Braniff Graduate School Application Requirements

If granted admission, official transcripts will be required before you can register for classes.

The statement of purpose (750 to 1000 words) should include the applicant's program-specific reasons for pursuing graduate study at the University of Dallas, a brief history of the applicant's intellectual development, and an indication of the applicant's academic goals.

See "Additional Application Requirements" regarding certain programs below

Your writing sample is an essay (or portion of an essay) written for a university course in the proposed field of major study. The writing sample should not exceed 6,000 words.

If a sample from a university course is not available, a more current example of writing can be used.

A writing sample is not required for Art programs.

Your recommenders' contact information will be collected during the online application process. Each recommender will receive an email from UD requesting that they upload their letter of recommendation through a secure application portal.

Letters of recommendation may come from professors, supervisors, pastors, lay leaders, etc.

A recommendation from your supervisor is required for Master of Catholic School Leadership applicants. 

GRE General Test Scores are required for the following programs: All Ph.D. programs, English, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology and Theology.

GRE General Test Scores should not be more than 5 years old (School Code 6868).

If granted admission, official transcripts will be required before you can register for classes.

Only nine credits earned as a non-degree seeking student may be transferred toward the degree.

All Art applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. Your recommenders' contact information will be collected during the online application process. Each recommender will receive an email from UD requesting that they upload their letter of recommendation through a secure application portal.

In addition to the application items listed above, Art applicants will also be required to submit a portfolio of at least 15 - 20 representative works. 

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), the accepted terminal degree for studio artists, requires the completion of the Master of Arts in Art program from the University of Dallas or another college and acceptance by the full graduate art faculty. Students entering the program with an M.A. from another institution will have their work and knowledge examined by the faculty after completion of nine to fifteen hours of study at UD.

All Classical Education applicants will be required to upload the most recent copy of their resume to their online application prior to submission.

Unless proficiency is otherwise demonstrated, international applicants whose native tongue is not English are required to provide official English Language Proficiency Test scores. 

Minimum Score Requirements:
TOEFL IBT (100+)
IELTS Academic (7.0+)
Duolingo English Test (120+)

Applicants with International Transcripts must request an approved course-by-course international transcript evaluation from one of our Preferred Transcript Evaluation Vendors to be sent directly from the evaluation company. Specific instructions regarding the International Transcript Evaluation process can be found here.

The application fee for all Ministry programs is $25.

All Ministry applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

All Ministry applicants must submit a Theological Reflection Essay. You may submit previous work that addresses your understanding/reflection of theology, or you may read the USCCB’s Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium and answer one of the following questions:

1) Of the four “calls” identified in Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium, choose one on which to reflect. Describe that call in your own words and from your own experience. Where do you see evidence that this call is being expressed in parish life?

2) Consider the various challenges for the future named in the document. What is one you find especially pertinent to your own situation, talents, spirituality, passions, etc.? What are some specific ways you would propose meeting that challenge? What challenge would you add, if any, in light of the Church today?

Students seeking consideration for the Master of Catholic School Leadership must also meet the following criteria:

• Two (2) years of teaching experience in a Catholic school.

All Catholic School Leadership applicants (master's and certificate) must submit a professional resume.

The Statement of Purpose should detail what in particular about our program and curriculum is appealing to you (given that the distinguishing character of the program lies in its existential-phenomenological and historical orientation drawing upon the traditions of depth psychology and humanistic psychology). Your Statement of Purpose should also look back on your previous education and experiences, and identify some of  the thinkers/authors and ideas that have left a strong impression on you. In particular, address why and how your educational background and personal convictions about the character of psychology as a discipline make our program a good fit for you. (max. 750 words).

Admission as a graduate student in psychology is contingent upon an academic foundation in the discipline of psychology. This foundation can be demonstrated by the successful completion (a grade of B or better) of at least a three credit course in each, General Psychology and Statistics/Experimental Design, or other course offerings as determined by the program director.

To be considered for Texas Teacher Certification, please click here to review the Educator Preparation Program Requirements. These requirements are in addition to the standard Braniff Masters of Art in Teaching application requirements. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Education Department at education@udallas.edu.

The University of Dallas offers 4 + 1 programs in which currently enrolled UD undergraduate students can earn both their bachelor’s and their master’s degrees in as few as five years. Please review each program's individual application requirements for more information regarding application materials.