Widener University
Overview
Widener University is a nationally-recognized, private university where academics, leadership, and service matter.
Founded in 1821, Widener is among the nation’s top universities for civic engagement.
We offer liberal arts and sciences and professional programs leading to associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
We have a long history of turning out leaders with a formula that works. At Widener, we believe that academic excellence, career preparation, and civic engagement lead to success.
Our close-knit community includes top-notch teachers, nationally renowned researchers, and students from 22 states and 26 countries who are passionate about learning, leadership, and making a difference.
Why choose Widener University?
The graduation ceremony is over.
Your life is about to start. And your career is calling. But you have to put it on hold because you don’t have quite enough experience to provide the kinds of solutions, or innovations, an employer is looking for today.
Enough with the experience already? You have a need to lead: people to see, places to go, and of course, things to do. And your passion to achieve it all is — now.
Then opt for a Widener graduate degree where experience counts and leadership works.
64 Degrees of Preparation
Choose from master’s degrees in criminal justice, liberal studies, and public administration within the College of Arts & Sciences and a variety of masters, doctoral, and dual degrees, as well as certificates, in our School of:
- Business Administration
- Education and Innovation
- Engineering
- Hospitality Management
- Human Service Professions
- Nursing
Confused about degree requirements, the admission process, or deadlines? Contact Roberta Nolan, director of graduate enrollment at rdnolan@widener.edu.
A Degree Of Success
Our graduates enter their chosen fields and not only succeed, but are quickly recognized as go-getters who reshape their companies, industries, and communities.
Each graduate program has different admissions requirements and application process. Listed below are the general admissions requirements for the:
- College of Arts and Science
- School of Business Administration
- School of Education, Innovation and Continuing Studies
- School of Engineering
- School of Hospitality Management
- Center of Human Sexuality Studies
- School of Nursing
- Institute for Physical Therapy Education
- Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology
- Center for Social Work Education
Please contact the Office of Graduate Enrollment Management if you need further assistance.
College of Arts and Sciences
| Admissions Requirement | Criminal Justice | Liberal Studies | Public Administration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Resume | No | No | No |
| Personal Statement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 Letters of Recommendation | Yes | Yes | *Yes |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GRE | No | No | No |
| Interview | No | Yes | No |
The MPA Program requires that 1 letter of recommendation be from a former professor who can speak to your academic ability. If you cannot obtain a letter from a former professor, please send 3 letters of recommendation.
School of Business Administration
| Admissions Requirement | Business Administration | Business Process Innovation | Taxation and Financial Planning | Certificates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 Letters of Recommendation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GMAT/GRE | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Interview | No | No | No | No |
The GMAT/GRE requirement may be waived for five years of relevant work experience, for those who hold a masters degree from an accredited U.S. institution, for the MSTFP and MSFAA programs, holders of the following professional designations: CPA, CMA, CIA, CFA, CFP, CFM, and CISA. Also, for the MSTFP, MSBPI and MSFAA programs for those students who complete a related certificate.
School of Education, Innovation and Continuing Studies
| Admissions Requirements | MEd Programs | M.A. Allied Health | Certifications | EdD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Resume | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Statement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Interview | No | No | No | Yes (by invitation only) |
| Personal Statement of Purpose | No | No | No | Yes |
| Writing Sample | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Home/School/Visitor certification does not require a writing sample.
*Certificates in Educational leadership/Principalship and Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent require an interview.
*M.A. in Allied Health requires a certification card.
School of Engineering
| Admissions Requirement | All MEng Programs |
|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes |
| Resume | No |
| Personal Statement | Yes |
| 2 Letters of Recommendation | Yes |
| Transcripts | Yes |
| GRE | Yes (The GRE is not required to apply to the part time program.) |
| Interview | No |
School of Hospitality Management
| Admissions Requirement | Hospitality Management |
|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes |
| Resume | Yes |
| Personal Statement | Yes |
| 2 Letters of Recommendation | Yes |
| Transcripts | Yes |
| GRE, GMAT, MAT | No |
| Interview | No |
International students must take either the TOEFL exam or the IELTS exam to be considered for admission. They also can complete an English Language Institute certification program as an alternative to the test requirements. The minimum scores needed for consideration for acceptance into the graduate program in hospitality are:
- TOEFL 587 paper-based; 95 Internet-based
- IELTS 7.0
Center for Human Sexuality Studies
| Admissions Requirement | MEd Program | PhD Program |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes | Yes |
| Resume | Yes | Yes |
| Personal and Professional Goals Statement | Yes | Yes |
| Autobiographical Statement | Yes | Yes |
| *3 Letters of Recommendation | Yes | Yes |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes |
| MAT or GRE | Yes | Yes |
| Interview | Yes | Yes |
Dual applicants should submit the Human Sexuality requirements in addition to the requirements of the dual program of interest
*The Center for Human Sexuality Studies require 2 academic recommendations and 1 professional recommendation
School of Nursing
| Admissions Requirement | MSN | Certificates | PhD | DNP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Goal Statement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2 Letters of Recommendation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GRE | No | No | Yes | No |
| Interview | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Institute for Physical Therapy Education
| Admissions Requirement | Physical Therapy (DPT) |
|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes (completed/submitted through PTCAS) |
| Application Fee | Yes, through PTCAS |
| Volunteer/work experience | Must be submitted through PTCAS |
| Letters of Recommendation | Must be submitted through PTCAS. Of the three references, one must be from a Physical Therapist and one must be from a professor, and one can be from any other source. Do not use family members or family friends as reference sources. |
| Transcripts | Must be submitted through PTCAS |
| GRE | Send directly to Widener via Educational Testing Services (ETS) |
| Interview | No |
Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology
| Admissions Requirement | Clinical Psychology (PsyD) |
Law Psychology (J.D./PsyD) |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes | Yes |
| Application Fee | $50 | No |
| Personal Statement | Yes | Yes |
| Letters of Recommendation | Yes (3) | Yes (3) |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes |
| GRE or LSAT | GRE only | GRE and LSAT |
| Interview | Yes (by invitation only) | Yes (by invitation only) |
Top applicants are invited to campus for an interview.
Center for Social Work Education
| Admissions Requirement | Masters in Social Work (MSW) |
Doctorate in Social Work (PhD) |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Application | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Statement | Yes | Yes |
| Scholarly Writing Sample | No | Yes |
| Letters of Recommendation | Yes (2) | *Yes (4) |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes |
| GRE | No | Yes |
| Resume | Yes | Yes |
An interview may be required for MSW and PhD applicants.
*Two of the four recommendations should be from academic references and the other two from professional references
The application procedure for graduate programs vary by academic area.
Apply Online Anytime
Apply online now. Additional directions and information are available while you complete our secure, online application.
Please note that when you have completed your application and are ready to have it reviewed, you must hit the “submit” button on the bottom of page 5.
Once your online application has been successfully submitted and received, you will receive an automated email with a confirmation number. Keep a copy of this email for your own records.
Submit Supporting Documents
Make sure that each document is identified with your name and program of interest. Files will be considered complete and ready to be reviewed only after all of your supporting documents are received.
Send all supporting documents to:
Office of Graduate Enrollment Management
Muller Hall Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013
Applicants interested in physical therapy and clinical psychology should send supporting documents directly to those offices at Widener.
Complete Admission Exam
Many of the graduate programs require the completion of a standardized graduate or professional admission exam in order to be considered for admission. Review your program’s requirements to learn more about which exams and scores are needed.
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Our School of Business offers a GMAT review course. Contact the School of Business at 610-499-4305 for more information about the GMAT review course.
2015-2016 Cost of Attendance: Graduate Students
| Per Credit | Per Semester | |
|---|---|---|
| Masters | ||
| Business | $984 | |
| Business Online Program Summer 2015 | $950 | |
| Business Online Program Fall 2015 | $984 | |
| Criminal Justice | $736 | |
| Education | $790 | |
| Engineering | $1,118 | |
| Hospitality Management | $844 | |
| Human Sexuality | $790 | |
| Liberal Studies | $678 | |
| Nursing | $944 | |
| Public Administration | $736 | |
| Social Work | $850 | |
| Social Work Online Program Summer 2015 | $750 | |
| Social Work On-line Program Fall 2015 | $780 | |
| Doctoral | ||
| Education | $1,004 | |
| Human Sexuality | $1,004 | |
| Nursing | $980 | |
| PsyD | $1,088 | |
| Social Work | $956 | |
| Physical Therapy | $812 | |
| Doctoral-Full Time | Semester | Annual |
| Psychology | $14,734 | $29,468 |
| PsyD Joint Program Fee (MBA, MCJ, HSED) | $860 | |
| Fees | Semester | |
| Technology Fees | ||
| 3 to 5 credits | $52 | |
| 6 to 8 credits | $72 | |
| 9 to 11 credits | $124 | |
| 12 and over credits | $160 | |
| Nursing Fee – Technology | $30 | |
| New Student Fee | $25 | |
| Late Registration Fee | $25 |
Depending on program requirements, there may be additional costs for field placement or other academic related expenses including joint program fees and dissertation fees.
The complete listing of all Widener University tuition charges and fees can be found in the Graduate Tuition Rate and Payment Guide document on the bursar’s office webpage in CampusCruiser.
Payment Plans Available
You can spread your fall or spring semester tuition payments out over four months, and your summer semester payments over three months.
There is no interest charge, only a $50 enrollment fee per semester.
When they are not engaged in experiential learning assignments, our students and faculty members lend a hand through community service projects in our hometown of Chester and in communities around the world.
In addition, with Philadelphia only 20 minutes away, we have a living laboratory where students earn practicalexperience through internships and co-op opportunities.
Our beautiful 110-acre main campus in Chester is a great place to live, study, and have fun, and we have satellite campuses in Exton and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and in Wilmington, Delaware, too.
Schools and Departments
- College of Arts & Sciences
- School of Engineering
- School of Nursing
- School of Business Administration
- School of Hospitality Management
- School of Law
- School of Human Service Professions
- School of Education, Innovation, & Continuing Studies
