2.0 Admission

2.1 Admission to Graduate Program
2.2 Counseling

2.1 Admission to Graduate Program

Students wishing to do graduate work in the department must submit a completed application form to the University of Utah along with official transcripts of all university or college courses completed at other institutions and official certification of degrees obtained. Foreign nationals (excluding immigrants) submit their application forms, transcripts and certificates to the International Admissions Office, while U.S. citizens and permanent residents (immigrants) submit their materials to the Admissions Office.

If the applicant is not from an English-speaking country, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 71 internet-based (197 computer-based, 530 paper-based) or better obtained within the past two years, or a transcript from a university in the U.S. indicating that the applicant has or will receive a degree, is required.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) scores are recommended for international students. Depending on their credentials, U.S. applicants may also be required to take the GRE.

All students who are accepted by the department are admitted to the M.S. program. After demonstration of satisfactory performance and passing the Qualifying Examination, the student may petition for admittance into the Ph.D. program, without formally completing the M.S. degree. Students having an M.S. or equivalent background may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program after passing the Qualifying Exam the first April after approximately six months' residence in the department.

2.2 Counseling

Prior to being accepted into the Graduate School, the student is advised by the Director of Graduate Admissions in the department. Beginning graduate students receive counseling from the department Director of Graduate Studies.

A student should discuss possible research projects with all faculty members in his/her area soon after arrival in the department. All graduate students are required to choose a research thesis topic before the end of their second semester of study. The faculty member directing the research becomes the student's faculty and thesis advisor and Supervisory Committee Chair.