey investment like graduate school. And no matter what institution of higher learning you choose, make certain that a legitimate accrediting body has accredited it.

Of course, there too are some online programs that practice require the GRE. Then make sure to double-check before you presume!

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Plus, if you get your degree online, you'll miss out on all those swanky study spaces.

Mutual GRE-Score Waiving Policies

At that place are a few other common policies you may notice that allow you to waive the GRE at a diverseness of programs.

Undergraduate GPA Cutoff

Schools frequently offer waivers to applicants who meet certain undergraduate GPA requirements. For instance, at the Illinois Institute of Technology, the GRE is waived for all primary's caste applicants (except in Architecture) with an undergraduate GPA of at to the lowest degree 3.0/4.0.

A requirement of 3.0 on a iv-point scale to waive the GRE is mutual for these types of policies. However, don't presume you won't qualify for a GPA-related waiver anywhere just because your undergraduate GPA isn't that high. For example, Indiana University'due south Principal in Public Wellness program waives the GRE for applicants with a GPA of 2.eight+.

Other Graduate Caste

You may also find programs that are willing to waive GRE requirements if you concord another graduate degree. For instance, the Academy of Illinois' Library and Information primary's caste program waives the GRE for applicants holding a JD or PhD (they accept an undergrad GPA waiver, too)! University of New Hampshire waives the GRE for MPH applicants with a previous master's degree or 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Professional Experience

Many schools will besides waive the GRE requirement for applicants with professional person piece of work experience, peculiarly relevant experience. At American University'southward Primary of Public Affairs programme, the GRE can be waived for students with five years of relevant experience. Five years seems like the standard amount of expected experience for waiving the GRE. Only definitely look around if you have at least several years of experience!

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I'm an astronaut! How dare yous crave me to accept the GRE!

Applying to Graduate School Without GRE Scores: What You Need to Know

If yous're hoping to apply to graduate schools without GRE scores—either because you don't want to take the test or your scores were lower than expected—here are the questions to consider.

Should I Apply to Programs With No GRE Required?

Then you know that in that location are programs that don't require you to send in GRE scores with your application. But is it worth it to utilize to them? And should you avoid the GRE altogether merely because you can?

There are instances where the no-GRE options are considerably less prestigious than GRE-required programs. They may be less selective or non as highly ranked as their GRE-requiring counterparts. Y'all can assess how of import the level of prestige is to you lot and how much that affects your willingness to invest in graduate school.

That said, if you scan the listing below, you volition see that there are some very well-reputed institutions and programs with no-GRE required graduate programs. Some examples include Johns Hopkins, Columbia Academy, University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois, UC-Berkeley, Georgetown, NYU, Northwestern, and MIT. And so whether or non no GRE necessarily means less highly-ranked schools is going to depend a lot on what you want to report.

It's also worth because why you lot're trying to utilise to programs with no GRE required. If yous just think the GRE is a hassle that you want to avoid, that'south non necessarily a great reason to only apply to no-GRE programs. This is especially true if there aren't very many of those in your discipline. You will invest a lot of time and money into graduate school; limiting your options will constrain your power to choose the program that truly works all-time for your needs and interests.

Of class, if you already have a pretty good thought of exactly what you want in a program and your dream program merely happens to not require the GRE, that'south dandy! So you may actually not demand to accept the test.

You may also be looking for no-GRE programs because you already took the test and didn't do besides equally you lot expected or hoped. First, remember this: GRE scores are typically not the nigh important part of your graduate school application. Thus, a lower score than you hoped is not necessarily the death knell at schools that require the GRE. Second, information technology admittedly is possible to improve your GRE score through preparation. So I would advise yous to become back on that horse and take the test again in a few months. And if your scores are still a footling low or y'all don't take time to take the test again, consider applying to a mix of no-GRE and GRE-required schools. You won't know if those scores volition proceed you lot from getting admitted if yous don't use.

Volition Non Sending Optional GRE Scores Hurt My Chances?

There are a number of programs that have GRE-optional policies, or say that the GRE is used as "supplemental" information. You lot may wonder if not sending GRE scores in this case hurts you lot.

If the GRE is truly optional, and then not sending scores aren't likely to directly hurt your chances of admissions. However, good GRE scores will definitely assistance you, at least a little bit. They clearly aren't super-important to the admissions committee since they aren't required. However, good scores will exist a finger on the scale.

That said, some schools practise say that they "recommend" the GRE or are up-front that sending GRE scores increases your chance of admission. In this case, it's in your best interest to send GRE scores.A potential exception is if your scores are far lower than your goal score and you don't have fourth dimension to retake the test before the deadline.

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Good GRE scores are a finger on the scale—simply expect, not this kind of scale!

A List of Graduate Schools With No GRE Required

Beneath, we've provided 2 lists: the first includes chief's programs without GRE score requirements and the 2nd listing cover PhD and other doctoral-level degrees similar PsyDs and DPTs. We've included schools throughout a range of selectivity, plan ranking, and geography, but this is far from an exhaustive list. We have excluded for-turn a profit institutions.

If non taking the GRE is of import to you lot, these lists are a adept starting identify. Nonetheless, you probably want to do additional research. You'll notice that some institutions announced on the below lists several times, indicating that they have multiple programs that don't crave GRE scores. For case, NYU and Johns Hopkins both appear five times and Purdue University appears four times. This suggests that there may be some broader policy or trend at that institution where they practise non crave or de-emphasizes GRE scores. And then if you encounter a school on this list multiple times, definitely check information technology out if you are looking for other programs that don't require the GRE.

Now for the lists!

Master's Programs Without GRE Scores Required

If you're looking to go a principal's degree without GRE scores, the below list of programs that don't require GRE scores to apply is a great starting place for your research!

Programme Type School Degree Plan Name Policy
Advertising Boston University MS Advertising GRE non required
Emerson College MA Integrated Marketing Communication Tin apply for GRE/GMAT waiver
Business organisation Administration Emory MBA Executive MBA Can utilize for GRE/GMAT waiver
Florida Country University MBA Tin can apply for GRE/GMAT waiver
NYU Stern School of Business organization MBA GRE-optional; however, GRE or GMAT may provide proof of quantitative skill
Informatics Academy of Illinois MS or MCS Estimator Scientific discipline GRE recommended merely not required
Purdue University MS Information science GRE non required
Johns Hopkins MS Estimator Science GRE not required
Counselor Education University of Pennsylvania M.S.Ed. Executive Master's in Schoolhouse and Mental Health Counseling GRE non required
Oregon State MCouns Master's in Counseling – School Rails Applicants with lower than 3.00/4.00 undergraduate GPA "encouraged" to take the GRE
Texas A&M Chiliad.Ed. School Counseling GRE not required
Instruction Michigan State University MA Education GRE optional
Purdue University MS Special Pedagogy or Educational Leadership and Policy Studies GRE non required if undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher
Academy of California-Berkeley MA Developmental Leadership Didactics or Master'south in Science and Mathematics Teaching GRE not required
Johns Hopkins Various Diverse programs in the schoolhouse of education GRE non required
Education Leadership and Administration University of Pennsylvania Ed.D. Education Leadership GRE not required
University of Southern California Ed.D. Educational Leadership Writing cess or GMAT can exist submitted in lieu of GRE
Johns Hopkins Ed.D. Instruction GRE not required
Engineering (Electrical) Illinois Institute of Technology MECE Electrical and Computer Engineering "The GRE requirement is waived for applicants to professional person main'southward caste programs (Compages programs are not included) who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United states with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher."
Johns Hopkins MS Electrical and Estimator Engineering science GRE not required
Engineering (Industrial) New Mexico State University MS Industrial Engineering GRE non required
Wayne State Academy MS Industrial Engineering GRE not required, but high scores will boost application chances
Applied science (Mechanical) Illinois Institute of Engineering science M.Eng. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering "The GRE requirement is waived for applicants to professional master's caste programs (Architecture programs are not included) who agree a bachelor's degree from an accredited establishment in the United States with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0/iv.0 or higher."
Rochester Establish of Engineering M.Eng. Mechanical Engineering GRE not required
Johns Hopkins M.Eng. Mechanical Technology GRE not required
Health Administration Ohio University MHA (online) GRE optional
M State Valley University MHA GRE non required
University of Scranton MHA GRE not required if undergrad GPA is at least three.0/4.0
Hospitality Management Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies MPS (Master of Professional Studies) Hospitality Management GRE not required
Widener Academy MS Hospitality and Tourism GRE not required
NYU School of Professional person Studies MS Hospitality Industry Studies GRE optional
Journalism and Advice Columbia Teacher's Higher MA, EdM Advice GRE not required
Columbia Schoolhouse of Journalism MS Journalism GRE not required, except for some dual-degree programs
Columbia School of Journalism MA Specialized Journalism GRE non required
Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies MPS Journalism GRE not required
American University MA Interactive Journalism or Strategic Communication GRE optional
University of California-Berkeley MJ Journalism GRE not required, except for FLAS fellowships and some dual-caste programs
Library and Information science University of Illinois MS Library and Data Science "GRE scores are only required for applicants with a GPA below 3.0 on a iv.0 scale in the last 2 years of undergraduate coursework. Applicants property a JD or PhD are not required to submit GRE scores."
Academy of Washington MLIS Library and Information Science GRE non required
Syracuse Academy MS Library and Information Science GRE not required for about students
Nutrition SUNY-Oneonta MS Nutrition and Dietetics GRE not required
Case Western Reserve MS Nutrition GRE non required
NYU Steinhart MS Food and Diet GRE not required
NYU Steinhart MS Clinical Nutrition GRE not required
Public Affairs University of Baltimore MPA GRE not required
American Academy MPA GRE can be waived if five years relevant piece of work experience
University of Illinois at Chicago MPA GRE required but for applicants applying for financial aid
Public Health Academy of New Hampshire MPH GRE can be waived if five years relevant work experience or previous master's degree
California State University-Fullerton MPH GRE not required
Indiana Academy MPH GRE not required if two.eight+/4.0 undergraduate GPA
Social Piece of work University of Chicago MA Social Work GRE not required
University of Washington MSW GRE not required
NYU Silver School of Social Work MSW GRE not required
Case Western Reserve MS Social Administration GRE not required
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Get the coffee prepare, nosotros're going to graduate schoolhouse!

PhD Programs Without GRE Scores Required

The following chart lists PhD programs without GRE scores required.

Programme Blazon School Degree Policy
Anthropology Academy of Massachusetts-Amherst PhD GRE not required
Fine art History University of New Mexico PhD GRE non required
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Washington State University PhD GRE optional
Business organization Psychology, Organizational Leadership, International Psychology, Applied Behavioral Psychology Chicago School of Professional Psychology PhD GRE non required
Chemistry Purdue Academy PhD GRE optional
Civil Engineering Academy of Idaho PhD GRE not required
Clinical Psychology Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine PsyD GRE not required; but previous master's degree required
Computer Science Purdue University PhD GRE not required
Counseling Oregon State PhD GRE non required
Electrical Engineering science and Information science MIT PhD/ScD GRE not considered
French and Francophone Studies Northwestern Academy PhD GRE not required
History Northwestern Academy PhD GRE non required (and will not be considered)
Linguistics MIT PhD GRE non required
Media Arts and Science MIT Media Lab PhD GRE not required
Nursing Practise University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth DNP GRE required just if fewer than 45 credits earned at undergraduate establishment
Chemist's shop Academy of California-San Diego PharmD GRE not required
Philosophy Academy of Wisconsin-Madison PhD GRE not required (and will not exist considered)
Concrete Therapy Clarkson University DPT GRE non required
Physics Oregon State PhD GRE not required
Social Welfare CUNY-Graduate Centre PhD GRE non required
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What do you mean, "PhD" doesn't stand up for Pumpkin-head Deluxe!?

Key Takeaways: Applying to Graduate School Without GRE Scores

If you want to go to graduate school but y'all've been dreading the thought of taking the GRE, you should know that you lot tin can get into graduate school without GRE scores!

While you can find at least a few programs in all disciplines that don't require the GRE for access, in that location are several plan types where there are many options for no GRE required graduate programs:

  • MFAs tend to focus more on your artistic work as a criteria for admission.
  • Executive programs are aimed at working professionals with specific plan needs.
  • Online programs tin accommodate more than students and thus may not need to use the GRE to screen applicants.

At that place are too several common policies that may let you to waive the GRE if:

  • Yourundergrad GPA meets a sure threshold (normally three.0/four.0)
  • You already have a graduate degree
  • Yous have some years of relevant professional experience (usually v+)

Here are some things to consider when applying to programs without the GRE:

  • In some disciplines, no-GRE programs might non be as prestigious or selective as GRE-required programs (though there are of course exceptions).
  • If you just don't desire to take the GRE, be aware that you are limiting your awarding options past only applying to no-GRE programs.
  • If yous want to utilise to no-GRE programs because y'all feel y'all did poorly on the GRE, consider prepping and taking the GRE again. You can also always apply to a mix of GRE-required and no-GRE schools to give yourself your best chance of access.

Hither are things to consider for GRE-optional programs:

  • In general, sending good GRE scores volition help you a little, and not sending GRE scores won't hurt you.
  • However, some programs recommend the GRE or land that those who ship the GRE take better chances of access, in which instance y'all should ship GRE scores if you can.

Finally, our lists of master's and PhD programs without GRE score requirements gives you a good starting place for looking for programs that you can apply to without GRE scores!

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And if you happen to know a unicorn, you should inquire them for advice, too.

What'south Next?

Demand more information on graduate school and admissions tests? You lot can larn more about graduate schoolhouse from our experts. You lot can too get expert guidance on whether to take the GRE or the GMAT for business concern school!

Worried about taking the GRE? Permit us advise y'all on how hard the test really is.

Worried about your scores? See more on interpreting what your GRE scores really mean and what makes a expert GRE score for yous.

If y'all've decided to accept the GRE plunge, let united states guide yous through the process! Run across our footstep-by-footstep guide to GRE registration, when to have the GRE, and how long to study for the examination.

Fix to improve your GRE score by seven points?

We've written a eBook about the superlative 5 strategies yous must be using to have a shot at improving your GRE score. Download it for free now:



Ellen is a public health graduate pupil and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to accomplish their goals and in-depth knowledge on a diversity of wellness topics. View all posts past Ellen McCammon