Admission Requirements

1. A Bachelor's degree from a Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution is required for graduate admission

2. A grade point average (GPA)
of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the most recent 60 credit hours completed.

Application Process

Applicants must apply to the University of Northern Colorado Graduate School before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. To apply, follow the instructions below. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.

Apply to UNC Graduate School

1. Complete the online application and pay the application fee (you will pay the fee after your complete all applications questions and have successfully submitted the application)

Domestic: $50 non-refundable application fee

International: $60 non-refundable application fee

2. Request official transcript from all accredited colleges or universities attended since completing high school. UNC Alumni do not need to submit UNC transcripts.

You may be able to request college transcripts and have the college or university submit them electronically if your previous institution participates in electronic transcript exchange services. Official electronic transcripts will need to be sent using this information: University of Northern Colorado, Grad.ApplicationMaterials@unco.edu.

If you can only request official paper transcripts from your previous college or university, please have them submitted via mail to the following address:

University of Northern Colorado
Attn: Graduate School & International Affairs
Campus Box 135
Greeley, CO 80639
USA

Submit Additional Required Items

Once you have completed your graduate school application, you will need to log back into the online application system and submit the appropriate program-specific supplemental program materials:

M.A. Generalist
- Two letters of recommendation from supervisors who know your work - the system will help you initiate a request to be sent to your recommenders.
- Statement of academic and professional goals (1-2 pages)
- Proof of valid Colorado teacher license, if applicable.
M.A. Gifted and Talented
- Please submit the reference check form. If the PDF opens in your browser, save it to your computer or device and you will be able to type and safe information
- Proof of teaching license, if applicable
- Resume
- Statement of philosophy and professional goals in relation to the field
M.A. Early Childhood Special Education
- Three names, titles and contact information for references. It is recommended that at least one of these references be a former professor or employer who can comment on the applicant's ability to succeed at a graduate level.
- Statement of education philosophy and goals
- Proof of teaching license, if applicable
- Resume
- Official GRE scores are required if GPA is below 3.0 (less than five years old) UNC's institutional code is 4074. Minimum GRE Scores:
  - 140 quantitative
  - 146 verbal reasoning
  - Combined score of at least 297
  - Analytical writing 3.5
Special Education Administration
- Two letters of recommendation from supervisors who know our work - they system will help you initiate a request to be sent to your recommenders.
- Statement of academic and professional goals (1-2 pages)
- Proof of a valid Colorado teacher license, if applicable.

International applicants: please read the additional directions below.

International Applicants

All international (non-U.S. citizen) applicants will also need to prepare the following for your application:

Demonstration of Language proficiency – TOEFL, IELTS, PTE-A, or petition for exemption (UNC’s institutional code is 4074)
Copy of passport bio page**– You will upload this after you have completed and submitted the online application.)
Financial Documentation**– We will need to verify that you can financially cover the estimated costs (tuition, fees, room, board, insurance, books, supplies, travel) of the time you will be in the U.S. Those applying to programs that last longer than one year will only need to provide proof for the first year at the time of application (you will upload this after you have completed and submitted the online application.

** = items only required for applicants who will be coming to the United States

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary from program-to-program, please select a program below to get program-specific dates.

M.A. Generalist Deadline

Applications accepted on a rolling basis
M.A. Gifted and Talented Deadline

Fall Admission: June 15
M.A. Early Childhood Special Education Deadline

Admissions are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Special Education Administration

Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Completed Applications

Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the graduate school then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. A completed application typically takes four to six weeks to process.