Graduate Studies - Admission Requirements
ADMISSION TO GRADUATE STUDIES
WKU's graduate admission requirements are broadly determined by the type of degree that you are interested in pursuing. Please choose a tab below to view degree related requirements. Note that specific programs may require materials in addition to these; please check the current graduate catalog for more information. Minimum Graduate Studies admission requirements include an earned bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
Domestic Degree Seeking
Important:these requirements are for domestic applicants; if you are an international applicant please see the international degree seeking tab.
All students seeking admission into a graduate degree program should submit the Graduate
Studies application and all supporting materials (i.e., official transcripts, GRE/GMAT,
teaching certificate, etc.) to Graduate Studies with sufficient time to allow departmental
review prior to admission. Documents can be submitted via the Document Upload Portal or by email to graduate.school@wku.edu.
Some graduate programs (such as Speech-Language Pathology and Psychology) have earlier dates by which applications and supporting documents must be submitted to WKU. Some graduate programs (such as Psychology) also require a department application form and other supporting materials in addition to the Graduate Studies application form. Please contact the department that offers the graduate program for exact dates for application submission and information about additional application materials that may be required.
Please note: To be eligible for any type of financial aid or a graduate assistantship, you must be admitted in good standing to a degree program. Non-degree seeking students are ineligible for financial aid and graduate assistantships. Students applying for a graduate assistantship should follow the dates indicated for graduate assistantship applications.
Applicants for a degree program must have:
- Application and Fee: Students seeking a graduate degree must complete the online Application for Admission and submit a one time application processing fee of $65 (non-refundable) to Graduate Studies;
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
- Any additional application requirements (GRE/GMAT scores, or other items; varies by program);
- Adequate academic preparation in the field of specialization
- Transcript Record: Graduates of accredited institutions other than Western Kentucky
University must request one official transcript showing the completed degree be sent
to Western Kentucky University (as well as official transcripts for any postsecondary
coursework where credit [but no degree] was earned). Official transcript(s) must be
forwarded from the college or university registrar electronically or directly to Graduate
Studies, and official transcripts can be provided by the applicant. Applicants who
have not completed the undergraduate degree are required to submit one official transcript
at the time of application and one official transcript showing the degree is completed.
Transcript records must be submitted for any graduate and undergraduate courses taken
at any institution other than WKU. While electronic transcripts are strongly preferred,
any paper transcripts must be received in Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope from
the issuing institution. Transcripts sent to Graduate Studies become the property of the University and will
not be returned to the student under any circumstances nor will a copy of the transcript
be given to the student. Please have the issuing institution send them electronically to graduate.school@wku.edu or via mail to:
Western Kentucky University
Graduate Studies
1906 College Heights Blvd #11010
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1010
GRE Scores
The GRE may be required for admission to a graduate program. Please inquire with the specific program or consult the Graduate Catalog. If a student has a master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the desired program, the student may request that the completed master’s degree be considered as a substitute for the GRE General Test. Each department has the discretion to approve this exception to the GRE requirement.
As of October 1, 2002 the GRE General Test includes the verbal and quantitative sections and an analytical writing assessment. If required by the program the student is applying to, standardized test scores must be received by Graduate Studies prior to admission. In these cases, the admission decision will be based upon the undergraduate transcript, the GRE score, and other materials required by the program to which the student is applying. Registration materials for the GRE are available at http://www.ets.org/gre, or by calling 800-473-2255.
GMAT Score
Some programs may accept the GMAT score. Registration materials for the GMAT are available at http://www.gmat.org, or by calling 800-473-2255.
International Degree Seeking
All students seeking admission into a graduate degree program should submit Graduate Studies application and all supporting materials (i.e., official transcripts, GRE/GMAT, teaching certificate, etc.) to Graduate Studies with sufficient time to allow departmental review prior to admission. Applicants should also keep in mind the time necessary to obtain immigration documents and/or visas. If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Studies.Requirements:
- Application and Fee: Submit an application with a $95 non-refundable application processing fee;
- Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university;
- Original copy/copies of transcripts/marksheets in English for evaluation by Graduate
Studies (must be supplied by the institution; international transcripts cannot be
sent via email)
- Transcripts are evaluated by Graduate Studies
- NOTE: any international transfer work requires an external evaluation by a NACES member institution; students are responsible for having this evaluation completed (only needed if the students wants to transfer graduate credit from a non-US institution)
- Academic programs may require an approved third-party evaluation
- WKU reserves the right to require an evaluation from an approved third-party evaluation service in the case of transcript irregularities
- Evidence of ability to communicate in English
- TOEFL: 79 iBT (including the Home Edition and Paper Edition tests)
- IELTS: 6.5
- Successful completion of ESLi at WKU
- Completion of ELS Level 112
- Note: English proficiency scores are not required if the applicant's country of citizenship in on this list
- Adequate academic preparation in the field of specialization
The following items are not required for admission decisions, but must be submitted to the university in order for students to receive an I-20:
- Evidence of adequate financial resources (completed copy of the Affidavit of Support)
- A copy of your passport
Please do not provide any of the following materials:
- High school transcripts
- Intermediate transcripts
- 10+2, 10+1, or 10 transcripts
- Curriculum vita or resume
- More than 3 letters of reference
- Any certificates / awards or achievements
- Any physical data media (DVDs, USB drives, etc.)
Non-Degree Seeking
Important: If you are an international student you must apply to a degree program if you need immigration documents (such an an I-20 form); please see the international degree seeking tab.
Application and Fee
Students seeking a graduate non-degree status must complete an online Application for Admission and submit a one time application fee of $65 (non-refundable) to Graduate Studies.
Transcript Record
Graduates of accredited institutions other than Western Kentucky University must request that one official transcript showing the completed degree be sent to Western Kentucky University. The transcript must be forwarded from the college or university registrar electronically or directly to Graduate Studies at 1906 College Heights Blvd., #11010, Bowling Green, KY 42101. Applicants who have not completed the undergraduate degree are required to submit one official transcript at the time of application and one official transcript showing the degree is completed. Transcript records must be submitted for any graduate and undergraduate courses taken at any institution other than WKU. Any paper transcripts must be received in the Graduate School in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution. Transcripts sent to Graduate Studies become the property of the University and will not be returned to the student under any circumstances nor will a copy of the transcript be given to the student.
Specialist in Education (EDS)
- Completed application, along with a $65 (non-refundable) application fee by the admission deadline;
- Earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative 2.75 undergraduate GPA;
- Because of the individual nature of each degree program, please consult the WKU graduate catalog for more specific information
Fifth Year/Rank II
Planned Fifth Year/Rank II programs are offered in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Educations, and Secondary Education for students who do not meet the admission requirements of a degree program or who want greater flexibility with regard to time allowed for completion, transfer limitations, and selection of courses than is permitted in degree programs. Although the Planned Fifth Year / Rank II program does not result in the master's degree, it does result in Rank II salary classification in Kentucky, renews the teaching certificate, and permits entry into a Planned Sixth Year / Rank I program.
General Guidelines:
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Students seeking admission to this program must complete an online Application for Admission and submit a one time application fee of $65 (non-refundable) to Graduate Studies.
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Graduate of accredited institutions other than Western Kentucky University must submit an official transcript showing the completed degree to Graduate Studies (any paper transcripts must be received by Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution).
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A current copy of Teaching Certificate must be submitted.
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A minimum of 32 semester hours of graduate courses must be completed, with a minimum of GPA of 2.5.
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At least 18 of the required hours must be completed at WKU. With the approval of the advisor and the certification officer, the remaining hours may be taken at other institutions, provided that the grades earned are "B" or higher and other transfer regulations are met.
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A minimum of 12 hours must be in professional education courses, and a minimum of 9 hours must be in cognate areas.
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Course work taken by correspondence is not accepted.
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With prior advisor approval, a maximum of 12 hours of professional development credit may be applied to the program requirement.
Sixth Year/Rank I
Planned Sixth-Year/Rank I programs are offered in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Educations, Secondary Education, Early Childhood Education, Guidance, and School Administration in the following areas: principalship, pupil personnel, administration, supervisor of instruction, general school administration and special education director. Planned Sixth Year/Rank I programs lead to the Rank I salary change for certified teachers.
General Guidelines:
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A minimum of either (a) 30 semester hours of approved graduate level credit in addition to the requirements for the Rank II salary classification, or (b) 60 semester hours of approved graduate level credit, including a master's degree, must be completed.
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Students seeking admission to this program must complete an online Application.
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Graduate of accredited institutions other than Western Kentucky University must submit an official transcript showing the completed degree to Graduate Studies (any paper transcripts must be received in Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution).
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A current copy of Teaching Certificate must be submitted.
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All course work must be planned in consultation with the advisor and must be related to the professional needs of the student.
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A minimum of 15 semester hours must be completed in courses numbered 500 or higher.
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A "B" average must be maintained, and no course grade lower than a "C" may be counted.
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At least 15 of the required hours must be completed at WKU. With the approval of the advisor and the certification officer, the remaining hours may be taken at other institutions, provided that the grades earned are "B" or higher and other transfer regulations are met.
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A minimum of 24 hours of the total 60 (62 hours when based on Rank II salary classification) must be in academic work apart from professional education. These hours must be in the candidate's major or minor, area of preparation, or in supporting courses from other disciplines as approved by the institution.
Doctoral Programs
Admission requirements for doctoral programs at WKU are highly dependent upon the specific program of interest. Please see the graduate catalog for detailed requirements. At a minimum you will need to provide a completed online application, official copy of final college transcript (any paper transcripts must be received in Graduate Studies in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution), and any required standardized test scores.
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