Graduate Studies - FAQs
Prospective Students/ Graduate Admissions
Q: What qualifications do I need to apply to graduate school at WSSU?
At minimum, you need to hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Most graduate programs also have their own set of admissions criteria as well, such as standardized test scores.
Q: I am in the process of sending off my test scores and it is asking for a school code. What is the school code?
If you are sending your GRE test scores the school code is 5909. If you are sending your MAT test scores the school code is 2661.
Q: Can I submit GRE, GMAT or MAT scores that I took over 10 years ago?
No. If the program to which you are applying requires a test score, the scores must not be older than 5 years.
Q: How do I find the prerequisite courses required for the graduate program of my interest?
Prerequisite course information is program specific information. This information will normally not be found on the Graduate School's website. However, this information may be found on the graduate program website, graduate program brochure, and in the Graduate Catalog.
Q: How do I apply to a graduate school?
You must first decide which program is of interest. The student must ascertain if the program is degree-seeking, post-baccalaureate, licensure or certificate, and the admissions requirements. This information is found on the Graduate School and program specific web sites.
Q: What is the difference between official and unofficial transcripts?
Official transcripts contain the official seal of the university previously attended. They are usually mailed in a sealed stamped envelope. Unofficial transcripts are copies requested by a student with no official seal. You may send to us unofficial transcripts as part of the completed application packet if you are currently a student. However, if you are admitted to a graduate degree program at WSSU, you must have official transcripts indicating the conferral of your bachelor's or master's degree sent to the Graduate School within 30 days of enrollment.
Q: I'm considering transferring from another university to complete my graduate work at WSSU. Will all my classes transfer?
Up to nine (9) credit hours may be transferred in; however, this is at the discretion of the Graduate Program.
Q: I have completed course work at WSSU in the past. Do I need official transcripts sent to the Graduate School from WSSU?
No.
Q: What if my admission documents are sent to your office at different times than my application?
Your documents are filed temporarily and will be matched with your application once it is submitted. Admission documents are held up to two years only, with the exception of the GRE which will be held five years. If the credentials are sent after your application, they will be matched to your file. We do ask, however, that you try to submit all required credentials in a complete packet.
Q: What is the cost?
Tuition and fee schedules change annually. Updated information can be found on the Graduate School's website.
Q: Is financial assistance available?
Financial Assistance is available to graduate students. Check the Graduate Studies and program specific web sites for financial opportunities. Federal Student Loans are also available if requested in an appropriate timeframe.
Q: How do I check my admission status?
Checking your admission status is an online process. On the Prospective Graduate Students page you will see the "Check Admission Status Link." Please use your university assigned ID number (not your social security number) and your pin number which is your birth date (mmddyy) to perform this check.
Q: Can my application be considered before I submit my financial support documents?
Your financial support documents are not required in order for us to make an admission decision. Your application will be reviewed with or without your financial documents. You may submit them after you receive notice of admission, if you wish. However, an I-20 cannot be issued for any admitted student until we have received his or her valid financial support documents.
Q: Am I eligible for admission without a GRE/MAT/GMAT score?
Please visit http://www.wssu.edu for information about minimum admission requirements. While the requirements you find on our website should be helpful to you in determining your eligibility, your academic department will make an admission decision only after reviewing your completed application packet.
Applicants holding degrees from institutions where the primary language of instruction is not English must prove proficiency in English by submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based TOEFL) or 213 (computer-based TOEFL) or 79 (Internet-based TOEFL) or 6.0 (IELTS) is required for admission consideration.
Completion of a four-year bachelor's degree conferred with a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 (or its equivalent) from accredited institution is required for regular admission.
Q: Where do I send GRE and TOEFL scores? Can I send you a copy of my scores?
The School of Graduate Studies requires official GRE and TOEFL scores be sent directly to WSSU by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). GRE scores should be sent to institution code 5909. No department code is required. GRE scores are considered valid for five years from the testing date; TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the testing date.
Q: When will you send my I-20?
An I-20 can be issued only after 1) you have submitted all of your required application materials, including valid financial support documents, and 2) you have been officially admitted. Once you are admitted, your I-20 will typically be mailed to you within one week. When it is mailed, you will receive an email notifying you of your SEVIS number and tracking number.
Q: I sent you all of my documents but the online application status check says you didn't get them. Why?
Applicants should allow five days from the time we receive your mailed application and/or supporting documents for your status to update online. We will notify you in the event that your application is incomplete or further action is required of you.
Q: Can I email or fax my documents to you?
Scanned, faxed, or photocopied documents are not considered valid for admission consideration. Personal statements/essays can be emailed to our office; they can be sent as an email attachment. Personal statements/essays can also be submitted through the online application form or by paper copy mailed to the office along with other application materials.
Q: I sent you all of my documents. However, I recently received a missing document letter from your office. Why?
There may be some delay in processing all documents if they are not sent in as a complete packet. It is better to send a complete packet rather than sending in separate documents. Separate documents are matched to existing applications. This may take longer.
Q: Why do I need to send two official copies of my transcript from every school attended?
This is a requirement. One official copy remains in the Graduate School and the other is sent to the respective department.
Q: If I applied last year and was denied admission, when can I reapply?
You must wait one year before reapplying.
Q: If I applied last year, will I have to pay another application fee?
Yes. Your application fee is only good for one year.
Q: Do I need to return my "Intent to Enroll"?
Yes. It is required so that we can open a matriculation record in order for you to register.
Q: If I do not return the "Intent to Enroll", what happens?
You will not be permitted to register.
Q: Is New Graduate Student Orientation mandatory?
Yes. It is mandatory for all new graduate students.
Q: I received a missing document letter but I have submitted all required application documents?
Perhaps the missing document letter was sent before all of your documents were received by the Graduate School. To double check before resubmitting, please call the Graduate School or check your application status online.
Q: I have submitted the test waiver form. What is the next step?
Please check with the Graduate Program Coordinator to see if the request has been approved or denied.
Q: I applied for admission last year and would like to apply for admission this year. What steps should I take?
Complete an application for admission for the current year in which you wish to enter.
Q: I applied to the wrong program, how can I correct my application?
You should come in and correct the application so that we can have the correct program in writing. Or you can simply submit a new application.
Q: I have been accepted to the program, when can I register for classes?
As soon as you have been advised by your Graduate Program Coordinator as to what classes to take, you will be permitted to register.
Q: I sent my application and the supporting documents to the Graduate Program Coordinator but the Graduate office has not received them, what should I do?
You should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator to have your documents transmitted to the Graduate School.
Q: I ordered my transcripts but the Graduate School has not received them?
Contact the university to see when and if your transcripts were mailed. Contact the Graduate School to confirm that they were actually mailed and if they were mailed to the correct address.
Q: When do I receive my Banner ID?
You will receive a Banner ID immediately when you application is processed in Banner. That Banner ID will be mailed to you in a missing document letter, if documents are missing. It will also be mailed to you upon acceptance.
Q: What password should I use with my Banner ID?
Your date of birth should be used in this order month/day/year.
