The University of Oregon Graduate School awards master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and graduate certificates from eight schools and colleges: the School of Architecture and Allied Arts, the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the Graduate School, the School of Journalism and Communication, the School of Law, and the School of Music and Dance.
To be admitted to the Graduate School for the purpose of seeking an advanced degree or certificate you must be a graduate of an accredited four-year college or university. All other admission eligibility requirements are determined by each school or department.
The process of applying to a graduate level degree or certificate program at the University of Oregon is decentralized. The university's schools and departments individually:
- Disseminate application information and materials.
- Determine their own application deadlines. (These may be set as early as January 1 for Fall term admissions.)
- Determine their own specific requirements for graduate admission.
Please become familiar with these requirements before applying. Inquiries concerning graduate admission should be addressed to the department or school, not to the Graduate School or the Office of Admissions.
For specific graduate program information, please see the Graduate Program Admissions page.
Although deadlines are set by the schools and departments, the University of Oregon Graduate School policy requires application submission no less than 30 days before the beginning of the term you have selected for enrollment.
Application Submission Procedures
Application for admission is two-fold. There is an application to the Graduate School as well as a departmental application. Both are accessed online through the major department’s website. The online application requires payment of the application fee using Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or personal check (e-check).
You may connect to departmental web sites via Programs and Certificates. If you are not able to access or locate the web-based application materials, please contact the department directly.
NOTE: We realize that in some instances, it may not be possible for an applicant to use the online process. Although the paper application may take several weeks longer to process, if you must have access to a downloadable/printable version, you should contact the department to which you are applying. Some departments are able to accept PDF applications and some are not. Only if you are using the downloadable/printable version of the application, send an additional copy with the $50 application fee to the Office of Admissions.
Other Application Requirements
In addition to the online graduate application, additional materials must be submitted to the University.
- Submit the following to the Office of Admissions, 1217 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1217:
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you received a bachelor’s degree and all subsequent degrees. Transcripts must show degrees awarded. If you have not yet finished the degree at the time of application, please send the most up-to-date transcripts available.
- Submit the following to the department to which you are applying. Check with the department for specific mailing instructions and list of required application materials.
- Official transcripts showing all college-level course work and degrees earned
- Letters of recommendation (check department instructions for number of letters required)
- *Other materials required by the department. These may include test scores, writing samples, etc. Check with the department for a complete listing of required materials.
*Incomplete application files will not be reviewed for admission consideration.
International applicants are also responsible for additional requirements. See Information for International Applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions about Graduate Admission
For what term should I apply?
- The University of Oregon is on a quarter system. (See the University Academic Calendar for term dates.)
- Most departments admit students for fall term only, which begins in late September. Please consult the department for information regarding the appropriate term of admission.
What if I have a UO bachelor's degree?
- Applicants with University of Oregon Bachelors degrees must be admitted formally to the Graduate School through the same process as a student from any other college or university. However, they do not need to submit UO transcripts to the Office of Admissions.
What if I already have a UO graduate degree?
- Applicants with University of Oregon master's or doctoral degrees returning to pursue another graduate degree must comply with the new department's application requirements and deadlines and submit a Permission to Re-Register form. They do not submit the Graduate Application for Admission form or pay the application fee.
Can I be admitted if I have an unaccredited bachelors degree?
- In most cases, no. On rare occasions, a student from an unaccredited institution, or one that offers the equivalent of bachelor's degree instruction but not the degree itself, may be considered for admission . The Graduate School has more information.
Do I have to have finished my undergraduate degree by the time I apply?
- No, but you do have to finish the degree by the time you begin your graduate studies at the UO. If you are still working on your degree at the time of application, you should send the most current transcripts available at the time. If you are accepted and enroll at the UO as a graduate student, you will be required to show proof of your degree within the first two weeks of your first term.
Where is the link to the online application for admission?
- All application materials, including the link to the online application, can be found in the departmental application materials. If you cannot find the link on the department’s website, please contact the department secretary for instructions.
What are the Institution and Department codes for GRE scores?
- The University of Oregon Institution Code is 4846. Please visit ETS for a list of department codes. If you do not see your department listed, please contact the department to which you are applying to see which code their applicants use.
How do I take graduate classes without being admitted to a degree program?
- If you plan to take fewer than 8 credits per term, you can enroll through the Community Education Program.
- If you want to be a full-time non-degree seeking student (enrolled in 9+ credits per term), you can apply as a Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Student. An applicant with a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution who wants to take graduate work as an admitted student but does not intend to pursue a specific graduate degree must submit the official application form, the $50.00 application fee, a one page statement of purpose, and an official transcript from the college or university for all degrees awarded. Up to 15 credits of the graduate coursework taken may be considered by petition for acceptance toward Master's degree requirements.
How do I change my graduate major?
- A graduate student who has been admitted and wants to change majors is subject to review for acceptance per admission guidelines held by the new department. For currently enrolled graduate students a Change of Graduate Major form should be submitted to the new department along with any official documents and materials the new department requires for a review for acceptance into the new department. They do not submit the Graduate Application for Admission form or pay the application fee.
- Graduate students who are not currently enrolled wishing to return to UO into a new major should submit a Permission to Re-Register in the Graduate School form to the new department along with the required application materials. They do not submit the Graduate Application for Admission form or pay the application fee.
Initial admission may be either conditional or unconditional. If a conditionally accepted student has not been granted unconditional admission after the completion of 36 credits of graduate course work, the Graduate School may ask why and recommend that a decision on the student's status be made as soon as possible.
Degree Seeking Classifications
- Conditional Master's
- Master's
- Conditional Doctoral
- Doctoral
The classifications below are primarily limited to students accepted to pursue official UO graduate certificate programs and to students on official UO Exchange Programs. Credits taken under these classifications are subject to transfer of graduate credit policies should the student later be admitted to a master's program.
Non-Degree Graduate Classifications
- Pre-master's
- Post-master's
- Post-doctoral
An applicant with a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution who wants to take graduate work as an admitted student, but does not intend to pursue a specific graduate degree, must submit the official application form, the $50.00 application fee, a one page statement of purpose, and an official transcript from the college or university for all degrees awarded. Up to 15 credits of graduate coursework taken may be considered by petition for acceptance toward Master's degree requirements.
Postbaccalaureate Graduate Status application (PDF)
Postbaccalaureate Non-Graduate Status
This is considered to be an Undergraduate status. If you are not interested in pursuing a graduate degree or certificate and want to earn a second undergraduate degree or take only undergraduate level course work as an admitted student, you may apply for admission as a Postbaccalaureate Non-graduate student through the Office of Admissions. Postbaccalaureate Non-Graduate students are not considered to be graduate students and are not eligible to take graduate level courses. Information is available from the Office of Admissions.
McNair Scholars Graduate Admission
The Graduate School is committed to providing support for the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. When a McNair Scholar applies for graduate admission to the University of Oregon, the Graduate School will process a deferral of the $50 application fee until the student matriculates.
Applicants using our online admissions process should:
- Send an email to gradsch@uoregon.edu requesting a bypass of the online credit card fee. Please include your full name, intended term of admission, and intended major. We will respond with an assigned login name that will allow you to submit the online application without fee payment.
- Mail verification of McNair status from the McNair Director or advisor to McNair Contact / Graduate School / 1219 University of Oregon / Eugene, Oregon, 97403-1219.
Those applying using our PDF admissions application should:
- Mail the Admissions Office copy of the complete application, official degree transcripts, and verification of McNair status to McNair Contact / Graduate School / 1219 University of Oregon / Eugene, Oregon, 97403-1219. Upon receipt, the Graduate School will process the fee deferral request. The application will then be forwarded to the Office of Admissions.
Questions about the fee deferral process should be addressed to our Admissions and Doctoral Degree Specialist (541-346-2802).
The University of Oregon does not offer graduate tuition remission to McNair Scholars. However, after you have received an acceptance letter from the UO Admissions office, you may contact our Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Affairs (541-346-2807) to explore funding options.
Learn more about the Ronald E. McNair Program at the University of Oregon