Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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 (clickable link to https://www.wpunj.edu/admissions/graduate/how-to-apply/) page for details).  
  • International applicants seeking admission to a Master’s degree must hold a degree that is equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor degree. Those seeking admission to a Doctorate degree must hold a degree that is equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree. 
  • Your university or college must be recognized by the appropriate governmental Ministry as a degree-granting institution. 
  • All transcripts and degree certificate/diplomas must be written in the original language of instruction. All original language documents must be accompanied by a separate, word-for-word notarized translation. Dual-language documents are acceptable. 
  • Official transcripts must show all courses and subjects taken and all grades/marks earned. 
  • A course-by-course credit evaluation of all foreign academic credentials is required and must be forwarded to William Paterson University by an approved NACES-accredited (clickable link to https://www.naces.org/members) or AICE-endorsed (clickable link to https://aice-eval.org/members/) evaluation service. You may use any NACES-accredited (clickable link) or AICE-endorsed (clickable link) evaluation service, but we recommend SpanTran (clickable link): The Evaluation Company for fast service at a discounted rate for WP students. To apply for a course-by-course evaluation with SpanTran: the Evaluation Company (clickable link), please use the custom application they have created for WP students. Evaluation reports are considered official only if received directly by William Paterson University from the issuing evaluation service. 
  • Official transcripts must be received directly by William Paterson University from the issuing university or college. 
  • Diploma Supplements must accompany transcripts from institutions in countries that are part of the Bologna Accord. 
  • An overall “B” average (3.0/4.0 Grade Point Average) 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. grading scale. 
  • A vocational track is not appropriate preparation for graduate admission. 
  • Additional requirements are determined by individual graduate programs. This can include recommendation letters, essays, certifications, licenses, test scores and resume/CV. Click here (clickable link to https://www.wpunj.edu/admissions/graduate/programs.html) to review specific 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 International Admissions at international@wpunj.edu or +1 973.720.3578. For academic or curriculum-specific questions, contact the program director for your graduate program of interest. 

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

Please send all academic application documents to international@wpunj.edu or: 

William Paterson University 
Office of International Admissions 
300 Pompton Road 
Morrison Hall G03 
Wayne, NJ 07470 
USA 

Application materials may 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. 

If you are admitted to William Paterson University, please contact the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS@wpunj.edu) to submit I-20 or visa-related documents. 

When will my file be reviewed? 

After your application is complete it will be sent to the appropriate academic department for review. This process may take two to three weeks, although we strive to have reviews done sooner. You will be notified by email 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 (clickable link to https://wpconnect.wpunj.edu/students/admissions/grad_app_status_change/) and complete the form to submit changes. If you need to change any personal information such as name, address or telephone number, please email the Office of International Admissions at international@wpunj.edu. 

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

Please refer to your initial Official Application Acknowledgement email for your SID number (also known as an 855 number). 

How do I check the status of my application? 

You may check the status of your application by logging in to the application status page of your application profile. 

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. 

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 waiver of tuition and fees and a $6,000 stipend 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 up to 20 hours per week in one of our departments. These are highly competitive appointments that are limited in number across campus. 

To be eligible for a Graduate Assistantship, you must complete the online application for one of our graduate degree programs. Your application will be reviewed by the appropriate academic department after admission to one of our graduate programs. Each department selects applicants for an interview based on the criteria listed below 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 before classes begin in the fall semester. 

Graduate Assistantship Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be accepted into, or enrolled in, a William Paterson University graduate program full-time. 
  • Complete and file a Graduate assistantship application by April 1 for the following academic year. 
  • Have an undergraduate Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
  • Submit a minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation from former employers, supervisors or others who can attest to your academic and/or work-related skills and abilities. 
  • Submit a copy of your professional resume/CV. 
  • Submit a written statement about your career goals. 

Is on-campus housing available to graduate students? 

Yes! The Office of Residence Life offers graduate students the opportunity to live on campus for the academic year. Please click here (clickable link to https://www.wpunj.edu/reslife/prospective-students/graduate-housing.html) for information and housing costs. Contact the Office of Residence Life at AtHome@wpunj.edu for information or questions.