Application Information

Prospective graduate students are encouraged to begin their application process the year preceding their desired entry into the graduate program. Applicants must meet the requirements outlined below. Applicants must submit the following:

1. A completed graduate application. This must be done electronically.
2. Official transcripts submitted directly from each institution of higher education previously attended.
3. A 500-word essay detailing educational and professional goals.
4. Three references.
5. Reporting GRE scores is optional.

University Requirements               

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education
2. Submission of all required admission materials, including:
   1. Completed graduate application for admission.
   2. $30 nonrefundable application fee (unless you have previously applied to Grand Valley).
   3. Official copies of transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Transcripts must be sent from those institutions directly to the GVSU Admissions Office. NOTE:  We do not require official transcripts if you are a GVSU undergraduate student.
   4. Test scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) for applicants whose native language is not English. Only original score reports will be accepted.

Graduate Program Requirements

Note that applicants who are interested in working at AWRI, to receive a Masters in Biology with an emphasis in aquatic sciences, is the same as applying to the Graduate Program in Biology. Requirements for consideration of admission into the Biology graduate program are as follows:

1. A completed graduate application.
2. Official transcripts submitted directly from each institution of higher education previously attended.
3. A 500-word essay detailing educational and professional goals.
4. Three references.
5. A minimum overall 3.0 GPA is required. Students may be given full or conditional admission.
6. Departmental admission policy requires that a faculty member agree to serve as an applicant's Graduate Committee Chair before admission. As a consequence, we strongly recommend that prospective applicants visit the AWRI website (www.gvsu.edu/wri) to review the profiles and research interests of AWRI faculty, as early as possible.  Once identified, contact the faculty member(s) with whom you may want to serve as your major advisor, to determine if they are accepting new graduate students.
7. Reporting GRE scores is optional.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Biology with an emphasis in aquatic sciences is a highly individualized, planned program of study. In addition to the required course work, the student and their Graduate Committee Chair (major advisor) will establish all course work required to complete the degree. All students will be limited to a five-year period to complete their degree. The program of study will include:

• A qualifying exam administered by the student's Graduate Committee
• Minimum of 33 approved credits
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0

Graduate Committee (AWRI students)

1. A Graduate Committee Chairperson at AWRI must be determined before admission.
2. The student's Graduate Committee must be appointed before the end of the second semester of enrollment.

Admission will be based on the materials submitted by the applicant and on the perceived ability of the University to successfully provide appropriate academic support for the candidate. A minimum overall 3.0 GPA is required. Students may be given full or conditional admission. Conditional admission may be granted to students with identified deficiencies in their background, but who are otherwise qualified for program admission. Specific requirements to remediate any such deficiencies will be defined by the Biology Graduate Program Committee and the student's Graduate Committee Chair.