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What Sets the Warner School Apart?

At the Warner School of Education and Human Development, we learn, innovate, collaborate, and lead to improve lives and communities. Our graduate programs in education, counseling, and human development prepare graduates to tackle today’s challenges and drive meaningful change.

As part of a top research university, we’ve advanced ideas for over 65 years in areas like STEM learning, mental and social health, digital learning, urban education, professional learning, and more. Our whole-person approach considers community, culture, and well-being, offering tailored programs, flexible schedules, and personalized mentorship.

Join us to gain the tools, knowledge, and support to create a more just and equitable world—shaping a
future that’s ever better.

Explore the Warner difference

What Do You Need to Know?

Deadlines

We welcome applications on a rolling basis. The next priority application deadline is April 1, 2025.

View all Admissions Deadlines

APPLICATION FEE: $70 (USD) is required when you submit your application.

TRANSCRIPTS: Please scan and upload transcripts from all post-secondary institutions to the online application. This includes tra scripts from all coursework completed at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the review process and should be sent to
admissions@warner.rochester.edu. Please note that all transcripts issued directly to/unsealed by a student are considered unofficial.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Two letters of recommendation are required for master’s and certificate applicants and three for doctoral applicants. Letters of recommendation are managed exclusively on the online application and should never be handled by an applicant. Letters should be from members of the academic community and/or workplace professionals who know your qualifications for graduate study. Preferably, at least one recommendation should be from a former professor. Once indicated within the application, your recommenders will receive an email with instructions and a link to submit their letters. You can submit your application before your recommender uploads their letter; they retain the ability to upload until the deadline.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: Applicants are encouraged to approach their personal statement in a “past, present, or future” format. What have you done previously in your career and education? What are you doing currently? What do you hope to do in the future and how will earning a credential from Warner assist you in getting there? The statement of purpose can be in a narrative format and should mention specifically why you are interested in pursuing a degree or certificate from the Warner School of Education and Human Development. Please ensure that your statement of purpose is double-spaced with a minimum of two and a maximum of four pages.

CURRENT RESUME OR CURRICULUM VITAE: Upload a legible, recent, and accurate resume and/or CV.

A WRITING SAMPLE: At a minimum, the writing sample should be five pages and should include both in-text citations and a reference page. This document must be written in English and should be academic in nature (e.g., a term paper or assignment from your earlier academic work. An excerpt of a thesis would be appropriate as long as a reference page is included. If you do not have anything from your previous academic work, you should write a new paper following the above guidelines and supporting an academic argument. If you are unsure if what you have would be permissible, please contact an admissions advisor.

TEST SCORES: We do not require entrance examinations for many of our programs. If you have already taken the GRE and wish to submit your score, we will be happy to evaluate it as part of your application. Applicants interested in applying for certain University-wide scholarships at the doctoral level are encouraged to submit GRE scores.

TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international applicants who have an undergraduate degree from outside of the United States.
- The TOEFL code for the Warner School is 7614.
- The GRE code for the University of Rochester is 2928.
If admitted, official transcripts from all previous postsecondary institutions should be submitted electronically to admissions@warner.rochester.edu within one semester. Transcripts are considered official when issued directly from the previous institution to the University of Rochester/Warner School of Education and Human Development.

The University of Rochester reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission under certain circumstances, including but not limited to:

New information comes to light that would have resulted in a different decision at the time of review, including satisfactory completion of coursework currently underway or degrees in progress.
There has been a misrepresentation in or a violation of any of the terms of the application process.
The University learns that an applicant has engaged in behavior prior to the first day of class that indicates a serious lack of judgment, integrity, or alignment with University values, and/or violates University policies.