Frequently asked questions about graduate applications

Choose your degree program and apply through the corresponding centralized application service at Apply Now.

Create or log in to your account and carefully review all instructions and complete all four sections of the application.

Application fee

A nonrefundable fee is required for each application. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received.

NursingCAS: $80

GradCAS: $38

BusinessCAS: $58

International student application fee: $100

Active-duty military, veterans, and Metro State alumni can receive an application fee waiver. Contact graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.

Programs have varying deadlines, admission requirements, and prerequisites. Specific application requirements for individual programs can be found on each program page in CAS. Carefully read the instructions that appear throughout the application pages. You can only submit your application once. If you need to update information you have submitted, please notify graduate.studies@metrostate.edu.

All official transcripts are required. Please see your application program pages for further details.

No. Metro State University can obtain any Minnesota State institution’s transcripts at no cost to you.

If you have attended a non-U.S. post-secondary institution, college or university a course-by-course transcript evaluation by a NACES accredited agency is required for admission.

NACES accredited agencies:

TEC – Metro State students receive a discount

Educational Credential Evaluators Inc. (ECE)

World Education Services (WES)

ECE or WES should be submitted through the CAS application platform. TEC will need to be sent to the university. The official evaluation emailed to admissions.documents@metrostate.edu (preferred) or sent by the institution postal mail to:

Metro State University
ATTN: Admissions Office
700 Seventh Street East
Saint Paul, MN 55106

Please note that evaluations may take three to four weeks to complete, so plan accordingly.

Once all supporting documents are received and processed, the admissions office will notify the college that your file is ready to be reviewed. The admissions committee is comprised of faculty in their designated colleges.

Generally, you will receive an admissions decision within 2-3 weeks of submitting an application. During peak periods, the review process may take longer. Cohort programs begin application review after the deadline. An admissions decision may take 8–10 weeks.

Once you are fully admitted, you will be assigned a faculty advisor. Advisor information is listed in e-services. Please contact your advisor to move forward with course selection. Courses are also listed on individual program pages, but we highly recommend consulting with your academic advisor to select appropriate coursework.

It may be possible to transfer graduate credits if degree was not earned and an earned grade of B or better. Each graduate programs transfer credits vary. Work with the Graduate Program to determine whether previous coursework can satisfy course requirements.

Yes, if you are fully admitted, graduate students can receive financial aid primarily in the form of loans. Please review our financial aid webpage and complete the FAFSA to initiate this process.

Review tuition and fees webpage for information on cost per credit.

You will be permitted to register for any program coursework if you are fully admitted.

If you are an international student, you must submit additional documents to maintain compliance with visa requirements. Read more for graduate international students.