Apply

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is participating in the GradCAS Centralized Application Service (GradCAS). Applicants applying to our Program will apply online using the GradCAS application by clicking here. To add our program in the GradCAS application, select Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport from the "Institution" drop down menu, and then select Microbiology and Immunology from the Department subject area. For guidance in the application process, visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center.

In order to complete the application, the following information will be needed:

Admission Requirements

Students who wish to enter the graduate program in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology are expected to meet the following admission requirements:

• Baccalaureate degree from a college or university approved by a regional accrediting agency.  
• An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale).
• Completion of both the VERBAL and QUANTITATIVE sections of the Graduate Record Examination with a competitive score (typically composite of >295).
• Three letters of recommendation.
• In addition to the requirements above, international applicants must also supply the following information to be considered for admission:
  -  Transcript Evaluation: Global credential evaluation from WES must be submitted via GradCAS for all foreign transcripts.
  -  English Proficiency Examination Results: International students must demonstrate English proficiency with a score of 80 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or with a score of 6.5 or better on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Official TOEFL scores must be submitted directly to GradCAS using code #B886. Detailed instructions can be found under the Sending Official Test Scores to GradCAS menu.

The above are minimal requirements, and the Department usually accepts only students whose achievements exceed these minimal requirements. Students must be available to start when coursework and introduction to faculty research begin on July 25th.

Interviewing

Students who have provided a completed application packet are considered for a Travel Grant to pay all expenses for a required interview visit to the Department. Because of excessive cost, international students may interview via phone or video conferencing. 

The purpose of the Interview Visit is to give the student a chance to learn about our Doctoral Program by meeting with the members of the Department faculty, our postdoctoral fellows, and all of our graduate students. Visiting students are given a presentation about all aspects of the Doctoral Program, the research activities of the faculty, an overview of the research resources of the Department and the LSU Health Shreveport Core Facility, and information about the many attractive features the Shreveport metropolitan area. Student visitors meet with faculty members in private interviews and have lots of opportunities to ask questions. A reception followed by dinner is held on the first night, and all transportation to/from the airport, hotel, LSU Health Shreveport, and the social event is provided. Our goal is for student visitors to learn about our Doctoral Program, our research programs, and the many attractive features of the Shreveport community in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.