Sport and Exercise Science Ph.D. — Physical Education and Physical Activity Leader Emphasis

Admissions Deadlines

Admission decisions are made throughout the academic year. However, the faculty prefers that students begin the program in the fall semester. Students who complete the application process by Feb. 15 are given priority screening for fall admission of that year and have increased opportunities for financial assistance. The application period normally closes on Aug. 1 for fall admission.

Admission Requirements

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

Each applicant must:

• Possess a master’s degree from a Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
• Have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on the master’s degree.

Take the following steps to be considered for admission:

Step 1: Complete the Application

Complete the online application and pay the application fee (you will pay the fee after you complete all application questions and submit the application)

• Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
• International Students: $60 non-refundable application fee

Step 2: Transcripts

Request one official transcript from every accredited college or university attended or from which you earned credit, except UNC. Official transcripts from each college are required, even if courses taken at one institution are listed on another school’s transcript. This includes concurrent enrollment courses taken while in high school through an accredited college. You do not need to provide study abroad transcripts.

Official transcripts may be sent via mail in an unopened sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program directly from the issuing institution. Mailed transcripts should be sent to:

Graduate School and International Admissions
University of Northern Colorado
Campus Box 135
501 20th Street
Greeley, CO 80639

Electronic transcripts should be sent to grad.applicationmaterials@unco.edu. We do not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from the student.

UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Graduate School will make every attempt to use previously-submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Graduate School cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above, or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.

Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

Step 3: Supplemental Items

You will need to log back into the online application system, scroll down and click on "Submit Supplemental Items" to do the following:

1. Upload the item below:
• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Letter of Intent: Written statement of your background, career goals, and research interests (if applicable).
  • Please indicate that you are applying to the SES: Sport Pedagogy Ph.D. program in the first paragraph. Failure to do so could mean a rejection of your application.
  • It is also important that the name(s) of any faculty member(s) you are interested in working with appear somewhere in your research statement. Our program is mentor-based so faculty members are instrumental in admissions decisions.
2. Request three professional letters of recommendation (click on "start" to initiate each recommendation request)
3. Take the GRE: Official GRE scores (less than five years old) are required.
• UNC's institutional code is 4074.
• Required minimum scores:
• 140 Quantitative;
• 146 Verbal Reasoning;
• Combined score of at least 297;
• Analytical Writing 3.5

Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission decision. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Graduate School at grad.school@unco.edu, or call 970-351-2831.