Welcome to the graduate school admissions page. Here, you’ll find a step-by-step walkthrough of the graduate application process, plus a few helpful resources to make sure you have everything you need when applying to grad school at JWU.

Before You Apply

Go to the Graduates Degrees page, click the program you're interested in, and review your program’s complete course information to make sure you meet all the requirements.

Contact us at onlineadmissions@jwu.edu or 1-855-JWU-1881 if you have any questions regarding the prerequisites required for admission.

Apply Year-Round

Choose from four term start dates:
September • December • March • June

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit Your Free Application

Apply Online 

Please note, JWU College of Online Education only accepts online applications through the centralized university application system. To start your online application, please follow the link above, create an account, and select Online: Graduate programs to be directed to the appropriate application questions.

Step 2: Submit Your Transcript

Request to have your transcripts, diplomas and/or certifications from all postsecondary schools mailed to JWU as soon as possible. Getting your transcripts in early will help us make an admissions decision sooner.

• Sign electronically. JWU will request the needed material on behalf of the student. This is the quickest and easiest method to submit your transcript: College/University Transcript Release Form
• OR download, print, and send the forms to your institution(s) by mail. Transcripts must be original on the institution’s letterhead and must be in a sealed envelope: College/University Transcript Request Form 
  • If submitting your transcripts by mail, please send to: College of Online Education, Johnson & Wales University, 115 Cedar St., Providence, RI 02903
  • If your institution utilizes an electronic transcript delivery service, those may be emailed to: onlineadmissions@jwu.edu

If you completed your undergraduate degree at JWU, you do not need to submit an official transcript (Graduate Admissions will request this for you).

It is the student’s responsibility to provide verification of secondary school completion. Without verification, the student may not be allowed to register for the current term or continue enrollment and will be in jeopardy of losing his or her acceptance to the university as well as all financial aid. Refer to the “Admissions/Applying” section in the JWU campus catalog online for information on verification documents.

Step 3: Submit Required Documentation

Two Recommendation Letters

Please submit two letters acknowledging your potential for successful completion of the program.

You can ask your sources to write a letter of reference or you can download the Letters of Recommendation (20K PDF) form. In addition, the Letters of Recommendation form can be completed electronically via Docusign; click here to begin the signing process. Note: You will need your references' email addresses prior to initiating the electronic signature process.

Sources should mail letters of recommendation and/or supporting materials directly to: College of Online Education, Johnson & Wales University, 115 Cedar St., Providence, RI 02903. Sources can also email letters to: onlineadmissions@jwu.edu

Statement of Purpose

Describe in 500 words or less why you want to pursue the degree you’re interested in. Include your professional experience, career goals, learning style preferences and potential contributions to the program. You can email your Statement of Purpose to onlineadmissions@jwu.edu or fax it to 401-598-4553.

Use the following questions as a guideline to help you develop your Statement of Purpose:

• Why are you pursuing a graduate degree program at Johnson & Wales University?
• What are your current work duties and professional growth goals?
• How will obtaining a graduate degree help you further your career?
• What skills and life experiences would make you a unique addition to the online classroom?

Admissions Requirements

If you have a GPA of 2.85 or higher, you are not required to take the GMAT. The minimum GPA required for Official Acceptance is 2.85. Conditional acceptance to certain graduate business programs may be extended to domestic students who are at least 24 years of age, who have a 2.41 – 2.84 cumulative undergraduate grade point average, and who demonstrate significant evidence of professional success. Students granted conditional acceptance may take a maximum of two JWU graduate courses.  If a grade of B or better is earned in each course, the student will be granted full admission to that program.  Students who do not earn a B or better grade in each course will be dismissed from the program and unable to apply to any JWU graduate program.

Don’t Forget to File Your FAFSA

If you plan to use federal financial aid, apply as soon as possible. Filing is free and it’s easy — and it’s the only way to qualify for federal student aid.

• Apply for a FSA ID. This will allow you to sign your FAFSA electronically. It will come to you via email within 4 hours.
• Submit your FAFSA. You’ll need your ID (see above), SSN, driver’s license, your latest Federal tax return, and JWU’s school code: 003404

Still Have Questions?

Don’t hesitate to contact our admissions staff at onlineadmissions@jwu.edu or 1-855-JWU-1881 at any point during the application process. We can answer any questions you have regarding your grad school application.