Admissions

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• Admission Procedures
  • Degree Program Applicant, U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
  • Degree Program Applicant, International Students
  • Graduate Certificate Program Applicant
  • Non-degree Applicant
• Admission Requirements
  • Master’s Program Applicant
  • Specialist Program Applicant
  • Doctoral Program Applicant
  • Graduate Certificate Program Applicant          
• Admission Types, Degree Status
  • General Admission
  • Provisional Admission
  • Conditional Admission
  • Dual Undergraduate/Graduate Enrollment Admission
  • Not Admitted
  • Readmitted with Academic Forgiveness
  • Admission Status, Active and Inactive
• Admission Types, Non-degree status, Graduate Level
  • Non-degree Admission
  • Graduate Certificate Program Admission
  • Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS)
  • Project S.C.O.P.E. (Senior Citizens’ Opportunity Program in Education)
• Accelerated Graduate Degree Program
• Accreditation

A person planning to earn a degree or a graduate certificate beyond the baccalaureate needs to be admitted to the University as a degree program student or a graduate certificate program student; a person planning to elect either undergraduate or graduate courses only needs to be admitted to the University as a non-degree student. The admission procedures for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens are different, however, as described immediately below. To avoid delay in the processing of an application, U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as those with asylum or refugee status can obtain information by calling (269) 387-2000, sending e-mail to ask-wmu@wmich.edu, completing the online degree admission application at www.wmich.edu/apply. Potential applicants on non-immigrant or temporary visas should request information and application materials by mail from the Office of International Services and Student Affairs, A411 Ellsworth Hall, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5246 or by fax (269) 387-5899 or by completing the online admission application available at (www.wmich.edu/international).

WMU Faculty Applicant:  All Western Michigan University faculty and staff are eligible to apply for admission to master’s and specialist programs at the University. WMU faculty members holding tenure track appointments and all University staff are eligible to apply for admission to doctoral programs at Western, but only in the academic units where they are not employed. WMU faculty holding explicitly temporary or term appointments may apply for admission to any doctoral program.

Applicants who are U.S. citizens and those who have an I-551 Permanent Resident card or have asylum or refugee status will seek admission to a graduate degree program by following the process described below. Applicants are encouraged to use the University’s online application.

1. Complete the online Application for Graduate Admissions following the instructions found at www.wmich.edu/apply. The $50 application fee must be paid in order to submit the application.

   NOTE: Since most graduate programs require materials in addition to the University application, applicants are advised to review additional application requirements which can be found on the appropriate website, http://www.wmich.edu/grad/admissions/landing.php, or by contacting the program department or advisor directly.

2. The following materials are required to complete the University’s admission application file:

• a completed application
• the $50 application fee; and
• one official transcript from every previous undergraduate and graduate institution attended except WMU.
• if also required for admission, have official entrance test scores (such as the GRE using WMU school code 1902 or GMAT) sent to the Office of Admission by the testing agency.

3. Submit supplemental admission materials required by the graduate program through the online application.
4. Application for admissions from U.S. citizens and permanent residents should be submitted no later than July 1 for the Fall semester, November 1 for the Spring semester, March 1 for the Summer I session, and May 1 for the Summer II session. Most programs, however, have earlier deadline dates, and not all programs admit students for all semesters or sessions. Applicants are advised, therefore, to read the program’s admission requirements section in this catalog or consult the relevant program office or advisor to learn the application deadline date and other germane information for a specific program. Individual program application deadlines take precedence over general University deadlines.

It is advisable, moreover, to apply for admission well before the application deadline, because admission to some programs may close early as openings are filled or because a program’s complement of available assistantships and fellowships may be assigned as the earlier application deadlines for these awards pass.  Also, some programs require the results of entrance examinations that are scheduled well in advance of the application deadlines, and some require interviews or other means of correspondence that necessitate more time between the receipt of the application and the admission decision.

The Haenicke Institute’s Office of International Admissions and Services (IAS) handles the special needs of international students by processing applications for admission, conducting orientation programs for new international students, assisting with housing arrangements, coordinating community programs involving international students, providing immigration advice, serving as liaison between students and their financial sponsors, and offering personal and social counseling.

International students interested in seeking admission to Western Michigan University apply on-line at www.wmich.edu/internationaladmissions/apply.

To qualify for admission, international students must show that they are academically, financially, and linguistically capable of succeeding at full-time study. Before an international student can be admitted and the Certificate of Eligibility for a visa issued, the student must:

1. Complete an application form at www.wmich.edu/internationaladmissions/apply.
2. Provide complete and official transcripts of secondary, undergraduate, and post-graduate studies (if completed) as well as copies of diplomas, certificates or degrees earned. These must be translated into English and list course titles and grades (marks) received for each. Upload and then send hard copies of the documents to the IAS at International Admissions and Services, Western Michigan University, 1903 W Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008-5246 U.S.A.
3. Provide proof of adequate funding per academic year. This funding amount includes tuition, room and board, books, and health insurance. Personal/family savings must be verified by a bank statement. If sponsored by a government, or other agency, an official letter must be submitted showing that the scholarship is valid for use at WMU, and indicating beginning and ending dates of validity. Complete costs may be viewed at  http://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u64/2016/2015-16%20Application%20folder.pdf.
4. Complete the Student and Dependent Information form and provide a copy of passport I.D. page.
5. Provide proof of English competency. Students who have completed English-medium schooling from the countries on the list here may be exempted from providing test scores www.wmich.edu/internationaladmissions/apply/proficiency.

The following tests and scores are accepted at Western Michigan University as measures of English competency:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) A score of 500 PBT (61 IBT) is required for restricted admission (part-time academic English and part-time academics during the first semester) or 550 PBT (80 IBT) for unrestricted admission.

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) A score of 69 is required for restricted admission or 77 for unrestricted admission.

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Pass in English with grade of A, B, or C from one of the five British-based examining boards only. This is equivalent to a 550 TOEFL.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module. A score of 6 is required for restricted admission or 6.5 for unrestricted admission.

International Baccalaureate (IB) A grade of 5 in English is required at the Higher Level for unrestricted admission.

Successful completion of ELS Level 112 from one of the ELS Language Centers.

Pearson Test of English Academic Module. A score of 45 is required for restricted enrollment and 53 required for unrestricted enrollment.

CELCIS Successful completion of the advanced level and instructor recommendations from CELCIS, Western Michigan University’s ESL program. A prospective student may enroll in CELCIS until achieving the required TOEFL score for academic enrollment or completion of the advanced level with instructor recommendations. For more information, see the CELCIS information at http://www.wmich.edu/internationaladmissions/eslatwmu.

Note: some graduate programs have higher score requirements.

Applications for admission from applicants classified as international students (http://wmich.edu/apply/international) must be submitted no later than April 1 for the Fall Semester, August 1 for the Spring Semester, and January 15 for the Summer I Session. Many programs have earlier deadline dates, and not all programs admit students for all semesters. Applicants are advised to read the program’s admission requirements section or consult the relevant program office or advisor to learn the application deadline date and other information for a specific program.

It is advisable to apply well before the application deadline since some programs have earlier deadline dates for admission consideration and/or departmental assistantship awards. Departmental information and requirements may be found at www.wmich.edu/academics/graduate.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE HOSPITAL, MEDICAL AND SURGICAL HEALTH INSURANCE

All international students are required to carry health insurance. There is no University-sponsored program. International students must show proof of coverage including effective dates and a copy of the insurance card, front and back during the first two weeks of a semester/session. Office of International Admissions & Services will approve the policy. The insurance coordinator is available to assist students via email at ias-insurance@wmich.edu.

An applicant with a bachelor’s degree who wishes to gain admission to a graduate certificate program should use the online application. Follow the instructions for completion of the application. Students accepted into a Graduate Certificate Program are considered non-degree students (except for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certificate Program which is considered a “Degree Seeking” program).

Send the following directly to the Office of Admissions: one official transcript from every previous undergraduate and graduate institution attended (except WMU). If also required for admission, have official entrance test scores (such as GRE or GMAT) sent to the Office of Admissions by the testing agency.

Submit within the online application any supplemental admission materials as required by the program before the published admission dates.

When an applicant plans to obtain a graduate certificate in conjunction with a graduate degree program, the applicant must meet admission requirements for both the graduate degree program and the graduate certificate program and submit a separate online application and application fee for each program.   

An applicant with a bachelor’s degree who wishes to enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses, but does not plan to pursue a degree program or graduate certificate program or is not eligible for admission to a degree program or graduate certificate program, may enroll in certain classes with Non-degree status. This status also is granted to a visiting student from another university. Non-degree status does not constitute admission to a degree or certificate program, and the courses taken under this status might not apply to a particular degree or certificate program.

To secure admission with this status, applicants should submit an online application for Graduate Non-Degree status, along with a non-refundable application fee of $50. Applicants who did not receive a degree from WMU must upload proof of their undergraduate degree when submitting the application. The following credentials (photocopies are permissible) are acceptable as verification of the degree: transcript, diploma, teaching certificate, letter from the registrar of the undergraduate institution or letter from the registrar or comparable university official of an affiliated institution (e.g., WMed, Cooley). Applications will not be processed without the accompanying credential. If a student received their degree from an institution outside of the United States, a copy of their international transcript will be required.

All applicants are expected to meet the same academic standards required for admission consideration. The minimum academic requirements vary, however, by degree level, by discipline, and by admission type. For more specific information on each program, read the admission requirements section of the relevant program’s listing in this catalog or contact the program’s graduate advisor or the department office. 

Overall, a student seeking admission to a graduate degree program must have the endorsement of the academic unit offering the program. For admission, a student must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited, postsecondary educational institution or its international equivalent; meet or exceed the requirements by each degree-level, including the minimum grade point average as evidenced by the transcripts(s) of all previous course work; and meet requirements established by the academic unit offering the degree program. The department or academic unit sponsoring the degree program may petition the graduate dean for a waiver of some of the admission criteria in individual cases or in the case of institutional agreements through a Memorandum of Understanding. The petition must be accompanied by a written justification.

In addition to the minimum requirements for admission to a master’s program listed below, many academic programs ask applicants to submit supplemental materials such as letters of recommendation, standardized test scores (such as the GRE General Test, GRE Subject Test, GMAT, TWE, or the like), or an essay describing the applicant’s academic interests and professional goals; to schedule a personal interview with departmental faculty; to present evidence of having completed specific courses with specific grades or of having specific kinds of work or life experiences; or to hold certain endorsements or certificates (such as a teaching certificate). For more specific information on each program, read the admission requirements section of the relevant program’s listing in this catalog or contact the program’s graduate advisor or the department office.

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, indicated on an official transcript. Exceptions may be granted to students from other institutions that have signed agreements through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
    
2. One official transcripts from each institution attended since high school.
    
3. An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work.
    
4. Evidence of having met any additional admission requirements stipulated by the individual degree program.
    
5. Acceptance by the academic unit offering the master’s program and endorsement of the acceptance by the graduate dean.

Additionally, master’s students will be reviewed annually for eligibility to continue in the program. Upon the student’s initial enrollment, the department shall provide a document to the graduate student outlining the annual review criteria and procedures. The review will assist the student in measuring timely progress toward completion of the program of study and in providing documentation for awards or assistantships or, if deficiencies are apparent, note them and indicate corrections necessary. Uncorrected deficiencies and/or unsatisfactory progress may result in a student’s dismissal from the program.

In addition to the minimum requirements for admission to a specialist program listed below, the University’s single Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) program asks applicants to submit letters of recommendation and an autobiography; to present evidence of having completed specific courses with specific grades or of having specific kinds of work or life experiences; and may require the applicant to schedule a personal interview with departmental faculty. For more specific information on the specialist program in educational leadership, read the admission requirements section of the educational leadership, research and technology program’s listing in this catalog or contact the program’s graduate advisor or the department office.       

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, indicated on an official transcript.
    
2. One official transcript from each institution attended since high school.
    
3. An overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work, if applying with a bachelor’s degree and no graduate work, and an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graduate work undertaken beyond the bachelor’s degree.
    
4. Scores on the GRE General Test.
    
5. Evidence of having met any additional admission requirements stipulated by the individual specialist degree program.
    
6. Acceptance by the academic unit offering the specialist program and endorsement of the acceptance by the graduate dean.

Additionally, a specialist student’s academic performance, professional development, research progress, and, where applicable, professional/ethical behavior will be reviewed annually to determine the student’s eligibility to continue in the program. Upon the student’s initial enrollment, the department shall provide a document to the graduate student outlining the annual review criteria and procedures. The review will assist the student in measuring timely progress toward completion of the program of study and in providing documentation for awards or assistantships or, if deficiencies are apparent, note them and indicate corrections necessary. Uncorrected deficiencies and/or unsatisfactory progress, performance, or behavior may result in a student’s dismissal from the program.

In addition to the minimum requirements for admission to a doctoral program listed below, many of the University’s doctoral programs will ask applicants to submit supplemental materials such as letters of recommendation or an autobiography or an essay describing the applicant’s academic interests and professional goals; to present scores on a specific GRE Subject Test; to schedule a personal interview with departmental faculty; to present evidence of having completed specific courses with specific grades or of having specific kinds of work or life experiences; or to hold certain degrees or endorsements or certificates (such as a teaching certificate). For more specific information on each program, read the admission requirements section of the relevant program’s listing in this catalog or contact the program’s graduate advisor or the department office.

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, indicated on an official transcript.
    
2. One official transcript from each institution attended since high school.
    
3. For students who have completed any hours of graduate work, an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for all graduate work undertaken beyond the bachelor’s degree.
    
4. Scores on the GRE General Test.
    
5. Evidence of having met any additional admission requirements stipulated by the individual doctoral degree program.
    
6. Acceptance by the academic unit offering the doctoral program and endorsement of the acceptance by the graduate dean.

Additionally, a doctoral student’s academic performance, professional development, research progress, and, where applicable, professional/ethical behavior will be reviewed annually to determine the student’s eligibility to continue in the program. Upon the student’s initial enrollment, the department shall provide a document to the graduate student outlining the annual review criteria and procedures. The review will assist the student in measuring timely progress toward completion of the program of study and in providing documentation for awards or assistantships or, if deficiencies are apparent, note them and indicate corrections necessary. Uncorrected deficiencies and/or unsatisfactory progress, performance, or behavior may result in a student’s dismissal from the program.

The graduate certificate program applicant will need to meet the following, minimum admission requirements.

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, indicated on an official transcript.
2. One official transcript from each institution attended since high school.
3. Evidence of having met any additional admission requirements stipulated by the individual graduate certificate program.
4. Acceptance by the academic unit offering the graduate certificate program and endorsement of the acceptance by the graduate dean.

Some graduate certificate programs may ask applicants to submit supplemental materials or to meet additional requirements. For more specific information on each certificate program, read the admission requirements section of the relevant program’s listing in this catalog or contact the program’s advisor.

Often an applicant will plan to pursue a graduate certificate program in conjunction with a graduate degree program. In such an instance, the applicant will need to meet the admission requirements for both the graduate degree program and the graduate certificate program.

General Admission

General Admission is granted to the student who meets the admission requirements of the University. All related materials have been received. Enrollment in courses is expected to lead to a degree or to meet state or federal certification requirements associated with WMU programs. Examples are state certification for teacher education or federal certification for aviation.

Provisional Admission is granted to the student who meets many of the admission requirements to the University and is expected to be formally admissible. Enrollment status is provisional due to additional documents or materials required following admission. Examples of missing documentation could be a final transcript or an undergraduate transcript of work taken at another institution of higher education in the USA or abroad. The requested documents must be received within 30 days after the start of the entering term in order to continue enrollment.

Conditional Admission is granted by the department to the student who meets some of the admission requirements of the University. Continued enrollment in courses at WMU is conditional upon the applicant completing academic course work at a performance level specified at the time the “Conditional Admission” status is granted. Examples of specific performance could include: a) Completion of the first twelve hours of graduate work with “B” or better grades in all courses; b) completion of required remedial or prerequisite courses with specified (or better) course grades. The time period for any “Conditional Admission” status may not exceed one year from the time of initial status. After that time period, and if the specified conditions have been met, the conditional admission status will be removed.

Dual enrollment applicants (that is, consideration for admission to a master’s program while yet enrolled in a baccalaureate program) may be granted to any WMU senior who has an acceptable academic record (with a grade point average of 3.0 or better for the two years prior to admission date) and who has no more than 15 credit hours remaining for completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Once granted dual enrollment status, the student may enroll in a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate course work that has been approved by the appropriate departmental advisor in addition to those undergraduate courses required to complete the bachelor’s degree.

Dual enrollment is permitted on a semester-by-semester basis, and no graduate credit earned in this way may be used to meet undergraduate requirements. If the bachelor’s degree is not completed in the period of one calendar year, the student may not continue on dual enrollment.

A student must request dual enrollment status by emailing admissions-graduate@wmich.edu; however, official entry is not immediate. Graduate credits earned accumulate, but the official entry date must follow the semesters or sessions of dual enrollment status and the completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Undergraduate students from other institutions that have signed agreements through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) may also be granted permission to enroll in graduate coursework upon approval by the appropriate advisor.

An applicant “Not Admitted” to a program is not eligible for enrollment in courses or academic programs at WMU. Applicants who receive the “Not Admitted” status may need to wait one full year before reapplying to the same program.

Students who are readmitted into graduate study will not have grades and credit hours count in the computation of their grade point average that were earned more than seven years prior to their new entrance date. In such cases, the transcript will read, “Grades and credit hours earned more than seven years prior to current entrance date were not included in the computation of the grade point average.”

Admitted graduate students have active admission status for one year from the time of admission, as well as one year from the date of last enrollment. However, if a student does not enroll in the semester for which they were admitted, they need to contact the Office of Admissions to request a change of admission term in order to register for a subsequent term. If a student does not enroll during the year following admission or during the year following the last enrollment, the student’s admission status is canceled, the student is on inactive admission status, and may not register. Thereafter the student must submit to the Office of Admissions a new application and be admitted anew by the appropriate program admission body before registration may occur.

Student permanent record folders are maintained for seven years after a student is placed on inactive status, and are thereafter destroyed.

Non-degree Admission

Non-degree is a limited admission status and is granted to the student with a bachelor’s degree who is eligible for enrollment in graduate courses with the understanding that course work taken with this status is specifically for (a) continuing teacher certification, (b) SCOPE registrations, or (c) non-degree status in order to enroll in graduate classes without being admitted to a specific program. Such course work usually will not apply to a WMU graduate degree program. If the non-degree admitted student subsequently decides to apply to a specific WMU graduate degree program after his or her non-degree enrollment, a maximum of nine hours of graduate credit elected under this status may be considered for inclusion in a graduate program (with the consent of a program advisor and the Graduate College) and the applicant will be expected to meet all other University and program-specific admission requirements. Departments may exclude students with this status from taking courses or may limit the transfer of Non-degree hours to a degree program should the student later be admitted to a degree program. Students on graduate non-degree status are not eligible to hold a graduate appointment (e.g., assistantship). The time period for any “Non-degree Admission” status may not exceed four years from the time such admission status is granted.

Graduate Certificate Program Admission

Graduate Certificate Programs are non-degree programs (except for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certificate Program) with specific course requirements. Such course work usually will not apply to a WMU graduate degree program. Departments may exclude students with this status from taking courses or may limit the transfer of non-degree hours to a degree program should the student later be admitted to a degree program. Students in graduate certificate programs are eligible to hold a graduate appointment (e.g., assistantship) only within their certificate program. The time period for this “Non-degree Admission” status may not exceed four years from the time such admission status is granted.

Western Michigan University—along with Andrews University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, Siena Heights College, University of Detroit, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University—participates in the Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) program sponsored by the Michigan Council of Graduate Deans. The MIGS admissions category is a guest scholar program that enables graduate students of Michigan institutions offering graduate degree programs to take advantage of unique educational opportunities on the campuses of the other institutions. Any graduate student in good standing in a master’s, specialist, or doctoral program at a participating institution is eligible to participate in the MIGS program. (Western Michigan University participates in this program.) The student’s good standing at the home institution affords the opportunity to study at the host institution, providing the proposed program of study is approved by the departmental officers and the MIGS liaison officers at both the home and host institutions.  The officers of the home institution determine whether the experiences sought are unique or not available at the home institution; the officers of the host institution determine whether space and other necessary resources are available at the host institution. With the approval of the student’s academic advisor, a student may combine a part-time enrollment at the home institution (WMU) with a part-time MIGS enrollment. This type of enrollment is limited to one term for master’s or specialist degree students, or two terms for doctoral degree students. For further information, contact a graduate advisor or the MIGS liaison officer in the Graduate College.

Students on MIGS enrollment pay tuition and other fees normally charged by the host institution. All credit earned under a MIGS enrollment will be accepted by the student’s home institution as if offered by that institution; unlike regular transfer credits, grades earned in MIGS courses are applied toward the home institution grade point average. When MIGS credits are transferred into a graduate program, the total number of transferred credits from all sources may not exceed 50% of the credits required in the program. Upon requesting transcripts from the host institution, the student must contact the Academic Records Office at WMU to indicate that a transcript is being sent for posting on the academic record as MIGS graduate credit.  

MIGS application forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Website or the Graduate College Website. WMU students desiring to participate in the MIGS program must have the completed MIGS application certified by the MIGS liaison officer in The Graduate College prior to submitting the application to the host institution.

The following are the key features of the Senior Citizen’s Opportunity in Education Program:

1. Senior citizens (persons 62 years of age or older) may qualify.
2. Enrollees may register during the drop/add period in one regularly scheduled class, tuition free, each semester or session on a seat-available basis. The late registration fee is waived. Registration is done by the Registrar’s Office.
3. Enrollees may not register for credit.
4. Only academic facilities necessary for the performance in class are accessible to SCOPE participants. SCOPE enrollees do not have access to normal services available to regular students such as the Health Center, Student Recreation Center, student discounts, etc. Special identification cards are issued to SCOPE participants.
5. Regular, degree-seeking admission is not extended to enrollees so the admission application fee is waived.
6. Special course fees, if applicable, for materials, trips, etc. are assessed.
7. Specific courses may not be available to SCOPE students due to space availability.

The Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP) allows students to begin accumulating credits towards completion of a Master’s, Specialist or Doctoral degree while still enrolled as undergraduates. Undergraduate students admitted to an AGDP, with senior standing, could take 5000 and 6000 level courses for graduate credit. Up to 12 hours of designated 5000 and/or 6000 level courses could be used in both the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s, Specialist or Doctoral degree. All departmental programs must be approved in advance through the regular curricular process, i.e. departmental curriculum committee, college curriculum committee, dean, Undergraduate Studies Council and Graduate Studies Council.

Admission Procedure

Participation in the AGDP by any department is optional. Each department will develop admission criteria based on the following guidelines:

1. Minimal criteria for admission will include: a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 based on at least 45 earned hours, 15 of which shall be earned at Western Michigan University, and additional criteria as determined by the department. 
2. The student completes the online graduate application (http://www.wmich.edu/apply) and within the application selects the application type “Accelerated degree seeking - only available to current WMU undergraduate student.”
3. International students must clarify their visa status with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services before submitting an application for AGDP.
4. Students intending to enroll in any AGDP must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout their baccalaureate degree, or their admission to the AGDP will be revoked.

Academic Advising, Records and Program Requirements

Departments that want to participate in the AGDP will develop a clear admissions and advising process for the AGDP. The department will send the student and the registrar an Accelerated Graduate Degree Program Course Approval form stating which graduate courses may be counted in both degrees. A copy of this form will be placed with the student’s record, and the change will be incorporated into the student’s undergraduate and Master’s, Specialist or Doctoral program as outlined below. Graduate courses substituting for required courses within the undergraduate degree must be designated by the program as equivalent in content but delivered with graduate level rigor. Current 5000 level courses (required or elective) in the bachelor’s degree must be taken at the graduate level to be double counted. The courses for the AGDP may be used to complete the undergraduate degree credit hour requirements. Those students completing an AGDP related to a specialist or doctoral degree must meet the minimum number of required credits for that degree under the graduation requirements in the graduate catalog.

Administration of the program will include the following:

1. Students with senior standing who have been accepted into an AGDP could take 6000-level courses for graduate credit while undergraduates. This registration will be done by the Registrar’s Office, with permission of the department and the student. This will occur in the same way that dually enrolled students are registered as undergraduates and graduates under current policy.
    
2. Students will pay undergraduate tuition for these 6000-level courses as long as they are undergraduates. The 6000-level courses will be included in the flat rate for tuition purposes.
    
3. Students will be considered undergraduates for financial aid purposes until they receive the baccalaureate degree.
    
4. The 6000-level courses, taken while the student is still an undergraduate, will appear on the student’s graduate transcript. The grades earned in these courses will be reflected in the graduate GPA.
    
5. At the time when a student completes his/her bachelor’s degree, the Registrar’s Office staff will manually add the hours earned in the 6000-level courses to the student’s undergraduate transcript. The undergraduate GPA will also be adjusted to include the grades earned in these courses.
    
6. The department will clearly identify for the Registrar’s Office on the original proposal which 5000 and 6000 level courses are available to be double counted. Individual students will have specific courses identified to be double counted when they are admitted into the AGDP.
    
7. The 5000 and 6000 level courses which are double counted will be identified as such on the graduate transcript.
    
8. The transcript key, which is on the back of the transcript paper, will explain the double counting.
    
9. Both the undergraduate and graduate transcript will show that the student completed an accelerated graduate degree program.
    
10. If a student completes his/her bachelor’s degree and then stops attending the AGDP, the graduate transcript will show the graduate courses completed.
     
11. It is expected that the baccalaureate degree will be awarded within one calendar year after initial enrollment in the AGDP or as determined by the department.
     
12. In order to progress automatically into the graduate program, a student must achieve a grade of “B” or above in each of the graduate courses being counted for the undergraduate degree, as well as maintain a 3.0 GPA overall. Students who do not meet this criterion will have the earned grade applied to their undergraduate program only, and must apply for readmission into the graduate program. If the student is admitted to the graduate program, the department and graduate dean will determine if any credit from the bachelor’s degree will be carried forward for the graduate degree. Students who complete the undergraduate degree including a “B” or above in the specified graduate courses will be admitted as graduate students (with the relevant graduate credit) in the next semester or session after receiving the bachelor’s degree.

University Accreditation

Disclosure of Academic Program Accreditation and Certification Status

The Professional Education Unit at Western Michigan University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)), http://www.caepnet.org. This accreditation covers:

• baccalaureate programs for preparation in art education; early childhood education; elementary education; family/consumer sciences teacher education; industrial technology; music education; occupational education studies; physical education; school health; secondary education; special education; and technology and design at the Kalamazoo and Southwest locations;
• master’s programs in art education, career and technical education; educational leadership; literacy studies; mathematics education; music education; physical education; school counseling; science education; socio-cultural studies of education; special education; the practice of teaching; and the teaching of English at the Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Southwest, and Traverse City locations; master’s programs in art education, career and technical education, physical education, and science education are also offered through online education;
• educational specialist program in educational leadership at the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids locations; and
• doctoral programs in educational leadership, mathematics education, science education, and special education at the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids locations.

However, the accreditation does not include individual education courses that the institution offers to P-12 educators for professional development, relicensure, or other purposes.

The B.S.E. programs in aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, construction, electrical, industrial and entrepreneurial, mechanical, and paper engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

All baccalaureate programs in art, art education, art history, and graphic design, and all master’s programs in art and art education are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

The B.S. in Athletic Training (professional program) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on Probation as of February 19, 2016 by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101.

The M.S. in Athletic Training is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2201 Double Creek Drive, Suite 5006, Round Rock, TX 78664, (512) 733-9700.

The B.S. in Aviation Flight Science is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) under the Flight Education criteria, as well as certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as an FAA Part 141 Flight School and licensed by the State of Michigan Department of Transportation. The B.S. in Aviation Maintenance Technology is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) under the Aviation Maintenance criteria, as well as certified by the Federal Aviation Administration as an FAA Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Training School. The B.S. in Aviation Science and Administration is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) under the Aviation Management criteria. The B.S. in Aviation Management and Operations is accredited by Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) under the Aviation Management criteria.

The M.S. in Psychology (concentration in Behavior Analysis) and the Ph.D. in Psychology (concentration in Behavior Analysis) are accredited by the Association for Behavior Analysis International. (The Association for Behavior Analysis International is not recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.)

All B.B.A. and M.B.A. programs in the Haworth College of Business are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. The B.B.A. in Accountancy and the M.S. in Accountancy are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International – Accounting Accreditation.

The Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) at Western Michigan University is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the period 2006 through 2015 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency. For further information about this accreditation, please contact the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, 801 N. Fairfax St., Suite 402A, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 519-2070, http://www.cea-accredit.org.

The Ph.D. in Psychology (concentration in Clinical Psychology) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, c/o Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979.

The M.A. in Coaching Sport Performance is accredited by the National Council on Accreditation of Coaching Education.  (The National Council on Accreditation of Coaching Education is not recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.)

The master’s programs in clinical mental health counseling, college counseling, and school counseling, as well as the Ph.D. in Counselor Education, are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

The B.S. in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

The Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation, American Psychological Association, c/o Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, (202) 336-5979.

The baccalaureate programs in Dance are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance.  

The B.S. in Dietetics and the Dietetic Internship–non-degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The B.S. programs in Engineering Design Technology, Engineering Management Technology, and Manufacturing Engineering Technology are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

The B.S. in Graphics and Printing Science is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc., http://accgc.org.

The B.S. in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503-4014, and by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Western Michigan University is certified for metal casting by the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF).

The baccalaureate programs in composition, music, music education, music therapy, and performance, and the M.M. programs in composition, conducting, music, music education, music therapy, and performance are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) and Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791.

The M.S. in Occupational Therapy, offered in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-2682.

The Master of Science in Medicine (M.S.M.) in Physician Assistant is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. located at 1200 Findley Rd., Suite 150, Johns Creek, GA 30097.

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.

The M.A. in Counselor Education: Rehabilitation Counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education, Inc.

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The master’s education program in speech-language pathology and the doctoral education program in audiology at Western Michigan University are accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, Maryland 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

The B.S. in Textile and Apparel Studies (concentrations in fashion design, merchandising, and product development), the B.S. in Fashion Merchandising and Design (concentration in merchandising and design and development), and the M.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences (emphasis in Textile and Apparel Studies) are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

The baccalaureate programs in theatre are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Graduates of the B.S. in Recreation must demonstrate one year of full-time experience in the field to be eligible to apply for the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam.  The program is not accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions.

Copies of accreditation and certification documents are available for review upon request in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Graduates of the following programs are eligible for initial teacher certification through the State of Michigan Department of Education:

Baccalaureate programs for preparation in art education, early childhood education, elementary education, family and consumer sciences teacher education, industrial technology, music education, occupational education studies, physical education, school health education, secondary education, special education, and technology and design, and the M.A. in Career and Technical Education.

Graduates of the following programs are eligible for advanced teacher certification or an endorsement through the State of Michigan Department of Education:

Master’s programs in art education, early childhood education, educational leadership, literacy studies, mathematics education, music education, physical education, school counseling, science education, special education, and the Teaching of English;

Educational specialist program in educational leadership; and

Doctoral programs in educational leadership, and science education.

Graduates of the B.B.A. in Accountancy are eligible to take the following exams, among others: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Certified Management Accountant (CMA); Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).  The requirements to sit for the various professional exams differ by exam and state. It is each student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for a particular exam. The student should be aware that the exam requirements may change over time.

The M.S. in Accountancy program enables graduates interested in public accounting careers to meet the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) educational requirements required to obtain a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. In addition, the AICPA and the State of Michigan require a total of 150 hours of college credit to obtain a CPA license.

Graduates of the B.S. in Athletic Training (professional program) are eligible to sit for the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) certification exam. In order to qualify as a candidate for the BOC certification exam, an individual must be endorsed by the recognized program director.

Graduates of the B.S. in Aviation Flight Science earn their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument, and Single- and Multi-Engine Land ratings. Additional optional flight certificates and ratings include the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), CFI-Instrument, CFI-Multi-Engine and Single-Engine Sea rating.

Graduates of the B.S. in Aviation Maintenance and Technology are qualified to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant written and practical examinations required to earn the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate.

The master’s and doctoral programs in psychology (concentration in behavior analysis) are pre-approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board as meeting coursework and experience eligibility requirements. Graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) certification examination.

The B.S in Behavioral Science is pre-approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board as meeting coursework and experience eligibility requirements. Graduates are eligible to sit for Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst™ (BCaBA®) certification examination.

The baccalaureate programs in child and family development and in family studies, and the M.A. in Family Studies – Family Life Education option are approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).  Graduates of NCFR-Approved academic programs who have completed all courses with a grade of C- or better can apply to NCFR for Provisional or Full Certification through the Abbreviated Application Process. Applicants applying through the Abbreviated Application Process do not need to take the Certified Family Life Education (CFLE) Exam.

Graduates of the M.A. programs in clinical mental health counseling; college counseling: marriage, couple and family counseling; school counseling; rehabilitation counseling; as well as the Ph.D. in Counselor Education, are eligible to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Michigan after first becoming Limited Licensed Professional Counselors (LLPC). The LPC is granted after 3000 hours of supervised experience (by an LPC) and a passing score on either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRC) developed by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. The NCE and CRCE are the State of Michigan Counselor License Examinations. Graduates from the clinical mental health counseling; college counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and, school counseling options are eligible to become Nationally Certified Counselors (NCC). Graduates from the rehabilitation counseling option are eligible to become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC).

Graduates of the M.A. program in counseling psychology are eligible to become Limited License Psychologists (LLP) in Michigan after first becoming Temporary Limited License Psychologists (TLLP). The master’s level LLP is granted after 2,000 hours of supervised experience (by a doctoral level Licensed Psychologist (LP) and a passing score on the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP). In Michigan, master’s level Limited License Psychologists must practice under the supervision of a doctoral level Licensed Psychologist (LP).

The Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program prepares students to become fully-licensed psychologists (LP). Doctoral graduates first apply for a doctoral level Limited License. The LP is granted after 2,000 hours of supervised experience (by a doctoral level Licensed Psychologist (LP) and a passing score on the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP).

Graduates of the baccalaureate didactic program in dietetics are eligible to sit for the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) Registration Examination, a national credentialing examination, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Further, those graduates who successfully complete the post-baccalaureate, non-degree dietetic internship are also eligible to apply and take the Registered Dietitian (RD) Credentialing Examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Graduates of all programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET are eligible to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying® (NCEES).  This is the second of four steps to earning a professional license in engineering.

Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Teacher Education Program for Health Professionals (ITEP) receive a Certificate in Teaching from the Bronson School of Nursing at Western Michigan University.  This certificate can be used to enhance one’s employment opportunities in teaching other health professionals in a university setting or health institution. In addition, graduates who are registered nurses are eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination administered by the National League for Nursing (NLN).

The B.M. in Music Therapy is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) as meeting AMTA’s standards of clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national board certification exam administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), to obtain the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist - Board Certified).

Students completing the nonprofit leadership minor, and completing additional requirements from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, are eligible to earn certification from Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA).

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN®).  The program has also received endorsement from the American Holistic Nursing Certification Corporation, the credentialing body for holistic nursing.  This endorsement enables graduates of the program to be exempt from prerequisites should they choose to sit for the National Certification Examination in Holistic Nursing.

Graduates of the M.A. in Occupational Therapy are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

The M.A. in Blindness and Low Vision Studies (concentration in Orientation and Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy), is approved by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) University Review Program through the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1703 N. Beauregard Street, Suite 440, Alexandria, VA 22311. As such, graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) exam administered by the Academic for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Graduates of the B.B.A. in Personal Financial Planning who have completed FIN 3600 Risk and Insurance, FIN 4710 Applications in Personal Financial Planning, FIN 3720 Estate Planning, FIN 3730 Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits, and ACTY 3240 Introductory Tax Accounting are eligible to sit for the CFP® Certification Exam administered by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

Graduates of the Master of Science in Medicine (M.S.M.) in Physician Assistant are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

Students who successfully complete EM 6140 – Project Management at Western Michigan University (WMU) are eligible to sit for the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification exam. WMU is a Registered Education Provider (REP) to PMI.

Graduates of the M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling are eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) are eligible to apply for the Michigan Limited License Bachelor’s Social Work.  Graduates of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) are eligible to apply for the Michigan Limited License Master’s Social Work.

Graduates of the M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology and the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) are eligible to take the Praxis specialty exam administered by the Education Testing Service as required for the Certification of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. They are also able to apply for state licensure in the state in which they intend to practice. They should, however, consult the state licensing board for the specific requirements for that state.

Graduates of the M.S. in Vision Rehabilitation Teaching are eligible to sit for the Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) exam administered by the Academic for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).