Admissions

Application deadline for consideration of admission with an assistantship: February 28.

The Department awards several teaching assistantships per year, and occasionally faculty who have received grants hire students as their graduate research assistants. These TAships and RAship are competitive. Normally, an assistantship brings with it a full tuition remission and a $10,000 stipend. There are also opportunities to earn additional money during the summer term and the winter intersession.

A complete application must be received by February 28 for consideration for an assistantship.  In your cover letter, please indicate whether you want to be considered for an assistantship.

The Department processes applications throughout the year. Students whose applications arrive after the February 28 deadline may be accepted without funding; they may apply for funding for their second year during their first year; if they are accepted after the fall semester has started, they may begin the program during the spring.

The following items are required for the M.A. application:

• Transcripts of undergraduate study.

• Writing sample, preferably around 15 pages.

• Three letters of recommendation.

• Personal statement explaining one's interest in the program.

• GRE scores (not required but strongly recommended).

Applications can be submitted online through the Graduate School.

This page has links to everything you need, but if you have any questions, please consult the FAQ, or contact Lauren Olin at olinl@umsl.edu 

Fees for graduate coursework can be found on the Student Financial Services site. Graduate students who begin their UMSL careers as out-of-state students do not automatically acquire in-state status after a year's residency. The rules regarding these matters are in force throughout the UM system. Check  residency information for the details of this policy. All students who are United States citizens are eligible for federal loans, either subsidized or unsubsidized.