Graduate & Special Programs Admission

Applications for Graduate and Special Programs are submitted through the online Application Management Portal and processed through Slate, the customer relationship management (CRM) system that allows communication between the Graduate and Special Programs office, each of our Graduate and Special Programs academic departments, and our prospective students throughout the admission process.

Deadlines

To allow sufficient processing time, admission deadlines must be followed. These deadlines are as follows:

Master of Arts in Teaching

For summer or fall entry, M.A.T. admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with general enrollment deadlines of October 15 and April 15. The deadline for applications to be considered for summer admittance is May 1. There is no spring entry for full-time students.

Master of Fine Arts in Dance

All M.F.A. Dance applications must be received by January 3; this deadline changes slightly each year depending on the calendar, but normally falls between January 2–15. The mandatory in-person audition is on Friday between the second and fourth week of Spring semester. There is no later deadline for fall, and applications are not accepted for spring entry.

Master of Science in Biological Sciences

All M.S./Biological Sciences applications must be received no later than January 15. Applications are not accepted for spring entry.

Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Studies

The deadline for S.M./E.S.S. applications is March 1. Applications are not accepted for spring entry.

Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting

Note that the M.F.A. in Playwriting program is no longer accepting applications.

Mathematics Postbaccalaureate Program

The program deadline for fall entry is March 15. Later applications may be considered if space and funding are available. Spaces are sometimes available for January entrance. The deadline for January consideration is October 15.

Interdisciplinary Studies Diploma Program

The deadline for exchange students from Smith College partner schools is within the first or second week of February. For non-exchange students, the deadline is January 15.

Non-degree Programs

Non-degree application deadlines are June 1 for summer, August 25 for the fall semester, and December 15 for spring. Financial aid is not available to non-degree students. However, any Northampton Public Schools classroom teacher may take one or two courses per semester tuition-free in exchange for our students completing practica in their schools. Only classroom teachers—no substitutes, aides, etc.—qualify for the free courses. Classroom teachers outside of the Northampton Public Schools also may “earn” tuition waivers by having Smith undergraduate or graduate students in their classrooms as student teachers.

Required Materials

Each department specifies the documents that are required for admission to their program(s).

Required for All Master’s Applicants

Domestic Applicants

  • Graduate and Special Programs application
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions (sent from the institution directly to the Graduate and Special Programs Office)
  • Resume
  • Statement of objectives
  • Writing sample
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • $60 application fee

  • Graduate and Special Programs application
  • Statement of Objectives (in English)
  • Official transcript (sent from the institution directly to the Graduate and Special Programs Office)—must list all courses taken and grades received. Must also show degree and date received and must be translated to English
  • Writing sample (in English)
  • Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must submit official TOEFL or IELTS results
  • Applicants from English-speaking countries must submit official GRE English or Duolingo English result
  • $60 application fee

Specific Materials

  • Graduate and Special Programs application
  • Statement of Objectives (in English)
  • Official transcript—must list all courses taken and grades received
  • and must be translated to English
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Non-exchange applicants from non-English-speaking countries must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo results
  • Non-exchange applicants from English-speaking countries must submit GRE results
  • Non-exchange applicants must submit a $60 application fee
  • Exchange students from Smith College partner schools do not pay an application fee or deposit for admission

  • Post-Baccalaureate program application
  • Official transcripts from undergraduate institutions
  • Resume
  • Statement of Objectives
  • Three letters of recommendation—two from people who can attest to mathematics ability/practice
  • $60 application fee
  • Mathematical proof writing (optional)
  • SAT or GRE test report (optional)

  • Graduate Programs non-degree application
  • Official undergraduate transcript showing degree and date received
  • Immunization/health record
  • $60 application fee each semester

  • Biological Sciences: Supplemental sheet explaining area of research interest
  • Dance: Application Supplement of choreography and/or teaching reels
  • Exercise and Sport Studies: Application Supplement
  • M.A.T.: If possible, one of the letters of recommendation should be from someone who has seen the candidate working with young people.
    • Because the M.A.T. entails fieldwork experiences in local school districts, candidates must meet the Minor Safety Certification requirements of Smith College as well as any additional steps, such as the CORI or vaccinations, required by the host school district for working with students.
  • Diploma Program: Self-described language skills

Admission Decision Guidelines

To ensure that applicants are notified in a timely manner, departments and Graduate and Special Programs staff adhere to the following guidelines.

  • The Office of Graduate and Special Programs is responsible for managing applications for admission. Applicants submit documents via Slate. Program directors and other designated faculty/staff have access to read applications for their programs.
  • Departments evaluate applications and make all admission decisions.
    • M.S./Biological Sciences, M.F.A./Dance, and S.M./Exercise and Sport Studies: Applicants being offered teaching opportunities must be notified of acceptance as soon as possible (before March 1, when possible). Departments should ask for responses within two weeks of offer to allow time to move to the next person on the list if an accepted student declines.
    • M.A.T./secondary: Applications are reviewed by the Department of Education and Child Study, which makes the determination about admission to the M.A.T. program. Perspective from the academic department representing the discipline in which secondary candidates are seeking licensure provides valuable insight about potential areas for additional coursework that may help to round out a candidate’s experience and fill gaps in content knowledge.
  • Each department submits admission decisions (accept/deny/waitlist/award information) in Slate as soon as their decisions are made. Directors send emails to candidates notifying them of acceptance and offers.
  • The Graduate and Special Programs office sends deny and waitlist letters immediately upon receipt of the decision list.
  • The Graduate and Special Programs office sends acceptance letters via Slate.
    • M.A.T. sent on a rolling basis, as decisions are made.
    • M.S./Biological Sciences and S.M./Exercise and Sport Studies letters will sent by the third week of March (dependent on when new fee information is received from the Finance Office).
    • M.F.A./Dance admits will be sent an early letter if final decisions are completed early (to confirm admission and fellowship). Additional acceptance letters will be sent by the third week of March.
    • Post-Bac/Mathematics admission letters will be sent in late March or early April, as soon as decisions are made by the department.
    • Diploma letters will be sent in April. Allied academic offices will also be notified.
  • Accepted applicants respond to offers of admission and make a deposit of $100 within the Slate portal:
    • M.A.T.: two to four weeks from the date of acceptance letter; will vary from student to student.
    • M.S./Biological Sciences, S.M./Exercise and Sport Studies, and M.F.A./Dance: Those offered fellowship and/or teaching opportunities must respond within two weeks of offer. Other students must respond by the first week of May.
    • Post-Bac/Mathematics: within four weeks of offer, depending on when admission letters are sent.
    • Diploma: within two weeks of offer (sometimes less; dependent on when admission letters go out).