How to Apply as a Graduate Student

Admission to graduate study is selective and based on a comprehensive review of each applicant’s academic background, professional experience, preparation for the field of study, and potential for success in advanced study. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an equivalent degree from an appropriately recognized international institution, prior to enrollment in a graduate program. Applicants may apply while their bachelor’s degree is in progress; however, degree conferral must be completed before the start of the intended term of enrollment. Students may submit an unofficial transcript during the admissions process but must provide an official transcript prior to enrollment.

Admissions decisions are made collaboratively by the graduate program and the Office of Graduate Admissions. Because graduate admissions requirements vary by discipline, degree level, accreditation requirements, licensure standards, and professional expectations, each graduate program establishes its own admissions criteria, required application materials, and prerequisite coursework, if any. These requirements are published on the applicable graduate program’s admissions or academic program page.

Depending on the program, admissions requirements may include, but are not limited to, possession of a baccalaureate degree, transcripts of previous educational records, minimum grade point average expectations, prerequisite coursework, evaluations by professors or professionals, nationally recognized measures of aptitude or academic achievement, interviews, or appropriate alternatives to interviews. Appropriate alternatives may include written statements, portfolios, auditions, recorded responses, professional experience reviews, or other program-approved assessments.

Applicants are responsible for reviewing the admissions requirements for their intended graduate program and submitting all required materials by the applicable deadline. Certain programs utilize centralized application services, including those in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Psychology (PsyD), and Physician Assistant Studies.

The University reserves the right to verify the authenticity of all application materials and to rescind an offer of admission if any information is found to be incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading. Applicants who are denied admission may reapply for a future term.

Admitted students may request to defer their enrollment for up to one year from the original term of admission. Students who do not enroll within this timeframe will be required to submit a new application for admission.

Yes, Widener can defer admissions for up to one year from the original acceptance.

If you are applying through our succeed.widener.edu application portal, you can save your spot and return at any time. 

If you are applying through an external CAS application portal, there may be strict open and close application timelines.

The timeframe it takes to hear your admissions decision largely depends on the program. For programs that offer rolling admission, you'll typically hear back within 2-3 weeks after applying. 

Programs that accept applications through the CAS system will follow their own specific admission schedule.

Yes, there is a required application fee to apply to Widener's graduate programs, but the cost depends on the program. Majority of graduate programs have a $35 application fee. Programs that utilize a third-party CAS application system require different fees.