Graduate Admission & Enrollment FAQs

Graduate Admissions

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 Non Degree Seeking (NDS) status. This status also is granted to a student admitted to a certificate program who is not also admitted to a degree program and to a guest or visiting student from another university. NDS 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 NDS 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. NDS status is not available to students with dual enrollment.

To apply for NDS status, complete the NDS form. A non-refundable application fee of $40 must accompany the NDS form. NDS 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; do not wait for written verification.

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

A non-refundable application fee of $40 must accompany each application for admission.

Current admission status is required to register. Students who have taken a class at Western Michigan University within the last year have current admission status unless they have subsequently received a degree, been academically dismissed, or have unpaid past due bills at the University.

Graduate level returning students who were previously admitted to a degree program which has not yet been completed and last attended more than one year ago, must submit an Application for Readmission to a Graduate Degree Program. Review of this application may take 4-6 weeks.

Graduate level students retain active admission status for one year from the time of admission whether or not they take classes.  If admitted more than two years ago and never enrolled, students must submit either:

1. the Self-Managed Application for degree-seeking applicants, official transcripts from all previous institutions, and the $40 non-refundable application fee,
    --- OR ---
2. the NDS application for non-degree-seeking applicants, proof of degree, and the $40 non-refundable application fee.