Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To apply for a master’s degree program, you must complete a Graduate Admissions application and include all required application materials. To apply online or download an application, click here. You may also request graduate admissions information by contacting the Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services at +1 973.720.3641, international@wpunj.edu, or Whatsapp: +1 862.228.5076.

What are the requirements for admission into a graduate program at William Paterson University?

  • A completed application and $50 (USD) application fee; (with the exception of Communication Disorders, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and Clinical and Counseling Psychology see Apply Now page for details). Application fees are non-refundable.
  • International applicants seeking admission into a master’s degree program must hold a degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. For a country-by-country breakdown of our requirements, please click here.
  • Your college or university must be recognized by the appropriate governmental ministry as a degree-granting institution.
  • All transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas must be written in the original language of instruction. All original-language documents must be accompanied by a separate, word-for-word English translation. Dual-language transcripts are not acceptable.
  • Official transcripts must show all courses and subjects taken and all grades (marks) received.
  • A course-by-course evaluation of all foreign education credentials is required and should be forwarded to William Paterson University by an approved professional evaluation service.
    Please visit NACES, AICE, AACRAO or IFCS for a list of accepted evaluation agencies.
  • Official transcripts must be sent directly to William Paterson University by the college or university.
  • Diploma Supplements must accompany transcripts from institutions from countries that are part of the Bologna Accord.
  • An overall “B” average (3.0/4.0 GPA) is the minimum standard for admission consideration. To calculate your academic average William Paterson University may convert an overseas grading scale to the U.S. standard scale.
  • A vocational track is not appropriate preparation for graduate admission.
  • All students from non-English-speaking countries must submit proof of English language proficiency as evidenced by a satisfactory score on either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam.
  • Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and dated no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the start of your intended first term at William Paterson University.
  • Additional requirements are determined by our individual graduate programs. This can include recommendation letters, essays, certifications, licenses, and test scores. Click here to review additional requirements for your program of interest.

What are the application deadlines?

Application deadlines vary by program. Please refer to our Apply Now page for program specific deadlines.

Our suggested deadline for many of our graduate programs are as follows:
April 1 – Fall (September intake)
November 1 – Spring (January intake)

Please note that some of our graduate programs accept applications on a rolling admission basis. Applications for these programs will be processed and admissions decisions rendered as they are received. Applications will not be reviewed until all required application materials have been received. It may take several weeks for an admissions decision to be rendered. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.

What is the application fee?

The application fee is $50 (USD); (with the exception of Communication Disorders, Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and Clinical and Counseling Psychology see Apply Now page for details). Application fees are non-refundable. When submitting the application on-line, you may pay your application fee by credit card at the end of the application process.

If you apply using a paper application you must pay your fee by check or money order. Make your $50 (USD) check payable to William Paterson University.

Send payment to:
William Paterson University
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services
300 Pompton Road
Morrison Hall 102
Wayne, NJ 07470

Are there any graduate programs that are not available to international students?

Due to state licensure requirements, most international applicants are not eligible to apply to our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) & Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs, along with many of our College of Education certificate and master's programs.  Non-degree status is only available for domestic students.

Who should I contact if I have a question about the application process?

For admissions related questions, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services at +1 973.720.3641, international@wpunj.edu, or Whatsapp: +1 862.228.5076. For academic or curriculum-specific questions, contact the program director for your graduate program of interest. Their contact information is available on our Programs page.

Where should I send my supporting documentation? Do all documents need to arrive together?

Please send all academic application documents to:

William Paterson University
Office of Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Services
300 Pompton Road
Morrison Hall 102
Wayne, NJ 07470

Application materials can be sent individually as they become available to you. Please note that your application cannot be reviewed until all application requirements have been fulfilled and your application is considered complete.

Please send financial data forms, bank statements, affidavit of support, sponsorship letters, and passport copies (if applicable) to the Office of International Students and Scholars:

William Paterson University
Office of International Students and Scholars
300 Pompton Road
Morrison Hall 102
Wayne, NJ 07470

When will my file be reviewed?

After your application is completed it will be sent to the appropriate academic department for review. This process generally takes four to six weeks. You will be notified by e-mail when an admission decision has been rendered.

Can I change my application after it is submitted?

Applications may not be altered once they are submitted. Please click here and complete the form to submit changes or you may submit changes in writing to graduate@wpunj.edu. If you need to change any personal information such as name, address, or phone number, please contact the Office of Student Enrollment Services.

How do I obtain my Student ID (855) number?

Please click here and complete the enclosed form to obtain your student ID number.

How do I check the status of my application?

  1. Go to My Application Status on the Graduate Admissions page.
  2. Your login ID is your Student ID (855) number; to obtain your ID click here.
  3. Your Pin Number is your six-digit date of birth (MMDDYY). (Month, Day, Year)
  4. Click on either “Application in Progress” or “Submitted Applications.”

What is William Paterson University's School Code for Graduate Entrance exams (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL)?

Our school code is: 2518
The GRE school code for the Communication Disorders and Sciences Centralized Application Services (CSDCAS) application is 3643. This is for those who are applying for the Communication Disorders program ONLY.

How long do I have to finish my program?

A master's degree program must be completed within a period of six years from the time the student matriculates. The maximum time to complete a program includes time spent during leaves of absence, withdrawals, thesis, and comprehensive examination.

Where can I find course offerings and schedules?

  1. Click on the Class Schedules link under Courses and Registration on the Current Students page.
  2. Use the Search by Term drop down menu to select your term of interest, click the submit button.
  3. Select your subject of interest from the drop down menu labeled Subject. Select Graduate from the drop down menu labeled Course Level. Click Class Search.

How do I pay my tuition bill?

All bills are sent electronically to your William Paterson University email address. For billing inquiries, contact the Office of Student Enrollment Services. Please be sure to check your @student.wpunj.edu inbox frequently as all official school correspondence will be sent to this address.

What is a graduate assistantship?

A graduate assistantship is an academic award that carries a $6,000 stipend and a waiver of tuition and fees for the extent of the appointment. Graduate assistants are students who are matriculated and enrolled full-time in a graduate program. Graduate assistants work on campus for a total of twenty hours per week for one of our departments.

In order to be eligible for a graduate assistantship, you must:

  • Be accepted into, or enrolled in, a William Paterson graduate program.
  • Have completed and filed a graduate assistantship application by April 1.
  • Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (US)
  • Submit a minimum of two letters of recommendation from former employers, supervisors or others who can attest to your academic and/or work-related skill and abilities.
  • Provide a copy of your professional resume.
  • Provide a written statement about your career goals.

Before applying for a graduate assistantship, you must complete the online graduate admission application for one of our graduate degree programs. Your graduate assistantship application will be reviewed by the appropriate academic department after acceptance into one of our graduate programs. Each department selects applicants for an interview based on the criteria listed and the needs of the department. Candidates are notified of their assistantship award by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs no later than June 30 of each academic year.

Is housing available for graduate students?

Graduate student housing is available; please click here to view housing rates for graduate students. Contact the Office of Residence Life at +1 973.720.2714 or athome@wpunj.edu for more information.