In October, 1938, the West Virginia Board of Education authorized Marshall University to conduct graduate instruction leading to the Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees. Since then, the Graduate College has steadily expanded the scope and depth of its offerings. Degree programs include post-master’s Education Specialist degrees (Ed.S.) an Ed.D. in either Leadership Studies or Curriculum and Instruction, a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Business Administration, and more.

As the variety of these programs would indicate, the Graduate College offers the graduate student an opportunity to acquire research techniques in many fields of knowledge; to participate under the guidance of the graduate faculty in basic research and in the application of the insights gained in such research to the solution of the pressing problems of our times; and to become skilled professionals.

Admission to the Graduate College is based on a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and on the information provided on the Application for Admission form. The applicant must also submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) as required by the individual program area. Test scores must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions, Marshall University.

On recommendation by the department chair and with the approval of the appropriate undergraduate dean and the Assistant Provost for Graduate Studies, Marshall University seniors with superior academic undergraduate records may be permitted to enroll in graduate courses. When combined with the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), in which thirty undergraduate semester credit hours or more can be earned by examination, this provision enables the superior student to earn both a baccalaureate and a master’s degree in four years or fewer.

Students who want more information about any of the graduate programs should consult the Graduate Catalog or address their inquiries to: Graduate Admissions Office, Marshall University, One John Marshall Drive, South Charleston, WV 25303.