Apply to the PhD in Disability Studies
How to apply and what happens after you do
The PhD in Disability Studies (DIS) at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) prepares you for a research career that addresses disability in its full complexity, promoting an awareness of disability that supports individuals in shaping their identities and lives. This page covers what to do before you apply, what to submit and what happens after you apply.
We strongly encourage you to meet with faculty members whose work interests you most. In your statement of academic interests, name three faculty members and explain why their research aligns with your goals. Visit our advisors and committee members page to view the available faculty.
Application at a glance
- Deadline: Dec. 1 each year for fall admission (for fall 2027, Dec. 1, 2026)
- Application fee: $80, non-refundable
- Required degree: Master’s degree in an area relevant to the program
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for your final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate work, and 3.0 for all work beyond the bachelor’s level
- Letters of recommendation: Three
- Other materials: Statement of academic interests, curriculum vitae and writing sample. Final candidates are invited to an interview
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies from every institution attended; official transcripts required if admitted
- Faculty mentor: Name three faculty members in your statement of academic interests and explain why their research aligns with your goals
- Application format: Online and paperless
- Start term: Fall only
- GRE: Not required
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Take the next step
What to know before you apply
Admissions requirements
To apply, you need:
- A master’s degree in an area relevant to the program.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for your final 60 semester hours.
- A graduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, for all work beyond the baccalaureate level.
Meeting these minimums does not guarantee admission. The committee also reviews your statement of academic interests, research experience, recommendations and fit with your requested mentor. The GRE is not required. The program admits students for fall only. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Application checklist
The application process is paperless. Don’t mail any materials unless we ask you to. Upload documents as PDFs no larger than 5 MB. Portfolio PDFs and password-protected PDFs don’t work with our system.
You don’t have to finish your application in one sitting. You can return to the system as often as you need and check which materials have been uploaded and verified.
What to submit:
- Online application and $80 fee
- Unofficial transcripts from every college or university you attended
- Statement of academic interests
- Three letters of recommendation
- Curriculum vitae
- Writing sample
- English proficiency scores, if required
- International credential evaluation fee, if you have coursework from outside the United States
- Interview (final candidates only)
Online application and fee: Submit your application through the UIC Graduate College application system. The fee is $80 and is non-refundable for all applicants.
Transcripts: Upload unofficial copies of your transcripts from every institution you attended, including those where you earned degrees. If you’re admitted, UIC requires official transcripts. Submit them before your admission term starts.
Statement of academic interests: Your statement of academic interests should include the following information:
- Describe your professional and/or personal background. (300 words or fewer)
- Describe your dissertation research interests. (300 words or fewer)
- Why do you want to do a PhD in Disability Studies at UIC and why now? (150 words or fewer)
- How will having a PhD in Disability Studies help with your future career goals? (150 words or fewer)
- List three faculty members who align with your research interests who could serve as your PhD mentor. Briefly outline why you want to be mentored by these faculty. Visit our advisors and committee members page to view a list of available faculty. (150 words or fewer)
- Is there any other information you want the Admissions Committee to know? (150 words or fewer)
Letters of recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation in support of your application. People who can provide meaningful commentary on your work in academic and professional settings are best suited to submit recommendations. Don’t seek recommendations from peers, family, friends or social acquaintances.
After submitting the application and fee online (typically the next business day), you’ll receive further instructions to generate letter requests for your recommenders. Each person should submit their recommendation online.
Curriculum vitae: Submit a current CV that includes your scholarly activities and your record of publications and presentations to date.
Writing sample: Include a writing sample no more than one year old and no longer than 25 pages. This should be a formal piece of research (e.g., a class paper, a chapter from your thesis, a publication paper where you are the sole author).
If you don’t have a formal writing sample, please include an informal writing sample that provides a sense of your voice, skill and interests as a writer (e.g., an opinion piece, a blog entry, a one-page statement on a topic of choice).
Interview (Final Candidates only): Applicants will be notified if they are selected to proceed as a Final Candidate for admission. At this stage, the Final Candidates selected will participate in an invite-only interview before a final decision is made.
International applicants
If English isn’t your native language, submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic scores unless you qualify for an exemption.
UIC’s minimum scores are:
- TOEFL iBT: 80, with section scores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20 and Writing 21
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each of the four sections
- PTE Academic: 54, with section scores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53 and Writing 56
The program doesn’t set minimums higher than UIC’s. Send scores directly to UIC using institutional code 1851. TOEFL scores must come directly from ETS. Paper score reports aren’t accepted. Review UIC’s international requirements for subscores and exemptions.
International credential evaluation fee: $100, if you have coursework from outside the United States. Upload PDF copies of your credentials for review, including your degree certificate or diploma for each completed degree. Credentials must come from the institution you attended. Third-party evaluations such as WES or ECE aren’t accepted in their place, and documents in another language need certified, literal English translations. UIC requests official, sealed credentials only from admitted applicants who plan to enroll.
Declaration and Certification of Finances: The Declaration and Certification of Finances form must be signed by you and your sponsor.
Tuition and aid
Review your funding options before you apply. Visit our college tuition and aid page for the most up-to-date information, and explore the Graduate College‘s guidance on financial resources and funding.
You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before you apply. Use UIC’s school code, 001776. Many scholarships and grants have deadlines earlier than the admission deadline, so a head start helps.
Graduate assistantships are the primary means of financial support for PhD students. The department offers appointments in both teaching and research (or a combination of both). Assistantships are competitive and many are awarded at the time of acceptance into the program, so you should submit your materials early for full consideration.
Other assistantship opportunities may arise during the year. These are sometimes advertised on the student mailing list, but you can also find opportunities by maintaining contact with faculty or other staff members. Although opportunities vary, most have a direct connection to a student’s academic work and help to prepare them for the future.
What happens after you apply
Check your application status to see whether your items are correct and complete.
Departmental review
The admissions committee decides whether to recommend you for admission. It bases its decision on your credentials and your requested mentor’s input. Review time varies. We send recommendations to Admissions throughout the application cycle, and Admissions updates the official record.
Graduate college review
In some cases, an application we recommend may also need Graduate College review. The Graduate College can uphold our recommendation or deny the application.
Your decision
Once Admissions enters a decision, the application portal updates and UIC mails an official decision letter, typically within five business days.
If you’ve been admitted…
Congratulations! Visit our newly admitted students page for next steps.
International students who need a student visa should submit financial documents to the Office of International Services through the application checklist and contact that office with questions about visa processing.
Follow any instructions in your admission notice. Most admitted students accept or decline their offer through the application status page. Submit official transcripts before your admission term starts.
Application for a teaching assistant position: If you are a new or current graduate student, apply here for a TA position.
If you need to defer …
You can defer admission once for up to one academic year. For example, a fall admission can move to the following spring or fall term. Tell us as soon as possible. If we approve your request, we forward it to the Office of Admissions for final approval and an update to your student record.
If you’ve been denied…
Contact us to ask about the decision. In some cases, we can advise you on how to strengthen your profile or apply successfully for a future term.
Frequently asked questions
When is the PhD in Disability Studies application deadline?
The deadline is Dec. 1 each year for fall admission. For example, if you want to start in fall 2027, apply by Dec. 1, 2026.
What GPA do I need to apply?
You need at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for your final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study and a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all work beyond the baccalaureate level.
Do I need a master's degree?
Yes, in an area relevant to the program. The program asks for a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale for all work beyond the bachelor’s level.
Do I need a faculty mentor before I apply?
You don’t need to meet with faculty before you apply, but we strongly encourage you to. In your statement of academic interests, name three faculty members and explain why their research aligns with your goals. Visit our advisors and committee members page to view the available faculty.
What do I need to submit?
Submit the online application and $80 fee, unofficial transcripts, a statement of academic interests, three letters of recommendation, a current CV and a writing sample. International applicants may also need English proficiency scores and the credential evaluation fee.
Final Candidates are invited to an interview.
Can I defer my admission?
Yes, once, for up to one academic year. A fall admission can move to the following spring or fall term. Contact us as soon as possible.
Is funding available?
Yes. Graduate assistantships are the primary means of financial support for PhD students. The department offers appointments in teaching, research or a combination of both. Assistantships are competitive and many are awarded at acceptance, so submit your materials early. Other opportunities arise during the year.
Is the GRE required?
No. The GRE is no longer required.
Do I need official transcripts to apply?
No. The program reviews unofficial transcripts. If you’re admitted, UIC requires official transcripts before your admission term starts.
What English test scores do international applicants need?
If English isn’t your native language, UIC’s minimums are a TOEFL iBT score of 80, an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5 or a PTE Academic overall score of 54, unless you qualify for an exemption. See UIC’s international requirements for subscores and exemptions.
Are incomplete applications reviewed?
No. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Is there are interview?
Final Candidates are invited to an interview before a final decision.
Can I start the program in the spring or summer?
No. The program admits students for fall only.
Questions?
We’re here to help with questions before and after you apply.
Contact the Department of Disability and Human Development’s Office of Student Affairs at:
Email dhdosa@uic.edu
Phone 312.996.1508
Address 1640 W. Roosevelt Rd., 242 DHSP, MC 626, Chicago, IL 60608-6904