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KU admissions for online graduate education programs

The University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences offers a straightforward admissions process for our nationally ranked online graduate programs. On this page, you'll find application requirements, deadlines, and step-by-step guidance to help you successfully complete your application. Admissions outreach advisors are here to answer any questions regarding the application or the admissions process and can be reached at onlineinfo@ku.edu or toll-free at 855-639-7799.

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Admissions Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission to the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences, prospective students must meet the following requirements:

  • Official transcript of completed bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution*
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
    • Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 should contact a KU admissions outreach advisor for more information
  • Completed application
    • Application fee
      • Master's degree: $65 for U.S. residents, $100 for international applicants
      • Graduate certificate: $40
      • Licensure endorsement: $40
  • Current resume or CV
  • Proof of English proficiency (for non-native English-speaking applicants)

*Official transcripts are required prior to the 2nd semester. An enrollment hold is placed on students who do not have official transcripts on file and they won't be able to enroll for their second semester.

Program-specific materials

Curriculum and Teaching

  • Personal statement showing a clear understanding of how the degree will fit into the applicant’s career plans
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Not required for TESOL certificate

Educational Leadership

  • Personal statement showing a clear understanding of how the degree will fit into the applicant’s career plans
  • One letter of recommendation from a current supervisor
    • Applicants are welcome to submit additional letters of recommendation, but this is optional

Special Education

  • Letter of introduction stating your area of interest and licensure status
  • Name, email and position for two professional references

Note: Recommendations are collected via the online application system, and references will receive an email link with instructions to complete a letter of recommendation and survey.

Application Checklists

Online Master's in Curriculum & Instruction
Online Master's in TESOL
Online Graduate Certificate in TESOL
Online Licensure Endorsement in TESOL
Online Master's in Educational Administration
Online PK-12 Certificate in Educational Administration
Online Master's in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Online Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Online Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Special and Inclusive Education
Online Master's in High Incidence Disabilities
Online Licensure Endorsement in High Incidence Disabilities
Online Master's in Secondary Special Education and Transition
Online Graduate Certificate in Secondary Special Education and Transition

It’s a good time to become a Jayhawk

Take the next step toward transforming student lives with KU's nationally ranked online education programs.* With three program starts each year, you can begin your journey to making a difference whenever you're ready.

Start an application

*Retrieved on August 14, 2025, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-kansas-155317

Jan
6
Application Deadline
January 6
Spring 2026 Term
Jan
20
Next Start
January 20
Spring 2026 Term

Not sure where to start?

Ready to apply but feeling a little overwhelmed? Erica and Tatiana, KU’s knowledgeable admissions outreach advisors, are your go-to resources. Both of them understand the key steps to applying and can help you get organized for submitting your application. With Erica or Tatiana’s assistance, your application to KU's online education programs can be smooth and stress-free.

Schedule a Call
Send an Email
Close-up of KU Admission Advisors, Erica and Tatiana.

How to Apply

Before starting your application, download our handy one-page application checklist for easy reference. This guide lists all requirements for the University of Kansas online master's degrees in business administration.

Download Application Checklist
Start Your Application

Step 1: Create your account

For students that have never submitted an application to KU, register a new account in the application portal. After you fill out the information requested, it will send a temporary PIN to the email address provided and you will use that to confirm the creation of your account.

Click on Start New Application in the middle of the screen.

Select Lawrence/Edwards Graduate Application from the drop down on the pop up and then click “Create Application.”

Click “Open Application” on the pop up that shows up next.

Step 2: Fill out the basic information

On the Personal Background page, fill out all the required fields with your corresponding correct current information. Click continue.

On the Student Details page, fill out at least all the required fields, notated by the red asterisk, and click continue at the bottom of the page.

On the Graduate Program Info page:

  • Check “Yes” where you are asked if you are applying for a fully online program.
  • In the Academic Intention drop down select “Degree-Seeking” if you are applying for a master’s program. Select “Certificate-Seeking” if applying for a certificate or licensure endorsement.
  • In the Academic Area of Interest select “Education” 
  • Under “Academic Program” select your program of interest.
Click Continue.

From the drop-down menu on the Entry Term page, select the semester that you would like to apply for, then click continue.

Step 3: Fill out the Education Supplemental Questions and your academic history

On the Education Supplement Questions page, indicate whether you already have a teaching license. You will also need to acknowledge that you understand the program doesn’t lead to initial licensure.

For special education applicants, submit your letter of introduction.

Click Continue.

On the Academic History page, start typing the name of your undergraduate institution and select it as soon as it shows up as a suggested option.

If you have copies of your official transcripts, attach them to this page. Repeat for each school where you’ve earned a degree.

If you still need to order your official transcripts, have them sent to gradadmin@ku.edu.

Click Continue.

Step 4: Add contact info for your recommenders

For all applicants except for those applying to a TESOL graduate certificate:

On the Recommendations page, click Add Recommender.

  • Select whether they are academic, colleague or supervisor.
  • Fill out each recommender’s contact information accordingly, including an email address.
    • NOTE: As soon as you complete this information, an email will be sent to the recommender asking for them to submit their letter of reference on your behalf. 
  • At the bottom of the window you will be asked whether you will waive your right to read the letters. Type your full legal name in place of your signature.

Click Continue.

Step 5: Add additional information

In the Additional Information tab you must fill out all information with a red asterisk, denoting a required field.

Click Continue.

Step 6: Upload a statement of purpose

Check the admissions requirements for your program of interest to determine what the topic of your statement of purpose should be.  

Type up your statement in a word processor and attach it on this page as a Word document or PDF.

Click Continue.

Step 7: Upload your resume, review and submit

On the Resume/CV page upload a copy of your current resume or CV in a Word document or PDF.

Click Continue.

On the Signature Page, read the entire statement. Type your full name in place of your signature to indicate that you have read and understood the statement.

Click Confirm.

On the Review Page, look for any sections highlighted in red. This indicates required fields that are missing information. Update any sections as needed.

When there are no red fields/missing information in the application, you can click Submit to turn in your application.

Congrats, you’ve officially applied to KU!

Reach out to your admissions outreach advisor for next steps and information on current processing times or testing requirements.
A close-up of a male KU student on a laptop with stickers attached to the laptop.

Paying for your degree

The team at KU knows that even when pursuing an affordable degree that can add value to your career, advanced education is a major investment. Visit the tuition page to explore detailed information about payment options, scholarships, and other financial resources available to help fund your degree.

Review Your Options

KU school of education and human sciences admissions FAQs

Transcripts
General Admissions Questions
Online Application Admissions Questions
Schedule Planning

Transcripts

What are the transcript requirements for admission?
Please upload copies of transcripts to the application. If you are offered admission, you will then be required to provide official transcripts prior to the second semester of enrollment.

Where should I send my transcripts?
Official transcripts should be mailed directly from the degree-granting institution via the U.S. Postal Service to:

KU Visitor Center Graduate Admissions
1502 Iowa St.
Lawrence, KS 66045

Do you accept secure electronic transcript delivery services sent directly from the issuing institution?
Yes. Please have a secure electronic transcript delivery service sent directly from the issuing university to graduateadm@ku.edu.

Can I scan and submit a physical transcript document? If so, what email address should I use?
Copies of official transcripts can be scanned and submitted during the application process for initial review. Documents uploaded with your application are not considered official. KU does not consider copies of transcripts that come from applicants or that have been in the applicant's possession as official. Official e-transcripts must be sent from the issuing institution and can be sent to graduateadm@ku.edu. If you’re unsure of how to upload the document, feel free to send it to your admissions outreach advisor.

Do I need to obtain copies of all my transcripts, even if I only took one course at an institution?
No. In this case, you only need to submit transcripts from the institution(s) that issued your degree(s) and where any masters-level courses taken should be prioritized.

I do not have a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. What official documents does KU require?
You must follow the same application checklist as U.S. degree holders in the school’s primary language, and it must be translated into English. You can view the admissions checklist for each program here. Graduate Admissions will complete a transcript evaluation for GPA and academic credential verification.

General Admissions Questions

How long does my personal statement need to be?
Your personal statement length depends on which program you are applying to. You can view the admissions checklist for each program here.

When will I be notified of an admission decision?
Most admissions decisions will be posted within 7-10 days of receiving a completed application.

Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Three professional and/or academic letters of recommendation are required from individuals who are well-qualified to judge your character, scholastic achievements, and professional abilities. These individuals can be colleagues, immediate supervisors, or former professors. If possible, we recommend at least one of the three letters come from an academic person.

For the educational administration master’s program, one of these three letters must come from your current supervisor, and one must come from a previous supervisor. For all other programs, only one of the three letters of recommendation must come from a current or previous supervisor.

Is the application deadline flexible?
The application deadline is firm, but exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis if absolutely necessary.

Can I meet with a program faculty member during the application process?
We manage these requests on a case-by-case basis. Please speak to your admissions outreach advisor for more information.

How does KU’s cohort model allow for unplanned breaks in the program? Am I able to take a leave of absence if necessary?
The online program structure allows students more flexibility to take breaks than many on-ground M.S.E. programs, but not every course is offered every semester. This means that taking unplanned breaks can extend your timeline to complete the program. All necessary breaks can be discussed with your student success coordinator, or sometimes even directly with your instructors who may be able to accommodate your request.

Students may take a leave of absence for up to one year and still stay active in the program.

What if I’m a non-native English speaker?
Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proof of English proficiency before gaining admission to a graduate program. More information can be found here.

Online Application Questions

How do I start my online application?
You can begin your online application by clicking here and following the instructions.

What if I forget my password?
Please click “Forgot Password” to reset it.

What if I have problems while completing the application?
If you are having issues with our online application system, please contact your admissions outreach advisor.

What if I cannot find my school listed on the application?
If you cannot find your school, attempt a different search, taking into consideration the following:
  • Searching within a city or state will return a list of all schools in that selection
  • Searches of three or fewer characters will only return exact matches
  • If you still cannot find your school after several attempts, click on "none of the above," and enter your school information manually into your application
If you attended a school outside the U.S. or Canada, please follow this link and enter your school name and other information directly into the application.

What if I cannot upload a file?
Ensure that there are no special characters in the file name. Please adhere to the following suggestions when saving your files for upload:
  • Save and upload your file as a Word doc or PDF. This is the best option for getting past the ASCII character options.
  • Avoid using special characters ( ~, #, %, & , *, {, }, \, :, , ?, /, |,) in the file name.
  • Use the icon beside the "Upload File" field to remove existing files. If you cannot remove a file that was uploaded in error, contact your admissions outreach advisor for assistance.
If this does not resolve the issue, send the file directly to your admissions outreach advisor.

Can I save my application and work on it later?
Yes. You can manually save your application at any point during the online application process and return to it at a later time. You will need your username (email) and password to log back in and complete the application.

What if I need to resend the email reference request to my recommender?
You can send a reminder to any recommender who has not responded to your request. Locate your application dashboard and click on “References”, then click on “Manage your recommendations.” From this screen, you can see the list of your recommenders and choose an action for each. Select "Send Reminder" from the drop-down menu next to the recommender you want to remind.

Schedule Planning

What kind of weekly time commitment does this program require?
KU’s online graduate programs in education are part-time and generally require only 15-20 hours of work per week, including time spent with lectures, research, case studies, and coursework.

Is it possible to complete this program while also working a full-time job?
Yes, our graduate programs are designed specifically with the goals of working professionals in mind. Students can log in, view lectures and assignments, and submit required classwork as their schedules allow.

Approximately how many courses should I expect to complete each year?
You are required to complete two courses during each fall, spring and summer term, for a total of six (6) classes per year.

Advance your skills, expand your impact

The University of Kansas online education programs are built for people who want to make a difference—in classrooms, schools, and communities. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, parent, nonprofit professional, you’ll find programs that connect research to practice and provide tools you can put to use right away. With flexible online courses and dedicated faculty support, KU helps you grow your expertise while continuing the important work you’re already doing.

  • ✓ 8-week focused courses
  • ✓ Evidence-based, research-driven curriculum
  • ✓ Practical skills you can apply immediately
  • ✓ Top-ranked by the U.S. News & World Report*

*Retrieved on August 18, 2025 from usnews.com/education/online-education/university-of-kansas-155317

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