How to Apply

Undergraduate Admissions

Undergraduate programs are available through the Teacher Development Program (TDP).


Graduate Application Procedure

Applicants must submit the following items to Fran Colley, Secretary of C&I Graduate Programs, 303 Townsend Hall, University of Missouri, 65211:

1.) Graduate School Application. Applicants who have never been enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia must submit their Application for Graduate Admission to 210 Jesse Hall. 

2.) Official Transcripts. Official transcripts of all previous college work at institutions other than UMC, undergraduate and graduate, should be sent directly to this office. UMC alumni and those who have taken classes here before may submit a Dean's Copy of their UMC transcripts with their application to 210 Jesse Hall. Applicants who are currently enrolled at the University or who are unsure of their status should check with this office for appropriate application forms.


3.) The Personal Data Sheet (Master's PDS.doc,Specialist PDS.doc, Doctoral PDS.doc). It includes pertinent biographical information, especially professional experience and the name of the doctoral faculty member with whom you have been in contact. This contact is ultimately a requirement for admission.


4.) A Statement of Purpose (usually around 500 words) in which you summarize your professional goals, including career objectives, research interests, your motivation for graduate work and other pertinent information.


5.) Letters of Recommendation*: You must submit at least three letters of reference which attest to your professional competence, academic preparation, and potential for graduate work. Ideally, one letter should be from a college or university professor who can discuss your academic abilities, and one should be from an administrator or colleague who can describe authoritatively your professional experience and potential.

*some areas (for the Masters level) do not require letters of reference; please check with the department to make sure you will need to submit them.


6.) Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores*: Only the following emphasis areas require submission of this exam:  Early Childhood Education, English Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Social Studies Education, and Learning & Instruction: TESOL program.  IF you are applying to the doctoral program—all areas require the GRE exam.

7.) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores: Students whose native language is not English must submit scores on a TOEFL administered within the last two years.

Please feel free to submit any other materials which you feel would give a clearer picture of your qualifications. The Admissions Committee evaluates the credentials of each applicant. As soon as your file is complete, it will be referred to the committee at their next scheduled meeting.

All of the application procedures must be completed before an applicant can be considered for admission. The department cannot assure admission to all applicants who meet minimum standards specified for the degree program. Resource constraints do not permit the admission of all qualified applicants.

*For further information about the GRE or TOEFL, contact Testing, 205A Parker Hall, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211 or call them at (573) 882-4801 or (573) 884-0911. You can also receive information about the GRE or TOEFL from Education Testing Service, Box 955, Princeton, NJ 08540


Master's & Specialist Admissions Criteria

Admission to Master's and Specialist programs in the Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum are based upon the following criteria:

1. Completion of an appropriate preliminary degree with a GPA of 3.0 or better (Master's applicants: completion of Bachelor degree; Specialist applicants: completion of Master's degree).

2. Evidence of at least two years of successful experience in an appropriate professional field.

3. Letters of reference from the advisor of the Master’s program and/or others who can speak authoritatively of the applicant’s potential for further graduate study.  (Please check with the department to see if letters will be necessary.  Some areas only require letters of recommendation if your undergraduate GPA is below a 3.0 for the last 60 hours of coursework.)

4. Submission of the GRE*. A preferred combine (Verbal and Quantitative) of at least 810. Applications in the Early Childhood, English Education, Mathematics Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education will not be considered without these scores. Some areas require higher scores.

5. For students whose native language is not English, a score of 500 or better on the TOEFL taken within the past two years for Art Education, Elementary Education, Music Education, Reading Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education. A score of at least 550 on the TOEFL administered within the last two years is required for Early Childhood Education, English Education, and Mathematics Education.

NOTE: The department cannot assure admission to all applicants who meet minimum standards specified for the degree program. Resource constraints do not permit the admission of all qualified applicants. A committee of faculty reviews the credentials of all applicants not meeting minimum standards and all international applicants. It is the responsibility of this committee to exercise professional judgment related to the several criteria which applicants must meet in order to be considered for admission to the program. The committee frequently must use its judgment to discern from among a number of applicants, and those chosen individuals are judged to have the greatest potential for program success and ultimate contribution to the profession. Membership in under-represented groups will be a special consideration with regards to admission by the committee.


Doctoral Admissions Criteria

Admissions to Doctoral programs in the Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum are based upon the following criteria:


1. GPA and GRE scores should meet the following preferred criteria:

o        Graduate grade point average above 3.5,

o        GRE combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 900 or better

o        GRE Analytical score of 3.5 or better

or

o        Graduate grade point average above 3.2

o        GRE combined Verbal and Quantitative score of 1000 or better

o        GRE Analytical score of 3.5 or better

2. A minimum of two years full-time appropriate teaching or professional experience in elementary, secondary, or higher education.

3. A minimum of three letters of recommendation which, on the whole, clearly reflect professional success and predict academic success at the Doctoral level.

4. Statement of purpose indicating clearly that the proposed doctorate is appropriate to the applicant's professional aspirations.

5. For students whose native language is not English, a score of 550 or better on a TOEFL taken within the past two years for Art Education, Elementary Education, Music Education, Reading Education, Science Education, and Social Studies Education. A score of 600 or better on a TOEFL taken within the past two years for Early Childhood Education, English Education, Mathematics Education.

6. A preliminary examination--written, oral, or both--may be required by the admissions committee.

7. Confer or correspond with one of the doctoral faculty members in the proposed area of concentration. This contact is ultimately a requirement for admission.

A committee of faculty reviews the credentials of all applicants. It is the responsibility of this committee to exercise professional judgment related to the criteria which applicants must meet in order to be considered for admission to the program. The committee frequently must use its judgment to discern from among a number of applicants those individuals who are judged to have the greatest potential for program success and ultimate contribution to the profession. Membership in under-represented groups will be a special consideration with regards to admission by the committee.


Application Deadlines

Applications are due to the department by the following dates:

Packets will be prepared for committees by these dates. Please note: Applications are not reviewed on those deadline dates. Only completed applications are reviewed by the faculty committee.

International (Masters/Specialist) Deadline process:

 
Mar 1: Fall

Oct 1: Spring

Feb 1: Summer

 
Ph.D. Deadlines (everyone)

 Dec 1: Fall

Feb 1: Summer

Oct 1: Spring

Masters/Specialist Deadlines (non-International)

 
Mar 1: Summer

May 1: Fall

Oct 1: Spring

Applications for admission decisions take at least 6 weeks to process.

Letters will be sent out soon after notifying applicants if they have been accepted or not.

Maps

LTC offices are located in Townsend Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. Below are maps to help you find us. The LTC Department Office is in 303 Townsend Hall.

Columbia

Campus (College of Education is located in Francis Quadrangle)

College of Education (located in Townsend Hall and Hill Hall)

Townsend Hall (visitor parking available along streets and in Turner Avenue garage)