Admissions Criteria

The Department of Education Policy Studies applies the following criteria to evaluate and recommend applicants for full admission to a doctoral or master's program:

Grade Point Average (GPA): A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required. A minimum graduate grade point average of 3.5 is required for doctoral programs.

Test Scores: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores must be submitter for applicants to all degrees.

Master's Applicants: Of the three scores on the GRE (verbal, quantitative, analytic) at least one should be at the 50th percentile or higher. If the MAT is used, the score should be at least at the 50th percentile.

Doctoral Applicants: Of the three scores on the GRE (verbal, quantitative, analytic) at least one should be at the 70th percentile or higher and none should be under the 50th percentile for doctoral applicants. If the MAT is used, the score should be at least at the 70th percentile.

In addition, admission decisions also weigh letters of recommendation, statement of goals, and writing samples submitted by applicants.

Statement of goals, experiences and research interests: The compatibility of the applicant's statement with an EDPS graduate program is reviewed, as is the statement's evidence of careful and compelling thought and clear aspirations. The quality and compatibility of prior experiences are also relevant.

Writing sample: For all doctoral applicants a writing sample is judged for evidence of the applicant's ability to consider and write about complex ideas.

Letters of recommendation: Letters that attest to the applicant's academic, scholarly, and professional potential are given consideration.

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