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Graduate Admission


For admission to the MS program in Biology you have to be admitted through the Graduate School application online process: http://www.wku.edu/graduate/.

Applicants for a master’s degree program must:

A. Submit the completed application, along with the current non-refundable application fee by the admission deadline;

B. Provide an official transcript to document receipt of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (Applicants from non-accredited institutions see Applicants from Non-Regionally Accredited Institutions);

C. Have adequate preparation in the field of specialization;

D. If they hold teacher certification or have a statement of eligibility for certification, submit a copy of the current teaching certificate or statement of eligibility; and

E. Document qualifying standardized test scores and/or undergraduate GPAs as required in the programs to which they are applying.

 

In addition to the general admission requirements, the Department of Biology requires:

  1. An undergraduate degree in Biology or a related discipline, or evidence of adequate preparation in the field of Biology;

  2. A thoughtful and reflective Statement of Purpose (ca. 1-2 pages) that describes the applicant’s background, experience and preparation in the field, interest in the WKU program, and future or career interests.  The statement must specify whether you are choosing the thesis or non-thesis (online) track; 
  3. A current Curriculum Vitae or Resume;
  4. Three letters of recommendation from professional references;
  5. For thesis track applicants, a WKU biology graduate faculty member who has agreed to serve as advisor.

Graduate Application Deadlines for the Master of Science in Biology Programs 

Semester Applying For

Preferred Date

Last Date

Comment

Fall Thesis

1 January

1 March

These dates assume that a thesis student is also interested in an assistantship.  Students submitting applications after preferred date are not guaranteed full consideration (consideration might depend on space availability).

Fall Non-thesis (online)

1 April

1 July

These dates assume no assistantship is sought.

 

Spring

1 October

1 December

It is rare that thesis students start in the Spring semester.  Assistantships are unlikely.

 

Summer

1 April

Depends on course start date

In general, only consider starting in the summer if you are applying for the non-thesis program.

 

The Master of Science in Biology Program admission dates are earlier than those posted by the Graduate School.  Our program has space limitations and must consider other factors, such as assistantships for thesis students.  The Graduate School deadlines are based merely on time to process applications.

 For further questions:

  • For General inquiries about the Biology MS programs at WKU or specific questions about the Biology thesis MS program, please contact Dr. Carl Dick, Biology Graduate Program Coordinator and Thesis Program Director.

  • For Specific questions about the Biology non-thesis MS program, or general questions regarding online courses, please contact Dr. Jarrett Johnson, Biology Graduate Non-Thesis Program Director.


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 Last Modified 9/30/21