Application Procedures
NOTE: It is important that every doctoral applicant not only know the steps in the application process but also take responsibility to see that each step is successfully completed by established deadline dates. Your application file, including official GRE scores and transcripts, must be complete in the TLTE Graduate Support Office by February 15 for consideration for the Fall term; October 1 for consideration for the Spring term.
Admission Criteria
The Teaching, Curriculum, and Learning; the Instructional Technology; and the Internet-Based Education specializations (within the EDUS doctoral program) seek to educate scholar-practitioners who will affect educational progress in local, regional and national settings. Students who desire admission to these doctoral specializations must be intellectually able and committed to the ethical examination of educational issues. One of the intentions of these specializations is to develop a diverse faculty and student community that engages in intensive studies of contemporary issues from diverse perspectives. Such diversity and the resulting exchange of views enriches the experiences of all.
In seeking admission to one of these doctoral specializations, you will need to complete an application file for the TLTE Graduate Studies Office. Students who are fully admissible will meet the following criteria:
1. Undergraduate GPA: minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Graduate GPA: minimum of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.
2. Test scores: 50th percentile on each of the Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical sections of the GRE taken in the past five years (and for foreign students a TOEFL score of 79).
3. Professional experience: a minimum of two years as an educator in school or non-school settings.
4. Fit between the applicant's goals/interests and the department's ability to address those goals/interests.
5. Mentorship: The agreement of a member of the graduate faculty to act as the student's mentor. In cases where the student applicant does not have a mentor in mind, the admission committee is charged with the task of facilitating the matching of the prospective student with an appropriate mentor.
6. Evidence of writing abilities.
No one criterion is more important than another. The application file is reviewed as a total package.
Application Process
1. Complete the UNL Graduate Studies online application www.unl.edu/gradstudies and pay the requested application fee directly to the Office of Graduate Studies. Indicate in Part 2 (Academic Information) "Proposed Study" the major department code for your desired doctoral program EDUS (TCL), EDUS (IT), or EDUS (IBE).
2. Request the registrar of each college or university you have attended to send two official transcripts directly to the UNL Office of Graduate Studies, 1100 Seaton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0619.
3. Request Educational Testing Services (ETS) to send GRE and TOEFL (international students) directly to UNL Graduate Studies.
4. Complete the department application. Submit the department application and the following necessary department application materials to TLTE Graduate Committee, Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, 118C Henzlik Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0885:
a) Vitae/Resume
b) Essay: An autobiographical statement (suggested length: 3-5 pages). Discuss your professional career to date, highlighting experience, philosophies, goals, service (leadership, productivity and contributions to your profession), and the role of research in your area of specialization. In addition, address your reasons for wanting a doctorate and what you are looking for in a doctoral mentor.
c) Printed materials, (e.g., articles or grants) written by you would be appropriate.
d) Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which addresses your scholarly, ability (ability to do quality graduate work).
5. Only completed application files will be reviewed. Following the review process, you will be informed in writing of the admission decision.
