1. Grade Point Average (GPA)

Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 and a Masters GPA of 3.5. If you have repeated any coursework, the undergraduate GPA calculation includes both attempts in your repeated coursework.
Helpful Hints: If you have grades that do not reflect your potential for a doctoral program, please craft your application packet to reflect your strengths. Ideas include any evidence of or written narratives about the experiences (i.e., prior course work, work experiences, research experiences, community involvement) that can enhance and/or align with doctoral specialization program foci and faculty expertise.

2. Graduate School Application
Applicants are required to submit the UWM Graduate School online application. The link to the online application can be found at graduateschool-apply.uwm.edu. Navigate to Apply Now and click the menu for the School of Education. Then, click Urban Education PhD and choose the link to your intended specialization.

3. Transcripts
All applicants, including UWM students, must upload an official or unofficial transcript directly in the online application for all work done at higher education/post-secondary institutions. Be sure to check into the cost of an unofficial transcript as this might be more cost effective.

All applicants who are admitted to the Graduate School will be required to submit an official transcript with the degree posted within two weeks of the beginning of their first term of enrollment. Official transcripts are received by the graduate school directly from the issuing institution. UWM students will not have to submit their official, degree-bearing transcripts.

Please provide explanations of grades (if applicable) with your Reasons Statement that showcase experiences gaining skills and knowledge through work, research, or community involvement that align with the doctoral specialization you are applying to.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
An official copy of your GRE scores should be sent to the Graduate School (Institution Code 1473 for the paper-based test). More information on the GRE can be found on the Educational Testing Service website.
*For applicants to the Fall/Spring 2021/2022 term, the GRE requirement can be waived per program approval. Applicants without advanced knowledge in statistics may be admitted on the condition that they successfully complete graduate-level coursework in educational statistics in their first year.
Helpful Hints: If your GRE performance does not reflect your potential for a doctoral program, please craft your application packet to reflect your strengths. Ideas include any evidence of or written narratives about the experiences (i.e., prior course work, work experiences, research experiences, community involvement) that can enhance and/or align with doctoral specialization program foci and faculty expertise.

5. Recommendations

The program requires 3 letters of recommendation. These letters must be submitted through the application's electronic recommendation feature by the recommenders themselves. Letters uploaded or sent by the applicant will not be accepted.
Helpful Hints: If possible, please provide your recommenders with a summary of your application materials. Feel free to encourage your recommenders to provide illustrations linking your experiences and abilities with the aims of the doctoral specialization.
6. Reasons Statement
An essential part of your application, the Reasons Statement is used to determine the appropriateness of your educational and professional goals and serves as an example of your ability to express yourself in writing. In the statement:
Explain your reasons for pursuing graduate study.
Describe specific interests and your background in the field.
List any relevant skills or training you have acquired.
List relevant academic awards or honors you have received.
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