Graduate Admissions: How to Apply

Requirements

Note: The Graduate College requires all graduate applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate coursework.

MA Applicants

Applicants must have completed at least 24 hours of coursework in the social sciences (Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology) or other relevant fields and have achieved a 3.0 GPA.  The department may require the student to make up deficiencies in undergraduate preparation.

In addition, if you are seeking finanical assistance in form of a graduate assistantship, see the section on financial support below (and note the deadline).

MIDA and MIDA-Peace Corps Applicants

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree, preferably in the social sciences (Anthropology, Economics, History, Sociology) with either a concentration in political science or public administration, and should have some exposure to economics and/or statistics.  Under some circumstances, an applicant’s actual public administration experience and professional attainments may substitute for undergraduate preparation.  A GPA of 3.0 in all undergraduate work is normally a requirement; however, where grading scales are computed differently, equivalencies will be determined.

Submit the following materials:

MIDA-Peace Corps applicants are to simultaneously apply for admission to the Peace Corps when applying to the MIDA program. To contact the Peace Corps to obtain information and applications call 1-800-424-8580 or visit the Peace Corps website (www.peacecorps.gov).

Peace Corps applicants should also:

In addition, if you are seeking finanical assistance in form of a graduate assistantship, see the section on financial support below (and note the deadline).

Ph.D. Applicants

Applicants must have completed at least 24 hours of undergraduate coursework in the social sciences (Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology) or other relevant fields and have achieved a 3.25 GPA in their last two years of their bachelor’s degree.  Student’s applying with a master’s degree must have achieved a GPA of 3.25 in their graduate work. 

Submit the following materials:

• A brief statement of academic and professional objectives.
• Three Academic References (download graduate reference form).
• GRE scores for verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections (WMU School Code # 1902).
• A writing sample in the form of two research papers or master’s thesis.
• Transcripts (see below).
• A c.v. or resume.

In addition, if you are seeking financial assistance in form of a graduate assistantship or associateship, see the section on financial support below (and note the deadline).

Financial Support

Graduate Assistantships and Associateships. The Department of Political Science supports a number of its graduate students each year. Students typically work as teaching or research assistants. Advanced students may be able to teach their own courses. MA and MIDA students can apply for assistantships; doctoral students may be awarded either an assistantship or an associateship. In order to apply for financial assistance, you must submit your application by February 15 to be considered for the following academic year.  Admission to the graduate program must be complete by February 15 before application for an assistantship will be considered.  See below for forms. NOTE: This form is in lieu of the form you will find in the Graduate College web site for application for an assistantship.  (Fill out our form instead .)

Other Sources of Financial Support. Click here for information on financial aid from the Graduate College.

The Graduate Application Admissions Process

U.S. Citizens and Individuals With Green Cards

A hard copy of the WMU graduate admissions form may be received by requesting one from the WMU Admissions Office

An on-line application where you may apply directly is found below under Forms. Please note the application fee.

Transcripts (original) from all undergrad and grad education institutions attended after high school need to be sent to the WMU Admissions Office.  The department is willing to accept student copy transcripts for admission purposes, but the Admissions Office must have original transcripts on file for applicants to receive full admission.  When GRE scores are required, they should be sent to the WMU Admissions Office; WMU’s school code is 1902.

Admissions Office application deadlines

                                                      

International students

All non-U.S.A. citizens who do not have an Alien Registration Card ("Green Card") or I-551 Immigrant Visa and students with any type of nonimmigrant visa -- such as F, J, L, etc. -- must apply using the "Application for International Students" that is obtained from the Office of International Student Services (OISS).

A hard copy of the international student admissions form may be received by requesting one from the OISS office

An on-line application where you may apply directly and find complete details about the admission process is found below under Forms. Please note the application fee.

Below is only a small portion of the information you will find at the OISS web site:

Application deadlines for international students are:

Please follow the steps listed below when applying for admission to Western Michigan University:

Applicant must complete ALL of the forms (for example Statement of Finances and Proof of English Competency) and return it to the WMU Office of International Student Services with the appropriate fees.:

You may enroll in the WMU Career English Language Center for International Students (CELCIS) until you achieve the required TOEFL score for academic enrollment. You may obtain a CELCIS application form by writing to:

Forms