Apply to the Master's Program

Admission Requirements

The following are required to be admitted into the OILS Master's program:

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• At least a 3.0 GPA in the last sixty (60) hours of undergraduate work
• Required documentation (see below)
• Goals or objectives that can be reasonably achieved through a degree in this program
• It is recommended that applicants should talk to one of the OILS faculty before the application deadline

Non-Degree Students: Up to twelve (12) non-degree-seeking UNM graduate-level credit hours may be applied to the MA degree program with the approval of the advisor. Check your transcript periodically to see that it shows the courses as non-degree-seeking graduate.

Application Deadlines

Application procedures should be started at least one month prior to the beginning of the 8-week module (e.g. the first or second 8 weeks in the Fall semester) in which you want to begin the degree to allow ample time for materials to be received and reviewed. Incomplete files will be reviewed for admission in the next module. 

Required Documentation

You will be required to upload electronic copies of the following documentation when you complete your online application:

• A Letter of Intent - Describing your background, interests, objectives, and how the degree fits into your plans. A clear connection between your career goals and OILS is needed. Be specific.
• A Resume - Which provides a summary of your experience, especially that which relates to your proposed graduate work
• One writing sample - Your writing sample doesn't have to be a class paper or be very long.  However, it should show your strengths in academic writing.
• Transcripts - You may submit unofficial transcripts to apply, but the Office of Graduate Studies will require official transcripts for their administrative purposes.

• One Letter of Recommendation - References should speak to your academic ability/potential. Requests for letter of recommendation are processed through the online application system. Please provide the names and email addresses of the individuals. The system will send them the link to complete the process.  *Students may replace one letter of recommendation with a recommendation from an OILS faculty. The student will need the OILS faculty advisor to submit an email to Christopher Larranaga (Chrisla1@unm.edu) stating that they will vouch for the student's ability to perform well academically in the Master's program.

Admission Procedure

1. Apply Online as a UNM Graduate Student. You will submit the following with your application packet:
   1. A UNM Application for Admission
   2. Application fee
   3. An official transcript from each college or university you have attended
   4. All Required Documentation as outlined above

Applicants will be notified of admission decisions by letters from both the UNM Graduate Admissions Office and the Program Office.

Questions about the MA Program? 

MA Program Contact