How to apply
Graduate Admissions remains open and has taken all services fully online due to the COVID-19 crisis. Our focus is on continuing to serve you, while keeping healthy and positive.
If you have previously started a graduate program and would like to re-enroll, please fill out this form.
Ready for the kind of real-life experience that's only possible at a top-ranked urban research university? A vibrant community of scholars stands ready to help you soar. Fill out the request information form to get any questions answered or connected with a representative from your program of interest.
If you're applying to a graduate program, you must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution or a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
Find out about the application process and then apply.
Complete your Fall 2020 application Complete your Winter, Spring/Summer or Fall 2021 application
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Application types
Graduate reapplication
To reapply, submit a new application for the term and program of your choice. If your first application is less than one year old, we will use any official documents you submitted with that application to process your new application. If you reapply to a new program, there may be additional admission requirements to fulfill.
Change of status
Do not complete a new application if you were previously enrolled in a graduate program at Wayne State University. Instead, complete the change of status form and work directly with the department you'd like to join for admission into a program.
Graduate guest admission application
Use this application if you are currently pursuing a graduate degree at a regionally accredited college or university other than Wayne State and want to transfer one term of WSU graduate coursework back to your home institution.
This status is valid for one term and a maximum of 12 semester credits. An applicant may apply for a subsequent term by completing the full approval process.
Graduate permit to register application
The permit to register option is not available in all university schools and colleges. Before submitting the application to the Office of Graduate Admissions, you must receive written approval from the college or department.
MIGS application
Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Program graduate students who are in good standing in a degree program are eligible to take graduate courses at several graduate schools in Michigan with prior approval from their home and potential host institutions. Students who elect to take graduate courses at the University of Michigan are eligible to enroll via the Wayne State University—University of Michigan Dual Registration Program.
WSU and UM dual-registration program
Wayne State University—University of Michigan Dual-Registration Program graduate students who are in good standing in a degree program may, at the option of their home department, elect to enroll in graduate courses at the University of Michigan, subject to certain guidelines. Tuition and enrollment will be handled by the Wayne State University Office of the Registrar. Contact the Wayne State University Office of the Registrar – Exceptions and Special Programs at esp@wayne.edu or (313) 577-3541 for additional information.
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Application fee
The graduate application fee is $50. This fee does not apply to MIGS, graduate non-degree or graduate guest applications.
The application fee is due when you submit your application. It is non-refundable. Once paid, the application fee is valid for four consecutive terms should you choose to reapply to the same or another program (Note that spring/summer is counted as two consecutive terms.).
Application fee waivers
The following categories qualify for an application fee waiver. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions if you are unsure whether you are eligible. If you are eligible, you must submit a fee waiver request with each application. Applicants who have already paid the application fee may not request an application fee waiver or an application fee refund.
1. WSU alumni. The application fee will be waived electronically within 24 hours of submitting your application. There is no need to contact us.
2. Current WSU undergraduate students in a degree seeking program who have applied for graduation. The application fee will be waived electronically within 24 hours of submitting your application. There is no need to contact us.
3. WSU Current Employees. Please send an email with your WSU department, title and access ID.
4. Pipeline programs. For spring/summer 2020 and fall 2020 applicants, please upload your proof of affiliation letter/form to your application in Additional Documents and send an email to gradadmissions@wayne.edu with “Application Fee Waiver” in the subject line. For applicants to the winter 2021 term and beyond, please follow the instructions contained within the online application.
- BUILD (Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity)
- GMS (Gates Millennium Scholars)
- IMSD (Initiative for Maximizing Student Development)
- LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation)
- McNair (Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program)
- MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers)
- PREP (Post-Baccalaureate Research and Education Program)
- RISE (Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement)
- SROP (Summer Research Opportunities Program)
- TeachDETROIT and DPD Leadership Academy, please have your program contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
5. Service & Volunteer Based (current or alumni). For non-military fee waivers, a letter (or form) from your organization (on the organization’s letterhead) verifying your participation in the program along with your dates of participation is required.
6. Need Based* (must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident)
Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on Student Aid Report (SAR) cannot exceed $5,000. A copy of your current SAR is required. *DACA and Undocumented Applicants, contact gradadmissions@wayne.edu for supporting materials.8. Graduate School Events If you attend select on-campus recruitment events hosted by the Graduate School (such as Fall Open House) or one of the graduate programs at WSU, your application fee will be waived if you submit an application while at the event. Only individuals attending the event will qualify for the fee waiver. Please check with the department hosting the event beforehand to find out if the department is offering application fee waivers and if so, what the formal process is for qualifying during the event (each department is different).
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Requirements
Admission to a graduate program at Wayne State is a two-step process. Applications for admission are first reviewed by staff in the Graduate School, followed by faculty/staff in the graduate program for which you are applying. Please review your program's website for additional admission requirements and timelines for review. The program website is the official source of information. Follow the guidelines of your graduate program if there are differences between their guidelines and those of the Graduate School. Your application is considered complete once you have submitted all documents to satisfy both the Graduate School's requirements and your program's specific requirements.
Degree
You must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from an officially recognized institution outside the United States to apply for graduate admission.
GPA
Master's applicant
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or its equivalent in upper division coursework.
Doctoral applicant
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent in upper division coursework.
Test scores
The Graduate School does not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). However, individual program requirements vary. Some graduate programs require you to submit satisfactory scores from the GRE. Please check with your program of interest about specific requirements.
If you are applying to a graduate program in the Mike Ilitch School of Business, you will be required to submit satisfactory scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or GRE. Contact the Mike Ilitch School of Business for specific requirements.
If your program of interest requires test scores, you will need to use school code 1898 to send your official GRE and GMAT scores to Wayne State University's Office of Graduate Admissions.
Official transcript
Submit your official transcript(s) to:
Wayne State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
5057 Woodward Ave., Suite 6000
Detroit, MI 48202
gradadmissions@wayne.eduA complete academic record includes credentials that indicate all courses of study completed and degrees or certificates earned at the collegiate level. Secondary school records are not required when applying for graduate study.
We will accept official transcripts electronically, by postal mail or courier. Official transcripts will only be accepted if they are delivered securely from the registrar of the issuing institution directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. When requested, the school code for sending official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions is 1898. An electronic (secure, certified PDF) transcript is official as long as it is not altered. A printed copy of a PDF transcript is not official. We will not accept an attested or notarized copy of a transcript, a hand delivered transcript, or a transcript that reads "issued to student."
International applicants, please read additional information on the admissions process and submitting official academic documents.
Unofficial transcripts may be submitted for the Office of Graduate Admissions to grant a decision on your application. In this case, temporary admission may be granted pending receipt of your official documents. For the fastest service, you should upload unofficial transcripts directly to your online application. However, you may also opt to use postal mail or email to send unofficial transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Residency
For tuition purposes, your residency status will be determined during the admission process based on information available in your admission records. Residency status is determined according to the tuition regulations and review procedures established by the Board of Governors of Wayne State University.
If you are admitted as a non-resident but think there are circumstances which would warrant changing your residency classification, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@wayne.edu.
After registering for classes, you may challenge the initial classification by filing an Request for In-State Classification for Tuition Assessment (PDF) with the Records and Registration Office. The application must be received by:
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Sept. 30 for the fall and medical year terms.
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Jan. 31 for the winter term.
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July 31 for the spring/summer term.
Ohio/Ontario Good Neighbor Policy
Non-resident graduate students who are residents of Fulton, Lucas, Ottawa or Williams counties in Ohio or Ontario, Canada, and enroll at Wayne State University in eligible academic programs will have the non-resident portion of tuition waived. This tuition benefit does not apply to certain academic programs, including the M.D. and doctor of pharmacy programs. Please refer to the Tuition and fee regulations for additional details.
Additional requirements
All credentials and/or documents you submit should contain your full name, WSU AccessID or date of birth. Lack of this information may cause processing to be delayed. Please notify the Office of Graduate Admissions if the name you provided prior to enrollment changes.
All materials submitted during the application process become the property of the university and will not be returned to the applicant.
Get more information on the application process and how to write a compelling personal statement.
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Next steps once admitted
- Activate your WSU Access ID and email accounts.
- Get your OneCard, your multipurpose identification and debit card. It provides students, faculty, staff, alumni and recognized affiliates access to a wide variety of campus services in a convenient, easy-to-use card. The OneCard Offlice located at The Welcome Center, 42 W. Warren, Detroit, is currently open Monday-Thursday by appointment only. Call: 313-577-2273 to make an appointment.
- Submit your official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Need to change your term of enrollment? First, contact your program, then submit a new application for a future term.
- Register for classes.
- Finally, see our resources page of useful information for incoming students.