Step 1: Identify potential faculty advisors.
  Students applying to the MS program are strongly advised to contact faculty members whose work is of interest to them before applying. The number of projects in a lab is finite, so it is to your advantage to to discuss possible acceptance into a lab early. Faculty research interests can be found by following the link to the right. Admission into the MS program without an advisor is permissable, but it may limit your choices once you have arrived. Contact us if you have any concerns about identifying potential advisors.
  Students applying to the MA program can also identify potential advisors early in this way, however as lab work is not the major focus of the degree it is acceptable to arrive without an arranged advisor. These students will have a meeting early in their program to assign their advisor.

Step 2: Fill out the Graduate College admission application form, and arrange for supporting materials to be sent.
  Links are provided to both the online application form (preferred) and the downloadable pdf, which can be filled out and mailed. We strongly recommend that you follow the Graduate College link to the right, to learn more about graduate studies at Marshall and to obtain additional information about the application process.
 
  In addition to the application form, the following supporting materials are required:

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools from which you have received credit. Printouts or opened copies are not acceptable.
• GRE scores.
          Information on the GRE can be found through Marshall's testing center
            (http://muwww-new.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/graduate-admissions-test-information-2/)
            and/or the GRE website
            (http://www.ets.org/gre).
            Arrange to take the exam early to ensure that the scores arrive in time!
            Follow either of the links above to learn more about scheduling.
• Recommendation letters from three (3) professional references, mailed directly by the person providing the reference or sealed in a signed envelope. These letters must be solicited by the student.
• A written statement of educational and professional goals (250-500 words) that outlines your rationale for pursuing these goals in the Deaprtment of Biological Sciences at Marshall University. At the end of this statement, include the names and contact information of your three professional references, and the name of your Faculty advisor at Marshall if known. Do not list an advisor here unless that person has agreed to accept you, in writing. It is not necessary to include the written acceptance letter of the advisor.

  All application materials must arrive at the Graduate College in Charleston, WV, by the due date. Please note, the due dates provided by the graduate college are different than those for the Department of Biological Sciences; the Departmental dates (in the table above) are the ones you must adhere to in order to receive full consideration. The mailing address is:
 

Marshall University
Graduate Admissions Office
100 Angus E. Peyton Drive
South Charleston, WV 25303-1600

Step 3: Apply for a Graduate Assistantship (if desired).
  The download link for the Graduate Assistantship Application form can be found to the right, along with a link that describes the GA program. In order to be considered for a departmental GA, a student must have been accepted to the Biological Sciences graduate program, or have submitted their application and be awaiting acceptance.
 
   The application must arrive at the Department of Biological Sciences office, by the due date. The mailing address is:

Graduate Admissions Committee
Department of Biological Sciences
ATTN: Ms. Vickie Crager, GA Application
1 John Marshall Dr
Huntington, WV 25755

Step 4: Confirm receipt of your application materials.
  Please keep track of your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials arrive, including letters of reference and transcripts. Please contact Vickie Crager in the Department of Biological Sciences at (304) 696-5413 regarding Graduate Assistantship applications, or the Graduate College at (304) 746-1901 regarding admissions materials, to confirm that everything has arrived.

Additional information for International Students:
  International students must apply for student visas and complete other requirements before attending Marshall. Please visit Marshall University's Center for International Programs web site for more information.

Click here for International Programs.