Discover top universities in the USA accepting HND holders for master's degrees. Learn about eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply.
Pursuing a master’s degree in the United States can be a life-changing decision for many international students. For those holding a Higher National Diploma (HND), the pathway might appear uncertain. However, several reputable U.S. universities evaluate HND qualifications, often considering applicants through credential evaluation agencies. This offers a clear route for qualified students to begin their graduate studies.
Thousands of students holding HND certificates seek to further their education in the U.S., especially in fields like business, engineering, computer science, and health sciences. The U.S. education system is well-equipped to assess academic credentials from around the world, making it possible for determined students to gain admission into competitive programs. Universities accepting HND credentials usually require a credential evaluation from services like WES or ECE, which equates your qualification to U.S. standards.
In recent years, interest has grown rapidly among African, Asian, and Caribbean students in applying to U.S. universities with an HND. The schools listed here not only recognize HND credentials but also support international applicants with advising and scholarship opportunities, provided certain conditions are met.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants with an HND certificate must demonstrate academic readiness for graduate-level coursework. While requirements vary by institution and program, common eligibility conditions include:
- Completion of an HND with strong academic performance (typically merit or distinction level).
- Submission of an evaluated transcript from an approved agency like WES (World Education Services), ECE, or SpanTran.
- Proof of English language proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores.
- A well-written statement of purpose and academic or professional references.
- Some programs may require relevant work experience or additional coursework.
It’s essential to check individual program criteria, as not all departments within a university may accept HND credentials.
Application Deadline
While deadlines may differ across universities and departments, general timelines are:
- Fall intake (August/September): Application deadlines typically fall between December and March.
- Spring intake (January): Most universities accept applications between July and October.
Prospective students should begin preparations at least six to eight months before the intended intake to allow time for evaluations, English tests, and gathering application materials.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Choose the right program and university: Use official university websites to confirm if HND holders are accepted for your chosen program.
- Get your transcripts evaluated: Use WES, ECE, or SpanTran to convert your HND into a U.S. academic equivalent.
- Meet English language requirements: Register for TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo if your previous education was not in English.
- Prepare application materials: These include your SOP, recommendation letters, résumé, and financial documents.
- Submit your application online: Most U.S. universities use centralized application platforms or their own portals.
- Track your application: Log into the application system regularly and respond to any email requests from admissions staff.
Universities That Accept HND for Master's Programs
Here are selected U.S. universities known for accepting HND holders:
1. Wichita State University
Website: wichita.edu – WSU is a public research university in Wichita, Kansas, offering a wide range of master’s and doctoral programs.
2. University of South Carolina (Columbia Campus)
Website: sc.edu – As South Carolina’s flagship public research institution, UofSC offers over 230 graduate programs across 16 colleges.
3. University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte)
Website: charlotte.edu – A major R1 research university offering 66 master’s and 24 doctoral programs in Charlotte, North Carolina If you’d like me to continue with the remaining universities on your list, I can do that in subsequent batches. Let me know!
4. Texas A&M University – Commerce (now renamed East Texas A\&M University as of November 7, 2024)
Website: tamuc.edu – A public institution located in Commerce, Texas, offering doctoral, master’s, and specialist programs. It operates over 130 graduate degrees across fields like business, education, and science.
5. University of Minnesota, Duluth
Website: d.umn.edu – A regional campus of the University of Minnesota system located in Duluth, it offers graduate studies in engineering, education, medicine, and health sciences. UMD has appeared on lists of universities open to accepting HND holders for postgraduate admission.
6. Western Illinois University
Website: wiu.edu – WIU is a public university located in Macomb, Illinois. It offers a variety of graduate degrees and certificate programs across multiple fields. It is listed among U.S. schools accepting HNDs into master's degree programs.
7. University of Central Missouri
Website: ucmo.edu – UCM is a public university in Warrensburg, Missouri, offering over 40 graduate programs. It accepts international applicants with HNDs for some graduate studies, often requiring credential evaluation.
8. University of Missouri – St. Louis
Website: umsl.edu – UMSL, a public research university in St. Louis, Missouri, is part of the University of Missouri System. Known for programs in business, education, and public policy, the school has a record of evaluating HND credentials for graduate admission.
9. Georgia State University
Website: gsu.edu – Georgia State University is a major public research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It offers over 150 graduate degree programs across disciplines. GSU is known to evaluate international qualifications like HNDs for postgraduate studies.
10. University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
Website: umass.edu – UMass Amherst is the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system. It provides more than 100 master’s and doctoral programs, and is considered by some sources as HND-friendly for graduate applications, though credential evaluation (e.g., WES) is often required.
11. Dartmouth College
Website: dartmouth.edu – An Ivy League institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, Dartmouth offers rigorous graduate programs through its professional schools. Although highly competitive, some departments accept international applicants with HNDs and strong supporting credentials.
12. Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM)
Website: aum.edu – AUM is a public university located in Montgomery, Alabama. It offers a variety of graduate programs and has been identified as one of the U.S. schools open to evaluating HND holders for postgraduate study.
13. University of Memphis (Computer Department)
Website: memphis.edu – The University of Memphis is a public research university in Tennessee with strong graduate offerings, including in computer science. Its graduate school reviews international applications, including those from HND holders, particularly with transcript evaluations.
14. University of South Dakota
Website: usd.edu – The University of South Dakota is a public research university located in Vermillion, South Dakota. It offers graduate programs in health sciences, business, education, and more. USD has appeared on lists of U.S. universities that evaluate HNDs for master’s and PhD admission.
15. East Tennessee State University
Website: etsu.edu – ETSU, located in Johnson City, Tennessee, is known for its professional and graduate programs in health, education, and science. It is among the institutions open to assessing HND credentials for graduate studies.
16. North Dakota State University
Website: ndsu.edu – Based in Fargo, North Dakota, NDSU is a public research university offering more than 80 graduate programs. It is recognized for considering international students with HNDs, especially if a transcript evaluation is submitted.
17. University of Vermont
Website: uvm.edu – The University of Vermont is a public land-grant research university located in Burlington, Vermont. UVM offers graduate programs in multiple disciplines and may accept HND holders through a case-by-case evaluation process.
18. Cleveland State University
Website: csuohio.edu – Located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, CSU is a public university that provides over 120 graduate programs. It is included in several lists of U.S. universities that accept HNDs, with credential evaluation often encouraged.
19. University of Northern Iowa
Website: uni.edu – Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa offers graduate programs in education, business, sciences, and arts. UNI is listed among universities open to evaluating HNDs, especially through credential assessments.
20. Boise State University
Website: boisestate.edu – Boise State is a public university in Boise, Idaho. Known for innovation and research, the school offers numerous master’s programs. It is frequently referenced as HND-friendly for international graduate applicants.
21. University of Louisiana at Monroe
Website: ulm.edu – ULM is a public university in Monroe, Louisiana, offering graduate degrees in pharmacy, business, arts, and sciences. It’s among schools known to admit students with HNDs through case-by-case evaluation and transcript equivalency.
22. University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Website: ualr.edu – UA Little Rock is a metropolitan research university with a variety of graduate programs. The university is considered welcoming to applicants with HNDs provided they meet program-specific requirements.
23. Georgia Southern University
Website: georgiasouthern.edu – With campuses in Statesboro and Savannah, Georgia Southern offers over 140 graduate and undergraduate programs. It often considers applicants with HNDs for master’s studies, depending on academic strength and credential evaluation.
24. University of North Florida
Website: unf.edu – Located in Jacksonville, Florida, UNF offers a wide range of graduate programs. The school may accept HNDs when evaluated by a recognized foreign credential agency.
25. Central Michigan University
Website: cmich.edu – CMU, located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, offers over 70 graduate degree programs. The university is known to evaluate international qualifications like HND for master's program eligibility.
26. Western Kentucky University
Website: wku.edu – Based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, WKU provides graduate degrees across fields like education, health sciences, and business. The university often accepts international applicants with HND, pending credential evaluation.
27. University of North Dakota
Website: und.edu – UND is a research university in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It offers over 100 graduate programs and is HND-friendly for admission into master's degrees upon successful credential evaluation.
28. University of Central Arkansas
Website: uca.edu – UCA is located in Conway, Arkansas, and provides over 40 graduate programs. The university evaluates international applicants with HNDs based on academic credentials and equivalency.
29. Tennessee State University
Website: tnstate.edu – Located in Nashville, Tennessee, TSU is an HBCU that offers a wide range of graduate programs. The university reviews international credentials like HND through agencies such as WES or ECE.
30. Texas Southern University
Website: tsu.edu – Based in Houston, Texas, TSU is known for welcoming international students and considers HND qualifications through credential evaluation for graduate admissions.
31. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Website: louisiana.edu – Located in Lafayette, Louisiana, UL Lafayette offers several master's programs and reviews international HND holders based on evaluated academic equivalency.
32. South Dakota State University
Website: sdstate.edu – SDSU, located in Brookings, South Dakota, accepts international students with HNDs, provided they meet graduate school requirements via credential evaluation.
33. University of Southern Mississippi
Website: usm.edu – Based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USM offers various graduate degrees and typically allows students with HND qualifications to apply after third-party evaluation.
34. Western Illinois University
Website: wiu.edu – Located in Macomb, Illinois, WIU accepts international students and considers HND holders for master’s programs once credentials are evaluated by agencies like WES.
35. University of North Alabama
Website: una.edu – Based in Florence, Alabama, UNA is international-student-friendly and accepts HND qualifications through credential evaluation for graduate program consideration.
36. Jackson State University
Website: jsums.edu – A historically black university in Jackson, Mississippi, JSU welcomes international graduate students and considers HND through credential evaluations.
37. Albany State University
Website: asurams.edu – Located in Albany, Georgia, ASU allows international students to apply for graduate programs, with HND credentials typically requiring third-party evaluation.
38. Prairie View A&M University
Website: pvamu.edu – Situated in Prairie View, Texas, this HBCU accepts international graduate students and may accept HND applicants through WES or similar evaluations.
39. Central Michigan University
Website: cmich.edu – Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, CMU welcomes international students and evaluates non-U.S. academic credentials like HND through third-party services like WES or ECE.
40. Arkansas State University
Website: astate.edu – Based in Jonesboro, Arkansas, this public university allows HND holders to apply for graduate programs if they submit evaluated transcripts via approved agencies.
41. North Carolina A&T State University
Website: ncat.edu – A prominent HBCU in Greensboro, NCAT admits international students to graduate programs with credential-evaluated HND certificates.
42. Morgan State University
Website: morgan.edu – Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Morgan State is an HBCU that accepts international applicants and often considers HND holders via recognized credential evaluations.
43. Grand Valley State University
Website: gvsu.edu – Situated in Allendale, Michigan, GVSU has several graduate programs that may accept international qualifications like HND when evaluated by approved agencies.
44. Prairie View A\&M University
Website: pvamu.edu – Located in Texas, Prairie View is an HBCU that admits international students into master's programs. HND applicants are considered with credential evaluation.
45. University of Central Arkansas
Website: uca.edu – UCA, based in Conway, Arkansas, accepts international applications with non-U.S. degrees, including HND, when evaluated through accredited agencies.
46. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Website: louisiana.edu – This university in Louisiana may accept HND credentials with official evaluation for select graduate programs.
47. Southern University and A&M College
Website: subr.edu – Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this HBCU welcomes international students and considers evaluated HND credentials for graduate admissions.
48. University of Houston-Victoria
Website: uhv.edu – UHV accepts international graduate applicants with evaluated transcripts including HND qualifications.
49. University of North Alabama
Website: una.edu – UNA accepts international applicants and allows HND qualifications for graduate programs with credential evaluation.
50. Jackson State University
Website: jsums.edu – A public HBCU in Jackson, Mississippi, JSU considers international graduate students with HND via credential evaluation.
51. Fort Hays State University
Website: fhsu.edu – FHSU is a public university in Kansas that admits international applicants into graduate programs and recognizes evaluated HND certificates.
52. Lamar University
Website: lamar.edu – Based in Texas, Lamar University accepts graduate applications from HND holders with appropriate credential evaluation).
53. Radford University
Website: radford.edu – Radford University in Virginia admits international students into graduate programs and accepts HND credentials through evaluations.
Each of these institutions typically requires transcript evaluation and considers international qualifications on a case-by-case basis.
Official Website Links for More Information
Always use only the official university domains ending in .edu for applications and program information. Avoid unofficial sources or third-party consultants not verified by the universities themselves.
Conclusion
Choosing to apply for a master's degree in the United States with an HND is no longer out of reach. More U.S. universities are becoming inclusive of international educational systems and recognize the academic rigor of Higher National Diplomas, particularly when supported by proper credential evaluations and strong academic records.
Applicants looking for top U.S. universities that accept HND holders for master's degree programs can confidently explore options among the schools listed above. These universities have systems in place to assess international academic records, helping students with non-traditional qualifications pursue advanced studies. While not all departments may admit HND holders, departments in business, technology, and education are often open to reviewing these credentials.
A successful application depends on preparation, documentation, and meeting individual program criteria. Those committed to advancing their academic careers can leverage this opportunity to study in the U.S., expand their professional horizons, and join a global network of scholars.
FAQs about top universities in the USA that accept HND holders for master’s degree programs
1. Can I apply for a master’s degree in the USA with a Higher National Diploma (HND)?
Yes, you can apply to some universities in the USA with a Higher National Diploma (HND), though admission is often competitive and depends on additional academic credentials. HND alone is usually not equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree. However, many universities will consider HND holders if they present a strong academic record, relevant work experience, and sometimes a credential evaluation report from services like WES (World Education Services). Some schools may admit you conditionally or require a pre-master’s program or bridge coursework before full admission into a master’s program.
2. Which US universities are known to accept HND holders into postgraduate programs?
A few universities in the USA have a history of considering applications from HND holders, especially when supplemented by work experience or further study. These include:
- Wichita State University
- Western Illinois University
- University of Central Missouri
- University of South Alabama
- Jacksonville State University
- Grambling State University These universities sometimes request credential evaluations to verify your qualifications and may place you in a graduate program if your academic and professional background aligns well with their requirements.
3. What supporting documents do HND holders need to submit for master’s admission in US universities?
HND holders are expected to submit a range of supporting documents to strengthen their applications, which include:
- Official HND transcripts and certificates
- A credential evaluation (e.g., WES, ECE) converting HND results to the US equivalency
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume showing relevant work experience
- English Language Proficiency Test scores (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo)
- GRE or GMAT scores (if required by the program)
Providing strong documentation can compensate for gaps in academic qualifications and help secure conditional or full admission.
4. What strategies can HND holders use to improve their chances of being admitted for a master’s degree in the USA?
To improve your chances as an HND holder, consider the following strategies:
- Credential Evaluation: Use a service like WES to demonstrate your HND’s US equivalency.
- Further Study: Completing a top-up degree or postgraduate diploma before applying can significantly increase your eligibility.
- Professional Experience: Include meaningful, relevant work experience in your application.
- Strong SOP and Recommendations: Emphasize your motivation, achievements, and goals clearly and professionally.
- Apply to Friendly Schools: Choose schools that are HND-friendly and have international admissions support.
- Communicate with Admissions Officers: Reach out via email to clarify your eligibility and receive tailored advice.
5. Will an HND limit my chances of getting a student visa for a master’s program in the USA?
Not necessarily. As long as you gain admission into a SEVP-certified institution and receive an I-20 form, you are eligible to apply for an F-1 student visa. The US embassy is more concerned about the legitimacy of your school and the clarity of your study plans rather than the nature of your prior qualifications. However, during the visa interview, be prepared to clearly explain your academic background, why you chose that university and program, and your intentions after study. A strong financial statement, clear communication, and genuine academic motivation increase your chances of visa approval.
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