Admissions
The following materials required for admissions to SPD's advanced graduate certificate programs:
Personal statement. Please attach a personal statement of 750 – 1000 words that is a reflection of your ability to approach graduate-level work successfully, using creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research. Your statement should address the following:
- What is your purpose in pursuing this degree/certificate?
- How have you prepared yourself for this field of study?
- Specifically, how will this degree/certificate assist you in advancing both your professional and personal goals?
- Describe your research and study interests and any other aspects of your background, skills, or qualifications that would aid the Admissions Committee in evaluating your motivation for graduate study.
Your personal statement must be your own original work.
An official transcript indicating conferral of a bachelor's degree (minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average). Transcripts for your graduate-level degree(s) are not necessary for the purposes of this application.
- In those cases where the departmental admissions committee deems it desirable, personal interviews with departmental representatives may be requested.
Conditional Admission
Under certain circumstances, promising candidates who lack the required academic preparation may be considered for conditional admission. » Conditional Admissions Policy
How to Apply
All materials must be submitted by the published deadlines. Applications submitted after these deadlines will be accepted on a space-available basis. If there is no space available for the requested term, applications will be considered for the following term.
- Applications, personal statements, any other required materials and a nonrefundable $100 application fee are submitted online through our application portal.
- Students who take any courses on campus will also be required to send Student Health Service a completed immunization/meningitis form, which must be received before the first day of their first on-campus term. Visit Student Health Service website for more information.