Admissions Information

Admissions Criteria

These criteria represent minimal requirements. The committee does not merely look for candidates for the program to meet the requirements, but looks for evidence that the student will bring strong learning skills to the department, is interested in learning from the department and participating in the department's mission, will work well with faculty and students, and will be well served by the department.

• Strong academic record (GPA: 3.0 for undergraduate work, 3.5 for master's work)
• For international students, English proficiency for academic work (TOEFL: 80 or higher; IELTS: 6.5 or higher; Duolingo: 110 or higher
• Strong writing skills (evidenced by personal statement and writing sample)
• Fit between the student's goals and interests and the department's offerings and how their research interests are compatible with the strengths and emphasis of one or more ECS faculty
• Potential to be successful in graduate school
• In addition, for Ph.D. applicants:
  • evidence of theoretical sophistication,
  • good research skills,
  • evidence of the student's ability to conduct research at an advanced level, and
  • relevant educational background (that is, a background that helps prepare the student for the kind of scholarly work that ECS does, especially with regard to studies in disciplines relevant to ECS courses. Work in the schools and social justice work may also be relevant). 

icon Deadlines

• Spring Semester - November 1
• Fall & Summer Semesters - March 1

icon Applicant Requirements

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited University or College
• 3.0 GPA
• For International Students: English proficiency test scores (TOEFL: 80 or higher; IELTS: 6.5 or higher; Duolingo: 110 or higher). 
• Letters of recommendation from 3 people providing an evaluative judgment concerning your academic or professional work. At least 2 references should be people who have direct knowledge of your academic performance (i.e., professors) and can speak to your potential to be successful in graduate school.
• A personal statement of professional goals: Education, Culture & Society is committed to the study and pursuit of educationally just policies and practices using frameworks and methodologies that address the varied backgrounds and experiences of all people. What are some of your goals, aspirations, and research interests, and how will these help develop, enhance, and define the ECS department? How do you envision contributing toward advancing educationally just policies and practices? What faculty are most aligned with your work? Please limit statement to 4 single spaced pages.
• Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. If admitted, official copies must be submitted to U of U Admissions Office for verification.
• A current vita/resume

icon Deadlines

icon Applicant Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree conferred from an accredited University or College
• 3.0 GPA
• For International Students: English proficiency test scores (TOEFL: 80 or higher; IELTS: 6.5 or higher; Duolingo: 110 or higher)
• Three letters of recommendation. Students may choose to use the same letters of recommendation from the UITE application for the ECS application.  Students must submit letters of recommendations for ECS through the application system. Letters of Recommendation for UITE must be submitted with the UITE application.
• ECS personal statement of professional goals: Education, Culture & Society is committed to the study and pursuit of educationally just policies and practices using frameworks and methodologies that address the varied backgrounds and experiences of all people. What are some of your goals, aspirations, and research interests, and how will these help develop, enhance, and define the ECS department? How do you envision contributing toward advancing educationally just policies and practices? What faculty are most aligned with your work? Please limit statement to 4 single spaced pages.
• Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. If admitted, official copies must be submitted to U of U Admissions Office for verification.
• A current vita/resume

icon  Deadlines

• Fall - December 1

icon  Applicant Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA conferred from an accredited University or College
• A Master's degree with a minimum 3.50 GPA conferred from an accredited University or College
• For International Students: English proficiency test scores (TOEFL: 80 or higher; IELTS: 6.5 or higher; Duolingo: 110 or higher).
• Letters of recommendation from 3 people providing an evaluative judgment concerning your academic or professional work. At least 2 references should be people who have direct knowledge of your academic performance (i.e., professors) and can speak to your potential to be a successful doctoral student in graduate school.
• • A personal statement of professional goals: Education, Culture & Society is committed to the study and pursuit of educationally just policies and practices using frameworks and methodologies that address the varied backgrounds and experiences of all people. What are some of your goals, aspirations, and research interests, and how will these help develop, enhance, and define the ECS department? How do you envision contributing toward advancing educationally just policies and practices? Identify one or more ECS faculty most aligned with your research interests. Please limit statement to 4 single spaced pages.
• Essay: Pairing - In this exercise, write a short essay (1200 words max) in which you pair two academic concepts from a list that closely relate to your interests and the type of research that you envision yourself engaging in as a doctoral student. Your task is to define the concepts as you understand them. Then explain why you’ve paired the concepts together, as well as what type of research questions their pairing allows you to pursue. If possible, describe a real world example for your essay.
• A writing sample of a recent academic piece. This can be sections of a Master's thesis or a full course paper from a course that you took within the last four years. The piece does not necessarily have to be oriented to what you intend to focus on in the ECS Program. It should reflect your mastery of writing, your ability to engage in original work, and your skill at engaging scholarly literatures.
• Copies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. If admitted, official copies must be submitted to U of U Admissions Office for verification.
• A current vita/resume