Graduate Admissions

Application Deadlines

You will receive an admission decision four to six weeks after the application deadline.

Application Materials

Applicant Statements

• Professional statement: Two to three pages, double-spaced. Go beyond what your resume may tell us about your experience. Tell us why you're interested in your field of study and what you hope to gain from a master's degree.
• Diversity statement: Optional.
• Extenuating Circumstances statement: If your undergraduate GPA or work experience is below the minimum required for your program, please provide an explanation.

Pro Tips!

• Allow time for multiple drafts.
• Have at least one person review it and give feedback.
• Share your present, past, and future as they relate to the program and your goals.
• Include specific examples to illustrate your skills.
• Keep it simple: one to three pages long.

Avoid:

• Listing all activities from your resume or application in narrative form.
• Using clichéd language (“I have wanted to be xyz for as long as I can remember…”)
• Using poor language, grammar, spelling, etc.
• Disclosing overly personal information.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for all master's programs and optional for our graduate-level certificates. Letters should come from people who can provide a candid assessment of your abilities. Ask them to talk about your strengths, personality, and character. They should also address your potential for graduate-level academic success and professional achievement.

Pro Tips!

• Ask a current/former supervisor, colleague, or instructor.
• Ask them if they feel comfortable writing a strong recommendation.
• Have a backup writer in case of emergency.
• Talk with each letter writer about the program, your current/future interests, and professional goals.
• Give them a clear deadline (typically 4-6 weeks).
• Share your professional statement and resume or CV with your letter writers.
• Send the letter-writers a thank you!

Avoid:

• Asking a family member, friend, sponsor, or clergy member.

Transcripts

Please submit unofficial transcripts or academic records for every school you attended, even if you didn’t receive a degree. If the transcripts are not in English, please share an English translation. If possible, make sure the institution has put your name on the transcript/record.

Resume or CV

Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Typical resumes or CVs should be one to two pages. 

Writing Sample

Required for Arts and Cultural Leadership and Civic Engagement programs only.

Include a writing sample (5-10 pages) on any topic that demonstrates critical thinking and analysis. If possible, include one sample of academic writing and one sample of written work from relevant work or volunteer experience.

Application Fee

Pay a nonrefundable application fee with your submission. 

Transferring Credits

Transferring Graduate Coursework

You may be able to transfer up to 10 credits of graduate-level coursework, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies of your program.

Transfer coursework requirements:

• Taken at the University of Minnesota or another accredited institution
• Completed at the graduate level and listed on a graduate transcript
• Earned a grade of B or better
• Completed no more than five years before applying for admission to the program

Transferring Undergraduate Coursework

You may be able to transfer up to 6 of the 10 transfer credits taken as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Associate Director for Graduate Programs. (Certificate programs typically do not accept transfer credits.)

Please email graduate enrollment advisor Steve Wicks at ccapssteve@umn.edu to learn more.

Taking a Course Before Admission

How to Register for Undergraduate Courses to Meet Prerequisites

Complete the steps outlined on the registration page for non-degree students. Undergraduate courses used to meet prerequisites will not count toward your degree requirements.

How to Register for Graduate-level Courses BEFORE Being Admitted to a Graduate Program

Credit courses taken before admission may be applied toward your degree. You can take a graduate-level course before being admitted if:

• the course is graduate-level (4xxx-level or above), and
• you register for credit as a non-degree graduate student and pay graduate-level tuition.

Follow these steps to register:

1. Find the course you want using the Schedule Builder tool.
2. Download and submit a Registration Request for Graduate Credit for Non-degree Students form. Registration for non-degree students is not available online.
3. Send the form to the department offering the course for authorization. Use this form each term until you are admitted to the program.
4. The department offering the course will forward the form to the registrar or give you further instructions.
5. You will receive confirmation and payment instructions by email.

You can find more information on the registration page for non-degree graduate students.