Prospective Graduate Students

Frequently Asked Questions and Information for Prospective Students

What degree programs are offered by the Department of Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology?

The  Department  of  Educational  Psychology  and  Instructional  Technology  (EPIT)  offers  graduate  degrees  across  the  following programs/emphasis areas:

* A non-degree program for those seeking add-on certification for teaching gifted PK-12 is also an option. Candidates pursuing the non-degree, M.Ed., or Ed.S.

may participate in a campus-based or online program. Candidates should indicate their intent for either the campus-based or online non-degree, M.Ed., or Ed.S. program in their statement of purpose.

What are the application deadlines for the programs?

Application deadlines vary by programs in the department. Departmental deadlines may differ from general graduate school deadlines. Departmental deadlines are based on admission cycles for specific programs. Applicants should adhere to the departmental deadlines and specific program deadlines which are often earlier than graduate school deadlines. Deadlines for domestic and international applications are set by the graduate school. For domestic applicants, deadlines for receipt of all application materials are:

• Fall Semester: July 1
• Spring Semester: November 15
• May and Extended Summer Session: April 1
• Summer Semester: May 1

For international applicants, deadlines for receipt of all application materials are:

• Fall Semester: April 15
• Spring Semester: October 15
• Summer Semester: February 15

The following table provides admission cycle information for all programs in the department:

Application Deadlines

What information is required to complete my application?

Application. Applicants complete a University of Georgia Graduate School application online. The application can be found under the admissions section of the graduate school webpage (www.uga.edu/gradschool).

Test Scores. All graduate degree programs in the Department of Educational Psychology require submission of official entrance test scores. Individual programs allow either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Non-degree applicants are not required to submit GRE or MAT test scores. Scores that are five or less years old are accepted by the graduate school and department. Applicant’s scores are sent to the University of Georgia Graduate School. The graduate school then sends the scores to the department. International applicants are also required to submit TOEFL scores. Applicants should consult individual program pages for minimum scores for each of the above tests. The table below listed acceptable tests for each program area.

* International applicants are required to submit TOEFL scores.

Letters of Recommendation. Three letters of recommendation are required for all programs (except non-degree programs). When completing the online application, applicants specify those individuals who would complete a letter of recommendation. An electronic notification is sent to the referee and letters are submitted online. These letters are ultimately downloaded by the department and added to the applicant’s file. There are some exceptions for the required letters of recommendation. See specific program pages for an explanation of the types of letters required by individual programs.

Statement of Intent. In addition to the application, each program in the department requires a statement of intent. This one to two page document is the candidate’s statement about why she or he would like to pursue the program to which the candidate is applying. Additional information often included in the statement of intent includes information on the candidate’s background and experiences, a statement about which faculty member(s) the applicant is interested in working with, any anomalies in the candidate’s record that need explanation. Candidates interested in the non-degree, M.Ed., or Ed.S. in Gifted and Creative Education should indicate their intent for either the campus-based or online program in their statement of purpose. This statement of intent can be sent to the graduate coordinator by email or mailed to the physical address, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Georgia, 323 Aderhold Hall, Athens, Georgia, 30602.

Please submit a cover sheet with your statement

Resume. Individual programs also require a current resume or curriculum vita for the candidate. Exceptions to this requirement are highlighted in the table below. The resume can sent to the graduate coordinator by email or mailed to the physical address, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Georgia, 323 Aderhold Hall, Athens, Georgia, 30602.

Transcripts. All applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all accredited institutions attended. One copy of the transcript must be sent to the University of Georgia Graduate School, 279 Williams Street, Athens, Georgia, 30602. A copy must also be sent to the department. This transcript can be sent to Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Georgia, 329 Aderhold Hall, Athens, Georgia, 30602.

Required Documents for Admission by Program Area

SOI=Statement of Intent; V=Vitae or Resume; T=Transcripts; L=Three Letters of Recommendation

How can I track the status of my application?

The University of Georgia Graduate School provides each applicant with a secure access link to the Graduate School Tracking Screen. On this tracking screen, applicants can review what materials have been received by the graduate school and department. Any discrepancies on an applicant’s tracking screen should be reported to the department’s graduate coordinator. Materials received by the department are uploaded to the tracking screen within 48 hours.

How is my application evaluated?

Applications are evaluated by the faculty within programs. All materials submitted as part of an application are considered. Admissions are evaluated holistically and recommendations for admission are based on an applicant’s qualifications, statement, and match with faculty interests. Admissions are competitive; merely meeting minimum requirements does not ensure admission. Decisions on admission are also influenced by the current capacity of the program. See specific program pages for information on the number of applicants admitted each year.

When and what will I hear about the final decision about my application?

Decisions about admission to The University of Georgia are formally sent by the graduate school by letter. Admissions decisions are typically made within one month of faculty admissions committee meetings. For programs with continuous enrollment, once an applicant’s file is complete, applicants are typically notified within one month of faculty review of the file.

Whom should I contact about attendance?

For applicants who are recommended for admission, applicants should contact the program coordinator for their respective degree program area. Information on whom to contact is included in the specific program pages.

How do I fund my education?

Applicants who wish to be considered for financial support should complete the application for financial support. This application can be found at this web link:  Assist.pdf. Applications can be sent by email to the graduate coordinator or mailed to the physical address, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Georgia, 329 Aderhold Hall, Athens, Georgia, 30602. The University of Georgia Graduate School web page also has valuable information about funding available for incoming graduate students (www.uga.edu/gradschool). Applicants who are seeking degree programs and accompanying certification should also considered reviewing the Georgia College 411 website for service cancelable loan programs for those pursing degrees and certification in critical shortage areas (http://gacollege411.org).