Graduate Admissions FAQs

Question: Can I apply in the Fall, and start in the Spring?

Answer: Kinesiology yes, the deadline for application for the spring semester is November 1

            Community Health no, currently does not accept Fall applications.

Question: I am an international applicant, and English is not my primary language. Do I need to take the TOEFL? Is there a minimum score for admissions?

Answer: If your native language is not English, you must submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

If your native language is not English and you are applying for a teaching assistantship, you must also submit a TSE (Test of Spoken English) score. The TOEFL and TSE tests can usually be taken at the same time. The tests must have been completed within the last two years.

Please request that the scores be sent to International Admissions, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 901 West Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801.

Question: What factors do you consider when reviewing a graduate application?

Answer: The graduate program carefully reviews all prior academic work, standardized test performance, writing ability, and letters of reference and personal statement. Preference will be given to applicants who are strong in all areas, but exceptional strength in one area may compensate for relative weakness in another.

Question: Are there minimum GPA requirements for admission?

Answer: The Graduate College at the University of Illinois requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework. In addition, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for any postgraduate studies. In exceptional situations, the department may appeal to the Graduate College for conditional acceptance on probationary status. However, the applicant must provide a compelling rationale that prior academic performance is not a good predictor of present ability to succeed in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.

Question: Is the GRE required for all applicants?

Answer: Yes, all students must take the GRE general test, and arrange to have the results sent to the department by the application deadline date. The Institution Code for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is 1836 and the Department Code is 0116 (listed as "Physical Education" in the GRE booklet).

Question: I requested letters of reference from people who are in a good position to evaluate my academic ability, but they are also very busy. How can I make sure they write the letters and mail them in by the deadline?

Answer: It is wise to request letters of reference well before the application deadline, and follow up with an e-mail, letter, or phone call reminding the referee of the deadline (or, if they have completed the letter, thanking them for their efforts). As noted earlier, it is usually helpful to give each referee a copy of your personal statement and/or a resume. You may contact the Graduate Program Office to check on the status of the application, but it is your responsibility to insure the letters arrive in time.

Question: I have submitted a complete application, but I haven't received a decision. Am I in or out?

Answer: We realize the wait can be difficult, but be assured that we are moving through the review process as quickly as possible. We will inform you of the admissions decision when it is approved by the faculty.

Question: The program literature states "there are a limited number of graduate assistantships available on a competitive basis." How much do these assistantships pay? How much competition is there?

Answer: Full-time graduate students at the Urbana campus may be employed as teaching or research assistants, at 25% – 50%, for the nine-month academic year. Appointments are for one year but can be applied for in subsequent years. Assistantships of 25% or greater receive a monthly stipend and include a waiver of tuition and some fees.

Most students accepted into the graduate program are offered a teaching or research assistantship. If you wish to apply for an assistantship, please complete the section pertaining to financial aid in the application for admission. You will also need to complete the Teaching Application form which is located under the Kinesiology application link.

Question: What kinds of assistantships are available?

Answer: The Department of Kinesiology program annually provides a limited number of teaching and research assistantships. These assistantships serve as a valuable source of experience in research and teaching and, thus, graduate students should endeavor to obtain both kinds of appointments during their period of study.

Question: Is financial aid other than assistantships available?

Answer: A variety of financial aid sources are available for graduate study at the University of Illinois. For more information, see the financial aid office (link to http://www.osfa.uiuc.edu/).

Question: How much time do I have to complete my degree?

Answer: The Graduate College requires that master's degrees be completed within five years of first registering in the Graduate College. A doctoral candidate normally must complete all requirements within seven years of first registering in the Graduate College. A candidate for the doctoral degree who has received a master's degree elsewhere, however, must complete the requirements within six years of first registration in the doctoral degree program on this campus.

Question: How much of my coursework do I have to complete at the University of Illinois?

Answer: One half or more of the courses applied towards a master's degree must be earned in courses meeting on the University of Illinois campuses (Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, or Springfield), or in courses meeting in other locations approved by the Graduate College. The doctoral degree requires 64 hours earned in residence.