Graduate Program FAQs
When is the application deadline?
We review graduate applications twice a year. The deadline for admission to fall and summer semesters is March 1; the deadline for admission to the spring semester is October 1.
Are there any teaching and research assistantships for graduate students?
Yes. These typically involve 20 hours of work each week for nine months and include a monthly stipend, tuition remission, and health benefits. Specific job requirements depend on the source of funding and supervisor. Interested students should complete the application for financial assistance.
Can I be admitted if my previous degrees are not in Parks, Recreation, or Tourism?
Yes. If admitted, you will be required to complete some content awareness classes before you can take core graduate classes. The specific classes depend on your background and previous course work, and may include up to 12 hours of undergraduate courses in the Department.
Do I need to take the GRE to be admitted to your graduate program?
The GRE (or an equivalent test) is a required part of the application for the doctoral programs (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) No standardized test is required as part of the application for the masters program. However, students who feel their academic records do not fairly represent their ability to succeed in graduate school may choose to include test scores in their applications.
I’ve missed the application deadline, but would like to take a class to see what your program is about. Is this possible?
If you are a current University of Utah student, or can become a current student, then we can help you select courses that might help you in the graduate program. These might either include content awareness classes (see above) or lower division graduate classes that do not have prerequisites. If you are not a current student at the University of Utah, you may be able to take classes by being admitted as a student seeking a second bachelor’s degree.
Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
While there are no explicit requirements, previous university instructors are often better able to answer the specific questions regarding your ability to succeed in a graduate program. If academic references are unavailable, letters from current or previous supervisors are generally superior to those of your peers or colleagues.
Where do I send my application materials?
Graduate School application (you are encouraged to fill out the on-line application), fees, and transcripts should be sent to the Graduate School. The Department should receive your admission examination, your references, your resume/vita, and your GRE scores (doctoral only).
As a master’s student, when do I have to decide between the Thesis and Professional tracks?
After you are admitted and before you enroll in classes you should discuss this option with one of the graduate advisors. It is somewhat difficult to switch between these tracks once you have taken a semester’s worth of classes.
Do I need a faculty sponsor to be admitted?
The availability of faculty advisors does influence admissions. We match applicants to faculty interests, talents, and available time during the admissions process. However, given the large number of international applicants, it is often beneficial for international students to have a faculty sponsor prior to application to the program.