How to Apply

Formal admission is necessary to pursue a complete degree or certification program.

Those seeking formal admission to a degree program must submit the following documents to the Graduate Admissions Office located in the Kelley Administrative Center:

1. A completed online formal application along with a non-refundable application fee of $65.
2. All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent electronically to gradadmis@fairfield.edu or mailed directly to:
   Fairfield University
   Office of Graduate Admission
   Kelley Center
   1073 North Benson Road
   Fairfield, CT 06824-5495
3. At least two letters of recommendation. Suggested recommendations include your undergraduate or graduate professors; your major advisor; your work supervisor; or a professional in the field that you wish to study who knows you.
4. Applicants for all state certification programs must also:
   • Have taken one of the following tests: the Praxis Core, SAT, ACT or GRE and provide official scores for their file. Applicants who do not have passing scores ‌ on one or more sections may be required to remediate any deficient area. Remediation may include re-taking and passing the sections that were not passed, taking additional coursework, or other remediation activities. If additional courses are required the candidate must complete the coursework at a grade of B (3.0) or above and provide an official transcript to the Dean's Office prior to student teaching or internship. Please see advisor for additional details and recommendations. If students provide their social security number to ETS www.ets.org/praxis when registering for the Praxis Core exam, the reported score will automatically be uploaded to their Fairfield application file. Fairfield University's code is 3390.
   • Possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.67 (B-) or above. Waiving of this minimum GPA requirement is on a case by case basis by departmental approval.
   • Pass an Admission interview.

Required Background for Admission

Required Background for Admission

• Applicants for the Master of Arts degree must hold an earned Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must give promise of meeting the standards set by the School. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.67 is strongly recommended.
• Applicants for the Sixth Year Certificate must hold an earned Master's degree from an accredited college or university, completed with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
• Additionally, individual departments may set specific requirements concerning interviews, adequate scores on tests, course waivers, computer literacy and major and distribution of undergraduate coursework.

Dates & Deadlines

Please be advised that the following must be received at the graduate admission office on or before the application deadlines given below in order for your application to be reviewed for formal admission by your program of interest: formal admission application and fee, supplemental application, personal statement, resume, two references on forms provided and all transcripts. Praxis Core scores or waiver (if necessary) must be submitted and on file before you can be formally admitted.

Fingerprinting and background checks are required for certification programs. Please contact your course instructor and/or program director for updated information.

Fall Admissions (January 15) - In-person group and individual interviews for those invited will be scheduled during the 3rd week of February on Thursday or Friday.

Spring Admissions (October 1) - In-person group and individual interviews for those invited will be scheduled during the 3rd week of October on Thursday or Friday.

Fall
Priority Deadline: March 1
Final Deadline: May 1

Spring
Priority Deadline: October 1
Final Deadline: November 15

Fall
Priority Deadline: March 1
Final Deadline: May 1

Spring
Priority Deadline: October 1
Final Deadline: November 15

• Applications that are not complete as of a deadline will be held over for the next deadline, to give applicants the opportunity to complete their applications.
• The review process takes approximately 6 weeks from the application deadline date. Candidates who have not received an admission decision letter by then may call the Dean's office at (203) 254-4250 for information about the status of their application.