Admission and Performance Standards

Prospective students wishing to enter the Biomechanics program at MU must meet all MU admission criteria for graduate level and be fully admitted to the MU Graduate College. In addition to the MU graduate school admission criteria, all students must apply to the COHP Biomechanics program. Completion of the undergraduate degree at MU does not guarantee admission to the MSBiomech program; however, preference will be given to Marshall Alumni if all things are equal. Additional admission requirements exist for the MSBiomech program.

Students may enter the program in three ways:

  1. At the completion of a bachelor’s degree;
  2. Transfer from another accredited university or school of higher learning or;
  3. After the junior year of a BS degree with permission of the Dean of COHP (MU students only).

Criteria for admissions will match the university’s standards for admission to graduate programs. Specifically, a student who desires admission as a degree-seeking graduate student must have an overall undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, a scholarly writing sample, three letters of reference, and a personal statement outlining academic, personal, and career goals and interests. To continue in the MSBiomech program, students are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all coursework.

The Master of Science in Biomechanics requires at least 4 semesters of coursework including a thesis or internship experience. The total number of credits includes at least 36 post-baccalaureate hours of study which is consistent with Biomechanics programs across the nation. Consistent with other graduate programs at MU, a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program.