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Graduate School News



Have You Heard?

To help make communication clearer and easier to follow, this website will serve as the central location for updates and information from the Graduate School and Graduate Enrollment Management related to Summer and Fall 2026.

We understand that changes and updates can sometimes be difficult to track across multiple communications. By maintaining information in one place, we hope to provide the university community with a more accessible and consistent resource for important announcements, timelines, and guidance.

Questions regarding any information posted here may be directed to the Graduate School or GEM.

Admission and Enrollment

  1. Non-Degree B is no longer an admission category. All non-degree students will be admitted into the codes formerly known as category A.
    1. Admission requirements have been updated to allow the most flexibility for admission.
    2. Certificate admission requirements will not change.
    3. Programs may set their own admission requirements for non-degree admission through a CIM change. 
  2. TOEFL has updated their scoring scale
    1. They moved from 120 point scale to a 6 point scale. 4.5 overall is required for admissibility.
    2. KBOR has established that GTAs must receive a 4.5 on the Speaking section.
    3. Old scores will still be accepted until they expire at 2 years.
  3. We need your input to maximize communications to prospects and applicants!  
    1. We've created a a Slate Survey on 7 key areas that we'll use to create custom messaging for your program!
    2. The goal is to integrate program specific messaging with general GEM messaging at each stage of the prospective student journey.
    3. You can provide us highlights to include (preferred) or write your own message!
    4. Our goal is to have all submissions no later than August 31, though being included is entirely on your timeline. 
  4. Updated Accelerated Enrollment Approval Process
    1. The requirement to remove PDFs from the website required a change in the enrollment request process for accelerated students.
    2. The new process will be sent to accelerated program coordinators separately.  We are still working on a few adjustments to ensure it works smoothly.
    3. The process will be shifted into the student's application portal in Slate and completed by the program through email. Once submitted, the assigned graduate advisor and/or coordinator will receive the request with instructions on how to approve/disapprove. 
    4. The Senior Rule process will not be affected by this change.

 

Graduate School and Academic Policy

  1. Policy Update: Terminal Activity.  Graduate Council approved a change to the terminal activity grade requirement, setting a new minimum grade of "C" (generating 2.0 credit points). The prior minimum grade was a "B" (generating 3.0 credit points). This goes into effect immediately.
    1. Programs wishing to have a higher grade requirement for their terminal activity course may submit that change through a Program Level CIM Form.
  2. Plan of Study Now Required in Second Term: A hold will go on student account.
    1. Beginning Fall 2026, all students must have an approved plan of study on file by the 20th day of classes in the second semester of enrollment.
    2. Admission prerequisites and conditions should continue to be monitored and cleared through the conditions clearing process - plans generally cannot be approved until prerequisites/conditions are cleared. 
    3. Students who do not have an approved plan of study on file with the Graduate School will have a hold placed on their record that will prevent further enrollment until the requirement is met. 
  3. Assistantship appointments will be returned if the student is not enrolled in classes.
    1. Before starting the graduate assistant hiring process, you must ensure the student is  enrolled for the appointment term. 
    2. If the Graduate School receives hiring documents (WuHire or ePAF) and the student is not enrolled, the hiring proposal or ePAF will be returned to the originator.
    3. Summer enrollment is not required if the student is continuing an appointment from the Spring semester, unless the student is beginning a new graduate program in the summer.
  4. MBT (Market Based Tuition) Assessed Courses Cannot Typically Be Used on the Plan of Study
    1. Courses taken for MBT credit are usually completed by students in a non-degree admission status.
    2. This coursework is considered stackable: it can be used by non-degree students to earn a certificate.
    3. Only those MBT credits used to earn a certificate while in a non-degree status may be used on the Plan of Study toward a degree.
  5. A Reminder about Transfer Credit Hour Limitations
    1. Transfer credit polices are in the Graduate Catalog. If you are unsure about anything, please contact our degree audit staff for assistance as confusion often arises and incorrect advisement can result in delayed graduation for the student.
    2. There is a 6 hour limit for credits from one earned master's/specialist degree to be used to earn a second master's/specialist degree.
    3. Coursework from an earned graduate degree does not expire - therefore the 10 year time limit does not apply to work transferred into a current degree program from a previously earned graduate degree.
  6. A Reminder about Graduate Coordinator Changes
    1. If a Graduate Coordinator for a degree or certificate program leaves WSU or stops serving in that capacity, until a new Graduate Coordinator is approved through the Graduate Coordinator Recommendation process, the department chair/director will serve as the Graduate Coordinator.
    2. Please review Roles and Responsibilities for Graduate Coordinators and let us know if you have any questions. 
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