A.  U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens

U.S. citizens and resident aliens may apply using either the self-managed application process or the online application process.  Those seeking admission should complete their application by the February 15 submission deadline.  Please see the Sociology Graduate Application Timeline for important dates.

1.  Self-Managed Application

With the self-managed application process, prospective students take responsibility for gathering all admission materials and submitting these materials before the February 15 deadline.  Instructions for completing the Graduate Self-Managed Application and submitting required materials are detailed on the application form.  Admissions information may be requested through the Office of Admissions.  Please contact Susan Standish (269-387-5286), the graduate advisor in the Department of Sociology, for additional materials required by the department and for assistance in the admissions process.

2.  Online Application

Prospective students can also complete the application form online.  This online feature provides instructions for completing the application and submitting required materials. Please contact Susan Standish (269-387-5286), the graduate advisor in the Department of Sociology, for additional materials required by the department and for special assistance in the admissions process.

B.  International Students

Graduate applications for international students are processed by the Office of International Services and Student Affairs within the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and then passed along to the Department of Sociology for the admission decision.  Staff in the Office of International Services and Student Affairs can provide assistance with the application process (dhi-dept@wmich.edu or 269-387-5890).  Please contact Susan Standish (269-387-5286), the graduate advisor in the Department of Sociology, for additional materials required by the department and for special assistance in the admissions process.  International students may apply using either the self-managed application process or the online application process.  Those seeking admission should complete their application by the February 15 submission deadline.  Please see the Sociology Graduate Application Timeline for important dates.

C.  Admission Requirements

For admission to the master’s program in sociology, prospective students must satisfy all of the requirements identified in Western Michigan University’s Graduate Catalog.  Applications are evaluated based on the following departmental requirements.  No one requirement is sufficient to guarantee admission or dictate denial of admission:

• Twenty-four semester hours in undergraduate social science, with at least fifteen semester hours in sociology, including courses in theory and research methods (applicants without the requisite hours of undergraduate sociology courses may be permitted to make up deficiencies as a condition of matriculation)
• Grade-point average of 3.0 or better in undergraduate sociology courses
• Biographical statement, sample of academic writing, GRE scores, official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended, TOEFL scores (international applicants only) and three letters of recommendation.