Your resume should include your academic history, professional experience, and, if applicable, any relevant research and publications.

Upload a PDF of your official transcript for initial review. If admitted, you must have your official transcripts sent directly to UH. View transcript instructions.

A recommender should be able to comment on your academic potential in graduate school and leadership potential in the field of study. You will provide contact information for references and they will receive an email with instructions.

Write a statement of interest that addresses the following:

• Describe your:
  • Relevant research (areas/topics of interest)
  • Professional experiences
  • Future goals that motivate you to pursue a Ph.D. in higher education, leadership, and policy studies
  • Explain why the program is the best place for you to pursue these goals.
• Identify two or three higher education faculty members among our core faculty and:
  • Describe how their work aligns with your professional and/or scholarly interests.
  • Describe why you feel they would make a good faculty advisor.
• Discuss where you want to be professionally ten years from now and how this program will help you reach this goal.

Format:

• 2-3 pages, single-spaced
• Times New Roman font (12 point)
• 1-inch margins

Common types of writing samples include:

• Academic or research paper
• Substantive report or paper prepared as part of one’s professional role
• Scholarly paper from a class assignment
• Policy brief or report

Reviewers will consider the following aspects when reading your submission:

• Demonstrates critical thinking
• Clearly articulates an argument and/or position
• Substantiates arguments through the use of rigorous resources
• Utilizes an effective organizational strategy to communicate logical progression
• Uses nearly error free mechanics and conventions

Requirements:

• Maximum 15 pages, double-spaced
• Applicants must be the first or solo author of the work

Applicants may submit up to two additional pieces of documentation they believe uniquely strengthen their admissions packet.

Examples of additional documentation include:

• Story or news article featuring work you have done in the community
• Published paper/conference proceedings
• GRE scores
• Video documenting public scholarship or advocacy with which you have been involved.
• Any other additional evidence (educational, personal, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described in your personal statement) that have shaped your professional or academic journey to the Ph.D.

• $50 for domestic applicants
• $80 for international applicants

All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, must demonstrate proficiency in English to obtain admission to UH. Many applicants meet this requirement based on earning an undergraduate degree in the United States and do not need to submit documentation beyond their transcript. Find options for meeting the English language proficiency requirement.