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Admission Process Overview
To apply and be accepted to any graduate program at NMU, students must:
- Complete an NMU application for admission
- Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Pay a $50 application fee
Be sure to review the specific additional requirements for admission for your program of interest. Some programs require additional materials such as test scores, recommendation letters or an essay.
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Recommended Deadlines
The Office of Graduate Studies recommends students submit their applications by the following dates to ensure sufficient time for application processing:
- Fall semester - July 1
- Winter semester - November 15
- Summer session - March 15
Applications submitted after the recommended dates above will still be accepted. Eligible applications submitted after departmental deadlines will be reviewed by the departments only if the program is still accepting candidates.
International Applicants
International students should apply one year prior to their expected enrollment date. A full list of international student requirements is available in the Graduate Bulletin.
In addition to completing an application, students must supply the following items for admission:
- Official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges or universities: We require official electronic or mail transcripts. An official transcript is one that has been received directly from the issuing institution. It must bear the college seal, date, and signature of the registrar. Transcripts received that do not meet these requirements are not considered official. If you have not completed your Bachelor's degree, do not send transcripts until you are in your final semester and your grades have posted from the previous semester.
- $50 application fee - Students may pay online, mail a check or money order, or pay by credit card over the phone (906-227-1221). Applicants should pay the non-refundable application processing fee unless they:
- Have financial circumstances that make payment an undue hardship. To apply for a financial hardship fee waiver, please submit a brief request letter/email to graduate@nmu.edu
- Were a McNair Scholar at their undergraduate institution. McNair Scholars must email or upload the McNair Fee Waiver Request Form verifying their McNair status.
- Have already attended NMU at the same degree level for which they are applying and have not graduated with that degree
- Are a qualifying senior citizen with the NMU Senior Citizen Scholarship (age 62 or older and located in the Marquette area and taking on-campus classes)
- Are applying as a non-degree student*
*Non-degree seeking students are not required to supply transcripts or additional documentation or pay the application fee. However, please be aware the non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid or graduate assistantships.
Scroll below a list of additional requirements for specific programs. requirements in addition to general admissions.
Documents may also be mailed, emailed, or delivered in-person:
Office of Graduate Studies and Research
401 Cohodas Hall
1401 Presque Isle Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 227-2300
Fax: (906) 227-2315
graduate@nmu.edu
Applications will be processed on a rolling basis unless restricted by departmental guidelines.
Athletic Training
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Completion of the NMU Master’s in AT Application - Athletic Training Application
- Submission of 3 professional letters of recommendation
- Proof of a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA upon submission of application.
- Proof of a minimum of 100 athletic training clinical observation hours completed in conjunction with ATR 310 and ATR 311
- Completion of a formal interview with members of the athletic training faculty and selected staff
Explore NMU's Athletic Training Master's Degree
Administration and Supervision (Education Specialist/Post-Master's) (online)
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Two 500-word responses to these questions:
- What are your goals as they relate to obtaining the NMU Education Specialist with the possibility of applying and completing the Doctorate in Education at Central Michigan University?
- What experiences and skills do you possess that will contribute to your success in the Education Specialist program?
Explore NMU's Administration and Supervision degree
Biology
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Letter of application describing your background, research interests and career goals
- Memorandum from Biology Department faculty member indicating their willingness to serve as your graduate thesis advisor and your potential for success in the graduate program
- 3 recommendation letters (recommendation letters should be mailed or e-mailed directly from the recommender)
Deadlines:
- Fall (August) semester - completed applications will be considered between March 1st and May 1st of the same year
- Winter (January) semester - completed applications will be considered between September 15th and December 1st of the year prior
Explore NMU's master's programs in biology
Integrated Biosciences
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Letter of application describing your background, research interests and career goals
- Memorandum from Biology Department faculty member indicating their willingness to serve as your graduate thesis advisor and your potential for success in the graduate program
- 3 recommendation letters (recommendation letters should be mailed or emailed directly from the recommender)
Deadlines:
- Fall (August) semester - completed applications will be considered between March 1st and May 1st of the same year
- Winter (January) semester - completed applications will be considered between September 15th and December 1st of the year prior
Explore NMU's Integrated Biosciences master's degree
Business Administration (Master of Business Administration-MBA) (On campus with evening courses)
- Graduate application fee - Offering a fee waiver! Enter code: MBA2021 into your admissions application!
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Statement of purpose, indicating reasons for pursuing degree
- Resume
- GMAT or GRE test scores unless student qualifies for the waiver conditions below:
- hold a Master’s or Doctorate degree from a regionally accredited university; OR
- earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher from an AACSB accredited program, or a GPA of 3.2 or higher from a regionally accredited program; OR
- have at least 5 years of significant leadership and/or managerial experience (Additional documentation such as professional recommendation(s) and/or letters of appointment are required to demonstrate eligibility for this requirement).
Clinical Molecular Genetics - (CMG)
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Essay – Statement of intent that includes labs skills and experiences along with reason for pursuing this degree.
- 3 letters of recommendation (from instructors or professional references). Recommendation letters must be submitted directly by the recommender through the application.
Clinical Molecular Genetics program information
English - Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
The following required documents can be uploaded at the end of your online application. If you do not submit them at the time of your application, please e-mail them to english@nmu.edu. See the English department for detailed application instructions.
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Department application (available at the department website)
- Statement of purpose addressing your interest in the program, ability to succeed and teaching experience
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Critical essay/paper (10-20 pages)
- Writing sample (10 pages of poetry or 20-30 pages of fiction or creative writing)
- 3 (or more) recommendation letters addressing your promise as a writer and your ability as a potential teacher
Deadline: February 1 for Fall semester consideration.
English - Master of Arts
Applicants must possess: a). a bachelor's degree in English, or b). a minimum of 30 credit hours in undergraduate English courses, or equivalents, demonstrating broad familiarity with literature in English, with a minimum GPA in these courses of 3.0. Transcripts of applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis.
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Three recommendation letters
- Critical essay/paper
- Letter of Intent
- Resume
MA-English Program Information
Exercise Science (Fall start only)
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- 3.0 GPA
- *Applicants with a GPA lower than 2.75 must submit 3 letters of recommendation in order for application to be considered.
Deadline: July 15
MS-Exercise Science Program Details
Family Nurse Practitioner – Doctor of Nurse Practice
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Click here for departmental application requirements
Masters of Science in Nursing
- Graduate Application Fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Must have a BSN from an accredited nursing program with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Completed Application for Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Program - submitted to mromero@nmu.edu
- Copy of current RN license
- Current resume
- Three recommendations: one academic (candidates who have graduated within the last three years must include a faculty recommendation) and two clinical colleagues or manager. Use forms provided on the department page.
- One-page written description of your goals for graduate study. This is completed and submitted with the application materials. The document should be typed using Times New Roman, 12pt. font, and double spaced.
Mathematics
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Two Letters of Recommendation
MS-Mathematics Program Information
Postsecondary Biology Education
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Essay/statement of interest in the program and goals
MS-Postsecondary Biology Education Program Details
Professional/Personal Development Programs for Educators (usually online)
Psychological Science - General (Fall start only)
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Curriculum Vitae (resume if not available)
- Personal statement (letter of application outlining goals and expectations)
- 3 recommendation letters
- Optional – GRE test scores for general and psychology
Deadline for Fall Semester start: February 1 for first consideration
MS-Psychological Science Program Details
Reading Endorsement (online)
Must have or be eligible for K-12 teaching license
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
Reading Endorsement Program Details
Social Work (MSW)
- Graduate application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
- Three letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
- Personal statement (career goals, experience, values, and ethics of profession, preferences, etc - use linked template)
- Resume
Deadlines: December 1st for early-decision (only for students with NMU as their first choice) and Advanced Standing (students with a BSW starting in May). February 1st for all other applicants.
Admission Policies
Students seeking admission to a graduate level program must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution or an equivalent foreign institution and satisfy the admission requirements listed below. The admission policies presented here are the minimum requirements. Specific graduate programs may have requirements that exceed these minimum levels, which you can view here. These additional requirements may include tests, valid teaching certificates, letters of recommendation, personal interviews, specific course preparation or a grade-point average above the minimum established by the Office of Graduate Education.
Admission to graduate-level coursework does not equate admission to candidacy for a graduate degree in a specific program. The requirements and procedures for admission to candidacy are described following this section.
Applications for admission to graduate programs are reviewed by the department responsible for the program to which the applicant seeks admission.
Admission to graduate studies is granted in one of the following categories based on the qualifications and educational objectives of the applicant. Eligibility for enrollment is based solely on the applicant’s academic qualifications without regard to gender, race, marital status, color, age, religion, handicap or national origin.
- Regular Degree Admission is granted to the student who wishes to pursue a master’s degree and who has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 (A=4.0). For regular admission, a student must meet all of the admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Education, as well as any additional requirements for the program of their choice.
- Conditional Admission may be authorized, based upon a recommendation from the department or by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, for students who do not meet the requirements of regular admission. Conditional admission can be granted to students in their final semester or session of enrollment in an undergraduate program if the academic record is satisfactory, based on the final transcript sent by the student. The conditions for regular admission are recorded on the letter of admission that is sent to the applicant. Students who fail to meet the conditions of their admission by the completion of 8 semester hours of graduate credit are denied further registration. The determining factors for the conditions of admission are the responsibility of the assigned adviser with the endorsement of the appropriate department head and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Students will not be granted regular admission status until all the requirements and conditions for regular admission have been met.
- Non-Degree Admission is granted to students who do not wish to obtain a graduate degree, but have an interest in work beyond the baccalaureate degree, or who graduated from a non-accredited undergraduate program. Included in this category are those students selecting special workshops or those who wish to pursue additional study for educational benefits. Students who are non-degree can later elect to change to a degree-seeking program by submitting an application to that program.
- Certification or Endorsements Admission is granted to education students seeking professional teacher certification, professional development, or endorsements but not wishing to pursue a master’s degree. Admission for certification or endorsement in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree program. A student who wishes to later apply for regular admission to a degree program must fill out an application for that program. All admission requirements of the school and the Office of Graduate Education must also be met.
- Guest Student: A student enrolled in another accredited graduate school in Michigan may register for a limited number of graduate credits at Northern Michigan University under the Guest Student status. The Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) Program is a cooperative program established by a group of Michigan Universities to provide an opportunity for "guest" graduate students to participate in unique educational opportunities throughout the state without changing their status of enrollment at their present university. For more information on this program see the Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) application.
A graduate student's record remains open for three years from the date of last enrollment unless the student graduates, withdraws, or is dismissed. Graduate students who no longer have active student status must reactivate their files by completing another admission application before enrolling in graduate courses.
Applications from undergraduate students who have yet to complete course work for their bachelor's degree will only be processed if the student is in his/her final semester of undergraduate course work. Transcripts from the university that he/she currently attends should not be sent until that time. Admission to graduate programs for these students will be on a conditional basis, and the student will be required to furnish a final transcript for their undergraduate work once their final grades and bachelor's degree is conferred and listed on that transcript. The final transcript will be reviewed by the NMU academic department in which the student has conditionally been admitted, and if acceptable, the student's admission status will be changed to regular status.