Academic Regulations

General Regulations

  1. The university reserves the right to modify its regulations in accordance with accepted academic standards and requirements.
  2. Students are expected to acquaint themselves with the university’s overall academic policies and with the policies relevant to the specific academic discipline.

Admission

  1. The graduate division is open to all students regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, age or handicap who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Specific admission requirements appear under each graduate division.
  2. All documents pertaining to admission to the graduate division should be submitted via graduate admissions.
  3. Applicants for non-matriculated status are required to submit a completed application for non-matriculated status and all undergraduate and graduate transcripts. An application fee of $30 (U.S. funds), payable to Niagara University, must accompany the application.
  4. English Language Proficiency: Nonnative English speakers seeking admission to Niagara University must verify their proficiency in English by
    NU Admission Requirement
    Exam Score
    TOEFL Paper 550
    TOEFL iBT 79-80
    IELTS 6.0
    CETS 450

    taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A TOEFL score of 550+ (paper exam) is required for admission. Students may take the TOEFL PBT until it is discontinued in their area and submit the scores for two years after the test date. Niagara University will also accept TOEFL internet-based, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the College English Test. Students meeting the admission requirements will also need to provide a writing sample and a conversation evaluation before classes begin. 
  5. Niagara University will offer Conditional Admission to applicants who meet our academic coursework requirements, but need additional English language training. Applicants may apply for Conditional Admission and if granted, must enroll in an accredited language training program approved by Niagara University, i.e. Embassy English. Students who successfully complete the program at the advanced level, C1 or above meet the equivalency of our language proficiency requirement. Conditional Admission may not be used for I-20 issuance.
  6. All credentials submitted for admission become and remain the property of the university.
  7. See specific program for additional admissions requirements.
  8. Challenge exams are not permitted at the graduate level.
  9. Misrepresentations on application forms may result in expulsion or degree revocation.

Immunization Requirements

NYS Public Health Law Section 2165 and NYCRR Title 10, Subpart 66-2 require students attending post-secondary institutions, who were born on or after January 1, 1957 and registered for 6 or more credit hours, to demonstrate proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. Public Health Law Section 2165 provides for medical and religious exemptions to immunization.

Measles

Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to measles. Only one of the following is required:

  • The student must submit proof of two doses of live measles vaccine: the first dose given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday and the second at least 28 days after the first dose; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to measles. This means the demonstration of measles antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had measles disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services; or
  • If a student is unable to access his/her immunization record from a health care provider or previous school, documentation that proves the student attended primary or secondary school in the United States after 1980 will be sufficient proof that the student received one dose of live measles vaccine. If this option is used, the second dose of measles vaccine must have been administered within one year of attendance at a post-secondary institution.

Mumps

Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to mumps. Only one of the following is required:

  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live mumps vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to mumps. This means the demonstration of mumps antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
  • The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician that the student has had mumps disease; or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

Rubella

Students born on or after January 1, 1957 must submit proof of immunity to rubella. Only one of the following is required:

  • The student must submit proof of one dose of live rubella vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student's first birthday; or
  • The student must submit serological proof of immunity to rubella. This means the demonstration of rubella antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory (Since rubella rashes resemble rashes of other diseases, it is impossible to diagnose reliably on clinical grounds alone. Serological evidence is the only permissible alternative to immunization.); or
  • The student must submit proof of honorable discharge from the armed services within 10 years from the date of application to the institution. The proof of honorable discharge shall qualify as a certificate enabling a student to attend the institution pending actual receipt of immunization records from the armed services.

Meningococcal Disease

New York State PHL Section 2167 requires post-secondary institutions to distribute information about meningococcal disease and immunization to the students, or parents or guardians of students under the age of 18, accompanied by a response form. The institution is required to maintain appropriate documentation for each student. Acceptable documentation includes any of the following:

  • A vaccine record indicating at least 1 dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine within the last 5 years or a complete 2- or 3-dose series of MenB without a response form; or
  • A signed response form with a vaccine record (If a student submits a response form selecting this option, a vaccine record must be attached); or
  • A signed response form indicating that the student will obtain meningococcal vaccine within 30 days; or
  • A signed response form indicating that the student will not obtain immunization against meningococcal disease.

If the student has not received meningococcal vaccine within the past 5 years, then he/she must submit the signed response form.

Student Medical Insurance

Niagara University requires ALL full-time undergraduate students to retain health insurance, including athletes, international, and Canadian students.  ALL students MUST take action prior to the deadline their first semester and then EVERY FALL.  The cost of medical insurance and knowledge of the coverage of a specific insurance plan are the sole responsibilities of the student. Students are required to have insurance before attending class. A student health insurance program is offered through Haylor, Freyer & Coon. ALL students will be automatically enrolled in the plan, with the option to waive coverage.

  • Domestic students can either enroll or retain comparable coverage via their current health insurance plan or family plan. If a student will use their own health insurance plan or be covered by a parent’s plan, there is a requirement to demonstrate proof of comparable health insurance coverage and waive out of the plan offered by Haylor, Freyer & Coon.
  • International students are automatically enrolled and do not have the option to waive coverage.
  • Canadian athletes are automatically enrolled and do not have the option to waive coverage.
  • Canadian non-athlete students must sign into myNU to waive coverage.

Waive Coverage (Domestic Students Only)

Domestic students using their own health insurance plan must complete the following.

All students will be charged for this plan on your student account bill by Student Records and Financial Services unless you waive coverage.  Once coverage is waived, Haylor, Freyer & Coon will provide confirmation of approved waivers to Student Records and Financial Services. After confirmation the insurance charge will be removed from the student’s account, usually within 5-7 business days.  If the student does not waive out by the deadline, the student will automatically be liable for the charge on the student’s tuition bill.