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Graduate Admissions

Program Specific Admissions Requirements

General Application Requirements

All graduate applicants are required to supply the following documents:

  1. Completed online application and $60 application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions from which a bachelor’s degree or higher degree was obtained AND official transcripts for all work completed after obtaining the bachelor’s degree, including undergraduate and graduate coursework. Junior/community college transcripts are NOT required. (Applicants who are applying for nursing programs and have earned an Associate’s of Science-Nursing should include those transcripts.)
  3. Most programs require results from a standardized, graduate-level exam (typically the GRE or GMAT). Applicants may contact the department of their major to determine whether other results are acceptable.
  4. Most programs require 3 letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic performance. Applicants may contact the program of their major to determine if the program will accept non-academic recommendations.
  5. Other supplemental materials as required by departments, such as a résumé, statement of purpose, writing sample, etc. Please review the list below for the specific documents required by your program of interest.

In addition to the above documents, certain departments may conduct interviews or auditions as part of their application process. Applicants will be contacted at a later date if selected to interview or audition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Requirements
Athletic Training MSAT
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Cover letter
  • Writing prompt-Please respond to the following three questions (no more than 300 words per question): 1. Why do you want to be an Athletic Trainer? What unique qualities can you bring to our program? Where do you see yourself professionally five years from now?
  • Observation of Clinical Hours Reporting Form-Download, record observation hours, sign, and upload to application.
  • Technical Standards-Download, review, sign, and upload to application.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance (at least one should be from one of your college or university professors).
Counseling Psychology MS
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose - The personal statement is an opportunity for you to showcase your strengths and fit with the program as well as your writing abilities. Statements that address professional goals and fit with the field of counseling psychology and program at USM are positively received. Respond to the following questions (limit your response to one page for each question). Question 1: Describe your personal goals and how this program will help you accomplish these goals. As the MS program has a dual mission of training students for eventual practice as a counselor or continued doctoral study, be sure your answer to this question addresses your intention for this degree. If you intend to pursue further doctoral study, please include your research interests and how this program (and particular faculty members) will allow you to pursue research in this area. Question 2: Describe your professional strengths and areas for growth.
  • Faculty ranking inside the application
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Educational and Curriculum Instruction (Elementary Education) MEd
  • Official Transcripts
  • Official GRE or PRAXIS II scores
  • Résumé
  • Writing Sample-Present your perspective on the statement below, using relevant reasons and/or examples to support your views. You do not need to include references or citations, as your essay is purely your current perspective. The essay must be 750-1000 words (about 3-4 pages double spaced), and written in Standard English. "The study of an academic discipline alters the way we perceive the world. After studying the discipline, we see the same world as before, but with different eyes."
  • Statement of purpose-a formal letter of intent of 750-1250 words, addressing the following questions: Why are you interested in becoming an elementary teacher? What challenges do you anticipate while engaged in a reading and writing intensive graduate-level program? What literacy skills and learning strategies do you bring that will enable you to overcome challenges and lead to your academic success?
  • Licensures
  • Contact information for 3 academic or professional recommenders.
English PhD, MA
  • Official Transcripts
  • Statement of purpose - In a 350-750 word statement, indicate your scholarly or creative goals for graduate study. Your statement should highlight your particular academic or creative interests and accomplishments and/or other relevant preparation. Please identify if you are applying for the PhD, MA, or Combo program in Literature or the PhD or MA program in Creative Writing.
  • Writing sample - Applicants to the Literature program should be prepared to upload 15-20 pages of substantial scholarly writing. Applicants to the Center for Writers should be prepared to upload 15-20 pages of fiction or poetry.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Geographic Information Technology Certificate
  • Official Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
Music Performance DMA
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of purpose - Include your area of specialization and your reasons for seeking an advanced degree.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Music Performance MM
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of purpose - Include your area of specialization and your reasons for seeking an advanced degree.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Music MM
  • Official Transcripts
  • Official GRE Scores
  • Résumé
  • Writing Sample - A sample of academic writing, of at least three pages, that demonstrates your ability to write original research. A musical topic is preferred. (The most competitive applications provide a sample of academic writing in an area to which the applicant is applying.) The writing sample may be an assignment from a previous institution.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Music Education MME
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Writing Sample - A sample of academic writing, of at least three pages, that demonstrates your ability to write original research. A musical topic is preferred. (The most competitive applications provide a sample of academic writing in an area to which the applicant is applying.) The writing sample may be an assignment from a previous institution.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Nurse Anesthesia DNP
Psychology (Brain and Behavior) PhD
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Psychology (Clinical) PhD
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of purpose-Your personal statement should address the following (2-3 pages in length): Describe your personal and professional goals during and after graduate school and how this program will help you accomplish these. Explicitly state your preference for the child or adult concentration area. Describe your research interests and indicate why you represent a research match for one or more faculty members in the clinical program.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Psychology (Counseling) PhD
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose - The personal statement is an opportunity for you to showcase your strengths and fit with the program as well as your writing abilities. Statements which address professional goals and fit with the field of counseling psychology and program at USM are positively received. Respond to the following questions (limit your response to 1 page for each question). Question 1: Describe your personal goals and how this program will help you accomplish these goals. Question 2: Describe your research interests and discuss how this program will allow you to pursue research in this area (tip: connect your response to a specific faculty member; also address your flexibility in working with your 2nd choice faculty member). Question 3: Describe your professional strengths and areas for growth.
  • Writing sample- an example of your original writing. This can be a paper that has been published or one that has been submitted for a class assignment. This should be an example of your best writing.

  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Psychology (School) PhD
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Any licenses and certifications
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Secondary Teacher Education (Alternate Route) MAT
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé -  Highlight knowledge, skills, and experiences they believe are relevant to classroom teaching.
  • Letter of Intent - In a formal letter of 750-1250 words, address the following questions: Why are you interested in becoming a secondary teacher? What challenges do you anticipate while engaged in a reading and writing intensive graduate-level program? What knowledge and/or skills do you possess that might help you overcome challenges?
  • Official Praxis Core or ACT score of 21 or better or 3.0 or better on last 60 hours attempted
  • Official Praxis II scores (in alternate route subject offered at USM)
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Secondary Education and Teaching (Teach Mississippi Institute) Certificate
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé -  Highlight knowledge, skills, and experiences they believe are relevant to classroom teaching.
  • Letter of Intent - In a formal letter of 750-1250 words, address the following questions: Why are you interested in becoming a secondary teacher? What challenges do you anticipate while engaged in a reading and writing intensive graduate-level program? What knowledge and/or skills do you possess that might help you overcome challenges?
  • Official Praxis Core or ACT score of 21 or better 3.0 or better on last 60 hours attempted
  • Official Praxis II scores (in alternate route subject offered at USM)
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Social Work MSW
Special Education MEd
  • Official Transcripts
  • Official GRE, MAT, or Praxis II Scores
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose - In a brief letter of intent (approximately two pages), describe your professional experience and goals, your reason for pursing this degree, and how attainment of this degree would help meet those goals.
  • Writing Sample - In an essay of 750-1000 words, please present your perspective on the statement below, using relevant reasons and/or examples to support your view: “The study of an academic discipline alters the way we perceive the world. After studying the discipline we see the same world as before, but with different eyes.”
  • Licensures
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Theatre (Design and Technology) MFA
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose-Include career goals.
  • Portfolio (Submit directly to the School of Performing and Visual Arts.)
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Theatre (Directing) MFA
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose-Include why you are interested in Graduate School.
  • Writing Sample-Please email Lou Rackoff at louis.rackoff@usm.edu for writing prompt.
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.
Theatre (Performance) MFA
  • Official Transcripts
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose-Include why you are interested in Graduate School.
  • Writing Sample-The writing sample may be a research-based, critical or theoretical analysis from any academic discipline.
  • Headshot
  • Contact information for three individuals who can speak to your academic or professional performance.