Application Instructions

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Application Instructions

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Degree Seeking applicants MUST provide:

1. An applicant must have, or will earn, a four-year bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or the equivalent of this degree in another country.

Applicants may apply for admission during their final year of undergraduate study, but must furnish proof of graduation before registration.

2. Online application and fee of $35.00 (the application fee is waived for McNair Scholars).

3. Three letters of recommendation.

It is preferable that the recommendations (references) come from those who can honestly evaluate your potential for graduate study. Reference letters may be submitted in lieu of the Recommendation Forms provided for you.

4. One official copy of ALL college and/or university academic transcripts.

One official copy of all academic transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended, including undergraduate and graduate course work, must arrive in envelopes sealed by the registrar. Transcripts that have been opened or tampered with will not be accepted. UND Students will need to arrange for their own transcripts.

If you have graduated from a college or university outside of the U.S. or Canada, you must also include an official or attested copy of your diploma or degree certificate sent by the registrar. All documentation must be in English or have an English translation attached. Indian students must provide all official or attested marksheets and a copy of their diploma. Chinese students must provide transcripts plus Graduation Certificate and Degree Diploma. Do not send High School/Intermediate/Secondary transcripts.

It is your responsibility to arrange for these items to be sent to:

The Graduate School
Twamley Hall Room 414
264 Centennial Drive Stop 8178
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8178

5. See additional requirements outlined with each program below. Some programs require applicants to submit additional material such as a Statement of Goals or Test Scores.

Statement of Goals:

The statement should define and emphasize your special skills, strengths, and goals. It should include academic or professional accomplishments, as well as career goals. The statement should be concise, preferably one to two pages in length. It is used as an indicator of your writing ability, as well as determining whether or not the program suits your needs.

Applicants applying to graduate programs in Early Childhood Education Elementary Education, General Studies, Special Education or Reading Education must submit the personal statement. The personal statement will be submitted instead of the statement of goals and objectives.

Admissions Tests:

All graduate admissions tests (GMAT, GRE, or TOEFL) must be sent directly by Educational Testing Services. The institution code for the University of North Dakota is 6878 for the GRE, TOEFL, and GMAT. The institution code for the MAT is 1380. Photocopies are not accepted. Not all graduate programs require testing for admission—please see the Tests Required for Admission.

Important

Transcripts, references, and/or any other materials sent prior to submission your application, will be kept active for only 6 months without a submitted application. Send all application materials to The Graduate School, not to the department to which you are applying except in the case of Master of Fine Arts applicants' slides.

Students are allowed to enroll in only one degree program at a time, with the exception of approved combined or joint programs.

Once The Graduate School has received your application, you will be notified via e-mail. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure The Graduate School has received all application materials. Therefore periodically checking on the status of your application is advisable. Once your application is complete, it will be forwarded to the department for evaluation. Each graduate program makes its own admission recommendation but the decision is not final until approved by The Graduate School Dean. Note: An application is only valid for the admit term and program indicated on the application.

The Graduate School assumes that an applicant has read and has understood the application instructions when an application is submitted.

Certificate program applicants MUST provide:

1. Online application and fee of $35.00 (the application fee is waived for McNair Scholars).

2. One official copy of ALL college and/or university academic transcripts.

3. Please note Nursing Certificate programs have additional requirements.

1. Statement of Goals

2. Resume

3. Copy of Nursing license

4. Three recommendations

Non-degree applicants MUST provide:

1. Online application and fee of $35.00 (the application fee is waived for McNair Scholars).

Test Requirements

1. Many programs require a test for admission and these are specified by department in the list below. Here are the links to the various test websites:

GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)

MAT (Miller Analogies Test)

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

You may contact the Educational Testing Service for more information on these tests.
Learn more about The Graduate School's English Language Proficiency requirements.

Additional Requirements by Department

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Accountancy

• GMAT. In certain circumstances, applicants may substitute the GRE.

• Statement of Goals

Aerospace Sciences

GRE General
Statement of Goals
Masters or graduate degree with a GPA of at least 3.25
Professional resume

Anatomy and Cell Biology

• GRE General. The GRE subject test is not required, but applicants are encouraged to submit those scores if they have taken the test. Doctoral students may submit the MCAT in place of the GRE.

• Statement of Goals

Applied Economics

• GRE General, or GMAT if going directly into the MS program. Combined students do not need to submit any tests.

• Statement of Goals

Art & Design

• Statement of Goals

• 20 clearly labeled color slides (2" x 2" cardboard or plastic mounted) and/or documentation in cd/dvd representative examples of the student's recent work. The work samples should be submitted to the Department of Art & Design's Graduate Committee and accompanied by a list containing the viewing sequence, titles, date of completion, dimension (duration), and media.

Atmospheric Sciences

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Aviation

• GRE General

• Copy of FAA private pilot certificate or its foreign equivalent

Essay - submit a 2-3 page paper answering the following questions:  1) Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.  2) What aviation-related problem area(s) are you considering for your independent study or thesis topic? Explain your interest in the topic and what you may hope to accomplish through the independent study or thesis research (for departmental planning purposes, please indicate if you plan on pursuing the thesis option).

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Biology

• GRE General. GRE Subject is recommended, successful applicants will be required to submit subject scores by the end of the first semester of enrollment.

• Statement of Goals

Business Administration

• GMAT. In certain circumstances, applicants may substitute the GRE; this will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

• Statement of Goals

Chemical Engineering

• Statement of Goals

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by ABET

Chemistry

• GRE General. GRE Subject is required if applicant does not have a bachelors degree in Chemistry. No tests are required for combined students.

• Statement of Goals

Civil Engineering

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by ABET

• Statement of Goals

Communication

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Communication and Public Discourse

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

• Original Academic Paper (10-15 pages)

Communication Sciences and Disorders

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Computer Science

• GRE General (only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by CSAB/CSAC)

• Statement of Goals

Counseling

• GRE General or MAT

• Statement of Goals

• Supplemental Application

Counseling - School Emphasis

• Statement of Goals

• Supplemental Application

• Students who do not want a degree/just want credentials will apply non-degree. They MUST call Dr. Walker before applying (701-777-3737)

Counseling Psychology

• GRE General

• Supplemental Application

• Statement of Goals

Criminal Justice

• GRE General or LSAT

• Statement of Goals 

 

E (Note: For Economics, see "Applied Economics")

Earth System Science and Policy

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Educational Foundations & Research (Ph. D.)

• Resume

• Writing Sample

• Optional: GRE, Advanced GRE or MAT

• Essays: #1: Discuss an issue in education which relates either to your personal experiences, your future professional goals, or your research interests. #2: Describe the reasons why a Ph.D. in Educational Foundations and Research suits your professional/educational goals. You should specify which emphasis (Foundations or Research Methodologies) you will choose.   Your essays should be no more than three pages, double-spaced. They will be evaluated along the following four dimensions:

1. Depth of discussion: The ability to support your ideas with appropriate details, examples, or reasons.

2. Authenticity: The ability to project your own individual voice in a discussion of commitment to learning and education.

3. Organization: The ability to organize your thoughts in sentences and coherent paragraphs.

4. Mechanics/Usage/Style: The writing ability in terms of both lower and upper levels of written language.

  
Educational Leadership (Specialist Diploma, MS, MEd)

• Essay - please type one essay of no more than 800 words from among the three possible topics below:

◦ Summarize the leadership activities in which you have been involved in recent years and explain how these experiences reflect your vision of and capacity for leadership.

◦ Please identify a problem or challenge in a school,school-related organization, or your professional life generally and write an analysis in which you assess the issues(s), describe effective strategies for addressing the issue(s), and make clear the implications for the exercise of effective leadership in the situation.

◦ Please describe a problem of educational policy decision-making, policy content, or policy implementation, and explain how a deeper understanding of policy or the policy process could improve the situation.

• Statement of Goals

◦ Submit a typed essay discussing your professional goals and aspirations, including how your current skills along with advanced study of educational leadership will aid you in the attainment of those goals.

• Resume

◦ Submit a professional curriculum vitae (c.v.) or resume (no more than 5 pages)that includes the following information: educational background, work-related experience, conference presentations (if applicable), publications (if applicable), professional honors and awards, and any other experiences you believe may aid the admission committee in evaluating your application.

Educational Leadership (PhD, EdD)

• Essay - please type one essay of no more than 800 words from among the three possible topics below:

◦ Summarize the leadership activities in which you have been involved in recent years and explain how these experiences reflect your vision of and capacity for leadership.

◦ Please identify a problem or challenge in a school, school-related organization, or your professional life generally and write an analysis in which you assess the issues(s), describe effective strategies for addressing the issue(s), and make clear the implications for the exercise of effective leadership in the situation.

• Statement of Goals

• Resume

◦ Submit a professional curriculum vitae (c.v.) or resume (no more than 5 pages) that includes the following information: educational background, work-related experience, conference presentations (if applicable), publications (if applicable), professional honors and awards, and any other experiences you believe may aid the admission committee in evaluating your application.

• Writing Sample

◦ Include with your application an individually-authored sample of your writing that the admission committee can use to evaluate your ability as a writer and potential success in the doctoral program. The minimum length of the sample is five pages and should not exceed 30 pages. Examples of possible writing samples include, but are not limited to, journal articles, paper from a course, or some written work product such as a manual or technical report.

Early Childhood Education

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What have you already done professionally or personally of which you are proud? Please include a chronological history of all professional teaching and administration experience, as well as academic honors or achievements you have earned.

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Elementary Education

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Education - General Studies

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Electrical Engineering

• GRE General, only if pre-requisite degree is not accredited by ABET

• Statement of Goals

Engineering

• Statement of Goals

• Direct admits require a bachelors degree in an Engineering discipline with a GPA of 3.3 or higher

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by ABET

English Language and Literature

• GRE General

• A writing sample of 10-15 pages on topics, or in modes appropriate for the proposed program of study. Applicants who plan to major in creative writing should also submit an analytical paper.

• Statement of Goals

English Language Learners (ELL) Education

Personal Statement Essay - 2-3 pages

Environmental Engineering

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by ABET

• Statement of Goals

Forensic Psychology (MS)

• GRE General and Subject

• Statement of Goals: A 250 - 300 word essay describing professional background and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in forensic psychology.

Forensic Psychology (MA)

• Statement of Goals: A 250 - 300 word essay describing professional background and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in forensic psychology.

Geography

• Statement of Goals

Geology

• Statement of Goals

• GRE General – optional, but strongly recommended

Geological Engineering

• Statement of Goals

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by ABET

History (MA)

• Statement of Goals

History (DA)

• Statement of Goals

• GRE General and Subject recommended

History (PhD)

• Statement of Goals

• GRE General

• A writing sample of 8-10 pages, preferably a research or seminar paper.

Instructional Design and Technology

• Statement of Goals

◦ indicate area of emphasis to which you are applying

◦ indicate your research areas and interests

• Essay/Personal Statement on a current issue in education

◦ discuss how your research areas and interests are related to the educational issue

◦ relate your answer to the field of Instructional Design & Technology

Kinesiology

• Statement of Goals

• GRE General

Linguistics

• Statement of Goals

Mathematics

• Statement of Goals

Mechanical Engineering

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by ABET

• Statement of Goals

Medical Laboratory Science

• Statement of Goals

• Proof of licensure; either ASCP or NCA

• No more than one recommendation may come from a UND MLS professor

Microbiology and Immunology

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Music

• Statement of Goals

Music Education

• Statement of Goals 

Nursing (MS)

• Statement of Goals

• Resume

• Copy of nursing license

Nursing (PhD)

• Copy of nursing license

• GRE General or MAT

• Resume

• Statement of Goals

Occupational Therapy

• Volunteer Sheets

• Essay – please check department website for specific questions

Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Physical Therapy

• Volunteer Hours (Upload one statement only)

Physicians Assistant Studies

• Copy of current licensure

• Statement of Goals

Physics

• GRE General and Subject are recommended

• Statement of Goals

Psychology (Clinical, Experimental) See also Forensic Psychology

• GRE General and Subject

• Statement of Goals

• Resume

Public Administration

• GRE General or GMAT

• Statement of goals

Reading Education

• Personal statement essay should be 2-3 pages in length and should address all three areas below:

◦ Describe your professional background, especially at it relates to teaching reading, writing and other areas of reading/language arts.

◦ What characteristics and strengths do you possess that make you a good candidate for this degree program?

◦ Discuss your professional goals.

Scientific Computing

• Statement of Goals

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by CSAB/CSAC

Social Work

• Personal Statement - 3-5 pages describing motivation for being a social worker, values and beliefs regarding social work, experience with diversity, qualities the applicant brings to the profession, personal qualities in leadership and creativity, and professional goals

• Resume

Sociology

• Statement of Goals

Space Studies

• GRE General if you are seeking funding; otherwise it is not required for the MS program.

• Statement of Goals

Special Education

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Special Education Cognitive/Developmental Disabilities

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Special Education Early Childhood

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Special Education Emotional Disturbance

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Special Education Strategist

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Special Education Visual Impairment

• Personal Statement- one typed page per question:

◦ What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for your professional role?

◦ Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.

Speech-Language Pathology

• GRE General

• Statement of Goals

Sustainable Energy Engineering

• GRE General, only if prerequisite degree is not accredited by ABET

• Statement of Goals

• Combined students (M.S. only) need to have a 3.3 overall GPA to be admitted

Teaching and Learning

• Resume

◦ Submit a professional curriculum vitae (c.v.) or resume (no more than 5 pages) that includes the following information: educational background, work-related experience, conference presentations (if applicable), publications (if applicable), professional honors and awards, and any other experiences you believe may aid the admission committee in evaluating your application.

• Essays

(a) Submit a two to three page double-spaced essay discussing an issue in education related to your personal experiences, your future professional goals, or your research interests. The essay will be evaluated on the following dimensions:

1. Depth of discussion: The ability to support your ideas with appropriate details, examples, or reasons.

2. Authenticity: The ability to project your own individual voice in a discussion of commitment to learning and education.

3. Organization: The ability to organize your thought in sentences and in coherent paragraphs.

4. Mechanics/Usage/Style: The writing ability in terms of both lower and upper levels of written language.

(b) Submit an essay of no more than two to three pages explaining why a Ph.D./Ed.D. in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in Higher Education, Instructional Design and Technology, Teacher Education, or Research Methodologies is appropriate for your professional/educational goals.

Technology

Statement of Goals

The following items are the minimum guidelines for your written application:

1. What are your academic goals?

2. What precisely do you hope to achieve by pursuing graduate studies in the Technology department?

3. How do you see yourself contributing to studies at the post baccalaureate level in technology?
4. Where do you see yourself in 5-7 years?

5. Other considerations you may wish for faculty to consider.

Failure to provide adequate and thoughtful responses to the information requested may negatively impact your application.

Theatre Arts

• Statement of Goals

Visual Art

• See Art & Design

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