Graduate Studies

Admission Requirements

Please refer to the appropriate section below for details on admission requirements based on your student level:

New Freshman

  • Hold a credential that is comparable to a U.S. high school diploma.
  • Have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. All marks and scores will be converted to a 4.0 grading scale.
  • Non-native English speaking applicants must submit satisfactory English proficiency scores on one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, ITEP, or PTE Academic. (Use school code 1900 for WIU.) Learn more about English proficiency requirements and countries exempt from this requirement.

Transfer Student

  • Have a combined grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale for all college level coursework attempted and good standing at the last institution attended. All marks and scores will be converted to a 4.0 grading scale.
  • Applicants who have earned less than the equivalent of 24 semester hours must also meet freshman admission standards.
  • Non-native English speaking applicants must submit satisfactory English proficiency scores on one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, ITEP, or PTE Academic. (Use school code 1900 for WIU.) Learn more about English proficiency requirements and countries exempt from this requirement.
  • See our Transfer Credits page for information about transferring your undergraduate college credits at WIU.

Graduate Students

  • Hold a degree comparable to a recognized U.S. bachelor's degree.
  • Have a combined GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for all college courses attempted; or have a 3.0 or higher GPA for the last two years of undergraduate work attempted. All marks and scores will be converted to a 4.0 grading scale. Some departments have a higher GPA requirement so please refer to the Departmental Admission Requirements.
  • Non-native English speaking applicants must submit satisfactory English proficiency scores on one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, ITEP, or PTE Academic. (Use school code 1900 for WIU.) Learn more about English proficiency requirements and countries exempt from this requirements. Some academic programs may require higher scores for admission.