university of chicago math phd application

Department of Mathematics

Joint phd program in mathematics and computer science.

In Winter 2018, the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science launched a joint program through which participating students can earn the degree

The basic structure is that students must gain admission to both PhD programs and satisfy both sets of course requirements. They write a single dissertation that satisfies both programs.

While the program is open to all eligible students, we expect that at least initially it will be most popular among students working in CS Theory, Discrete Mathematics, and Mathematical Logic.

Each student in this program will have a primary program (either Mathematics or Computer Science). Throughout the course of studies, the primary program will provide administrative support to the student, including in matters regarding financial support.

To be admitted to the joint program, students will have to be admitted by both departments as follows.

Application before entering the PhD program

The applicant must apply to the primary program indicating in the application that he/she wishes to be considered for the joint program. If admitted to the primary program, the application will be automatically forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Committee of the secondary program. To be assisted in making the decision, the Graduate Admissions Committee of the secondary program may request from the applicant additional materials in accordance with customs and rules of its department.

Application after entering the PhD program

Students enrolled in either the Mathematics or the Computer Science PhD program may apply to the joint program during the first four years in their current program. If admitted to the joint program, their current program will be primary.

Such an applicant must submit the following material to the Director of Graduate Studies/Graduate Committee Chair of the intended secondary program, while notifying the Director of Graduate Studies/Graduate Committee Chair of the primary program:

• statement of purpose, explaining why the joint program is the right program for the applicant
• statement of coursework and research done so far
• statement of a schedule how the applicant proposes to satisfy the secondary program's requirements
• advisor's recommendation, including endorsement of the applicant's statements (items 2, 3, 4 above)
• if the application occurs during the first year of the primary program, the applicant needs to provide two additional letters of recommendation and his/her undergraduate transcript. It is permitted to reuse material from the application to the primary program.

Requirements, monitoring

Course requirements.

Students enrolling in the joint program will need to satisfy the course requirements of both departments. They will have to satisfy the course requirements of their primary program on the schedule of that program, and satisfy the course requirements of their secondary program by the end of their fifth year in the primary program.

According to current rules, two of the CS electives can be courses offered by the Mathematics department. These courses are permitted to overlap with the Mathematics course requirements.

Exam Requirements

Students in the joint program shall fulfill the examination requirements of the primary program; the current list of requirements can be found at

• Computer Science Requirements
• Mathematics Requirements

For students participating in the joint program, the deadlines for these exams can be relaxed by petitioning the Director of Graduate Studies/Graduate Committee Chair of the primary program.

Monitoring student progress

Students' annual progress reports go to both departments' Director of Graduate Studies/Graduate Committee Chair in accordance with each department's format.

PhD dissertation and defense

Subject of the dissertation.

The dissertation is expected to be in an area relevant to both fields.

PhD thesis defense

The scheduling of the PhD Thesis defense follows the Mathematics Department's custom as follows.

• A nearly final draft of the thesis is made accessible to faculty at least two weeks prior to the defense, either in hard copy in the departmental office or, preferably, by posting on the internet.
• The dissertation is reviewed in writing by two readers, one of whom is typically the thesis advisor.
• The reports by the first and the second readers are circulated among faculty of both departments, along with the Thesis abstract and the following information: the location (physical or virtual) where the thesis can be viewed, the planned time and location of the defense, and the names and affiliations of the thesis committee members.
• There is a two-week period for comments by faculty before the admission of the thesis for defense.

The thesis defense itself consist of a 50-minute public presentation of the main results and methods of the dissertation, followed by a public question-answer period, followed by a closed-session question-answer period.

Oversight, committees

The program proceeds under joint Math-CS oversight, exercised by the Director of Graduate Studies/Graduate Committee Chair of each department.

Examination committees

The following rules apply to all examination committees (Qualifying/Topic Exam, Master's, Candidacy, and PhD). The committee will consist of at least three members, including the student's advisor(s). It will include at least one member of each department, and will either be chaired by a joint appointee of the two departments or co-chaired by a member of each department. Each department shall publicize these exams in accordance with its established customs.

The University of Chicago: Graduate Studies

Application management.

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in applying to a graduate program in the Physical Sciences Division of the University of Chicago. Through this site, you can apply to the following degree programs:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics (PhD)
• Biophysical Sciences (PhD)
• Chemistry (PhD)
• Computational and Applied Mathematics (MS)
• Computational and Applied Mathematics (PhD)
• Computer Science (PhD)
• Data Science (MS)
• Data Science (PhD)
• Financial Mathematics (MS)
• Geophysical Sciences (PhD)
• Masters Program in Computer Science (MS)
• Master of Science in Applied Data Science (Full-Time)
• Master of Science in Applied Data Science (Part-Time)
• Mathematics (PhD)
• Physics (PhD)
• Statistics (MS)
• Statistics (PhD)

You may begin your application using the “Start New Application” link below . Please note that if you plan to apply to more than one program, you should begin a new application for each program. If you have any questions about your application, please contact the program to which you are applying. Contact information can be found under the listings of graduate programs on the Graduate Admissions website .

Non-Degree Visiting Student Status (NDVS) :   NDVS is available to advanced graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a degree at another institution who have been invited by a University of Chicago faculty member to temporarily work on their research project. This status also applies to undergraduate students participating in summer research opportunities such as the PKU-CCME exchange program or other research experiences for undergraduates (REUs).  Questions about NDVS status may be directed to Sierra Sterling at  [email protected]   Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC):  TTIC students participating in research or University of Chicago courses should complete a non-degree application on this site to establish a student record with the University of Chicago.

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Apply to PhD Program

The Fall 2024 deadline for PhD applications is  December 15, 2023 . All application materials and letters should be submitted by this date. Late applications, or applications that are incomplete by the deadline, will in general not be considered. Applications are not accepted for Spring 2024.

How to Apply

First complete the online portion of the application , including payment of the application fee. Under-represented U.S. minority applicants can apply for an application fee waiver .   Applicants who are currently enrolled in a master’s program in the Illinois Department of Mathematics may use this form instead (to avoid paying another application fee).

We require transcripts from your undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) institutions, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.  (Please see this link for more details from our Graduate College; section 1 details the application requirements, and section 2 details the minimum requirements for admission.)

As part of the online application process you will be asked to upload a copy of your undergraduate transcript (and also graduate transcript if applicable) showing grades for the most recent semester at the time of application. We typically do not accept students with a grade point average below 3.25 on a 4.00 scale, and GPA is a significant factor in our decision.

Please arrange for three letters of recommendation to be uploaded to our online application system. Letters from professors who have taught you in mathematics classes or who have supervised you in a research project are the most useful. Both the content and the source of the letters can play a significant role in our decision.

Please include a personal statement as part of your online application. We prefer statements that are honest, specific, and brief, and explain why you are applying to our program.

The Department of Mathematics does not require any program specific questions or writing samples.

The GRE general test and mathematics subject test are not required .

Information for International Students

English requirements for international applicants.

Students with high TOEFL or IELTS scores have a better chance of admission.

1. Minimum Requirement for Admission

All international applicants must satisfy the Graduate College English Proficiency Requirement for Admission . The Mathematics Department requires a minimum TOEFL iBT speak score of 22 (or IELTS 6.5 speaking score) and a minimum TOEFL total of 95 for admission to the PhD program. Some applicants are  exempt from the English requirement for admission . Even those students will increase their chance of admission if they submit recent TOEFL or IELTS scores. If you do not have an exemption as listed above and have a TOEFL SPEAK score less than 22, then do not apply.

2. Minimum Requirement for Teaching Assistantship Funding

Teaching assistants must meet a higher standard: proficiency in spoken English , as measured by the Internet Based TOEFL (iBT), the IELTS, the TSE (Test of Spoken English), or the university-administered EPI (English Proficiency Interview). Students who do not satisfy this requirement can still be granted a Teaching Assistantship in Mathematics with duties outside the classroom (e.g. grading) for the first two years, provided they enter with a TOEFL iBT speaking sub-section score of 22 or 23. After two years, continuation of the Teaching Assistantship depends on whether the student has successfully demonstrated proficiency in spoken English.

Declaration of Finances

International students must submit the Declaration and Certification of Finances form before a visa can be issued. We do not need this form in order to decide on your application. If you are later offered admission and accept the offer, then you must submit the form promptly along with the required bank statement, before you can be admitted to the university and get a visa. The bank statement must show resources for the full cost of education and living expenses. If you are offered a teaching assistantship, then a bank statement showing about US$1,700 to cover any additional cost of living will be sufficient. Please note that you are not required to pay this amount, only to show evidence of such finances in a bank account . To repeat: we do not need this documentation now in order to review your application.

Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics

How to apply, phd application requirements.

The deadline to submit admissions applications to the PhD program along with required accompanying documents for Fall 2024 is  January 9, 2024 . The application portal is open . If you have any questions regarding admission, please send your inquiry to Jonathan G. Rodriguez at [email protected] .

MS Application Requirements

For details regarding applying to the Masters program, please visit https://voices.uchicago.edu/cammasters/prospectivestudents/ .

The deadline to submit admissions applications to the Master's program along with required accompanying documents for Fall 2024 is  January 31, 2024 . The application portal is open . If you have any questions regarding admission, please send your inquiry to Jonathan G. Rodriguez at [email protected] .

Search form

Office of the provost, you are here, phd program data.

• Outcomes data is based on students who completed a PhD between academic years 2010-11 to 2014-15
• Student enrollments in and degrees conferred by the joint MD/PHD programs with the Pritzker School of Medicine are not included in these reports.
• Data in these charts follow U.S. reporting requirements, which currently allow only “male” and “female” as gender categories.
• International is defined by IPEDS as nonresident alien. View IPEDS'  Definitions for New Race and Ethnicity Categories .

Related Issues and Initiatives

• Graduate Education
• Graduate Education Working Groups and Committees

Beth Niestat

Department of Statistics

Guide for applicants, general information.

Applying for admission to a graduate program is not a routine or simple activity and matching the best graduate school with your abilities and aspirations is an important step in your career. These guidelines are intended to aid you in preparing an application so you will know what our admissions committee looks for in an application, which items are of importance, when to start, when to expect replies, and the like. Whether or not you decide to apply to the University of Chicago, we hope these notes will assist you in this mostly once-in-a-lifetime process.

Not every graduate program in statistics will be well suited to you, nor will you be well suited to every graduate program. Before you apply, learn as much as you can about the programs you are considering: browse their web pages, examine their course catalogs, read the fine print about their degree requirements, and talk to your undergraduate instructors and advisors about relative strengths and weaknesses of programs. Make sure your background in mathematics and statistics is appropriate for the programs you are considering. Some departments expect strong preparation in mathematics, while others prefer candidates with experience in statistical data analysis and computing, and others, such as ours, expect both.

Just as you attempt to find departments suited to your background and interests, our department tries to find students whose preparation and interests match the requirements and strengths of our own program. Our admissions committee bases its judgment on information about you supplied in your application and supporting documents.

Students with questions may contact Yali Amit for PhD Studies, Mei Wang for Masters Studies, and Keisha Prowoznik for all other questions, Bahareh Lampert (Dean of Students in the Physical Sciences Division), or Amanda Young (Associate Director, Graduate Student Affairs) in UChicagoGRAD.

Which Degree: MS or PhD?

Which degree should you pursue—the master's degree or the doctorate? Here are some guidelines.

If your career goal is to conduct independent statistical research in an academic, government, or industrial setting, you should probably pursue a PhD degree. For many jobs not involving independent research, a master’s degree suffices.

It is not necessary to have an MS degree before entering our PhD program; most of our PhD students join us directly from college. On the other hand, after earning their MS degrees here, approximately one-third to one-half of our graduates go on to other doctoral programs, typically in applied or quantitative disciplines in statistics, economics, finance, business, and other fields.

If you are fairly certain, but not positive, you want to obtain a PhD, you probably should still apply to the PhD program. Entering a PhD program is not a prison sentence. If you enroll in our doctoral program and then later decide that independent research is not for you, you may leave the program and receive the MS degree if you have fulfilled all of the requirements for that degree.

Our PhD program is much more selective than our MS program. Applicants to the PhD program are expected to have strong undergraduate records and high scores on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), both the General Test and the Mathematics Subject Test.

Applicants to the MS program are also expected to have strong undergraduate records; they should have good scores on the GRE General Test but are not required to take the Mathematics Subject Test.

If you are not sure which program you are best qualified for, you may apply to the PhD program and ask to be considered for the MS program if you are not admitted. Once you have created a PhD application, go to the Statistics supplement page. Select "Yes" to the question in the third section. Please note that there are steps required to finalize consideration for the MS program, including paying an extra application fee, completing a form, and submitting the additional MS application. If you complete all the steps, we will then consider you for the PhD program, and if we do not deem you to be ready for the PhD program, we will consider you for the MS program.

The prerequisites for the master’s program are calculus through Jacobians and multivariate integrals, linear/matrix algebra, and a year of elementary probability and statistics. Applicants to the doctoral program should have that background solidly, plus additional courses in advanced mathematics, such as real or complex analysis, and/or in other disciplines such as computer science, economics, and the natural sciences.

Most students admitted to the PhD program are awarded an assistantship. The Department pays tuition, most fees, student health insurance through the University, and a stipend to cover living expenses.  Most PhD students are responsible only for the Student Services Fee per quarter.  An assistantship involves working as a teaching or research assistant.  These training experiences are part of the program; students do not compete for assistantships in order to receive funding.  Fully funded students are expected to not need external employment.

Master’s students do not receive departmental assistantships or fellowships but generally receive a partial tuition scholarship. See “ Financial Considerations for MS Students ” below for more information.

Our admissions target for the PhD program is eight to ten students per year. Our small class sizes mean that our PhD students may establish a close working relationship with professors easily and that no particular faculty member is likely to be overloaded with advisees.

Our admissions target for the master’s program is approximately 30-40 new students per year. Typical students in the master’s program include a mix of (1) people who come to the University just for an MS in statistics, (2) doctoral students from other departments within the University who are augmenting their education with an MS degree in statistics, and (3) undergraduates at the University who are earning a bachelor’s and an MS degree simultaneously.

The Application

The admissions committee reads your application and, based on the information provided there, assesses your preparation in mathematics, statistics, and computing, your interests within statistics, and your potential for original research. The committee tries to answer questions such as

• Is the Department suited to the applicant's interests?
• Is the applicant sufficiently well prepared mathematically?
• How likely is it that the applicant will complete the degree?

The various parts of your application shed light on these questions.

How to Apply

Our application site is open annually from early October through January 4th.  During that time, you may access the application online .  If you have any questions about the online application, please see the application section of our FAQs page.

The Specifications of the MS Program

Students in the Master's program may choose an area of specialization (used to be referred to as special track), such as biostatistics, statistical genetics, statistical finance, environmental statistics, computational neuroscience, machine learning, pattern recognition, scientific computation, survey methodology, etc. In your Candidate Statement you may indicate what areas of specification you are interested in (we encourage you to do so). Nonetheless, one applies to the MS program as a whole, not to any particular area of specification. The areas of specification largely influence what electives you take and what topic you write your Master’s paper on.

Students Currently at the University of Chicago

If you are a doctoral student in another department within the University who wants to augment your education with a MS degree in statistics or an undergraduate at the University who wants to join our BA/MS program, then you must apply to our MS program. Your application will be reviewed according to the same criteria as all other applications. Doctoral students should read and consider the regulations in the University’s “Student Manual” which apply to them prior to applying. Undergraduates who are interested in the BA/MS program should discuss their plans with the Department's undergraduate advisor, Professor Mary Sara McPeek, no later than the Autumn Quarter of their third year.

Of course, any student at the University of Chicago is welcome to apply to our MS or PhD program at the conclusion of their studies.

The Transcript

A copy of your transcript from each undergraduate or graduate institution you have attended is required. Scanned or unofficial copies are sufficient for the admissions process.  We only require official transcripts from students who ultimately join our program.

Your transcript and grades indicate the depth and breadth of your interests, as well as your performance in each of your courses. We have no minimum grade point average (GPA) for admission to our programs, but we do not view poor grades favorably, especially those obtained in statistics and mathematics courses.

It may be unclear from your transcript whether you have met the prerequisites for our program. For example, your transcript might show that your math courses were "Mathematics I" and "Mathematics II"; such uninformative course titles leave us in the dark about your math background. In these cases, we recommend that you include, in addition to your transcript, a list of the topics covered in each course that would be relevant to our program. You may upload your list on the "Statistics Supplement" tab in the online application. You may also use this supplement to explain your school’s grading system, address any unusual or low grades you received, or comment on other aspects of your transcript.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation provide insight into abilities, strengths, and weaknesses that cannot be reflected in grades and test scores alone. You should select referees who know your work well and will write a frank and detailed letter of appraisal of you and of your likely success in our graduate statistics program. Letters that speak to your mathematical or statistical abilities, any special experience that you might have (in statistical applications, for example), or your potential for research are particularly welcome.

Choose the people who will write letters of recommendation for you with care and observe the protocols of courtesy by letting them know that you will submit their contact information with their permission.  After you submit their contact information, your referees will receive an email including the recommendation deadline, information pertaining to your right of access to view recommendations, and a link for submitting a recommendation.  By following this link, referees can type a recommendation directly on our application website or upload a PDF file. If your referees have any difficulties submitting letters, please instruct them to contact [email protected] for help.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Two additional letters may be included if you think the circumstances warrant it.

Graduate Record Examinations

We strongly recommend the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)  General Test  of all applicants.   In addition, it is strongly encouraged that applicants to the doctoral program take the  GRE Mathematics Subject Test . 

The GRE is offered several times a year by the Educational Testing Service ( ETS ). Arrangements with ETS must be made several weeks in advance of the date of the examination, and it takes another six to eight weeks after the exam for the scores to reach us. Consequently, we encourage applicants to take the GRE no later than August and to take it earlier if possible. When a choice is offered, take the computerized version of the GRE for faster scoring and score delivery.

The ETS code for the University of Chicago is 1832. The code for the Department of Statistics is 0705.

While we do not require a minimum score on the GRE for admission to our programs, GRE scores are the only measure common to all of our candidates; thus, low GRE scores not offset by evidence of strength in other areas would make admission unlikely, especially for the PhD program.  Most successful applicants score above the 90th percentile on the quantitative section of the GRE General Test.

We must receive your scores directly from ETS; scanned or unofficial copies are not accepted.  You are, however, encouraged to self-report scores in your online application while you are waiting for an official score report.

Official GRE scores are valid for up to five years past the test date. As a practical matter, if your scores are more than three years old, we encourage you to retake the exam(s) to provide a more up-to-date assessment of your abilities.

Test of English as a Foreign Language and the International English Language Testing System

Applicants who do not meet the waiver criteria here must submit proof of English language proficiency. Only the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic tests are accepted as proof of proficiency. The Department of Statistics requires a minimum TOEFL score of 90 overall, and a minimum IELTS scores of 7.0 overall. TOEFL or IELTS score reports are valid for two years and scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to the application deadline.

Candidate Statement

The short essay provides you with an opportunity to tell us what interests you about Statistics, what your goals are, and what you hope to accomplish in your graduate studies. There is no need to tell us more about your grades, test scores, and course work in your essay—your transcript and other supporting material will provide this information. Instead, you should use the Candidate Statement as an opportunity to tell us about aspects of yourself that are not apparent from your transcript, such as extracurricular projects you have completed, work experience you have had, and so on. If you have completed graduate work elsewhere, your statement should include your reasons for wanting to change institutions or degree programs. This part of your statement is essential if you have completed more than two years of graduate study at other institutions.

The application fee is $90. The fee is nonrefundable. A waiver of the fee can be considered; see the fee waiver within the online application for further information. University regulations forbid us from admitting students who have not paid the fee or obtained a waiver; no exceptions are permitted.

If you are applying to our PhD program and would like to be considered for our MS program if not admitted, you will need to pay both the application fees for the programs. If you are applying both to Statistics and to another University of Chicago program, you will submit separate applications and supporting materials to each program.  The only exception is standardized test scores: all departments are able to access each other’s GRE and TOEFL records.

Financial Considerations and Length of Study

Financial aid for phd students.

In recent years our department has been able to provide full support (tuition, most fees, health insurance, and a stipend) for most of its PhD students, and we expect to do so for the foreseeable future. Ordinarily, students are supported for at least four years. Support is not tied to working with a particular faculty member. At present, most fifth-year students receive full support, and most PhD students receive summer support.

Decisions on departmental financial aid are made by the Statistics Department, not by the University. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of our assessment of your scholarly promise and are subject to the availability of funds.

We adhere to the policy of the Council of Graduate Schools ( CGS ) concerning offers of financial support in the form of a scholarship, assistantship, fellowship, or traineeship. Under that policy, acceptance of such an offer from any institution does not become binding until April 15. Complete details are given in the CGS resolution , a copy of which accompanies any offer of a scholarship, assistantship, fellowship, or traineeship.

You should also investigate other possibilities for financial support for graduate study. In particular, the National Science Foundation ( NSF ) offers several fellowship programs for graduate study. Other opportunities are listed on the University’s Fellowships and Funding site. We strongly encourage all eligible applicants to apply to these programs. Since the application deadlines are quite early in the fall, we suggest that you investigate your options early in the process.

If you might receive a fellowship or grant that would allow you to attend our PhD program without full support from us, please bring that to our attention in the Financial Data section of the application.

Financial Considerations for MS Students

This section discusses how long it takes to complete the MS program, what it costs, and job opportunities for MS students on campus.

Our PhD students perform almost all teaching and research assistant work in our small department; thus, assistantships or fellowships are not available for MS students. We do not offer assistantships to incoming master’s students, although they are typically eligible for a merit-based partial tuition scholarship of 10% during their first year of study. Subject to satisfactory performance, they may receive an increased scholarship during their second year.

Our master’s program requires a minimum of nine courses, plus an MS paper and presentation. Full-time students take three classes each Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarter.  (We do not offer classes during Summer Quarter.)  Thus, the MS program can be completed in one year.  Many students decide to stay for at least part of a second year in order to take more electives or to have more time to complete the MS paper.  Many students also find that they would benefit from a full year in the program before taking the required sequence in data analysis.

The vast majority of our students are full-time.  Part-time study is a select option by permission only; it requires careful planning, as each course is offered only once or twice per year.  We do not offer evening or weekend classes.  We do not offer online classes.  We are only able to sponsor visas for full-time students.      

Current tuition and fee rates  are available on the Bursar’s website. Students with outside insurance coverage may opt out of the University's plan, provided they can prove their coverage is comparable.

The Department occasionally hires advanced MS students as graders.  Pay varies depending on the level of the course.  Graders are hired based on departmental needs each quarter.  Many MS students also find student jobs elsewhere on campus, such as at the Booth School of Business or in the Department of Economics, as research assistants, data analysts, office assistants, student technicians, and the like.

When budgeting your education, keep in mind that most MS students find that they do not have time available for a job, especially early in the program.  International students should also note that most student visas have specific and strict rules limiting employment prospects.

For more information about finances, please visit the University's Fellowship Advising site at (https://grad.uchicago.edu/fellowships/fellowship-advising/).  You may also want to consider opportunities for loans and other forms of funding .

Will We Consider You for Financial Aid?

We automatically consider each PhD applicant for financial aid but take into account any outside grants or other funding the student may have. The Department does not offer financial aid to MS applicants other than the 10% partial tuition scholarship described above. All students are encouraged to visit the links on the main page of our “Admissions” site early on to determine what sources of external financial aid may be available to them.

All admitted students begin the program in Autumn Quarter. We do not allow admits during the rest of the academic year because of the structure of our course sequences. The application deadline is January 4, 2024.

The admissions committee begins reviewing applications to the PhD program around the beginning of January, and applications to the MS program are reviewed toward the end of January. Because we get hundreds of applications, both review processes can go on for many weeks. You will receive an email when your decision is available.  To view your decision, log in to your online application.

If you are a current student, we encourage you to provide an updated transcript whenever your autumn grades are available.  You may upload updated transcripts through your “Application Status” page, even after the application deadline.  When in doubt, use the “Miscellaneous” label when uploading new materials.

The Council of Graduate Schools Agreement concerning April 15th

Applicants to the doctoral program should please note that by the terms of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) resolution , to which the University of Chicago and many other universities in the United States are signatories, PhD applicants are not required to make a final decision about acceptance of financial aid (e.g., assistantships) until April 15th, nor is any commitment on their part binding until then. The resolution does not apply to MS applicants.

For More Information

If you have any questions about our application process or programs, please see our FAQs page. Please do not contact individual faculty or staff with admissions inquiries. Please do not send the same inquiry to multiple people.

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Most graduate programs at the University of Chicago offer some application fee waivers, but the criteria vary by program.

The information below does not include the Booth School of Business, the Law School, or the Pritzker School of Medicine; consult their admissions materials for information on whether fee waivers are available. Do not contact programs to request fee waivers.

In order to request an application fee waiver, you must first submit an application. Once an application is submitted, your application status portal will display the option to request a fee waiver by filling out a short form and providing documentation, if required. If you are applying to one of the schools or divisions which allows multiple applications, you will need to ensure you are on the status page of the correct application; a separate waiver request must be submitted for each application.

There are six general types of fee waivers, but not all programs offer all of these waivers. In particular, some master’s and professional programs have stricter criteria for approving waiver requests, especially need-based or financial hardship waiver requests. It is important to consider how you will fund the cost of your graduate education, which can be a significant financial investment in your professional and personal development.

Application fees are non-refundable. If you intend to submit a fee waiver request, do not pay the application fee until you receive a decision about your request. If you pay the application fee, and later have your waiver request approved, the fee will not be refunded.

Fee Waiver Categories and General Eligibility Criteria

A. University of Chicago degree program students and alumni

This waiver category is available in most programs to any applicant who has received or expects to receive a degree from another UChicago program.

B. Current or recent participants in qualifying programs

Qualifying programs will vary, but include McNair Scholars, the Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT), AmeriCorps/Vista, Teach for America, currently serving or honorably discharged members of the U.S. armed forces or uniformed services (active duty or reserves), and others. Check the admissions website of the school or division you are applying to for a list of their qualifying programs. Documentation of your participation is required.

C. Current undergraduates receiving need-based aid from a U.S. institution

To qualify for this waiver, if offered by the program, you must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate in a U.S. college or university and must provide documentation that you are receiving need-based financial aid.

D. Valid fee waiver codes received from an authorized representative of the University of Chicago

Codes will be reviewed to ensure that they are valid and were sent to you by an authorized representative. Programs may only accept their own codes, not those issued by other departments of the University. Do not contact faculty or staff to request codes.

E. Financial hardship: Not all programs will accept requests for fee waivers based on financial hardship, and criteria for approval may vary. If this option is offered by the program you are applying to, you must upload a brief statement which explains the financial hardship and explains how you plan to fund your graduate studies. If you are applying for or hold external funding, you may submit a copy of your award letter, or include in your statement the name(s) of the funds you are applying for and the date(s) on which you expect to receive notification.

Financial hardship requests will be infrequently granted to international students applying to programs which are not fully funded.

F. Other/program-specific waiver categories: Some graduate programs will offer additional categories, such as current UChicago employees, dual-degree applicants, or graduates of minority-serving institutions as defined by the Department of Education. Consult the admissions website of the school or division you are applying to for details. Documentation of eligibility required.

Prospective students should consider the following when planning for their graduate studies:

• International students must provide documentation of available funds as part of the request process for a student visa.
• Applicants to funded programs, including PhDs, should be aware that the first stipend disbursal typically takes place near, or after, the beginning of their first quarter.
• FAFSA-eligible applicants planning to use student loans to fund a significant portion of their program should be aware that their first student loan disbursal will take place approximately ten days before the start of their first quarter.

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Dept of Math, Stat, & Comp Sci

College of liberal arts and sciences.

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics

The PhD in Mathematics is designed to provide the highest level of training for independent research. Students may apply with or without a Masters degree. For those with a previous Masters degree in mathematics (or related field) the PhD is typically 5 years in duration, whereas for those without a previous Masters degree it is typically 6 years.

To earn the PhD, the student must fulfill the Graduate College requirements specified in the Graduate College catalogue as well as departmental requirements detailed in the MSCS Graduate Handbook , which includes:

• Provide proof of an equivalent MS degree or earn a high pass on the Department's written Master's Examination.
• Fulfill the doctoral preliminary examinations and minor sequence requirement.
• Pass the doctoral oral examination (Probability and Statistics students only).
• Produce and defend a thesis that makes a contribution to original research.
• Earn 96 semester hours of graduate credit including:
• 32 credit hours for a previously earned master's degree (requires DGS approval), or earn a high pass on the Department's Master's Exam
• 40 credit hours of departmental 500-level courses which may include 500-level courses taken from the MS degree earned in residence but may NOT include thesis research (MATH 599, STAT 599, or MCS 599)
• 32 hours of thesis research (MATH 599, STAT 599, or MCS 599)

MS in Data Science

MSDS students choose among the many introductory graduate courses offered to students in the PhD program. These courses cover areas of computer science, optimization, linear algebra and statistics for students that have not had prior exposure to this required course work. Master’s students are fully integrated in the academic activities of the department alongside the PhD students.

Students must complete the required 5 core courses, 4 electives, and a final project to complete the program. There are also three foundational courses that students can test out. For the students who test out of foundational courses, the minimum number of courses taken in the program is 9. For the students who take all foundational courses, it is 12. These foundational courses can be taken in the summer before the program starts. Finally, students will be able to engage in a variety of opportunities across the Data Science Institute research programs and partnerships during their residency in the program.

The Curriculum

Foundational courses:.

Interested students will have the opportunity to test out of each of the 3 foundation courses below. Each of the courses will be offered in the late summer and offered online before the start of the fall quarter.

• Computational Foundations for Data Science
• Mathematical Foundations for Data Science
• Statistical Foundations for Data Science

Core Courses:

• Introduction to Data Science
• Systems for Data and Computers/Data Design
• Data Interaction
• Introduction to ML and AI  or Foundations of Machine Learning and AI Part I
• Responsible Use of Data and Algorithms

Four graduate-level electives can be selected from a wide variety of courses in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics and across the University.

The online application portal will begin accepting applications for Fall 2024 admission in early Fall 2023. To ensure full consideration, applicants should apply by the deadline. The program may accept applications after the deadline if the cohort is not filled.

Ph.D. in Education: Curriculum and Instruction

This emphasis area is for students interested in developing expertise in teaching and teacher education, curricular development and implementation, subject specific areas (e.g., English, social studies, science, mathematics, and other areas), and/or issues in pre-K through college education.

Develop evidence-based, real-world solutions that will empower your students

Admission deadlines.

Applications and all associated documents must be received by the following dates to be considered. Fall Semester: July 1 | Spring Semester: Oct. 1.

About Our Program

This emphasis area is for students interested in developing expertise in teaching and teacher education, curricular development and implementation in subject and/or grade specific areas (e.g., English, social studies, elementary, secondary), and/or issues that reach across education. Individuals pursuing this degree may go on to pursue careers as researchers and teacher educators, become advanced teachers or instructional coaches within schools, or become curriculum specialists working in a variety of contexts. Courses will be selected from the student’s area of focus and can address any of the following areas:

• Curriculum and assessment theory & development
• Discipline or grade-level specific focus
• Teacher education and leadership
• Advanced pedagogical development
• Cross-categorical courses and special topics courses may also be selected in consultation with your advisor

All questions regarding application and admission may be directed to Dr. Jennifer Mahon, doctoral program coordinator, at [email protected] .

Request More Information

Program information.

The Curriculum & Instruction area of emphasis is guided by the general framework found in the  Doctoral Program in Education Application Handbook . The manual provides general information about doctoral concentrations offered in the College of Education. This page will provide you with specific information that is unique to the C&I Program.

• Undergraduate and Graduate GPA 3.00 (university requirements)
• Preference for applicants who hold a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in an area appropriately related to education. High achieving applicants who possess only a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution will be considered. Emphasis of prior degree area(s) should be appropriately related to education.
• Program application form (included in COEHD doctoral application manual)
• Complete vita/resume
• Sample of scholarly writing
• Essay of intent - should include qualifications for completing a doctoral degree and reasons for pursuing the degree
• International Studies: TOEFL score of 550 (unless you have a college degree from a U.S. institution)
• Three letters of recommendation from professionals qualified to judge potential for success in doctoral work
• Preferred: at least three years teaching or commensurate experience

All questions regarding application and admission may be directed to Dr. Jennifer Mahon, at  [email protected] .

Admissions Deadlines: July 1 for Fall and Oct. 1 for Spring

 All materials are submitted through the University's   application portal . Once you create your account, go back to MyNevada to log in and start your application. 

If you miss the application deadline, but would like to enroll in courses prior to an admission decision, you may still apply to take courses through the Graduate School under Graduate Special student status. However, please note, this does not guarantee you acceptance to the program, and the courses may not count towards the Ph.D. unless you have consulted with a C&I faculty member.

Program Structure

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, which includes a minimum of 12 credits of dissertation. Of the remaining 72 credits, a maximum of 24 credits (with grades of B or better) may be applied from a master's degree program or previous post-baccalaureate graduate studies program toward the doctoral degree. These credits must be approved by your chair, the College of Education Doctoral Director of Graduate Study, and the Dean of the Graduate School. Credit for completion of a thesis or special project may not be included. There is no limit on the number of units transferred when student earns master’s en route to Ph.D.

At least 30 credits of 700-level courses beyond the bachelor's degree, exclusive of dissertation credits, are required for the Ph.D. degree. Degree requirements must be completed within 8 years of admission to the program.

24 credits: Research and required core

• Doctoral Seminar in Education

Required Research Courses:

• One Quantitative research course
• One Qualitative research course
• Program Development and Evaluation
• Survey Research in Education
• Research Applications in Education
• Mixed Methods Research in Education
• Special topics research course such as Single Subject Design
• Others from outside COE (with approval)
• Lower level courses such as EDRS 640 and EDRS 700 or equivalents are prerequisites
• Course names and requirements are subject to change. Please visit the course catalog for the most current information.

36 credits(dependent upon number of dissertation credits carried): Area of emphasis

Coursework is determined by the Advisory/Examining Committee in close consultation with the student. Credits brought in from Master’s degree may apply to area of emphasis.

Minimum of 12 credits: Dissertation

The dissertation is the culminating experience for the doctoral degree. It represents an independent research project that makes a contribution to the field of study.

Coursework earned as part of a master’s degree can count toward the area of emphasis, as well as toward the research or cognate areas, depending on relevance. Decisions about prior coursework are approved by your chair and your Advisory/Examining Committee.

Our program goal is for all students to complete the doctoral degree within 5-6 years. Research has shown that students who work on this trajectory have the highest chance of ultimately completing their doctoral studies. The best way to meet this objective is full-time studies; however, we have students in our program who are part-time students. You will be advised to work closely with your initial advisor and ultimately your chair to develop a timeline and program of study that meets your career goal and is most likely to result in completion.

Looking for a Graduate Assistantship?

The College of Education & Human Development has a limited number of Graduate Assistantships for full-time students admitted to masters or doctoral programs. 

Program Faculty

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New Certificate Program

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Uchicago to offer new postbaccalaureate premedical certificate program, open to uchicago graduates, certificate offers competitive edge in medical school admissions.

For some students, the desire to pursue a career in medicine was the goal from the first day they set foot on the University of Chicago campus; for many, though, that decision comes much later—sometimes too late to complete the array of coursework needed to fulfill the basic requirements of a standard medical school application prior to graduating.

A new postbaccalaureate premedical certificate program seeks to provide UChicago students and alumni an opportunity to effectively extend their clock or return to campus to complete those requirements and strengthen their overall candidacy.

In addition to essential scientific coursework with UChicago’s world-class faculty, this program offers students personalized guidance on course selection and study, mentoring in medical school application preparation, and access to additional resources and support as students seek research and clinical opportunities on the Hyde Park campus and beyond. 

“I’m extremely excited and honored at the opportunity to further guide our students and alumni in their efforts to be admitted to the best medical schools in the country,” said Scott A. Snyder, Professor of Chemistry and Deputy Dean for Professional Programs in the Physical Sciences Division, who will serve as the program’s inaugural director.

“Having previously taught at institutions that had such programs, I’m excited that we can launch such an offering here at the University of Chicago,” Snyder said. “In particular, I think a key and unique strength of our offering is the degree to which the program can be individually tailored for each student, as opposed to merely offering a set sequence of study as is typical of many other programs.”

With effective planning, opportunities to incorporate both research and clinical time alongside coursework can lead to a significant body of experience that medical schools often view as essential elements in any application, Snyder said.

“With these types of programs, the Physical Sciences Division and the University of Chicago continue to be at the forefront of scientific education while continuing to prioritize the needs of our students in an ever-changing higher-ed ecosystem,” said Ka Yee C. Lee, Interim Dean of the Physical Sciences Division. “We are looking forward to providing the solid scientific foundation we are known for to future medical practitioners.” 

For more information, visit the Physical Sciences Division website .

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