Admission Requirements

In addition to the criteria below, applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements .

• Undergraduate Transcripts: The CCT program looks for a generally distinguished undergraduate transcript with an average of at least 3.0 in advanced undergraduate work. For students with a strong record of accomplishment in other areas, the admissions committee will recommend provisional admission with the stipulation that the student completes two courses in the program with a course grade of B+ or better. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the program, we do not require that you come from any specific program of study.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters are required from people who have worked closely with you and who have direct knowledge of your abilities. The people you ask to recommend you should be able to comment in detail about your academic strengths, work experience, or life experience.
• Statement of Interest and Intent: The program’s admissions requirements call for an essay of at least 1200 words in which you explain your intellectual, artistic, professional or personal reasons for wanting to pursue a degree in critical thinking, creative thinking, and reflective practice. Your essay should include specific accounts of your past work and current direction. You should provide a detailed discussion of your specific interests and priorities as a student; the projects you have completed in the past; the problems and topics you want to focus on in future study; and how and why you believe the CCT degree can help you accomplish your goals. The admissions committee will read your essay as a demonstration of how you write and how you think about issues, as well as determine if your interests and goals match those of the program.
• Test Scores: GRE scores are optional to apply for our program.

Accelerated BA/BS-MA program: This follows the established model of starting graduate courses as a 2nd semester junior, approval of a regular application for graduate program admission, completion of all undergraduate requirements in fewer credits (107 instead of 120), and a 5th year of graduate courses only. Applications welcome from all undergraduate majors in Honors and College of Liberal Arts.