What happens once my application is complete?
Once the Department has received the application and all supporting materials from the Graduate School, the Department's Graduate Affairs Committee reviews the academic credentials of
the applicant. The Committee uses all available information to determine
acceptability to the Graduate Program (see Criteria for Admissions).
Complete applications are reviewed annually in January for admission in the
Fall semester. Late applications may be reviewed if the student makes a special
request in writing. Applications are evaluated for acceptability to the
Graduate Program.
The Committee recommends acceptable students to the faculty for review. No
student is accepted without a faculty sponsor. Therefore, it is strongly
recommended that applicants initiate discussions with potential faculty
advisors well before the application deadlines. Once a commitment of faculty
sponsorship and financial support is made, the Graduate Director recommends
acceptance to the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean then grants acceptance
if all Graduate School requirements have been met. International students must
also meet minimum requirements from International Education Services.
Following approval, the applicant will receive a written offer of admission
from the Graduate School specifying date of entrance and a letter from the
Department indicating the stipend level, duration of support, and amount of
tuition remitted. To confirm your place in the class the offer of admission
requires a response. Changes to the offer letter, including change of
effective date, change of advisor, etc. require authorization by the
Department. Failure to register for the authorized semester also voids the
offer of admission.
