Graduate Application Process

How Do I Apply?
Follow these steps to complete your application. If you have questions about our programs or the application process, contact our admissions secretary or a program coordinator.

If you have already been admitted to the Graduate College as a Master’s or Doctoral student and would like to either: 1) transfer from your current academic program to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction; or 2) apply to the Doctoral program after completing the Master’s program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, please follow this link for additional instructions.

Verify Deadlines
The deadlines to apply are as follows, all supporting materials and applications MUST be received by these dates:

• December 1 - for full consideration for Summer or Fall admission for all C & I programs, and the deadline for consideration for Financial Aid opportunities. THIS IS THE FINAL AND ONLY DEADLINE FOR MASTERS + TEACHER CERTIFICATION APPLICANTS .  Late applications will not be considered.   Admissions decisions will be made and announced in late February.
• March 1 - (Final) Deadline #2 for Fall admission and Summer admission for Masters and Doctoral programs.  Students will not be considered for Financial Aid.  Admissions decisions will be made and announced in late April.
• October 15 - for Spring admission for Masters and Doctoral programs.  Students will not be considered for Financial Aid.  Admissions decisions will be made and announced in late November.

Verify Program Name and Code
The following codes are used on the Graduate College application.  The "Proposed Program" will always be 'Education - Curriculum and Instruction'.  Choose the proper code for the degree you seek below:

Masters Degrees (Ed.M., M.A., or M.S.)
Curriculum and Instruction - Ed.M. (10KS1144EDM)
Curriculum and Instruction - MA (10KS1144MA)
Curriculum and Instruction - MS (10KS1144MS)

Masters plus Teacher Certification (Ed.M. + Cert)
Secondary Education (6-12) Teacher Certification – EDM (10KS8527EDM)
                 You Must Also Choose One of the Following Concentration Codes:
                        English Language Arts: Concentration Code 5224
                        Social Science: History: Concentration Code 5225
                       Science:  Concentration Code 5226
                     Mathematics: Concentration Code 5227
Elementary Education (K-8) Teacher Certification - EDM (10KS0211EDM)
Early Childhood Education (Birth-5 years) Teacher Certification - EDM (10KS5082EDM)

Doctoral Degrees (Ed.D., Ph.D.)
Curriculum and Instruction - Ed.D. (10KS1144EDD)
Curriculum and Instruction - Ph.D. (10KS1144PHD)

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
Curriculum and Instruction - CAS (10KS1144CAS)

Complete the Graduate College Application
All applications for admission are submitted to the Graduate College. The department reviews the applications first and makes a recommendation to the Graduate College for admission. You will receive a decision letter from the department.  Once the decision has been made at the Graduate College, you will receive an email admission decision letter from the Graduate College.
Start the Graduate College Application.

Submit Application Fees

• Domestic Applicants: $60.
• International Applicants: $75.

Payment Methods

Paying electronically with a credit card means your application is available immediately to the C&I department. Hence, processing is faster when paying electronically.

You may also mail your check or money order (drawn on a US bank) with the completed fee coupon to:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Graduate Admissions
203 Coble Hall
805 South Wright Street
Champaign, IL 61820

Prepare and Submit Supporting Application Materials

• All Applicants Must Complete:
• Professional Resume/Curriculum Vitae:  All applicants must submit a current professional resume through the online application.  You must attach an electronic file to the Resume section.  There is no need to mail the resume since it is submitted online.
• Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose:  All applicants must also submit a Statement of Purpose, or a personal statement discussing your goals for graduate study and any previous work in that area of study.  You must attach an electronic file to the application.  There is no need to mail the personal statement since it is submitted online. 
• 3 Letters of Reference: All applicants must submit 3 letters of reference from persons who have direct knowledge of your academic and/or professional performance and potential for graduate study. If the recommenders complete this online, no additional copy is necessary.  You must enter 3 recommenders' names and contact information into the online application.
• GRE scores:  If you are a 1) Doctoral applicant applying to the Math, Science, and Technology (MST) or Early Childhood Education Programs, or a 2) Masters applicant applying to Early Childhood Education, you must request to submit your GRE scores to the Graduate College. 
• Official Transcript(s):  All applicants must submit one copy of their official transcript(s): both graduate and undergraduate.  For Masters + Teacher Certification applicants, please submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.  For all other applicants, please only submit official transcripts from institutions where a degree has been received or from where you are currently working on a degree.  Please send them directly to:

Department of Curriculum and Instruction
311 Education Building (MC708)
1310 South Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820

Note:  The UIUC Graduate College has established a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A=4) for admission. 
Important:  Even if you have course work from the University of Illinois, you still need to order your transcript. Please contact the Office of Admissions and Records for more info.

•  Doctoral Applicants:
• Scholarly Writing Sample: Applicants to doctoral degree programs are required to complete a writing sample. The sample must be in English and may be a Master’s thesis, an article, or a paper that you have written dealing with a professional subject that demonstrates the ability to analyze and synthesize literature and/or research findings. An electronic file may be attached to the online application OR a paper copy may be mailed to the department directly. 
• Master's Plus Teacher Certification Applicants:
•  Supplemental Application and Essay:  Submit the Supplemental Application for Graduate Admission Teacher Education Programs accompanied by a three to four-page essay.  This application provides details of the special requirements for admission to certification programs.  This should be sent directly to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
• Basic Skills Test:  The State of Illinois requires applicants to take, and pass, the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) Test of Basic Skills prior to admission.  To be considered for fall admission, you must do so no later than November 14, 2009.   If you live outside of Illinois, please notify the Graduate Programs Secretary.
• Content Area Test: In addition, if you are applying to any of the following areas, you are required to take, and pass, the appropriate subject-matter examination required for your area of certification no later than the November 14, 2009 test date:

• Secondary English Language Arts
• Secondary Mathematics
• Secondary Biology
• Secondary Chemistry
• Secondary Earth and Space Science     
• Secondary Physics
• Secondary Social Science: History

• For additional information on the Basic and Content Area tests, please contact the Council on Teacher Education or refer to the ICTS website.

• For International Students of All Degrees:
  • Submit official TOEFL score:  Submit an official TOEFL score report to the Graduate College.  Must be taken within 2 years of date of requested admission.(ETS code - Institution: 1836, Dept.:00)
• Submit official GRE score:  Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores (Verbal and Quantitative).  Must be taken within four years of date of requested admission. (ETS code -Institution: 1836, program: 00)
• Financial Certification: Submit a Declaration and Certification of Finances complete with current bank statements verifying personal funding for your education or a letter of support from your supporting agency.  This is a required form.  It must be received by the deadline for you to be considered for admission.
• Upon admission, you will be required to submit an International Student Verification Form.
• For more information on International Student requirements, please see the Graduate College’s website.

All of the above materials are to be submitted to the Department of Curriculum & Instruction.

Printable Application Checklist