As indicated, the following process and components apply to all of the School for New Learning’s (SNL) graduate programs and certificates.
Application Steps
Step 1: Basic Information.
Applicant becomes knowledgeable about a particular SNL graduate program/ certificate. Various options are available for this purpose, e.g., materials, information sessions, advising appointments, etc. See the SNL website for details.
Step 2: Application and Required Materials.
Applicant submits required application materials including:
- a completed Application form and Application Fee* (*The application fee is waived for DePaul alumni.);
- a current resume;
- an Application Essay* (writing sample) that addresses key questions pertinent to assessing the “fit” of the particular program to the student and vice versa (*Application Essay is waived for certificate applicants.); and,
- official, sealed transcripts documenting all prior college/university coursework including demonstration of a completed undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. An undergradute cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required
NOTE: Standardized test scores are not required; however, applicants who have taken tests such as the GRE, GMAT, Miller Analogies, etc., within the previous three years are encouraged to submit their scores. International students are advised to consult the International Programs Office to learn of further University requirements that may apply.
Step 3: Interview.
Upon initial review of application materials, a representative of the SNL Graduate Admissions Committee invites qualified applicants to an admissions interview. The purpose of this interview is to enable both the particular program and the applicant to further ascertain the match or alignment between what the particular graduate program/certificate offers and what the applicant is seeking in terms of his/her graduate-learning or certificate-learning experience.
Step 4: Review.
Information gleaned from each applicant’s materials and interview is reviewed and assessed by the SNL Graduate Admissions Committee in accordance with the particular program’s admission considerations. See admissions considerations below.
Step 5: Decision.
An admission decision is rendered and communicated to the applicant in writing. As necessary, SNL Graduate Programs reserve the right to admit particular applicants conditionally. In such cases, the terms (conditions and timeline) of the conditional status are noted in the student’s acceptance letter. Failure to satisfactorily adhere to or fulfill these terms may result in academic dismissal/withdrawal from the particular program.
Admission Considerations
The following areas are considered in making admission decisions:
- applicant’s reasoning in selection of the particular graduate program or certificate (including investigation of other graduate programs/certificates);
- applicant’s understanding of the particular SNL graduate program/certificate;
- applicant’s professional background including, for graduate program applicants, his/her possession of at least three years of experience, or equivalent, relevant to the particular SNL graduate program/certificate under consideration;
- applicant’s possession of a practice-site (worksite or relevant application setting in which to apply learning from the particular SNL graduate/certificate program);
- applicant’s educational goals/objectives and the congruence between those goals and the graduate/certificate program under consideration;
- applicant’s motivation to increase competence and ability to sustain effort to achieve such;
- applicant’s learning values and skills (willingness and ability to conduct self-managed/independent learning; participate positively in peer-group learning; engage in self-assessment; engage in reflection to increase understanding and improve practice; and, organize areas of knowledge and skill into themes and describe evidence in support of such):
- applicant’s cognitive/intellectual values and skills [willingness and ability to investigate prior to making claims; engage in curiosity leading to focused and sustained attention (analysis/synthesis) regarding a point of inquiry; investigate various knowledge sources (libraries, data bases, etc.); broaden perception by exploring multiple context(s) in which knowledge exists; analyze underlying assumptions and tolerate/explore ambiguity; discriminate information from opinion; form and adapt commitments amid various contexts; reflect on the meaning of discovery; and, develop and engage a breadth of interest across multiple disciplines];
- applicant’s communication values and skills (willingness and ability to express oneself in written and oral forms including appropriately documenting sources; decipher verbal and nonverbal messages; and, respond effectively)
- applicant’s psychosocial values and skills (willingness and ability to understand and manage emotions; function with autonomy and interdependence; tolerate and appreciate differences; build and sustain positive interpersonal relationships; develop and engage a sense of self in a social, historical, and cultural contexts; and, function with moral and ethical integrity);
- applicant’s access to, and ability to use, e-mail, the Internet, and necessary computer-based software; and,
- applicant’s undergraduate cumulative GPA. (For MSAT applicants, the required minimal undergraduate cumulative GPA is 2.5.)
NOTE: The School for New Learning/DePaul University considers students on the basis of individual merit and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, handicap, or other factors irrelevant to participation in its programs.
Admission Status
Students are to matriculate in the quarter for which they are admitted. Students failing to do so (and who later wish to start) are responsible to update their admissions materials and, if necessary—depending on changes to those materials, reapply. The Graduate Programs Office maintains an admission file/status for one year from the date of admission.
Financial Aid
Information about applying for financial assistance is available on the SNL website.