How to apply

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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 application

• Application types

  Graduate reapplication

  In order 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 supporting documents you submitted with that application to process your new application. There may be further admission requirements to fulfill based on your new program of choice.

  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.

• 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.

  Application fee waivers

  The following categories may qualify for a fee waiver. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions if you are unsure whether you qualify for a fee waiver, or if you do qualify and need the waiver applied to your application. Only one fee waiver will be granted per student. Once you pay the application fee, a refund cannot be issued at a later date.

  Fee waivers may be granted based on the following categories: (Email gradadmissions@wayne.edu with documentation verifying your participation.)

  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 Affiliations 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) Other (in-house, i.e., TeachDETROIT, DPD Leadership Academy)

  5. Service & Volunteer Based (current or alumni)
  Military service and veterans
  Peace Corps
  Teach for America
  AmeriCorps
  City Year
  Summer in the City

  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.

  7. Humanitarian Crises
  Areas affected by a federal disaster as identified by FEMA.
  Areas receiving emergency or disaster relief from UNICEF.

  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).

• 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

  A 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 by courier. Electronic transcripts will be accepted if they are delivered securely from the registrar of the issuing institution directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If 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:

  • Sept. 30 for the fall and medical year terms.

  • Jan. 31 for the winter term.

  • 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.

• Submit a compelling application
• International applicants
• Deadlines
• Frequently asked questions
• Request information