Admission Requirements

   Applicants who possess a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in Geography OR a related academic discipline such as social science, biological, engineering, health, business, or physical science majors may apply for our Masters program. The application involves two steps:

1. You should follow normal Western Michigan University application procedures to complete the online application process.

2. You must send a copy of your purpose statement, a copy of your B.S. transcript(s), three letters of references, and score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to our department. International students should submit evidence of English language proficiency such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score to The Office of International Student Services (OISS) following standard WMU procedures.

Admission to the WMU Department of Geography is rolling. However, it is preferable that students apply by March 31 for Fall semester and by September 30 for Spring semester admission.

Financial Aid

You may apply for a Department of Geography Graduate Assistantship. Assistantships are awarded through a process of competitive selection. Most assistants teach laboratory sections of physical geography, meteorology, or GISci courses. An assistantship provides a stipend and a tuition scholarship in return for 20 hours per week assisting in Geography Department duties. Students are supported no more than two academic years as graduate students.

International students must normally provide their own financial resources for at least their first year of graduate study. Assistantships are awarded annually. Applications should be submitted by February 28 each year. Awards are announced at the end of March. Award of an assistanship for the second year of graduate study is not guaranteed, but requires that a student is making good progress towards degree completion.

Domestic students may also arrange for student loans through the Student Financial Aid office.