Before You Apply

person writing in lined notebok

Get ready! Review the dates and deadlines, check on application and tuition costs, ensure you’re TechReady, and then select a section in Get Ready to Apply that describes your situation for next steps.

Not quite ready? Request program info here.

Dates and Deadlines

Make sure you know when to apply. Explore important dates and deadlines for baccalaureate degrees on our undergraduate dates and deadlines page.

Dates and deadlines vary for graduate programs. If you have already finished your bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing a graduate degreelearn more about graduate school deadlines.

Application and Tuition Cost

Most applicants pay a $70 application fee, and the fee for returning undergraduate WSU students, certificate seeking, and non-degree seeking students is $35. If you are entitled to an application fee waiver, you’ll be able to claim it in the application form.

You can learn more about tuition and other costs on our cost page.

Are You TechReady?

For online students, understanding technical requirements and the skills you need to succeed is essential. No matter your level of comfort with technology or experience with online learning, we’re here to help!

Our TechReady site is your resource for ensuring that you are fully prepared to learn online at Washington State University.

Getting Ready to Apply

Select the section that best describes your situation to learn what materials you may need to complete your application.

Graduate Student Application Information

Are You a Graduate Student?

WSU Global Campus graduate programs each have a unique set of degree requirements, dates and deadlines. To learn more about requirements for a specific graduate degree program, you can access its individual web page from All Degrees and Majors.

Ready to Apply?

You can begin the process of applying for a graduate degree program on the WSU Graduate School’s application page.

Undergraduate Student Application Information

Students with academic credit from other colleges and universities will find WSU Global Campus a top choice for continuing their education and completing their degree. We focus on maximizing your transfer credit whether your goal is to complete a degree as quickly as possible or to pursue an area of study completely new to you.

Many students work full- or part-time while attending WSU Global Campus. Financial aid and scholarships are available for transfer students.

If you haven’t already, review our degree offerings and reach out if you have questions about WSU Global Campus or the admission process. Our admissions counselors are here to help you.

Who is Considered a Transfer Student

If you have never enrolled on any WSU campus, and have attended college since graduating from high school (not including the summer immediately following high school graduation), then you are considered a “transfer student.”

Requirements

We require a minimum of a 2.50 transfer GPA and at least 27 semester (40 quarter) hours of transferable credits. If your transfer GPA is less than a 2.50, then we may request additional material from you.

How to Apply

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials and determine the number of transferable credits, if any.
  • Once a decision has been made regarding your application, we will notify you.

Are You a Former WSU Student?

If you were previously enrolled at any Washington State University campus and you were absent for more than one semester (excluding summer), you are considered a former student. If you were not in good academic standing your last semester at WSU, you may need to be reinstated.

If you’ve been absent for only one semester, you don’t need to reapply. Contact your Global Campus academic advisor to plan your next steps.

How to Apply

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials and determine the number of transferable credits, if applicable.
  • Once a decision has been made regarding your application, we will notify you.

Are You a Current WSU Student?

If you are a current on-campus WSU student who wishes to take Global Campus courses, you have a couple of options, depending on what you want to accomplish.

Do you want to take a semester fully online before returning to on-campus courses?
Do you want to finish your degree fully online?

Were You a Running Start Student?

If you participated in Running Start, you are considered a “Freshman” for admission purposes.

How to Apply

  • Get your required paperwork together. You will need:
    • Highschool transcript or GED, if you are younger than 25.
    • College transcripts.
    • Learn more about what you will need on the freshman admissions website.
  • Get started on your application.
  • SAT or ACT Scores: As of March 2021, WSU no longer requires students to submit SAT/ACT test scores as part of the application process.

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials.
  • Once a decision has been made regarding your application, we will notify you.

Are You a Homeschool Graduate?

Did you complete some or all of your schooling at home? You’re welcome at WSU and your requirements are nearly the same as other freshmen!

How to Apply

  • Get your required paperwork together. You will need:
    • Official transcripts from any high schools attended.
    • An academic resume that provides documentation of all subjects studied and textbooks used, including the signature of the parent or guardian responsible for the student’s curriculum.
    • Learn more about what you will need on the freshman admissions website under Homeschool Graduate.
  • Get started on your application.
  • SAT or ACT Scores: As of March 2021, WSU no longer requires students to submit SAT/ACT test scores as part of the application process.

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials.
  • Once a decision has been made regarding your application, we will notify you.

Are you a Freshman?

For admission purposes, you are considered a “Freshman” if you will graduate from high school this academic year or if you have already graduated but haven’t been enrolled in college after the summer following your high school graduation.

Running Start students or students who have completed college coursework while in high school are considered freshmen for admission purposes. Those 25 or older are classified as adult freshmen and have different application requirements.

How to Apply

  • Get your required paperwork together. You will need:
  • Get started on your application.
  • SAT or ACT Scores: As of March 2021, WSU no longer requires students to submit SAT/ACT test scores as part of the application process.

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials.
  • Once a decision has been made regarding your application, we will notify you.

Are you an Adult Freshman?

For admission purposes, you are classified as an “Adult Freshman” if you’ll be 25 or older on your first day of classes at WSU and have no college credits to transfer.

Because the usual application may not tell your story—it may have been a while since high school—we ask you to provide other information and tell us a bit about your experiences since then.

How to Apply

  • Get your required paperwork together. You will need:
    • Highschool transcript or GED.
    • A resume covering the last five years.
    • A brief essay (no more than one page) addressing why you want to attend WSU.
    • Learn more about what you will need on the freshman admissions website under Students Over 25.
  • Get started on your application.

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials.
  • Once a decision has been made regarding your application, we will notify you.

Are You an International Student?

International students are those who are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and want earn their degree online, take courses for personal enrichment or to transfer to another institution.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about the application process for International students, contact an International admissions coordinator before you apply. Visit International Programs to connect with a coordinator who can assist you with your application materials.

If you have questions about the Global Campus student experience, our Global Campus admissions counselors are here to assist you. Email online.admissions@wsu.edu or visit our Admissions Team page to contact them directly.

How to Apply

What Happens Next?

  • International Programs will review your application materials and determine the number of transferable credits, if any.
  • Once a decision has been made regarding your application, we will notify you.

Are You a Non-Degree-Seeking Student?

A non-degree seeking student is defined as a student planning to take undergraduate courses for personal enrichment, a teaching endorsement, or to transfer to another institution.

Financial Aid

As a reminder, non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid. If you have questions regarding the financial aid policy for non-degree seeking students, please contact financialaid@wsu.edu.

Military and Veterans

Those who are eligible for military or veteran’s benefits may be able to use them even if they are not seeking a degree. Visit our Global Campus Military and Veterans page or contact the WSU Veteran’s Affairs Office at veterans@wsu.edu to learn more.

How to Apply

  • Check the requirements. You do not need any college credits and are not required to have a minimum grade point average to apply as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student. Official transcripts are not required.
  • Confirm that the course(s) you wish to take is offered through Global Campus, then check if the course has a prerequisite, or requires approval. Here’s how:
    • Go to the Schedules of Classes (schedules.wsu.edu).
    • Select the link for the Global Campus term you wish to apply for. New term information is available approximately four weeks prior to the start of registration.
    • Find the course you wish to take by selecting a prefix. If the course is offered through Global Campus that term, you’ll see it listed.
    • Select the More Information link to access the course information page.
      • Check the Prerequisites section for any prerequisites.
      • Also check the Special Notes section to determine if permission is needed to enroll.
    • If you have questions about whether you can enroll in a course or if seats are available, please ask us: online@wsu.edu.
  • Get started on your application. The application fee is $35. If you plan to earn a certificate, please select that certificate on the application. You can also let us know by email: online@wsu.edu.

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials and notify you of its decision.
  • If you are admitted, the Global Campus will send you an email welcome message with registration information.
  • When your enrollment appointment time begins, if you find that you are not able to enroll in a course, email online@wsu.edu for assistance.

Are you a Certificate-Seeking Student?

A certificate seeking student is defined as a student planning to take undergraduate courses to seek a certificate that Global Campus offers but does not intend to complete a Bachelor degree at WSU.

Financial Aid

As a reminder, non-degree seeking students are not eligible for financial aid. If you have questions regarding the financial aid policy for non-degree seeking students, please contact financialaid@wsu.edu.

Military and Veterans

Those who are eligible for military or veteran’s benefits may be able to use them even if they are not seeking a degree. Visit our Global Campus Military and Veterans page or contact the WSU Veteran’s Affairs Office at veterans@wsu.edu to learn more.

How to Apply

  • A certificate seeking students is held to the same requirements as a degree seeking student. Please check the requirements from the list above that best describes your status.
  • Get started on your application. The application fee is $35. When you begin your application, you will answer No to the question “Do you intend to complete a degree at WSU?”

What Happens Next?

  • WSU’s Office of Admissions will review your application materials and notify you of its decision.
  • If you are admitted, the Global Campus will send you an email welcome message with registration information.
  • When your enrollment appointment time begins, if you find that you are not able to enroll in a course, email online@wsu.edu for assistance.