Graduate Program Admission Requirements

For additional admissions requirements by program of interest, select a program from the list below. Each will list the additional application requirements and link to more detailed program and admissions information. For general graduate admissions requirements, click here.

Athletic Training

• Completion of the NMU Master’s in AT Application - Athletic Training Application
• Submission of 3 professional letters of recommendation
• Proof of a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA upon submission of application.
• Proof of a minimum of 100 athletic training clinical observation hours completed in conjunction with ATR 310 and ATR 311
• Completion of a formal interview with members of the athletic training faculty and selected staff

Administration and Supervision (Education Specialist/Post-Master's) (online)

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Two 500-word responses to these questions: 
  • What are your goals as they relate to obtaining the NMU Education Specialist with the possibility of applying and completing the Doctorate in Education at Central Michigan University?
  • What experiences and skills do you possess that will contribute to your success in the Education Specialist program?

• Letter of application describing your background, research interests and career goals
• Memorandum from Biology Department faculty member indicating their willingness to serve as your graduate thesis advisor and your potential for success in the graduate program
• GRE test scores
• 3 recommendation letters (recommendation letters should be mailed or e-mailed directly from the recommender)

• Fall (August) semester - completed applications will be considered between March 1st and May 1st of the same year
• Winter (January) semester - completed applications will be considered between September 15th and December 1st of the year prior

• Letter of application describing your background, research interests and career goals
• Memorandum from Biology Department faculty member indicating their willingness to serve as your graduate thesis advisor and your potential for success in the graduate program
• GRE test scores
• 3 recommendation letters (recommendation letters should be mailed or emailed directly from the recommender)

  Deadlines:

• Fall (August) semester - completed applications will be considered between March 1st and May 1st of the same year
• Winter (January) semester - completed applications will be considered between September 15th and December 1st of the year prior

• Statement of purpose, indicating reasons for pursuing degree
• Resume
• GMAT or GRE test scores unless student qualifies for the waiver conditions below:
  • hold a Master’s or Doctorate degree from a regionally accredited university; OR
  • earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher from an AACSB accredited program, or a GPA of 3.2 or higher from a regionally accredited program; OR
  • have at least 5 years of significant leadership and/or managerial experience (Additional documentation such as professional recommendation(s) and/or letters of appointment are required to demonstrate eligibility for this requirement).

• Non-degree status 
• Transcripts are required for certification/endorsement programs

• Essay – Statement of intent that includes labs skills and experiences along with reason for pursuing this degree.
• 3 letters of recommendation (from instructors or professional references). Recommendation letters should be mailed or e-mailed directly from the recommender. 

Must have or be eligible for K-12 teaching license

English - Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
The following required documents can be uploaded at the end of your online application. If you do not submit them at the time of your application, please e-mail them to english@nmu.edu. See the English department for detailed application instructions.

• Department application (see the link above for this form and application procedures)
• Statement of purpose addressing your interest in the program, ability to succeed and teaching experience
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Critical essay/paper (10-20 pages)
• Writing sample (10 pages of poetry or 20-30 pages of fiction or creative writing)
• 3 (or more) recommendation letters addressing your promise as a writer and your ability as a potential teacher

Deadline: February 1 for Fall semester consideration.

English - Master of Arts

Exercise Science (Fall start only)

Click here for departmental application requirements

• 2 Recommendation Letters
• Cover letter
• Personal interview (phone, Skype, in person, etc.)

Learning Disabilities (online)

Must have or be eligible for K-12 teaching license

• Bachelor's degree must be earned prior to admission in this status 
• No application fee or transcripts required

• Essay/statement of interest in the program and goals

Transcripts are not usually needed for this non-degree seeking status

Psychological Science – Applied Behavior Analysis (On campus with a summer practicum - fall start only)

• Curriculum Vitae (resume if not available)
• Personal statement (letter of application outlining goals and expectations)
• 3 recommendation letters
• Optional – GRE test scores for general and psychology

Deadline for Fall Semester start: March 1 for first consideration

Psychological Science - General (Fall start only)

• Curriculum Vitae (resume if not available)
• Personal statement (letter of application outlining goals and expectations)
• 3 recommendation letters
• Optional – GRE test scores for general and psychology

Deadline for Fall Semester start: March 1 for first consideration

Public Administration (Master of Public Administration - MPA) - Portfolio or Thesis Option (online)

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 2 Recommendation letters

• Must have or be eligible for K-12 teaching license

• Must have or be eligible for K-12 teaching license

• Must have or be eligible for K-12 teaching license

Social Work (MSW)

• Three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Resume

Deadlines: December 1st for early-decision makers only.  Early decision makers are applicants who are already committed to attending NMU for their MSW, whereas regular applicants may be considering and applying to other institutions.  Regular applicants must submit their applications no later than February 1st.