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Dates & Deadlines for Graduate School Admission

Most of WCU’s departments accept graduate applications on a rolling basis. This means applications are evaluated as they are received. There is a limited number of openings each year, so you should apply as soon as possible. You will not be considered for admission until we receive a complete application and all supporting materials (e.g., test scores, recommendations, and transcripts).

To stay on track, review these important dates before you begin preparing your application:

Deadlines for Applying as a U.S. Student

If you are a U.S. student, we recommend you submit your completed application and all supporting credentials to the Graduate School at least four weeks prior to the start of first term. Be sure to review the Departmental Application Deadlines in case the program you wish to attend has additional deadline requirements.

If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship, your materials must be to the Graduate School by early March for fall admission and early October for spring admission.

Deadlines for Applying as an International Student

If you are an international student, your materials must be received by the Graduate School by:

April 1 for the following fall admission
September 1 for following spring admission

Departmental Application Deadlines

Art, M.F.A.	March 1*
Communication Sciences and Disorders, M.S.	February 15*
Counseling (Community), M.S.	February 1
Counseling (School), M.A.Ed.	February 1
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.	February 1
Human Resources, M.S.	April 1 (Fall admission) November 1 (Spring admission)
Nursing, M.S.	February 15*
Nursing, Nurse Administrator	April 15 (Fall admission) October 15 (Spring admission)
Nursing, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesia track	June 15
Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner track	April 15
Nursing, Nurse Educator track	April 15 (Fall admission) October 15 (Spring admission)
Nursing, Post-Graduate Nurse Educator track	February 15
Nursing, Post-Master’s Family Nurse Anesthesia track	February 15
Physical Therapy, M.P.T.	February 1*
Psychology (Clinical/School/General Experimental), M.A.	February 1*
School Administration, M.S.A.	April 15 (Summer admission) July 1 (Fall admission) November 15 (Spring admission)
Social Work, M.S.W.	February 1

*Students who submit completed applications by this date will be given preference. If openings are available after this date, students submitting late applications will be considered accordingly. Students are expected to be continuously enrolled during regular semesters (fall/spring) while completing their program of study. If enrollment is not continuous, students are not guaranteed re-admittance into the program of study.

Financial Aid Deadlines

Be sure to keep these dates in mind if you’re applying for financial aid or WCU’s fellowships and scholarships:

FAFSA deadlines: Financial Aid Office
March 15: Priority deadline to apply for federal loans and need-based grants
April 1: WCU begins mailing award notifications
April 20: Applications due for Chancellor’s Fellowship
April 20: Applications due for Graduate School Study Grant
September 1: Applications due for Morrill Family Fund for Research in Education

Graduation Application Deadlines

Graduation applications should be completed the semester before you intend to graduate. Please contact the Graduate School (gradsch@email.wcu.edu or 1-800-369-9854) for current information about applying for graduation.