FAQs: Graduate Admissions & Financial Aid

Find application dates for all College of Education graduate programs, including when the application opens and the application deadline by term.

Once the application deadline closes, faculty committees review all complete submissions. College staff review applications as the deadline approaches and will update your application status in ApplyWeb.

Check your application status by logging into the ApplyWeb portal and clicking “Manage Your Account.” Be sure to keep your contact information updated in ApplyWeb so you get messages.

Some programs conduct virtual interviews as part of the application process; selected applicants will receive an invitation via email.

Applicants receive an email when their decision letter is available in the ApplyWeb portal, typically four to six weeks after the deadline. Decision letters include information about any financial aid package offered by the department. Applicants placed on a waitlist typically receive an update within one month of the initial notification (in late April for Ph.D. programs).

You’ll find the date on your admissions letter. Recipients will have about two weeks to accept or reject the offer of admission. The Ph.D. deadline for a response is April 15.

All accepted students will receive communication about registration and orientation from the College of Education Office of Graduate Student Success and the program.

Find program-specific application checklists via College of Education Graduate Admissions.

• Online ApplyWeb application with general questions
• Résumé or CV
• Personal Statement
  In general, address how the program will advance you personally/professionally and how you will fit into the program. Some programs provide additional guidance for what to include.
• Letters of Recommendation (1-3, depending on the program)
  In the application, enter your references’ email addresses. They will receive an email request to submit a letter or form.
• Transcripts
  Review transcript submission instructions
• Writing Sample (doctoral programs)
  The writing sample can be a term paper, report or other professional writing. It should demonstrate critical thinking, research, writing and organizational skills. Some programs provide more specific guidance.
• Supplemental Materials
  Certification programs require educator certificates and district service records via a supplemental application.

No, the GRE is optional for all graduate programs in the College of Education.

No, complete applications must be submitted by the deadline.

Choose employers, faculty members or other professionals who can speak to your experience and potential for success in the program and field. An academic reference is recommended, as are colleagues, supervisors and practitioners who know your work. Community leaders or mentors may offer insight into your character and commitment.

You may upload scanned PDF copies of official transcripts with your application. However, you must have your official transcripts sent directly to the University of Houston Graduate School before you can enroll. Review the Graduate School’s transcript submission instructions for requirements and delivery options for domestic and international applicants.

Before applying, research the program, faculty and UH. Applications are reviewed holistically; a weakness in one area does not necessarily rule out admission. 
 
Use a well-organized, concise CV or résumé to highlight your education, employment, relevant volunteer experience, awards, honors and publications if applicable. 
 
Use your personal statement to explain who you are, your goals, the contribution you hope to make in the field and why UH is right for you. You also may provide context for any part of your application that may benefit from additional explanation. Doctoral applicants do not need to be in contact with a faculty advisor before applying, but may identify faculty or research areas that align with their interests.

The following graduate programs require a Texas teaching certificate and two to three years of teaching experience at the time of program completion:

• Special Populations M.Ed. – Educational Diagnostician only
• Administration and Supervision M.Ed. (if seeking Principal Certification)
• Curriculum & Instruction M.Ed. – Literacy Education (if seeking Principal Certification)
• Accelerated Principal Certification
• Accelerated Educational Diagnostician Certification

The following graduate programs require a principal certificate:

• Professional Leadership Ed.D. – K-12 Leadership (if seeking Superintendent Certification)
• Accelerated Superintendent Certification 

Research funding options via the University of Houston Graduate School and the College of Education Graduate Financial Assistance page. For continuing graduate students, UH College of Education scholarships are available. GradSense by the Council of Graduate Schools is another resource.

Domestic students can estimate tuition and fees with the UH graduate tuition calculator and should also review college fees.

• Select “Education” for the college. Select 9 credit hours for full-time enrollment (three courses a semester) or 3 or 6 hours for part-time enrollment (one or two courses).
• For Ed.D. or Ph.D. programs, select “PHD.”
• Certificate and Certification students can select “Masters” for a rough estimate.

International students (F-1/J-1 visa applicants) should use the UH I-20 calculator to estimate tuition, fees, supplies, health insurance and living expenses. 

Full-time domestic and international Ph.D. students may be eligible based on their application for competitive Graduate Tuition Fellowships (GTF) from the UH Graduate School. GTF covers in-state tuition and mandatory fees, but may not be awarded every year of a program. Ph.D. students also are eligible for a Graduate Assistantship working with a professor or lab in exchange for a stipend and out-of-state tuition waiver. Continuing students can apply for College of Education scholarships.

Ed.D. domestic students may be eligible for financial aid by completing the FAFSA, and continuing students can apply for College of Education scholarships. Some employers also offer tuition assistance.

M.Ed. domestic students may be eligible for financial aid by completing the FAFSA, and continuing students can apply for College of Education scholarships. Some employers also offer tuition assistance. 
 
Full-time students in the Higher Education M.Ed. on-campus program may apply for assistantships that provide a stipend and out-of-state tuition waiver. Be sure to complete your application by the priority deadline.

Federal aid may not be used for certificates or certification, which are considered “non-degree” programs. Some loan types may be available. Some employers offer tuition assistance.

The following College of Education graduate programs are available to international applicants pursuing an F-1 or J-1 visa for on-campus study in Houston:

• M.Ed. in Higher Education (face-to-face option)
• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology
• Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction
• Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership & Policy Studies
• Ph.D. in Measurement, Quantitative Methods & Learning Sciences
• Ph.D. in School Psychology

International applicants can also explore the College of Education’s online master’s degree and graduate certificate programs, which can be completed from outside the United States. 

Yes, all graduate applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency for admission. Review the UH Graduate School’s English language proficiency requirements for approved ways to meet the standard, including accepted tests, minimum scores and country-based exceptions.

You may upload scanned copies of your official transcript(s) with your application for review. You may include transcript evaluations and translations; the UH Graduate School will independently evaluate each international transcript. Before enrolling, international transcripts and degree certificates must be sent directly to the Graduate School. Review UH’s international transcript requirements for delivery options and country-specific guidance.

Visit the UH Graduate School’s International Applicants page for university admission requirements and document instructions. For questions about immigration, visas and international student support, contact the International Student and Scholar Services Office. 

First, try the ApplyWeb help desk. To reset your ApplyWeb password, visit ApplyWeb Account support; enter the same email you used when you created your account. The help desk also includes support for recommenders.

Complete the College of Education graduate programs interest form to get application tips, insight into graduate student life and invitations to information sessions. Also find a listing of graduate recruitment events and office hours hosted by the College of Education.