The College of Education is a part of the University of Illinois Graduate College. As such, you will apply to our program by the application deadline using the Graduate College application.
While an applicant may apply to several programs, applying to several specializations within the same program is not recommended.
Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe (within 750 words): (1) the substantive scholarly questions you are interested in exploring in graduate study, (2) your academic background, intellectual interests, and any training, research, or other experiences that have prepared you for graduate study, (3) how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals, (4) any specific faculty members, if applicable, whose research interests align with your own interests, and (5) your professional goals.
The Personal Statement is required for applicants to the Education Policy, Organization and Leadership programs.
In this statement, within 250 words, you will provide evidence of how your professional experiences and prior academic work have focused your thinking toward the planned program of study.
This is required of all applicants. For students applying to the Special Education doctoral program, a minimum of two years paid full-time professional experience related to special education or the field of disability is preferred for consideration for the program.
Every applicant is required to submit 3 letters of reference from persons who have direct knowledge of their academic and/or professional performance and potential for graduate study.
At the time of application you are only required to upload unofficial copies of your transcripts into the application. The unofficial copy can be a screenshot or scanned copy but should not be a photo of the transcript. Applicants must have earned at least a degree from an accredited college in the United States or a comparable degree from a recognized institution of higher learning abroad. If admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts to the Graduate College.
A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (A=4.0), or comparable GPA for an international applicant, for last two years of undergraduate study is a minimum requirement for admission.
Once you have submitted your application, you will be required to pay your application fee by credit card.
There are a variety of application fee waivers available. Please see the Graduate College's website for the waivers accepted by the University of Illinois.
This is required for applicants to doctoral programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology and Special Education; strongly recommended for doctoral applicants in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership. The writing sample can be a masters thesis, research paper, or any other sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability to analyze and synthesize data.
The GRE is not required to apply. However, if you do choose to submit your scores (officially) to the Department of Educational Psychology, they will be considered as part of your application.
For applicants to the Special Education doctoral program, a minimum of two years paid full-time professional experience related to special education or the field of disability is preferred for consideration for the program.
Applicants for the Educational Administration and Leadership (EAL) programs are required to provide either a formal evaluation from your school/district, which includes evidence of student learning (e.g. student growth objectives), that has been completed in the past two years, or a portfolio with evidence of your teaching, leadership, use of data, and connections with families.
All applicants for Educational Administration & Leadership must complete the EAL Endorsement Information Form. In addition to this form, applicants interested in the Principal Endorsement need to submit the PRINCIPAL Verif. of Experience Form, 5-22 and applicants interested in the Superintendent Endorsement need to submit the Superintendent Verification of Experience Form.
Applicants for all teacher licensure programs in secondary education must complete a content test in the appropriate content area. It is recommended that applicants to these programs take the exam prior to admission and include their test scores with their application.
This is required for applicants to doctoral programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology and Special Education; strongly recommended for doctoral applicants in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership. The writing sample can be a masters thesis, research paper, or any other sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability to analyze and synthesize data.
The GRE is not required to apply. However, if you do choose to submit your scores (officially) to the Department of Educational Psychology, they will be considered as part of your application.
For applicants to the Special Education doctoral program, a minimum of two years paid full-time professional experience related to special education or the field of disability is preferred for consideration for the program.
Applicants for the Educational Administration and Leadership (EAL) programs are required to provide either a formal evaluation from your school/district, which includes evidence of student learning (e.g. student growth objectives), that has been completed in the past two years, or a portfolio with evidence of your teaching, leadership, use of data, and connections with families.
All applicants for Educational Administration & Leadership must complete the EAL Endorsement Information Form. In addition to this form, applicants interested in the Principal Endorsement need to submit the PRINCIPAL Verif. of Experience Form, 5-22 and applicants interested in the Superintendent Endorsement need to submit the Superintendent Verification of Experience Form.
Applicants for all teacher licensure programs in secondary education must complete a content test in the appropriate content area. It is recommended that applicants to these programs take the exam prior to admission and include their test scores with their application.
This is required for applicants to doctoral programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology and Special Education; strongly recommended for doctoral applicants in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership. The writing sample can be a masters thesis, research paper, or any other sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability to analyze and synthesize data.
The GRE is not required to apply. However, if you do choose to submit your scores (officially) to the Department of Educational Psychology, they will be considered as part of your application.
For applicants to the Special Education doctoral program, a minimum of two years paid full-time professional experience related to special education or the field of disability is preferred for consideration for the program.
Applicants for the Educational Administration and Leadership (EAL) programs are required to provide either a formal evaluation from your school/district, which includes evidence of student learning (e.g. student growth objectives), that has been completed in the past two years, or a portfolio with evidence of your teaching, leadership, use of data, and connections with families.
All applicants for Educational Administration & Leadership must complete the EAL Endorsement Information Form. In addition to this form, applicants interested in the Principal Endorsement need to submit the PRINCIPAL Verif. of Experience Form, 5-22 and applicants interested in the Superintendent Endorsement need to submit the Superintendent Verification of Experience Form.
Applicants for all teacher licensure programs in secondary education must complete a content test in the appropriate content area. It is recommended that applicants to these programs take the exam prior to admission and include their test scores with their application.
This is required for applicants to doctoral programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology and Special Education; strongly recommended for doctoral applicants in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership. The writing sample can be a masters thesis, research paper, or any other sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability to analyze and synthesize data.
The GRE is not required to apply. However, if you do choose to submit your scores (officially) to the Department of Educational Psychology, they will be considered as part of your application.
For applicants to the Special Education doctoral program, a minimum of two years paid full-time professional experience related to special education or the field of disability is preferred for consideration for the program.
Applicants for the Educational Administration and Leadership (EAL) programs are required to provide either a formal evaluation from your school/district, which includes evidence of student learning (e.g. student growth objectives), that has been completed in the past two years, or a portfolio with evidence of your teaching, leadership, use of data, and connections with families.
All applicants for Educational Administration & Leadership must complete the EAL Endorsement Information Form. In addition to this form, applicants interested in the Principal Endorsement need to submit the PRINCIPAL Verif. of Experience Form, 5-22 and applicants interested in the Superintendent Endorsement need to submit the Superintendent Verification of Experience Form.
Applicants for all teacher licensure programs in secondary education must complete a content test in the appropriate content area. It is recommended that applicants to these programs take the exam prior to admission and include their test scores with their application.
This is required for applicants to doctoral programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Psychology and Special Education. The writing sample can be a masters thesis, research paper, or any other sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability to analyze and synthesize data.
The GRE is not required to apply.
For applicants to the Special Education doctoral program, a minimum of two years paid full-time professional experience related to special education or the field of disability is preferred for consideration for the program.
For more information on international applicants, please visit the Graduate College website.
International applicants who are requesting F-1 or J-1 visa eligibility documents are required to submit Proof of Funding Documentation.
Provide evidence of English proficiency.
Must meet minimum requirements based on their country of origin.
For application inquiries please contact gradservices@education.illinois.edu.