In almost all cases, graduate admission will fall into one of three categories: Full Standing Admission, Conditional Admission, or Qualifying for Admission.

To be admitted to the graduate program with Full Standing Admission, a student must:

1. Submit a transcript demonstrating completion of a bachelor's degree that required four or more years of study, or an equivalent. The undergraduate grade point average must be a B average or better (GPA ³ 3.0/4.0). In some circumstances, such as for adult students, this grade point average requirement may be modified and satisfactory completion of specific undergraduate prerequisites be required instead.
2. Submit GRE general test scores that are competitive with the scores of other current applicants and with current students. The International Programs Office requires international students to submit GRE scores prior to admission, and only in exceptional circumstances is this requirement deferred. A high GRE score is one circumstance that can influence modification of the 3.0/4.0 GPA requirement.
3. An International student must submit a TOEFL score of 500 paper based or 213 computer based or better prior to admission. An International student applying for an assistantship which involves working with students must submit a score of at least 195 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or equivalent. The TSE may be taken after arriving at the University of Mississippi, but a score of less than 195 disqualifies the applicant from assignments as a laboratory assistant.

All of the above requirements must be satisfied in order to become a graduate student with Full Standing Admission.

A student who meets most requirements, but not all, may be admitted as a Conditional Admission. A Conditional Admission student will receive graduate credit for courses at the 600 level and the 500 level that are completed successfully. A Conditional Admission student has only one semester, or 9 credit hours, to meet all requirements and become a student with Full Standing Admission. A student who fails to meet all the remaining requirements within this time limit will be reclassified as a Non-degree student.

A student who lacks adequate background to begin graduate study in electromagnetics, or who lacks several of the above requirements, may be admitted as a Qualifying for Admission student. A Qualifying for Admission student is restricted to classes at the 500 level or below, and courses taken as a Qualifying for Admission do not receive graduate credit toward meeting degree requirements. A Qualifying for Admission student cannot receive a Graduate Assistantship or a Graduate Tuition Scholarship, and is not eligible for financial aid.. A student who begins his or her career as Qualifying for Admission student may attend the University to complete prerequisite requirements, improve English language skills, etc.—in these cases the Qualifying for Admission status can be used productively to prepare for graduate study.