Admission to the Department of Educational Psychology
Domestic Graduate Students
Graduate students are encouraged to apply for admission through the Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Kansas: graduate.ku.edu/apply.
Please note that each individual graduate program offered through the Department of Educational Psychology has a unique set of program application requirements and application deadlines. Visit your graduate program web page for additional details: epsy.ku.edu/academics.
International Graduate Students
International students are encouraged to apply to the Department of Educational Psychology based on their education interest:
- Intensive English or English as a Second Language (ESL): Applied English Center
- Graduate Degree (M.A., M.S., M.S.E., Ed.S., Ed.D., Ph.D.): Graduate Studies
Information and FAQs
Graduate Program Application Information
Deadlines
Applications are accepted for Fall or Summer enrollment only.
Counseling Psychology
PhD Program: December 1
MS Program: January 1
Educational Psychology & Research
PhD Program: December 15
MSEd Program: December 15
School Psychology
PhD Program: December 15
EdS Program: December 15
Prerequisites for Regular Admission
- An undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- If applicable, a graduate grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Graduate Record Examination general test scores. The GRE should have been taken within five years of the application date, and scores should typically equal or exceed the 50th percentile. For Counseling Psychology PhD applicants, if the GRE is taken after September 2015, the Psychology Subject test is also encouraged.
- For international applicants, TOEFL or IELTS scores. Scores must be achieved not more than two years prior to the semester of admission. All TOEFL part scores should be at least 20 (for Counseling Psychology applicants, all part scores should be at least 25) -or- the minimum overall IELTS score should be 6.0 with no part score below 5.5. In lieu of TOEFL or IELTS scores, English proficiency can be verified by graduation with a baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned in residence from an accredited US institution of higher education, or from such an institution whose medium of instruction is English.
- Completed bachelor’s or master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or a related area. Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in education or psychology should have a minimum of 15 undergraduate credit hours in the behavioral sciences (this is not applicable to School psychology applicants).
Application Materials Required
- Graduate Studies online application and non-refundable fee
- Resume.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Official transcripts from each institution of higher education attended. You may upload a copy of your official transcripts for review purposes. However, if you are admitted, official transcripts, sent directly from the institution, will be required before second semester enrollment. If your school offers electronic transcripts, you may request the paperless version be sent directly to fritts@ku.edu.
- Official GRE scores. Scores must be sent directly from the institution.
- For international applicants, official TOEFL or IELTS scores. Scores must be sent directly from the institution.
- Three recommendation forms and/or letters from individuals in a position to evaluate the applicant's qualifications for graduate study. Recommendation forms and letters can be solicited for three recommenders through the online application.
Graduate Program Application FAQs
The doctoral programs in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology are APA (American Psychological Association) accredited. The EdS and PhD programs in School Psychology are both approved by NASP (National Association of School Psychologists).
Departmental financial support for students is provided in the form of graduate teaching and research assistantships. The numbers of these assistantships vary from year to year and depend upon instructional needs and funding. The Departmental GTA application can be found at epsy.soe.ku.edu/documents-and-resources. Information regarding University financial aid/tuition costs and School of Education scholarships can be found at www.affordability.ku.edu/costs and http://soe.ku.edu/scholarships.
No. For applicants who are interested in both the MS and PhD Counseling Psychology programs, we recommend you submit one application to the PhD program. If the PhD admission committee determines that you are not qualified at the PhD level but still have strong credentials, they can recommend you for admission consideration at the MS level. At that time, your application would be transferred to the MS pool for consideration.
There are not any page number or formatting requirements. However, content requests are as follows:
Outline your background and professional objectives
Identify which track (D&L - Development and Learning or REMS – Research, Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics) you intend to pursue.
- Describe your career goals.
- Describe how you see your career goals relating to this degree program; that is, describe how you see this program preparing you to meet your career objectives.
- Describe past work or educational experiences related to this degree program.
- Describe what skills/competencies and experiences you hope to gain in this program.
- Describe any past research experiences and accomplishments.
- Describe one research topic/issue that you would like to pursue in this program.
- Please provide additional information concerning your background, experience, goals, or accomplishments/awards you believe are pertinent to your application.
Yes. There are two options for submitting transcripts:
- As you complete your online application, you may upload a scanned copy of your official transcripts for review purposes. (Please note: A printout from a student portal is NOT considered to be an official copy of your transcript.) If you are admitted, and accept the offer, you will be required to submit an official transcript, sent directly from the institution, for GPA and degree conferral verification by your second semester of enrollment.
- Alternatively, you may request that official transcripts be sent directly from the institution. If your school offers electronic transcripts, you may request the paperless version be sent directly to fritts@ku.edu. The official transcripts will then be uploaded to your online application when they are received.
No. You can submit your application as soon as you have completed it.
Please let them know to email the recommendation form and/or letter to fritts@ku.edu and it will be uploaded to your online application. The recommendation form is available at www.graduate.ku.edu/application-process.
The Institution code for the University of Kansas is 6871. The Major Field codes are: 2005 for Counseling Psychology, 3403 for Educational Psychology and Research, and 3406 for School Psychology.
Please feel free to email materials to fritts@ku.edu and they will be uploaded to your online application.
You can access your online application Checklist on the Check Application Status page (www.graduate.ku.edu/ku-graduate-application). Once you submit your online application, you will receive an official update by email of your application status from the Educational Psychology Graduate Admission staff. (Please note: This response can sometimes take several days, especially if your submission date was close to the application deadline.)
It can sometimes take several days for your materials to be added to your online application. Please let us know if there are any name variances (i.e., maiden name) to be aware of and the address to which your documents were sent.
The Admission Committee will review completed applications after the deadline. A recommendation (to admit or deny) will then be forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies, where a final decision will be made. Applicants will then receive an official notification of the application decision by email. You will be able to view the decision letter on your Check Application Status page (www.graduate.ku.edu/ku-graduate-application). You may hear from us anywhere between late January and April 15.
Program admission ultimately depends on the Admission Committee’s perceptions of the applicant’s potential for successful completion of the program and the availability of faculty to advise and direct the applicant’s training. Criteria of high importance include GRE scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, interview (if applicable), statement of purpose, research experience, clinically related public service, and commitment to individual and cultural diversity.
