University of Southern Maine

Instructions for Program Applicants

We welcome your interest in the University of Southern Maine. Please refer to the following instructions when completing the application process.

Return all application materials to:

University of Southern Maine
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300

Application Deadline

Complete and return your application form in duplicate to the appropriate office by the application deadline published in the graduate catalog. Applications are not acted upon until all materials have been received by Graduate Admissions. It is the applicant's responsibility to insure that all necessary materials are received by the application deadline. Once submitted, application materials become the property of the University and will not be returned.

Application Fee

Include a $50.00 check, payable to the University of Southern Maine. This is a nonrefundable fee.

Interviews

Some programs require an interview as part of the admissions process. You will be contacted if an interview is required..

Transcripts

Submit two official transcripts from all previous college and university work (including USM and all other campuses of the University of Maine System) directly to the Graduate Admissions.

Recommendations

Using our recommendation form, have three recommendations sent to Graduate Admissions. References should be from individuals who are qualified, through direct experience with your academic or professional work, to comment on your ability to undertake graduate study and your chosen profession. Recommendations must be received either directly from the recommender or forwarded by you in sealed envelopes with the recommender's signature over the seal. Giving addressed, stamped envelopes along with the recommendation forms facilitates prompt response from your recommender.

Standardized Examinations

Have official test scores sent to Graduate Admissions directly from the testing service. Refer to the appropriate section of the Graduate Catalog for specific program requirements for standardized exams. (In some programs this requirement is waived for applicants with an applicable advanced degree.) Allow one month for scores to arrive.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL test scores. (This requirement is waived for applicants who received their undergraduate degree from a college/university in the United States).

International Students

Please follow the link to the left for more information.

Special Instructions

Applicants to the College of Nursing and Health Professions must submit:

(a) A completed Program Selection Form;
(b) Evidence (photocopy) of Registered Nurse licensure status, including: the number, state, date of issuance, and active/inactive status of each license held (if applicable).

College of Education and Human Development
Special Instructions for applicants by program.

ETEP applicants should consult the ETEP Handbook for Prospective Students at: www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/TED or by calling (207) 780-4386.
Special Education applicants to the Special Education program must submit proof of teacher certification. The certification may be in any area or from any state.
Educational Leadership program applicants should submit evidence of at least three years of teaching experience.
Psy.D. in School Psychology program applicants are required to complete two additional components beyond the standard University application to graduate study. In addition, applicants must submit a Documentation of Professional Experiences in table form as shown via this link. The PsyD program requires an interview of all finalists as part of the admissions process. You will be contacted if an interview is required.

Applicants to the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing are required to submit a writing sample of your fiction, poetry or nonfiction. (Popular Fiction for this program does not include romance or children's literature.) Submitted material should be clearly marked to indicate the specific genre in which a student is applying. Send copies only, not originals. For Fiction, submit a short story or novel excerpt, maximum of 20 pages. For Poetry, submit a maximum of ten poems. For Creative Nonfiction, submit an excerpt from a memoir, a personal essay or a piece of literary journalism, a maximum of 20 pages. (Creative Nonfiction for this program does not include book reviews, letters, feature journalism or job-related documents such as memos, legal briefs, etc.) For Popular Fiction, submit a piece of science fiction, fantasy, horror, a mystery, or a thriller, maximum 20 pages.

Applicants to the Ph.D. in Public Policy are required to submit a Statement of Research Interest. In your statement, applicants are asked to describe your professional goals and how doctoral study in public policy at the Muskie School will help you achieve them. Additionally, describe your professional and/or research experience and how they help prepare you for doctoral study in public policy. In light of your professional goals and the mission of the PhD program, please describe your current research interests and/or the research you would like to pursue as part of doctoral studies in public policy at the Muskie School . This portion of the statement may take a number of forms, including identifying specific questions of public policy that you wish to assess or previous works in a field that have inspired your interests in doctoral studies in public policy. Be as clear and specific as possible about your research interests. The suggested length for the statement is a maximum of 5-7 pages double spaced, minimum 10 point font.

If we receive application materials such as test scores or recommendations before your application arrives, we will keep them in a holding file to add to your folder once the application is submitted. If you choose to collect all application materials yourself and mail or deliver everything to us at once, do not open any official transcripts or recommendation letters. Once submitted, all application materials become USM property and will not be returned.

Essay Instructions

for Question 17 of "Application for Admission to Graduate Study"

Certificates of Advanced Study

A brief essay (500-700 words) which includes the applicant’s reason(s) for pursuing advanced graduate study: the proposed focus of the applicant’s program, including specific courses if known; and an explanation of how the proposed program fits the applicant’s personal and professional goals.

College of Education and Human Development

Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP)
Consult the ETEP Handbook for Prospective Students at www.usm.maine.edu/cehd/TED or by calling (207) 780-4386

Master of Science in Adult Education

Please submit a personal narrative addressing the following topics: relevant educational and experiential background, reasons for wanting to be in a helping profession, commitment to the field, reasons for seeking admission, personal philosophy, and strengths and weaknesses.

Master of Science in Counseling

Candidates to the master’s program should provide a narrative, preferably typed, in the form of a brief autobiography that relates the applicant’s experiences that have led to an interest in counseling and application to the counselor education program. Candidates are also asked to address the following statement: “As counseling professionals, we are constantly seeking areas in ourselves that bear examination and change. As future practitioners,you will be witness to a wide variety of client experiences.” Please discuss areas in yourself that may block your ability to empathically listen to client experiences that are different than your own. The entire narrative, including the autobiography and the statement, should be limited to three typewritten, double-spaced pages which will be evaluated in terms of clarity of expression, grammatical construction, and other facets of English composition, as well as the quality of responses.

Master of Science in School Psychology

School Psychology: Please submit a personal narrative addressing interests, professional goals, educational and experiential background, philosophy, and personal strengths/weaknesses that relate to your proposed field of study.

Master of Science in Special Education

In place of the standard essay question, in two or three pages, please describe:
1. Describe why you are enrolling in this program.
a. What goals do you have for yourself by obtaining a master's in special education in this concentration?
b. What is at least one aspect of your teaching that you feel you will strengthen through earning this master's?
2. Describe your past experience with youth, either in teaching or in another capacity.
a. What did you learn about youth through this experience?
b. What did you learn about yourself through this experience?

Psy.D. in School Psychology

Two essays are required and should be sent with your application. For Question 17 of "Application for Admission to Graduate Study" all Psy.D. applicants must answer both of the following questions:

The USM School Psychology Program embraces a behaviorally-based model for assessment and intervention. Briefly describe your understanding of behavioral theory and how comfortable you are working with that model.
Describe what is meant by the term "evidence-based practice." What role should evidence-based practice play in the delivery of school psychological services?

M.F.A. Applicants

Please submit a one to two-page essay describing your writing background, your reasons for attending the M.F.A. program, and your goals following graduation. (This essay is in addition to your writing sample.) Additionally, all applicants need a 500-750 word statement discussing the work of at least three writers in the genre in which you are applying who have influenced your own writing. This statement may involve close readings, critical analysis, and/or a more personal discussion of why and how you value these writers. Ideally, it should convey a sense of the literary heritage in which you situate your own work and of your skill as a reader.

Occupational Therapy

Please submit a cover letter than introduces yourself, descibes why you are interest in Occupational Therapy, and outlines the strength and experiences you bring to the Occupational Therapy profession. You may consult the MOT application instructions at: www.usm.maine.edu/lac/ot.

School of Business (M.B.A. and/or M.S.A.) applicants

In a brief essay (300-500 words), please state your reasons for pursuing graduate business and/or accounting education, your professional goals, and how you think this program of study will contribute to these goals. Make sure to touch on the following points, as applicable: performance in outside activities, evidence of creativity and leadership, and record of accomplishment.

Social Work (M.S.W.) applicants

In an integrated essay format (approximately four to six pages in length), using headings and not an outline, please address the following questions:

What are the reasons you want to be a social worker?
How do the mission and goals of the M.S.W. program at the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work fit with your career goals? Visit: www.usm.maine.edu/swo.
Describe your experiences with diversity, discrimination, and/or oppression.
What social issue is of particular concern to you, and why?

All other applicants

Type a brief essay (300-500 words) stating your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your professional goals, and how you think this program of study will contribute to these goals. You may include a statement of any special interest you would like to pursue in your study. (This essay must be included to complete your application.)