Application

Required Materials for All Applicants

All applicants, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants, must submit the following materials to the Graduate School using the online application:

• Statement of purpose
• One unofficial transcript from each U.S. or international institution of higher education (including community colleges) at which 15 or more credit hours have been completed. If the applicant is admitted, they will not be permitted to register for classes until the Graduate School receives official copies submitted directly by the issuing institution. If a transcript is in a language other than English, a translation must be submitted in the application portal. 
• Official or unofficial admissions test scores that are less than five years old (if required by the department). If unofficial test scores were submitted during the application process, official scores must be sent directly from the testing agency on admission
• The application fee is $65 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents and $80 for international applicants, payable online. Application fees are non-refundable.
• Three letters of recommendation. Each applicant must have a letter of reference from at least one professor in 
  1. the undergraduate major, or
  2. the proposed field of graduate study, if any courses have been taken in either area within the last five years
• Additional application materials (e.g., portfolios, writing samples, responses to essay questions, etc.) required by individual departments as described in the Graduate Catalog. 
• All of the above materials must be received by the Graduate School before an application will be considered. To ensure that no materials are missing, applicants should periodically check the status of their applications online.

Application may be made to only two degree programs at a time, and at no time may a student be enrolled in more than two programs. A person holding a bachelor's degree from a U.S. accredited institution (or the foreign equivalent for an international applicant) is eligible for consideration for admission to the Graduate School of The University of Alabama. Seniors who have completed at least 90 undergraduate credits at regionally accredited institutions are also eligible to apply.

If a student applies but does not complete any coursework within 12 months of the requested entrance date, a new application and an accompanying appropriate fee must be submitted.

Additional Materials for International Applicants

International applicants may be required to submit the results of an English proficiency exam. 

Application Deadlines

To ensure adequate time for review, applications must be completed at least six weeks before the desired date of registration. International applicants are encouraged to have completed applications (including all supporting materials) at least 6 to 8 months in advance of the desired term of enrollment. International applicants must have completed applications no later than four months prior to expected enrollment. However, many departments establish earlier deadlines for receipt of application materials. In those cases, completed applications must be in the Graduate School six weeks prior to the departmental deadline. Requirements and deadlines for submitting applications are subject to change; applicants should review the specific instructions on the application forms for current requirements and deadlines.

Alabama Residency Status

Questions regarding resident and nonresident status should be directed to the Office of the University Registrar. 

Immunizations

New Tuscaloosa campus students who were born after January 1957 are required to provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and other diseases before being officially enrolled at The University of Alabama. For students without proof of all required immunizations, the Student Health Center may block registration. New students are encouraged to complete a medical history form, which may be obtained from the Student Health Center.

Change of Degree

All students pursuing a higher degree level (ie. MA to PhD) will be required to submit new applications. Students pursuing doctorates in the College of Education should consult the College of Education section of this catalog for additional requirements.