Application Materials

All application materials must be submitted by the posted deadlines to ensure adequate timing of admission decisions. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all application materials are received by the posted deadline or the application will be closed as incomplete. Make sure to check the status of application materials. Note: no refunds will be issued for incomplete or withdrawn applications.

• Transcripts

  All applicants:

  Upload an unofficial transcript for every college and university attended in the application prior to submitting/paying the application fee. All colleges and universities attended should be reported even if coursework was transferred to another college or university. Make sure your name and the institution name are visible on the unofficial transcript.

  International applicants:

  An unofficial transcript and certificate of degree/diploma in both the original language and English from the home institution are required. Make sure the university seal is visible on the documents. If the home institution does not provide English translations, a notarized copy may be submitted. Read more about international academic records here.

  If offered admission/accept the offer, an official e-transcript or paper transcript will be required prior to registration.

• Letters of Recommendation

  Acquire three letters of recommendation from academic and professional sources. At least one letter should be requested from instructors who are in a position to analyze your academic ability and potential for success in a rigorous graduate program. All letters of recommendation must be in English. If you have been enrolled in a previous graduate program, it is recommended that one letter be from your research or program advisor in that graduate program. Letters of recommendation cannot be released to the applicant and cannot be forwarded elsewhere.

• Statement of Purpose & Personal History

  Statement of Purpose

  The Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to discuss your intent for pursuing a degree in this particular graduate program and how it aligns with your career objectives.

  M.A. applicants (Education, Society, & Culture; Educational Psychology; Neuroscience & Education; STEM; Special Education & Autism programs): In addition to clearly stating your career objectives and intentions for pursuing a degree in this particular graduate program, it is highly recommended that you connect with the SOE faculty member whose research interests align with yours prior to submitting an application. The Statement of Purpose essay should then list the faculty member(s) you wish to work with, highlighting the specific research interests you have in common.

  MED applicants (Diversity & Equity; Education Policy Analysis and Leadership; and Higher Education; STEM programs): In addition to clearly stating your career objectives and intentions for pursuing a graduate degree in this particular program, please speak to how the coursework is connected to your career goals and objectives.

  Personal History

  The Personal History Statement is about your background, culture, economic and social experiences, and how those elements have led you to pursue a graduate degree.

  Each essay is approximately 1-2 pages double-spaced in a Word/PDF document.

• Writing Sample

  The writing sample should be a final class paper submitted for a previous course on any topic. Not to exceed 30 pages.

  If you do not have access to a class paper, you may write and submit a new one on any topic. Keep in mind the purpose of the writing sample is to demonstrate your writing ability.

• International Applicants - English Test

  Request TOEFL or IELTS scores electronically from the testing center to be sent to UCR. UC Riverside code: R4839
  TOEFL or IELTS scores must be submitted by students whose native language is not English and who do not have a bachelor's or postgraduate degree from an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction for the institution. The scores cannot be more than two years old from the date of matriculation (example: August 2023 for Fall 2025 admission). We do not accept Duolingo English tests. For more information about English test scores, click here.

  TOEFL - minimum required scores:
  Internet-Based Test (iBT) - 80
  Paper-Based Test (PBT) - 550
  Computer-Based Test (CBT) - 213

  IELTS - minimum required scores:
  Overall score – 7
  Individual/sub-scores – 6