Science / Mathematics Education Department

Southern University and A&M College

The Application Package

Applicants must qualify for admission to the Southern University Graduate School before they can be considered for admission to the SMED Program. Although the SMED Program faculty welcome questions specific to the Program, as well as visits to the Department at any time, it is essential that all formal transmissions of application materials be directed initially to the Graduate School. Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies, P.O. Box 9860, Baton Rouge, LA 70813; phone: (225) 771-5390, fax: (225) 771-5723. The toll free phone number, (888) 223-1460, is also available.

The application package must include the following:

• A completed and signed application form.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores no older than five years. Minimum acceptable scores are normally 450 on the verbal section and 550 on the quantitative section of the exam.
• A statement of academic interests and intent, including a description of long-range professional goals. This typewritten document should present a thoughtful and substantive rationale for the applicant's wishing to enter the program. Both its substance and form should demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards of academic and professional performance.
• Three letters of recommendation preferably from former professors who can address the applicant's prospects for success in graduate work. Forms provided by the Graduate School may be used for this purpose.
• Official transcripts of all prior coursework, including certifications of prior degrees.
• A current curriculum vitae or resume
• International students must also submit TOEFL examination results that establish their fluency in English. It is the applicant's responsibility to communicate directly with the Graduate School to determine if he/she has met all application requirements. Upon certification by the Graduate School that the applicant meets the minimum requirements for admission to graduate study at the University, copies of the applicant's materials are forwarded to the SMED Department to be evaluated for admission to the SMED Program.

Levels of Entrance to the SMED Program

Depending on prior credentials earned from an accredited college or university, students may enter the Program either as a Ph.D. student or as a Master's/Ph.D. student.

Entrance as a Ph.D. student: Applicants holding an earned master's degree in biology, chemistry, geology, physics, mathematics, or computer science from an accredited college or university are considered for admission to the SMED program as Ph.D. students, with exemption from further coursework requirements in the science/mathematics content area.

Applicants holding a master's degree in a science/mathematics discipline other than the above, or in engineering or science education, will have their credentials evaluated to determine whether the degree is the equivalent of a master's degree in a science or mathematics content area. The criteria for a master's equivalency are that the student have earned at least 24 graduate credits with grades of B or better in the content area and have passed a master's-level comprehensive examination in this content area. In conducting its evaluation, the SMED Admissions Committee will solicit input from faculty in the content area department.

Students admitted as a Ph.D. student as described in this section (i.e.— those holding an appropriate master's degree or equivalent) are exempt from taking the master's-level comprehensive examination in the content area department.

Entrance as a Master's/Ph.D. student: Applicants who lack an appropriate master's degree as described in the preceding section may be admitted to the SMED Program provided that they also qualify for admission to the master's degree program in the content area department. In this case, the student will be limited to taking nine graduate credits of SMED coursework prior to earning the master's equivalency in the content area.

If admitted as a Master's/Ph-D. student as described in this section, the student must complete 24 credits of graduate coursework in the content area (which includes any approved transfer credits), and must pass the master's comprehensive examination administered by the content area department. Although completion of the master's degree in the content area is not a prerequisite to completing the Ph.D., it is strongly encouraged.

Program Admission Requirements

Qualified applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, or mathematics, and must provide a written statement of intent that clearly demonstrates a mastery of the English language and communication skills appropriate for doctoral study.

The SMED Admissions Committee will give preference to applicants who (a) hold a master's degree in a relevant content area, (b) have GRE scores exceeding 550 verbal and 550 quantitative, and (c) have teaching experience. To the extent that an applicant is deficient in one of these areas, the Admissions Committee will critically evaluate whether the applicant's qualifications in the other areas offset the shortcoming.

The Admissions Committee and the Graduate School do not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's age, gender, race or ethnicity, national origin, physical disability, political affiliation, religion, or income.

Provisional and Conditional Admission

Under some circumstances, the SMED Admissions Committee may recommend an applicant's provisional or conditional admission to the Program.

Provisional admission may be granted if the application package is incomplete but contains enough documentation to unambiguously establish an applicant's ability to succeed in the Program. Provisional acceptance, when granted, is for one semester only and cannot be renewed. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the application file is completed during the first semester of study. During the period of provisional status, the student is ineligible for departmental scholarships, fellowships, and/or assistantships.

Conditional admission may be granted in the unusual case of an otherwise well-qualified applicant who lacks some essential academic prerequisite to the program. If granted, the student must satisfy the specified condition(s) within one academic year, and must provide appropriate documentation to the Department. During the period of conditional status, the student is ineligible for departmental scholarships, fellowships, and/or assistantships.

It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the change in admission status from Provisional or Conditional to Regular admission within the above-stated time periods. The form for requesting such change in admission status can be obtained in the SMED Department office.

Timeline for Applications

Students planning to matriculate in the Summer or Fall should file a completed application and all required supporting documentation by February 15. Applicants who meet this deadline will be notified of the status of their acceptance to the Program by March 30. The first round of assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships will be awarded by May. Later applications, and applications for study beginning in January, will be considered only on a space-available basis. Applicants contemplating applying for admission outside the normal timeline are encouraged to contact the SMED Department.