Graduate Admission

Explore our graduate programs here. Identify the term you want to apply to, noting specific admission requirements and the application deadline(s).

What does early notification mean in terms of the application deadline? 

• Applying by the early notification deadline means you’ll have your admission decision earlier, usually within 1-3 weeks after the deadline.
• An early admission decision may help you with planning such as financial aid, relocation, employment for yourself or a partner, etc. It might also lead to early access to scholarships, advising, internships, or clinical placement information.
• All complete applications received by the final deadline will be reviewed. However, high-demand programs with an early notification deadline may reach enrollment capacity prior to the final application deadline, making fewer seats available to later applicants.
• Some programs with early notification deadlines will continue to make admission decisions on a rolling basis until the final deadline passes. Others will pause their admission process 2-3 weeks after the early notification deadline and start the admission review process again after the final deadline. 

International applicants are advised to meet the early notification deadline to allow sufficient time to obtain the Form I-20 and take the next immigration steps.

Register for an admission account here.

The M.S. in athletic training and M.Ed. in communication and sciences and disorders programs use common application systems; visit the program's page for direct links to the relevant application.

If you are seeking permission to enroll in open courses as a non-degree seeking student, you'll find detailed instructions and the associated application link on our professional learning admission page.

Start your admission application by choosing the School of Education and Human Development from the drop-down menu, then select your program and term of entry. You can save your progress and come back later or complete your application in one sitting if you are well prepared and set aside adequate time.

All graduate admission applications open August 1 for programs that start in spring, summer or fall terms of the next calendar year. 

Individual program applications close shortly after their final application deadline; deadlines vary by program. Visit program pages for specific deadline information. Explore graduate programs here.

If you attempt to apply for a program and receive a message that the application is not open, you should wait until August 1 to start an application for the next admission cycle.

You will provide contact information for two to three (2-3) references who can comment on your qualifications for the graduate program. 

They will receive an email from the online system and submit reference letters on your behalf. This is the only way recommendations are accepted.

Important information regarding recommenders and references:

• Your references must be submitted by the deadline for your application to be considered complete and eligible for review.
• Check your program’s website to see if they have specific requirements for who should provide recommendations.
• You can send reminders to recommenders through the application portal.
• Your references will automatically be matched to your application upon submission.
• You do not need to wait for your letters to appear in your application checklist before submitting the application.
• Entering contact information for your recommenders in the application before completing the rest of it allows your references the maximum amount of time to submit our online recommendation form on your behalf.

Unofficial Transcripts 

• You are required to provide unofficial transcripts for all institutions you list in the application.
• Your list must include the institution from which you earned your undergraduate degree and any institution from which you took post-undergraduate coursework or earned a graduate-level credential (e.g., certificate) or degree (e.g., master’s).
• Do not upload transcripts from undergraduate transfer institutions unless the credits and/or grades are not listed on your transcript from the institution from which you earned your bachelor’s degree 

International applicants whose transcripts that are not stated in English must provide a translation into English.

Official transcripts

• Applicants who are admitted will be required to submit official transcripts prior to attending the University.
• Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified. 
• Electronic transcripts should be sent to [email protected].

International applicants who are offered admission must provide transcript evaluations from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) prior to matriculation. Course-by-course evaluations are preferred.

Mailing items that could instead be uploaded can cause unnecessary delays in the enrollment process. If you must send your official transcripts, please mail to:

If via U.S. Postal Service:

School of Education and Human Development
Office of Admission and Enrollment
P.O. Box 401104
Charlottesville, VA 22904
 

If via UPS/FedEx:

Central Admission Office
School of Education and Human Development Admissions
1001 North Emmet Street
Room 232, Carruthers Hall
Charlottesville, VA 22903

The GRE is not required for any program at the School of Education and Human Development. We want all applicants to be able to represent themselves in the best possible light in the admission process. Students who believe they may benefit from having especially strong scores may add them to their application. Not submitting GRE scores does not affect your application negatively in any way. 

If you choose to self-report GRE scores in your application, they must be less than five years old. Official scores are required after admission to a program and should be sent directly to the University of Virginia. The institutional code is 5820. 

International applicants whose first or native language is not English are required to self-report valid TOEFL or IELTS scores in the application. Students who have completed their entire undergraduate degree at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction are exempted from this requirement.

• Scores must be from within the past 2 years.
• If you have taken any of the exams more than once, you may list each set of scores.
• If you have not taken the English proficiency exams yet, you may enter the date on which you plan to take the exam.
• Official scores are required after admission to a program and should be sent directly to the University of Virginia. The TOEFL institution code is B875. IELTS and Duolingo do not require an institution code.

Virginia In-State Educational Privileges: This section of the application is where you can apply for the in-state tuition rate if you believe you qualify. There are several questions related to physical presence, employment, and Virginia residency.

The supplemental section is where you will answer questions that help our staff and faculty connect you to useful resources as well as to upload materials required by your intended graduate program. 

Types of materials that may be required: 

The goal/professional statement is your opportunity to describe your understanding of and interest in the program area to which you are applying, what you hope to learn during the program, and how it will help you achieve your professional goals. Some programs may have a specific prompt, so be sure to read through the application before you prepare your goal/professional statement. 

A writing sample may be required as part of your application. General guidance for writing samples will be provided on the program page. As with goal/professional statements, some programs may have specific requirements for the writing sample, so be sure to read through the application before you upload your document. 

In the unlikely event that there are discrepancies between the instructions provided on program pages and on the application itself, you should provide what is requested in the application. This includes factors such as page or word counts.

You can check your progress by visiting the application status page and reviewing your application checklist. All required materials, including letters of recommendation, must be on file by the deadline.

You may receive occasional reminders sent to the email account you used to create your admission account and should check this account regularly. Messages might include reminders to visit your application checklist, pay the application fee, or submit the application by the deadline.

You will be prompted to pay the $65 nonrefundable application fee as part of your application. Your application will be considered incomplete until the application fee is paid.

Information for domestic applicants on fee waiver eligibility and steps for applying can be found here.

International applicants from the following countries will have application fees automatically waived: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia

Submit your application before the program's deadline.

All materials should be finalized at the time of your submission. 

Reminders:

• Carefully review your program's requirements and ensure you've answered all sections
• Your application will be considered incomplete until the application fee is paid
• You do not need to wait for your recommendation letters to appear in your application checklist before submitting the application. Letters do need to be submitted before the application deadline.