Admissions Requirements

Program Admission Requirements

Some academic programs may have GPA and/or English proficiency standards that are higher than the university’s minimum requirements (outlined below). In addition, academic programs may require supplementary admissions materials and entrance exams that must be submitted before an application is considered complete. Applicants should contact their program of interest to learn about specific requirements.

Note: Some doctoral programs require the completion of a master's degree before admission is granted to a doctoral program. Doctoral applicants should also have substantial specialized coursework in the proposed area of study.

University Admission Requirements

Domestic Student Minimum Admission Requirements

Academic Preparation
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited US institution or a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.

Grade Point Average
For regular admission consideration, master’s degree applicants should have a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 2.75 (C+), or its equivalent, in upper division coursework, and doctoral applicants should have a minimum of 3.0 (B).

International Student Minimum Admission Requirements

Academic Preparation

Grade Point Average

Verification of Degrees

English Proficiency Requirements

Documentation of Financial Support

Academic Preparation
International applicants must complete the equivalent of a US four-year degree, including all state and external/internal examinations required for the degree/diploma. Although a degree in another country may have a name similar to a US degree, this does not necessarily indicate the degree can be accepted as equivalent. For example: three-year general degrees (from Canada, India/Pakistan, France, Lebanon, etc.) are not accepted for graduate admission to Wayne State University. In all cases, applicants must have completed a four-year Honours degree, or have completed additional undergraduate requirements, to be considered for admission to graduate school at Wayne State University. Three-year degree-holding applicants who wish to pursue graduate studies at Wayne State University should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for information on our post-bachelor’s application for admission.

Grade Point Average
For regular admission consideration, master’s degree applicants should have a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 2.75 (C+), or its equivalent, in upper division coursework, and doctoral applicants should have a minimum of 3.0 (B).

Verification of Degrees
Official documents must show the degree title and the date of award. If the applicant is currently a candidate for a degree, admission can be made on a provisional basis. The provisional status of the admission can only be satisfied when the appropriate transcript with a degree statement is received by the Office of Graduate Admissions. It is expected that all graduate-level students will have earned the bachelor's degree prior to beginning graduate study at Wayne State, and will provide evidence of such no later than their first term of academic enrollment. Failure to do so may result in discontinuation of enrollment.

Transcripts or mark sheets of bachelor’s degree grades must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The transcript must show a record of subjects taken, grades and the degree earned. The units or credits earned for each course should be listed. It is not necessary to submit secondary school records. All documents should be submitted in English and in the native language (if applicable).

Photocopies of original overseas international documents must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution – the signature and seal must be original and separate from the photographic image. Attested or "true" copies are acceptable only if certified by signature and seal of an administrative official of the school in which the studies were completed. Alternatively, copies of such documents may be attested by the embassy, consulate or Ministry of Education located in the country from which the student is applying.

English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution in one of the following countries are exempt from the TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS requirement: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Greenland, Guyana, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, South Africa, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Applicants who do not meet this criteria are required to submit an official qualifying score from either TOEFL (79 internet-based and 550 paper-based), MELAB (85), or IELTS (6.5) to establish English proficiency. The score must be officially reported by ETS TOEFL, cannot be institutional, cannot be provided by another university, and must be no more than two years old. Please report your TOEFL score to Wayne State University using institution code 1898.

Documentation of Financial Support

International students must provide a bank statement form and financial affidavit of support. The financial affidavit of support must prove your or your sponsor's willingness to pay for tuition, registration fees, books, and living expenses (if applicable) for the duration of your studies. For funding support minimums, please see the Graduate I-20 Amount Requirements.

You or your sponsor's ability to provide the needed funds must be verified by a third party, such as a bank. You may use our bank statement form or you may request a letter from your sponsor's bank indicating the name of the bank, the account number, account holder's signature, and bank official's signature.

Your application can be considered without a financial affidavit of support; however, final admission cannot be granted until we receive proof of your financial abilities. If you plan to finance your education via fellowship, assistantship or scholarship, this process takes time and requires separate applications. Individual programs may also offer additional funding opportunities; please inquire with the department directly. If you are granted scholarship monies, you may use documentation of an award toward proving financial support.

Statements from chartered accountants and those listing property and other non-liquid assets cannot be accepted.

These documents are required for the student F-1 or J-1 visa petition at the American embassy or consulate in the home country; students should request two original copies of financial documents: one for the visa application and one for Wayne State University.