Graduate Admissions

We are thrilled that you have taken the first step towards joining the UW College of Education as a graduate student! As you venture into the next phase of your educational journey, know that we are here to support you every step of the way.

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Application requirements and materials

Pay close attention to the difference in requirements for programs and degrees. There may be slight differences and additions, like requesting an additional reference or requiring a skills test. Specific steps and details can be found on each graduate program page. Applications for 2027 open on September 1.

Application Fee 

A $90.00 application fee is required and must be paid by credit card through the online application system.

Fee Waiver: The Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee waivers to qualified applicants. Application fee waiver requests must be made at least seven (7) days before your program’s application deadline to allow time for review. Who is eligible? Application fee waivers are available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented applicants who demonstrate financial need or hardship. 

Degree from an Accredited Institution
  • A four year bachelor's degree is required for our Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master in Teaching (M.I.T.) programs
  • A master's degree is required for most of our doctorate programs
  • Your degree may be in progress at the time of application, but it must be completed before the program begins. 
Unofficial Transcript(s) (Minimum 3.0 GPA) 

You must submit unofficial transcript(s) with your application from every college or university where you earned academic credit. The UW Graduate School requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0, or a 3.0 in your most recent 90 graded quarter credits (60 semester credits). GPA is only one part of the application review.

Please scan all transcript documents into one single PDF to upload to your application.

Applications are reviewed holistically, and we encourage you to apply even if your GPA is below 3.0. You do not need to take additional coursework to raise your GPA. Instead, focus on submitting a strong goal statement that explains your interests and how the program aligns with your professional or personal goals, along with strong letters of recommendation. You are also welcome to provide context for a GPA below 3.0.

If you are currently enrolled in a college or university and have not yet graduated, please upload a transcript showing your most recently completed term. A final transcript confirming completion of your degree will be required before the program begins, if admitted. 

Note for students with international transcripts: International transcripts must be submitted in the original language and include your date of graduation and title of the awarded degree. If your transcript is not in English, you must also provide a certified English translation. You do not need to have your transcript evaluated for the degree by an agency.

Letters of Recommendation 

During the online application process, you will be prompted to add your recommenders. Once added, your recommenders will receive an email with instructions for submitting their letters electronically.

For all applicants, we recommend choosing individuals who know you well and can speak to your strengths, skills, and potential for success in graduate study. Letters may be submitted by professional supervisors, academic faculty, or others who can speak to your qualifications. 

The following programs require 2 letters:

  • All M.Ed. programs
  • All M.I.T. programs

The following programs require 3 letters:

  • All Ed.D. programs
  • The Ed.S. program
  • All Ph.D. programs
Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

A current academic and professional resume or CV is required. This document should summarize your education, professional experience, and relevant accomplishments. Include degrees earned, work experience, and any applicable awards, publications, presentations, or other achievements.

Be sure to highlight qualifications and skills that are relevant to the program to which you are applying.

Review your document carefully to ensure it is clear, well-organized, and free of errors. 

Statement of Purpose

Your statement should describe your goals, relevant experiences, future plans, and how your specific program aligns with your interests and needs.

  • In your statement, address the following:
  • Why you are applying to this specific program
  • Your academic and professional goals
  • Areas of interest or topics you wish to explore within the field
  • How your interest in the field developed and how you have engaged with it
  • Experiences that have prepared you for graduate study
  • Skills or strengths that will support your success (e.g., technical skills, research experience, or other relevant abilities)
  • Examples of initiative, problem-solving, collaboration, and commitment to your goals

Format: Master’s statements are typically 1–2 pages, and doctoral statements are typically 3–5 pages. Statements must be double-spaced with 1-inch margins and use a 12-point font (Times New Roman or Calibri). Citations are not required unless you reference specific evidence in your writing.  

Admissions committees review your statement alongside other application materials to assess how well your goals align with the program. 

Personal History Statement 

While optional, submitting a personal history statement can strengthen your application by providing additional context about your background and experiences.

This statement should describe your intellectual growth and development, including influences both within and beyond your academic experiences. You may address:

  • Your personal history, family background, or other influences on your development
  • How your life experiences have shaped your interests, career plans, and future goals

Statements should be no more than two pages. We recommend using double-spaced text and a clear, legible 12-point font (Times New Roman or Calibri). 

Writing Sample

If your program requires it, they will review one sample of scholarly writing. This sample should represent your strongest graduate-level writing and analytical skills.

Common examples include a research paper, article, thesis, literature review, or similar academic work from a previous program. If you do not have an existing sample, you may submit a newly developed piece such as a research paper, literature review, book review, or report.

We recommend submitting a sample of 10–12 pages. If your document exceeds this length, the review committee may only read a portion of it. You are welcome to submit an excerpt that fits within the suggested page range. Only one sample will be reviewed by the admissions committee.

The writing sample must be written solely by you. If the writing sample has multiple authors, clearly indicate which sections you contributed to.

Format: While there is no strict format requirement, we recommend double-spaced text, 1-inch margins, and a 12-point font. 

Please note:

M.Ed. programs in Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy Studies require a writing sample

ALL doctoral programs require a writing sample except the following:

  • Special Education Doctoral Program
  • Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Program
Basic Skills Test (For Teaching Candidates) 

Candidates must include basic skills test scores covering reading, writing and math with their application.

If you have a copy of your score report you should upload this with your application and won’t need to have them sent electronically.  Official scores are only needed if you don’t have a score report or if you haven’t previously submitted scores to UW as an undergraduate. If you must order scores, we recommend sending them to yourself and uploading them to your application or sending the College of Education your copy.

Basic skills can be met through:

  • WEST-B
  • Praxis I
  • CBEST
  • ACT (Older scores that do not include a writing subtest can be used for reading and math but must be supplemented with a writing subtest.  If needed, contact ACT at 319-337-1270 to order your score report.)
  • SAT (Older scores that do not include a writing subtest can still be used for reading and math but must be supplemented with a writing subtest. If needed, contact College Board at 866-756-7346 to order your score report.)

The state does not require a minimum passing score for the basic skills subtests.

English Language Proficiency

English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Each prospective graduate student indicates on the graduate application whether or not the student is a native speaker of English.

Learn more about the full policy: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements

Interview

Some programs may hold an admission interview. The admission committee reaches out to those applicants selected after the initial application review process. They following programs hold interviews:

  • School Psychology
  • Measurement and Statistics
  • Teacher certification programs
    • Elementary Teacher Education Program
    • Secondary Teacher Education Program
    • Seattle Teacher Residency Program
    • U-ACT
    • Special Education teacher certification
  • Special Education Doctoral Program
  • Danforth
  • Leadership for Learning

Please note: The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is not considered in the application process for all programs EXCEPT the Measurement and Statistics M.Ed. and Ph.D. program. The GRE is required for the Measurement and Statistics program.

Application process

  1. Gather all required materials
  2. Visit the Graduate School's online application
  3. Log into your account or create a new profile if you are a first-time applicant
  4. Complete all steps in application process and upload your documents
    • During the application process you will select your program's name
    • Double check your program's page for the correct name used in the application
  5. Submit your application and pay the nonrefundable $90 application fee

Next steps after submitting your application

Once you submit your application, you will receive automated emails from the UW Graduate School. While these will update you on the received status of your application materials, our team in Student Services and Academic Support will also process your application closer to the deadline. Even with complete applications, we do a quality check to ensure documents aren’t blurry or missing pages. If anything needs attention, you will receive an email before the review period begins for your program so review your checklist often.  

Student Services and Academic Support processing includes:

  • Making sure all submitted materials came through clearly
  • Confirming that your transcripts are complete and include all required degree and GPA information
  • Verifying English Language Proficiency (when applicable)
  • If applying to a Teacher Certification Program - verifying Basic Skills tests

The Office of Student and Academic Services will review your application materials within 2 weeks of the application deadline if not sooner.  If you are missing anything, you will be notified and see this on your Application Checklist in your application. You will then have a limited time to submit anything before your application is sent to the committee for review.

We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions! Please also review the Decision Timeline and FAQ below for some common questions that applicants have.

Decision Timeline

Step 1: Application processing

  • You will receive confirmation from the College that your application was received within 2 weeks of the deadline
  • Within 5-7 business days after the deadline, we will verify that your application is ready for the review - anything required that is missing will be noted in your application checklist as “awaiting”. This does not include the optional Personal History Statement which is not required
  • You should log into your application and view your application checklist to view receipt of items and any notes about materials
  • We will send an email confirmation about your materials status providing you a limited time to address anything needing attention before the committee reviews.

Step 2: Application review

  • Committees begin reviewing applications about three weeks after the deadline
  • You will receive an email when your application has been sent to the committee for review

Step 3: Decision notification

  • You will be notified by email when there is a decision update
  • Your status will also be visible in the online application
  • Decision dates vary from program to program. You can find decision date's on the program's page or the application deadline page

We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions! Please also review the FAQ below for some common questions that applicants have.

Frequently asked questions

Application Process & Materials

How do I apply for the application fee waiver? 

This is through the Graduate School application. Once you submit your application, there will be a step to request an application fee waiver through the application if you are eligible. If you do not see this option and believe that you are eligible to receive an application fee waiver, please contact the Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) at uwgrad@uw.edu or (206) 685-2630 for assistance. Requests can take up to 5 days to process so please plan ahead when submitting your application.

Please note that not all applicants are eligible to receive an application fee waiver. For information on eligibility, please visit the Application Fee Waivers page on the Graduate School website.

What kind of updates can I expect to receive?

If you are missing materials, you will be notified about this within 8 days of the deadline in order to fix anything before your application is sent for review and when all materials have been received. Otherwise, you will be able to view that your required materials have been received in your application checklist. We will notify you when your application is sent for review. You will also receive notification after the review when there is a decision about your application.

How can I expedite the processing of my application?
  • Review your uploaded transcripts to make sure the uploads have all academic information with your name, degree (if earned) and all coursework and grades by quarter/semester. Upload them again if they do not.
  • If submitting an international transcript, be sure the degree certificate is included if your transcript does not list your degree. Incomplete transcripts may delay processing time.
  • Be sure you have listed the minimum number of recommenders and that their letters are submitted.
  • Remind recommenders to submit letters if they have not yet been received.
How can I view the status of my application materials?

You can log back into your application and view your Application Checklist. This is where anything that needs attention will be listed.

How do I know if my application is complete?

You will receive an email notification when all required materials are marked as received in your Application Checklist.

How can I review the transcripts that I upload?

When you log back into your application, under “Schools”, you can click on your school attended. You can then scroll down to preview what you have uploaded for your transcript to ensure it is complete. If it isn’t, you can upload a new document. Be sure you have included information about all schools in which you have earned a degree.

Do I need to submit official transcripts?

You must submit an unofficial transcript(s) with your application. Include one from each institution from which you've earned a degree and one from every institution you have attended in the previous 5 years. Your transcripts must include your name, coursework by term and degree (if completed). If you are offered admission, the UW Graduate School will require an official transcript from your most recent degree earned.

Applicants should not submit transcripts that they have typed out themselves or degree audits. Any documentation that is submitted should originate from the degree-granting institution.

If transcripts are not in English, they must be accompanied by an English translation. 

Do you accept degree audits instead of transcripts?

No. Degree audits cannot be accepted in place of a transcript as they are not a comprehensive summary of the coursework a student has attempted.

Can I apply with a three year degree?

Though the Graduate School requires the minimum equivalent of a four year degree, you can apply to our College of Education with a three year degree. The committee will review your academic background along with all other materials to make a decision about admission.

How can I remind a recommender to submit their letter and resend the link?

When you log back into your application, under the Application Checklist, there is a link to revisit the Recommendations page. From there, you can click on your recommender and resend them the link to submit their letter.  

Can I edit or add a new recommender before the review phase?

Yes, when you log back into your application, under the Application Checklist, there is a link to revisit the Recommendations page. From there, you can edit or add a recommender.

My recommender has not submitted their letter yet but the deadline is approaching. Can I still submit my application?

Yes, you should still submit your application by the deadline. Recommendations will still match to your application after the deadline once submitted.

One of my recommenders has not submitted their letter of recommendation. Can I still submit my application?

Yes, you should still submit your application with any missing letter(s) still pending. Letters will be matched to your application once submitted by the recommender(s).

English Language Proficiency Test

How can I meet the requirement for English Language Proficiency other than taking the test? 

Please see Policy 3.2: Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements for other ways to meet the requirement for the English Language Proficiency test.

I am using test scores to demonstrate English language proficiency. Do I need to send official scores?

Yes, official scores are required for the applications if you are using TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. For specific instructions on how to send scores, please view the Graduate School’s Submission of Test Scores. Please note that test scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. Test scores must be valid at the date of application submission.

I sent my official language proficiency scores but don't see them as received. When will you check these in?

Once you submit your application, it can take up to 7-10 days for IELTS, Duolingo, and TOEFL scores to be matched. We will alert you if these are not located in our system so you will have time to check on this. As long as you sent them before the deadline, they are not considered late due to the time it takes for them to match in UW systems.