Application Information

Admission to our Ph.D. program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School.

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree or better, preferably in biological sciences or chemistry, from an accredited college or university, and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Students who have a baccalaureate degree from a non-basic or life science discipline will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Students with an undergraduate GPA of below 3.0 (but not less than 2.75) should consider applying to our Masters program.

International students must meet English language proficiency requirements.  See https://gradschool.wayne.edu/admissions/international for more details. This requirement may be waived for students who received advanced degrees from an accredited college or university that primarily uses the English Language.

Qualified applicants to our Ph.D. program may be interviewed by phone or in person to be considered for admission and/or fellowships.

Applications to our PhD program must be received by January15 of the year of admission in order to be considered for fellowship support.  Applications to our program received after that date may be considered for both Fall and Winter semester admission, but fellowship support may not be available. Fellowship support is not available for Winter admissions.

Application Requirements:

  • Complete the online application at: Graduate Admissions
  • Statement of Purpose ( submit with the online applications)
  • Current curriculum vitae or resume (upload for submission submitted with the online applications)
  • Official Transcripts from all accredited colleges or universities
    • Foreign applicants: Beginning winter 2017 semester all students with international transcripts must submit an official transcript evaluation completed by World Education Services (WES) or a similarly qualified organization. Please do not send any official academic records to WSU. The official transcript evaluation must be transmitted directly from the credentialling organization to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  • Applicants are encouraged (but not required) to include the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in their admission application.
  • TOEFL scores (international applicants)
  • Three official letters of recommendation are required
    • Note:  In addition to evaluating you as a person, the Admissions Committee uses your letters of recommendation to evaluate both your academic and research potential.  We strongly recommend that you obtain recommendations from faculty members or other individuals who can specifically comment on those attributes.
  • Copies of published abstracts/journal articles where you are listed as an author (optional)

Eligibility for the Ph.D. program is determined by the Departmental Graduate Program Committee. Decisions are based upon the applicant's academic credentials, technical experience, and interview.

Correspondence and Information requests can be sent via email to: Dr. Robert Wessells or Christine Cupps.