Graduate Admissions

Graduate Application Instructions

How to Apply

The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development welcomes applications from all qualified candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. International candidates who hold the equivalent of an American bachelors' degree are also encouraged to apply. International candidates who do not have the equivalent of a bachelor's but who hold an artist diploma are welcome to apply to the music performance, music theory, or composition programs.

There are two ways of applying to NYU Steinhardt:

  1. Online
  2. Paper-Based Application

Regardless of how an application is submitted, materials must be received by Graduate Admissions, not postmarked, by the appropriate deadline. An application is considered received by the deadline when all required documents (whether submitted online or by mail) are received in our office (not postmarked) by the appropriate deadline. Only completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Both methods are considered a self-managed process, because you are responsible for ensuring that the Office of Graduate Admissions receives all required materials. Although you may apply to more than one school at New York University, you may submit only one application to the Steinhardt School; multiple applications will not be processed. Applications submitted on-line, receive the same consideration as applications submitted on paper.

Special Note for Physical Therapy Applicants

Applicants to the entry-level DPT-PTPS program must apply to NYU Steinhardt through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS), a centralized application system that is different and separate from NYU Steinhardt's online application. All other physical therapy programs may apply using Steinhardt's online application system or paper-based application.

Log on to the PTCAS system at http://www.ptcas.org.  PTCAS will be available for summer 2010 applications beginning July 15, 2009.

Online Application

Candidates intending to enroll in summer 2010 or fall 2010 may use the online application which has been designed to make the application process easy and convenient. When applying online, candidates will create their own login and a personal password which is then transferred through a secured website to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Most of your materials will be submitted electronically as part of the online process. When you submit an application, remember to keep a copy for your records. Some items, however, will still need to be submitted in paper or hard copy form (such as transcripts or artistic portfolios). These remaining items should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions together in a single envelope with a Document Cover Sheet.

Paper-Based Application

Our self-managed application is designed to expedite the processing of your materials. Unless otherwise instructed to do so, when submitting a paper application, you must send your completed application and all supporting materials together, in one envelope. If you are submitting a paper application do not submit materials online.

Instructions and forms are available in PDF format on our Application Download Page.

Where to Send Your Materials

Materials submitted in the online system are transmitted electronically to the Office of Graduate Admissions.  All materials being sent in hard copy or paper form should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions, NYU Steinhardt, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10003, unless specifically directed to do something different.

Components of a Completed Application

An application is considered complete and ready for review by the Admissions Committee when all appropriate materials have been received. Please note that all programs reserve the right to request recommendations or additional materials if deemed necessary for admission or financial aid consideration. The following items are necessary before the Committee will review an application.

  • Application Form: A completed, dated, and signed graduate admission application form.
  • Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement: A typewritten, double-spaced, two- to three-page statement explaining your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your particular program. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself and to inform the Admissions Committee about your goals, interests, and career plans as they relate to your intended academic pursuits

    For candidates submitting paper-based applications: Be sure your name and U.S. Social Security number (if available) are on each page of your statement.
  • Résumé: A copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae.
  • Transcripts: One official transcript in a sealed envelope from each postsecondary school attended. These transcripts must be sent to you to be included in your completed application packet. Do not open the transcripts when they arrive-we must receive them in sealed envelopes. Transcripts that are stamped "issued to student" but remain in sealed envelopes are considered official by the Office of Graduate Admissions. If your transcripts are not in English a certified/notarized translation must be provided along with the official transcript in its original language.
  • Application Fee: Paper applications must be accompanied by a nonrefundable check or money order for $50.00 for Spring 2009, $75.00 for Summer/Fall 2009 and $30.00 for PTPS: DPT program made payable to "New York University." All checks or money orders must be drawn on a U.S. bank and be in U.S. dollars. The fee for an online application can only be paid by major credit card.
  • Art/Music Portfolio: Art and music applicants submit portfolio slides, a performance audiotape, videotape, CD, or DVD for evaluation. Please visit the "Program Specific Supplemental Materials" section of our Application Download Page for detailed information.
  • GRE Scores:  Except for the degree programs listed below, the GRE is not required for master's and advanced certificate programs.  For the programs listed below, an unofficial copy of your test scores should accompany your graduate application materials, and official scores must be on file by the deadline before a decision will be rendered. NYU Steinhardt's ETS institution code is 2556; a departmental code is not required. Visit www.gre.org for more information about the exam.

    • Required for all doctoral applicants.
    • Required for the following master's applicants:
      • M.P.H degree programs in Public Health (HCPH). May submit MCAT scores in place of GRE.
      • M.A. in Media, Culture, and Communication (MDCC)
      • M.A. in Education and Jewish Studies (EDJS)
      • M.A. in Education and Jewish Studies and Hebrew and Judaic Studies (Dual Degree:  Steinhardt and GSAS) (EJHJ)
      • M.A. in Teaching French as a Foreign Language (Joint Degree: Steinhardt and GSAS) (FLTF)
      • M.S. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSDM) effective for fall 2010 applicants
  • TOEFL Scores: We require the TOEFL exam from all applicants whose native language is not English and did not receive the equivalent of a 4 year U.S. undergraduate education from an institution where English is the official language of instruction. Applicants holding or completing only a graduate degree from an English speaking institution are still required to submit a TOEFL score unless the graduate program was four or more years in duration. To clarify if your graduate education was less than four years in duration at an institution where English was the official language of instruction the TOEFL would still be required. An official score report must be sent to NYU Steinhardt before the appropriate deadline, using institution code 2556. No department code is necessary. Visit www.toefl.org for more information about the exam.
  • Recommendation Letters: There are no forms available for letters of recommendation.  All doctoral candidates must submit three letters of recommendation. For other programs, letters may or may not be required. Refer to the "Graduate Admissions Application Guide" for the specific program listings and the required number of letters of recommendation relevant to your program of interest. In all cases letters should come from individuals who can assess your qualifications and potential for graduate study. Letters of recommendation will be used when evaluating potential candidates for assistantships.

    Online Letters    : Online letters can be submitted only for those who submit their graduate application online.  As part of our online system, we provide you the opportunity to register your recommenders who will then submit their letters electronically.  This method allows you to efficiently monitor and follow up with your recommenders.  Although this is the preferred method for submitting your letters, applicants who submit their graduate application online are able to send paper-based letters.  If paper-based letters will be sent, do not register your recommenders online, instead, see below.

    Paper-Based Letters: If you submit a paper-based application, the only method for submitting letters of recommendation is by paper.  Online applicants may submit letters online or by paper.  If submitting paper-based letters of recommendation, please have all letters sent to you in sealed envelopes and then forward the letters, unopened, to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Paper-based letters of recommendation should be mailed with a Document Cover Sheet to the Office of Graduate Admissions, NYU Steinhardt, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10003.  Do not send recommendations to any other office.  In cases where your recommender will only send his/her letter directly to our office, please provide them with a completed Document Cover Sheet to enclose with their letter.
  • Supplemental Application Materials: Some-but not all-departments and programs require additional materials, such as special departmental applications, expanded personal statements, supplemental essays, or writing samples, considered in addition to the general school requirements. Whenever possible, the "Directory of Programs" and the "Graduate Admissions Guide" include this information in the notes to the program listings. You may also visit the "Program Specific Supplemental Materials" section of our Application Download Page.

    Supplemental materials should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

    Studio Art applicants for the M.F.A. and Summer-M.A. should send their portfolios only to Mary Ann Santos, NYU Steinhardt, Department of Art & Art Professions, 34 Stuyvesant Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10003.

Special Instructions for All International Applicants

NYU Steinhardt encourages applications from international students. We offer a diversity of programs that attract masters and doctoral candidates from all over the world.

1. Apply early! Because additional mailing time and processing are required for international credentials, you should have all application materials in our office by the appropriate -- deadline-- .

2. Transcripts and Degree Information. You must have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. Candidates holding an artist diploma may be considered for the music performance, music theory, or composition programs. For each post-secondary school attended, one (1) transcript in the original language and one (1) English translation are required to be submitted with your application. In determining what items to submit, please understand that he Admissions Committee must be able to review three elements related to your prior studies: the courses taken as part of your studies; the grades received for those courses; the actual degree/title conferred and date of conferral.

M.S. in Nutrition (HOND). Due to accrediting and internship requirements, applicants to the M.S. in clinical nutrition (HOND) who have non-U.S. credentials must present a course-by-course evaluation of their international credentials along with their completed application. A number of agencies can provide this service.

3. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is mandatory for all applicants whose native language is not English and who did not receive a bachelor's degree at an English-speaking college or university. Applicants holding or completing only a graduate degree from and English speaking institution are still required to submit a TOEFL score unless the graduate program was four our more years in duration. Include a copy of your TOEFL score report with your application. The TOEFL cannot be waived, and the official scores must be in our office by the appropriate deadline. Although we do not have a required TOEFL score, successful applicants score 100 or above on the Internet-based test, 250 or above on the computer-based test, or 600 or above on the paper-based test. Our TOEFL test code is 2556. A department code is not required. Visit www.toefl.org for registration information.

4. American Language Institute (ALI). Regardless of the TOEFL score, all accepted applicants whose native language is not English may be instructed by NYU Steinhardt's Office of Student Affairs to take a placement examination, for an additional fee, at New York University's American Language Institute (ALI) on arrival. Depending on your performance on this examination, you may be required to take noncredit remedial English course work before or while you are taking regular academic course work. Such remedial course work may lengthen the time and expense of graduate study and should therefore be taken into account by students and their funding sources.

5. Financial Aid. Full-time doctoral applicants, regardless of country of citizenship, will receive consideration for scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. NYU Steinhardt encourages international applicants to investigate scholarship support offered by their home country to support their studies at NYU. Master's and advanced certificate applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and eligible for federal financial aid may receive consideration for school-based financial aid. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible for specifically developed loan programs and non-NYU sources of funding. More information may be found online at www.nyu.edu/financial.aid/international.php.

6. Visa Hints. When completing your application for admission, please be sure to use your full, legal name as it appears on your passport. The use of any other names, such as nicknames, will cause serious delays in applying for your U.S. visa. All international applicants must have an international address as their permanent address. All mail from the Office of Graduate Admissions will be sent to your mailing address, but the U.S. government mandates that you also include a permanent, international address to receive your visa. Please be prepared to pay additional fees for requesting your I-20 from NYU and your student visa from the U.S. government. Heightened security measures almost always result in numerous delays in processing your I-20 and your student visa requests. Please apply for these credentials as soon as possible, using overnight and express mail wherever possible.

Campus Security Report

New York University’s annual Campus Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by NYU, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, drugs and alcohol. You can obtain a copy of the current report by contacting Thomas Grace, Director of Judicial Affairs and Compliance, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (601 Kimmel Center: 212-998-4403) or Jay Zwicker, Crime Prevention Manager, Department of Public Safety (7 Washington Place: 212-998-1451) or by visiting the following website: www.nyu.edu/public.safety/policies/.