West Chester University
Graduate Admissions
At WCU, we strive to foster a supportive, student-centered environment. You are not just a number here; you are a valued member of our community, poised to achieve your professional goals.
You’ll have the opportunity to network with our community of alumni, gain valuable experience through career-ready learning, and make connections with our expert faculty that will help you succeed after graduation. Plus, our programs are designed to accommodate your schedule, so you can earn your degree with minimal disruption to your busy life.
Graduate Admissions Process
Application Requirements
WCU offers more than 120 doctoral, master's, certificate, certification, and accelerated programs to help you achieve your academic and professional goals. Application systems, requirements, and deadlines vary per program.
At a minimum, all graduate programs require the following materials:
- Online application. Most graduate programs at WCU require you to apply through The Graduate School; however, several programs utilize external application systems. To find the appropriate application, see the Where to Apply section below.
- Official transcript from each college and university attended. See Transcript Guidelines.
- Personal statement. Specific requirements regarding the personal statement are provided within the online application.
- Letters of recommendation. Most programs request two recommendation letters to support your application. Some programs require three. As you move through the online application, it will inform you how many letters are required and prompt you to enter contact information. Each recommender will receive a notification from the system with instructions for submission. It is best to request academic and/or professional references, such as college professors or employment supervisors, who can attest to your academic or professional aptitude or potential.
Some programs may require additional application components, such as resumes, test scores, interviews, auditions, English Language Proficiency (international applicants only), etc.
Transcript Guidelines
WCU Students and Alumni
West Chester University students and alumni must include WCU in the Academic History section of the online application, but do not have to order WCU transcripts. After you submit the application online, The Graduate School will upload your WCU transcript. Please allow a few days for processing.
Transcript Ordering
Applicants cannot upload their transcripts. Transcripts must come from a third party to be considered official, as outlined below.
- U.S. Transcripts: Transcripts must be sent directly to WCU’s Graduate School. You can request transcripts through your college or university's Registrar. Some institutions may use third-party services such as the National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment.
- International Transcripts: Students submitting transcripts for studies outside the U.S. must submit official, course-by-course evaluated transcripts prepared by a NACES member organization. The credential evaluation agency must send the transcripts directly to WCU’s Graduate School.
Direct official transcripts to one of the following addresses:
- Electronic transcripts should be directed to GradAdmissions@wcupa.edu.
- If electronic transmission is unavailable, transcripts should be mailed to The Graduate
School, McKelvie Hall, 102 W. Rosedale Ave. West Chester, PA 19383.
Application Deadlines
Many of WCU’s graduate programs offer rolling admission, giving you flexibility to apply on your timeline.
Some programs, however, have firm application deadlines that must be met for consideration.
Graduate Programs with Application Deadlines:
Athletic Training MS
Completed ATCAS applications by December 1 will receive priority review. Rolling admissions will follow until cohort is full and/or application deadline of June 1. Program offers admission for the Summer 1 semester only.Clinical Mental Health Counseling MS
Deadline date: February 1. Approximate decision date early March. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.Community Nutrition + Dietetic Internship
Deadline date: January 15 for verified DICAS applications submission.Doctor of Education (EdD)
Still accepting applications for Fall 2026. Priority deadline: January 15. After the priority application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis for as long as space is available. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)
There is a priority consideration date of October 1 for the Spring semester and April 1 for the Fall semester. Admission decisions for applications fully completed by the priority dates will be released approximately four weeks after this date. Applications submitted after the priority date will be reviewed on a rolling admissions basis. The DPA program welcomes applicants who hold Masters degrees from accredited institutions and admission to the program is based on an assessment of an applicant's ability, aptitude and potential.
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Deadline date: December 1. All application materials are due by the deadline. Interviews for invited applicants are held on the third Friday in February. Admissions decisions are released in mid-March. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.
Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs MS
Still accepting applications for Fall 2026. Priority deadline: February 15. After the priority application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis for as long as space is available. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.
MS Nursing (with Accelerated BSN)
Rolling admission deadline date: December 1. Program offers admission for the Spring semester only.
Physician Assistant Studies MS
Deadline date: January 15 for verified CASPA application submission. Program offers admission for Summer 2 only.Post-Master’s Dietetic Internship Certificate
Deadline date: January 15. Program offers admission for the Summer semester only.Psychology: General MS
Still accepting applications for Fall 2026. Priority deadline: March 1. After the priority application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis for as long as space is available. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.Psychology: Industrial/Organizational MS
Still accepting applications for Fall 2026. Priority deadline: March 1. After the priority application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis for as long as space is available. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.School Counseling MEd
Deadline date: March 1. Approximate decision date late March. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.Social Work MSW, Advanced Standing, West Chester and Philadelphia locations
Still accepting applications for Fall 2026. Priority deadline: January 2. After the priority application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis for as long as space is available. Program offers admission for the Summer 1 semester only.Social Work MSW Regular Standing, West Chester and Philadelphia locations
Still accepting applications for Fall 2026. Priority deadline: February 1. After the priority application deadline, applications will be considered on a rolling basis for as long as space is available. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.
Speech Language Pathology MA
Deadline date: January 15 for verified CSDCAS application submission. Decisions in early April. Program offers admission for the Fall semester only.How to Apply
Most applicants will apply through the Graduate School Application:
Some programs require an external, centralized application:
- SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY APPLICATION
- ATHLETIC TRAINING APPLICATION
- PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES APPLICATION
- NUTRITION + DIETETIC INTERNSHIP APPLICATION
West Chester University undergraduate students interested in applying for one of WCU’s accelerated bachelor’s to master's programs:
Candidates interested in taking a class(es) as a non-degree or senior citizen student:
Application Fees
A $50 fee* must be paid online when submitting your application. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be credited toward any charges if you subsequently register as a student. The online application cannot be processed without credit card information.
*Note that fees for the centralized application systems vary per program and are not paid to West Chester University.
Complete Your Application
Tips: The Graduate School Application works best using Google Chrome or Firefox Internet browsers. We advise you NOT to use Live, Outlook, or Hotmail email accounts for your application login.
- Submit your online application
- Pay the $50 application fee
- Have your application materials sent directly to GradAdmissions@wcupa.edu
Applicants are responsible for assuring that The Graduate School receives all necessary materials by the posted application deadlines. All application materials become the property of West Chester University and may not be returned or forwarded to another institution.
Check Your Application Status
After submitting your Graduate School Application, you may login to the Graduate Admissions Portal to check the status of your application, upload additional documents, pay the enrollment deposit once accepted.
We want to meet you.
Graduate Admissions Events
Attend an Open House, 1on1 virtual session, campus tour, or Information Session to learn more about your program of interest.
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's applicants
International Applicants
Veterans and Military Applicants
Non-Degree aND SENIOR CITIZEN APPLICANTS
Accepted Graduate Students
Applicant-Specific Information
Find specific requirements, steps, and important information based on your applicant category.