Is this MSc level or PhD? I'm not sure about the American education system so my real question would be, is this a pre-PhD postgraduate qualification?
If it's a PhD, then the school themselves should be ashamed for not catching it or your friend is a super-genius. Is your friend qualified to a similar level (or higher) in this particular subject?
Edited by Son Goku, : Qualificated? My spelling is becoming atrocious.