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Graduate Admissions

Applying to a graduate program at UNT is a two-step process:

Step 1: Toulouse Graduate School Application

Apply online through the Toulouse Graduate School at https://goapplytexas.org/. Submit application fee and official transcripts from all schools attended to their office. Details on their requirements and application deadlines can be viewed at https://tgs.unt.edu/future-students/graduate-admissions. Requirements for international applicants can be viewed at http://admissions.unt.edu/international, including information on meeting the English Language Proficiency requirement.  

If additional items are needed, their office will notify you via mail and on your MyUNT page. All requirements of the graduate school must be met before the department can begin reviewing an application. The Department encourages students to apply well in advance of the posted deadlines. 

Step 2: Departmental Application Requirements

Departmental admission decisions are based on a holistic review of the applicant’s submitted materials, including GPA, GRE scores, etc. Applicants that are strong in all areas will have first priority of admission. All application materials, including official GRE scores (if required), must be received within two months of the submitted online application. Due to limited availability, doctoral applicants who are interested in obtaining an assistantship position are encouraged to apply as early as possible for priority.  All departmental admission decisions are based on a holistic review of the applicant’s submitted materials, including GPA, GRE scores, etc. Applicants that are strong in all areas will have first priority of admission.

Master’s Application 

  • Two letters of recommendation
    These letters must be specifically written for the current application, signed by the reference, and printed on his/her official letterhead. Higher Education academic references are strongly preferred (at least one is required), and should be in an appropriate position to make academic recommendations (current or former advisor or professor). Professionally applicable sources are accepted, but not preferred.  Personal references are not accepted.  Letters must address potential as a graduate student; include references to how applicant will benefit from the graduate program in future professional roles; provide evidence of the applicant’s reading, critical thinking, writing and mathematical skills; and attest to applicant’s professional and academic skills. It is the applicant’s responsibility to communicate the above requirements of recommendation letters to the individuals writing the letters. 

  • Resume
    Professional resume that delineates previous work, educational experiences, membership and involvement in professional organizations, and scholarly activities. Resume should support potential for strong performance as a graduate student. 

  • 1-3 Page Professional Statement 
    A professional statement (1-3 pages) is required.  It must explicitly include your goals and rationale for applying to the desired concentration and degree at EPSY-UNT. In this statement, you may include a brief description of your career experiences (teaching, working with special populations, etc.), and explain how they are linked to your educational aspirations. Also, if you have any research and/or evaluation experiences summarize and relate to your degree and concentration. Your professional statement should be well-articulated and demonstrate professional writing quality (formal; accurate grammar and spellings); 

  • GRE requirement is waived if previous GPA (overall, or the last 60 hours as calculated by the UNT Toulouse Graduate School) is at least 3.25. Otherwise, the GRE is required. (expand for details)
    For Educational Diagnostician applicants: as long as previous GPA for undergraduate work is above 2.5 and students graduate the program with 3.0 GPA, there is no requirement for standardized testing scores in order to meet state requirements. If these GPA minimums are not met, then standardized test scores such as GRE, SAT, ACT, or Praxis are required.  

    The department views high GRE scores (verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections) as positive predictors of potential success in the programs, within a competitive holistic framework for evaluating the applicants. Applicants are encouraged to aim for at least the 50th percentile in all three sections. GRE scores must be sent electronically from ETS, institutional code= 6481. Applicants must submit scores that are less than five years old, with exceptions for those that have a completed Master’s degree from UNT. Resources can be found at www.ets.org, as well as study materials in most bookstores. Current UNT students can also participate in exam preparation workshops through the Learning Center. 

  • Additional Items for Diagnostician Applicants: 

Please note that the coursework for our master’s program is entirely online and thus cannot grant an education-related Visa (if you are interested in obtaining one). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations state that a student can only apply one 3-credit online course toward the 9-credit graduate requirement each semester. However, we do not have any limitations on international students enrolling in our program and taking online classes. 

 

Doctoral Application 

  • Three letters of recommendation
    These letters must be specifically written for the current application, signed by the reference, and printed on his/her official letterhead. Higher Education academic references are strongly preferred (at least one is required), and should be in an appropriate position to make academic recommendations (current or former advisor or professor). Professionally applicable sources are accepted, but not preferred. Personal references are not accepted.  Letters must address potential as a graduate student; include references to how applicant will benefit from the graduate program in future professional roles; provide evidence of the applicant’s reading, critical thinking, writing and mathematical skills; and attest to applicant’s professional and academic skills. It is the applicant’s responsibility to communicate the above requirements of recommendation letters to the individuals writing the letters. 

  • Resume 
    Professional resume that delineates previous work, educational experiences, membership and involvement in professional organizations, and scholarly activities. Resume should support potential for strong performance as a graduate student. 

  • 1-3 Page Professional Statement
    A professional statement (1-3 pages) is required.  It must explicitly include your goals and rationale for applying to the desired concentration and degree at EPSY-UNT. In this statement, you may include a brief description of your career experiences (teaching, working with special populations, etc.), and explain how they are linked to your educational aspirations. Also, if you have any research and/or evaluation experiences summarize and relate to your degree and concentration. Your professional statement should be well-articulated and demonstrate professional writing quality (formal; accurate grammar and spellings); 

  • GRE requirement is waived for Spring 2022. 
    The department views high GRE scores (verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections) as positive predictors of potential success in the programs, within a competitive holistic framework for evaluating the applicants. Applicants are encouraged to aim for at least the 50th percentile in all three sections. GRE scores must be sent electronically from ETS, institutional code= 6481. Applicants must submit scores that are less than five years old, with exceptions for those that have a completed Master’s degree from UNT. Resources can be found at www.ets.org, as well as study materials in most book stores. Current UNT students can also participate in exam preparation workshops through the Learning Center. 

  • Note: The Special Education PhD Program requires a completed Master’s Degree. The Educational Psychology PhD program does not require one. 

Please send all departmental materials and application inquiries to:

Devyn Dougherty, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Department of Educational Psychology
1155 Union Circle #311335
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Devyn.Dougherty@unt.edu
940-565-3486

Physical address if sending via a delivery service:

Department of Educational Psychology
1300 Highland Street
Matthew Hall, room 316
Denton, TX 76203