Enrollment and Admissions

The graduate admissions process at Western Michigan University involves the Office of Admissions and Orientation and the graduate departments. Admission to a specific graduate program requires acceptance by that academic department.  The application process usually consists of two parts:

1. Application materials to be sent to the Graduate College
2. Application materials to be sent to the graduate department

The application requirements for each Graduate Department may vary.  Please see the branch campus Programs  or the graduate department website for detailed information on application materials and deadlines.  

In addition, each department has a designated graduate coordinator who serves as a liaison between the department and graduate admissions and who provides detailed information about program entry requirements, resources, and special opportunities. To contact the appropriate graduate coordinator, please view the list of graduate coordinator telephone numbers.

To apply for graduate program admission, students may request and use WMU's Self-Managed Application, or use the online Graduate Application.

In either case, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to first contact their branch campus of interest to learn of departmental requirements and any supplemental materials that will be needed.

Graduate Non-Degree status is intended to be an efficient way to enroll for a specific graduate class or to begin taking classes prior to submitting all the necessary paperwork required for formal admission to a graduate program. It is a great way to test out graduate level study at WMU.

A student with a bachelor's degree who wishes to enroll in courses, but does not plan to pursue a program leading to a graduate degree, or is not eligible for admission, may enroll in certain classes with Graduate Non-Degree status. This status can also be granted to a student admitted to a certificate program who is not admitted to a degree program, as well as to a guest or visiting student from another university.

Graduate Non-Degree status does not constitute admission to a degree program, and the courses taken under this status might not apply to a particular degree program. For the student eligible for admission, a maximum of nine credits taken under Graduate Non-Degree status may be considered in a degree program if the student should later decide to apply for admission to a degree program and if an advisor and the graduate dean approve the credit. Graduate Non-Degree status is not available to students with dual enrollment.

To apply for Graduate Non-Degree status, complete and submit the form.  In addition, there is a non-refundable $40 application fee.

Graduate Non-Degree status applications can be submitted at anytime for an upcoming semester or session, but it may be impossible to process applications submitted in the last week before classes begin. Allow at least five business days for processing before attempting to register.