How to Apply to MSU Online Programs

We are excited that you are looking to advance your career with a Michigan State University online graduate degree and certificate program! We’ve provided some information below and we are happy to help get you started at MSU Online. It is important to check your corresponding program's individual site for specific requirements as well.

Prepare and Submit Your Official Documents

Students will need to identify the appropriate materials for their program of interest, as some programs have varied and/or specific requirements. Applicants should request information from the department or program of interest to find detailed program requirements, deadline dates, and admission procedures. Each application requires payment of the application fee.

Please follow the steps below to complete your application.

Apply online from the Office of Admission's website. Please be sure to check your corresponding program's individual site for specific requirements as well.

When completing your application, you will need to identify the following information:

1. MSU College
2. Program Name

• Complete and submit the MSU graduate application.
• Request official transcripts from all previous institutions attended to be sent to your MSU program (electronically or via postal mail).
• Request official standardized test scores for GRE and TOEFL (may be required for some applicants).
• Program requirements may include: 3 letters of recommendation, a personal statement, résumé or curriculum vitae.

After you submit your application (along with the application fee, $65 domestic and $75 international), you will receive an email directing you to MSU's Your Account Application Portal.

Through the portal you will be able to:

• Upload professional letter of intent
• Upload résumé or curriculum vitae
• Request letters of recommendation (3 professional)
• Check status of application

• Submit official, original transcripts.
• If you completed your undergraduate degree at MSU, you do not need to submit official MSU transcripts.
• Transcripts from other institutions need to be submitted through an official e-scripting service or be mailed directly to the graduate program.

What happens after I submit my application?

• Completed application packets are submitted to the program's Admissions Committee for review.
• Depending on the program, students will receive a letter of the committee's decision about 4 weeks after application deadline. A letter of admissions recommendation by the program is sent by email and US mail.
• Credentials will be forwarded to the MSU Office of Admissions for final review and approval following program committee review.
• Accepted students will receive an official letter of admission from the MSU Office of Admissions approximately one month after the program’s notification of recommended acceptance. This letter will contain your MSU Personal Identification Number (PID) and Personal Access Number (PAN). With these, you will set up your MSU NetID and password, allowing you access to enrollment.

Student Information (post-admission)

MSU Email Account

This account is used for all correspondence pertaining to university business and the online masters programs. Click here to log into your email account.

Enrollment

Once you have established your MSU NetID, you can then begin using the Student Information System (SIS) to enroll in classes, view your course schedule, pay your bill, change your address, and view your account details by visiting student.msu.edu. While logged in to SIS, you can prepare for enrollment by selecting the "Classes" tile, then adding classes from Class Search to your Shopping Cart. You can also use the Grad Plan tool to produce a multi-year course plan based on your degree requirements.

Billing

Please note that Michigan State University does not mail billing statements to students. Please visit Office of Financial Aid site for complete instructions on tuition payments. Once a bill has posted you can view and pay your tuition by logging in to SIS student.msu.edu. In order to conduct student business online, you are required to complete an electronic consent form as well as review and accept a statement of financial responsibility. The first time you log in to SIS at student.msu.edu, you will be prompted to complete these tasks. You’ll also be asked to set additional system preferences.

Semester Deadlines

To view all semester deadlines, including course start and end dates, enrollment deadlines, tuition bill availability, graduation application deadlines, etc., access the MSU Academic Calendar, the MSU Home Page, or visit the Office of the Registrar and choose the appropriate academic year and semester.

Textbooks and Required Course Materials

I f your course requires textbooks, course packs, or other materials, you may view and/or purchase them online through Michigan State University Bookstore. If you choose to buy from a different vendor, be sure to verify the correct edition and ISBN.