Graduate Office of Admissions
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Graduate Admission
Thinking About Graduate School?
USM's Graduate Admissions Office is offering information sessions for students thinking about graduate school. The sessions will cover general guidelines for applying to graduate school, whether here at USM or elsewhere. There will also be time for individual questions. All interested students (or staff) are invited to attend.
There are three information sessions currently scheduled:
-
Wednesday, November 4, 11:30-1:00 p.m.
209 Payson Smith, Portland - Thursday, November 5, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
301A Payson Smith, Portland - Monday, November 9, 11:00-12:30p.m.
104 Bailey Hall, Gorham
Admission to USM's graduate programs is competitive. Specific admission requirements vary by program. However, in general, admission committees evaluate candidates based upon:
- The nature of his/her undergraduate program.
- Standardized test scores.
- Quality of recommendations.
- Professional and life experiences.
Admission requirements and evaluation criteria for individual programs are included with application materials.
Applications for admission and all supporting materials must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the deadlines determined by the individual graduate programs.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that his or her application is complete by the applicable deadline date. Please note that official copies of standardized test scores often take four weeks or longer to arrive from the testing agency. Please plan accordingly. USM's school codes for submitting official reports of your standardized test scores directly to our office are:
- 3691 for computer-based GRE, GMAT, or Praxis test scores. 03691 for paper-based GRE, GMAT, or Praxis test scores.
- 1280 for MAT test scores
Applicants are advised to use the University of Maine System account they were given upon receipt of their application and fee. They can check the status of their application, check for missing items, and change their address or phone number.
Application Process
A complete application consists of:
- Two copies of the completed application form (if not completed online).
- Application fee of $50.00 made payable to USM or submitted online.
- Two sets of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine system.
- Standardized test scores (type of test varies by program).
- Recommendations (number determined by individual program).
- Essay (some programs have special essay requirements).
- Certification of finances (international students only).
- TOEFL scores (international students whose first language is not English).
- Other items as may be required by the individual program.
Application Materials
- Graduate Application for Admission (PDF)
- Online Application
- Instructions for Program Applicants
Critically important instructions for each of the 27 graduate programs with specific essay requirements. - Re-Application Form
(PDF)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This form is appropriate ONLY if you applied to the SAME program within the last two years. If you are applying to a different program or if it has been more than two years, you must use the standard graduate application. - Letter of Recommendation Form (PDF)
Three Letters of Recommendation are required for each program, with the exception of Leadership Studies and the College of Nursing and Health Professions, which require only 2 Letters of Recommendation. - College of Nursing & Health Professions Program Selection Form (PDF)
- Counselor Education Program Selection Form (PDF)
- ETEP Program Selection Form (PDF)
- MSW Program Selection Form (PDF)
- CEHD Teacher Credential Summary (PDF)
- Occupational Therapy Job Shadowing Form (PDF)
- Graduate Certificate Program Application (PDF)
* To download certain elements of the application materials (PDF files), you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Applications in Progress
- Check Status-Account Activation Required: If you have submitted an application and have received your account activation letter from our office, follow the link below to activate your account.
- Check Status-Account Activation Complete: If you have already activated your account, and you wish to check on the status of your application, follow this link to MaineStreet.
