Graduate Studies FAQ
Here are some of the most common questions about graduate studies in the SJMC. If you have questions that are not covered here, contact the SJMC Graduate Studies Office at 612-625-4054 or sjmcgrad@umn.edu.
I’m not admitted to the University of Minnesota. Can I register for one of your graduate level courses?
Can I earn a graduate degree by going part-time?
Do you have an application deadline to apply for your graduate program?
When and how will I find out if I am accepted to the program?
How many people on average apply for the Master's program? How about for the doctoral program?
How do I choose my adviser?
How do I change my adviser?
I’m not admitted to the University of Minnesota. Can I register for one of your graduate level courses?
To receive graduate credit for courses taken while not admitted to a graduate program, you must have approval of the department offering the course on a Request for Graduate Credit form. Please see the Graduate School's web page about earning graduate credit as a non-degree student. You can also download the "Earning Graduate Credit as a Non-Degree Student" brochure (PDF) for more information.
Can I earn a graduate degree by going part-time?
Most of our graduate students are employed as graduate Teaching or Research Assistants, which require a student to be enrolled full-time for a minimum of six credits each semester. We recommend that you take nine to twelve credits each semester, unless you’re a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA). Students who hold half-time assistantships generally take nine credits per semester.
What's the application deadline to apply for your graduate program?
The departmental application for the academic M.A. or Ph.D. program is December 31st. We only admit students to our academic M.A. or Ph.D. program for the fall semester.
When and how will I find out if I am accepted to the program?
Admission decisions are sent via US mail in March.
How many people on average apply for the Master's program? How about for the doctoral program?
About 60 students apply each year for the Master’s program, and roughly 30 percent are offered admittance. An average of 50 students apply for the doctoral program, out of which 20 percent are offered admission.
How do I choose my adviser?
A temporary adviser is selected for you for your first semester by matching your interests as listed in your personal statement to our current faculty’s strengths. After your first semester has passed, you select a permanent adviser based on your interactions with our faculty. See the Graduate Advising section of this website for more information.
How do I change my adviser?
If you would like to change to a new faculty adviser and that person is amenable to the switch, contact the graduate program coordinator to inform him of the change. See the Graduate Advising section of this website for more information.