Applying to the phd program

Admissions Procedure

All new enrollment occurs in the fall semester, with applications for admission due the preceding spring, annually on March 15. Students may not enter the program at other times during the academic year.

In addition to meeting the minimum standards for admission to the Graduate School, applicants must provide a 1,000 to 1,500-word statement of purpose in which they clearly identify at least one potential primary advisor (from among the affiliated faculty), a brief resume or academic CV, and three letters of recommendation. At least one of these letters should speak to an applicant’s academic ability and experience. The GRE is not required.  

The statement of purpose should clearly list the one (or more) specific faculty member(s) the applicant hopes to engage as a potential primary advisor and describe the applicant’s relevant academic and professional experiences, intended program concentration, aptitude for conducting rigorous research, and passion for addressing issues of (in)justice. From reading the statement, faculty should have a clear sense of how a Ph.D. in Justice will enable the applicant to achieve their professional and educational goals.

The program strives to enroll students from groups that are underrepresented in graduate education. For more information on program requirements and milestones, see:

justice studies phd program handbook

Application Checklist

• Graduate admission application & fee
• Official transcripts
• 1,000 to 1,500 word statement of purpose outlining interests, goals, & qualifications, and indicating 1-2 affiliated faculty members who could serve as your primary advisor (dissertation committee chair)
• Three letters of recommendation (one must be academic), due separately via the online admissions portal by March 15
• A brief CV or resume (2-3 pages)
• No GRE requirement

Prospective Student Webinar (December 2022)