Required entrance qualifications

• MA Program:

  Students must have: a Bachelor's degree on entering the MA program; a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA; and a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate geography courses. Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirements may, in exceptional circumstances, be admitted as a provisional MA student.

• PhD Program:

  Students must have completed a Master's degree before entering the Ph.D. program. It is also expected that applicants have an excellent record in their masters program.

Students with degrees in disciplines other than geography may apply to the geography graduate program, but they could be asked to make up deficiencies in geography during their first year in the program. Incoming geography students may also be asked to make up deficiencies if any are found during the student's entry interview with faculty. This interview takes place immediately before the fall semester.

Deadlines for applications

• Priority will be given to applications for fall admission and teaching assistantships received by January 1, though we occasionally make offers to outstanding students who apply early.
• For admission without financial assistance, all application materials must arrive at WVU by April 1.
• International students should submit their materials at least three months in advance of the deadlines stated above, because the WVU Office of Admissions and Records takes additional time to process international applications.
• Graduate students are strongly encouraged to begin their studies in the fall because of course sequencing restrictions in the academic year. However, if you wish to apply for spring admission all materials must arrive at WVU by October 1.

Application Instructions

In order to apply to the Geography Graduate Program at WVU, you have to apply formally to WVU through the WVU Office of Admissions and Records, and also send additional material directly to the Department of Geology and Geography. We also recommend completing a online application form, which will allow you to track your application status. These three aspects of applying to WVU are described in more detail below.

A. Complete the online graduate admission form for WVU and pay application fee:

http://admissions.wvu.edu/graduate/

B. Send only the following material directly to:

1. Official transcripts from all colleges previously attended.

2. Official GRE scores

3. Official TOEFL scores (Only International applications whose native language is not English)

C. Send only the following material directly to:

1. Letters of recommendation from people who are familiar with the applicant's academic performance (2 letters are required from MA applicants, and 3 letters from PhD applicants).

2. A two to three page statement of Interest describing the applicant's interest in geography at WVU and career goals.

If you have more questions about the application procedure, check the Frequently Asked Questions Page.