Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Degrees in the Biological Sciences at Marshall University. To apply, please fill out the Graduate Admission form and, if desired, the Graduate Assistantship form, both below. Instructions for submission are included with the Graduate Admission form.

Graduate Admission Form (.pdf, Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Graduate Assistantship Form (.pdf, Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Graduate Admissions Guidelines

(also available as a PDF Download - Grad Admissions Guidelines)

Thank you for your interest in the Master's Degree Program in the Department of Biological Sciences, Marshall University. Admissions information and procedures are listed below.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the website of the Department of Biological Sciences, and investigate the many types of research currently underway in the department. Contacting researchers with whom the applicant shares interests is encouraged. http://www.marshall.edu/biology/default.asp

Prospective students are also encouraged to visit the website of the Marshall University Graduate College for further information on the university-wide graduate program, and for further procedural information. http://www.marshall.edu/mugc/grad_adm.shtml

Applying For:	Deadline	Materials Required
Fall Admission and Graduate Assistantship	15 April	Complete application for graduate admission Complete application for graduate assistantship
Fall Admission Only	1 August	Complete application for graduate admission
Spring Admission and Graduate Assistantship	15 November	Complete application for graduate admission Complete application for graduate assistantship
Spring Admission Only	15 November	Complete application for graduate admission Complete application for graduate assistantship

Admission Deadlines:

The application deadline for admission to the Master's degree program in Biological Sciences is April 15 for fall semester admission; with a late application date of August 1. Any applications received after August 1 will be considered only for spring semester admission. The deadline for all spring semester applications is November 15.

Graduate Assistantship Deadline:

An additional graduate teaching assistantship application is required if the applicant is interested in a fall Graduate Teaching Assistantship (essentially a stipend and tuition waiver in exchange for teaching). Both a complete admission application and a graduate assistantship application must be on file by April 15 to guarantee full consideration for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

Procedural Requirements: Participation in the graduate program in Biological Sciences requires both admission to the Marshall University Graduate College and acceptance to the Department of Biological Sciences. A complete application includes:

1. completed Graduate Application for Admission
2. completed Graduate College Information
3. official transcripts
4. a written statement of educational and professional goals (250-500 words)
5. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores
6. three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references

Official transcripts should be obtained from all undergraduate and graduate schools from which the student has received credits. They should be mailed directly to the above address; for further information see the Graduate College website. The Department of Biological Sciences requires a global undergraduate minimum GPA of 2.75 and an undergraduate science minimum GPA of 3.0 for regular admission status. Provisional admission may be granted to promising candidates who do not meet these requirements.

Only general GRE scores are required (i.e. the biology subject test is not necessary). A combined GRE score of 1100 (composite verbal and quantitative test scores) is required for regular admission status. Provisional admission may be granted to promising candidates who do not meet this requirement.

The names and contact information of the three individuals writing letters of recommendation MUST be included in the student's written statement of professional goals. Letters should be solicited by the student, and sent directly to the Department of Biological Sciences: Graduate Admissions Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755.

Note on Provisional Admission:

Students who are admitted provisionally must meet with their faculty advisors and demonstrate adequate progress toward graduation prior to registration for subsequent semesters. Provisional admission status can be converted to full admission status by recommendation of the faculty advisor to the BSC Graduate Program Committee.

Note on Graduate Teaching Assistantships:

Applications completed by the April 15 deadline will receive strong preference in the assignment of graduate assistantships for fall semester. The Application for Graduate Teaching Assistantship Form is available above. The completed application form should be printed out and mailed directly to the Department of Biological Sciences: Graduate Admissions Committee, Department of Biological Sciences, One John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755.