Intercultural Youth and Family Development

 Application Materials and Deadline

Student Handbook

Students enter in the Fall semester only - priority will be given to complete application packets postmarked by February 15th.  Complete application packets submitted after this date will be considered on a space available basis only.
Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on the UM Graduate School web site.
The Intercultural Youth and Family Development program accepts GRE scores with a test date that is within the past five years OR verifiable GRE scores if the test date is over five years old.
TOEFL scores are also required of international applicants.
All official test scores must be sent to the UM Graduate School.

In addition to the online application, the following "Additional Application Materials" must be mailed directly to the Intercultural Youth and Family Development program:

• official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• a personal statement indicating:
  • reasons for wishing to be admitted into this program
  • past experiences (volunteer or paid) working in the human services field
  • goals for using the skills acquired in the IYFD program
• three (3) letters of recommendation
• a current résumé or vita

Other admissions requirements

• acceptable combination of GRE scores and undergraduate GPA
• an in-person or phone interview

Pre-requisites

The IYFD program does not require a specific undergraduate degree for admission. However, the following courses are pre-requisites and should be taken before enrolling:

• Undergraduate course in developmental psychology, child/adolescent development, or a related topic

Additional suggestions, though not required:

• Undergraduate research design course
• Undergraduate exceptionality course or a course focusing on the treatment of youth
• Undergraduate course in abnormal or social psychology

International Students

• We welcome applications from students of all nations; efforts will be made to arrange field placement opportunities for international students in community non-profit service organizations in the United States.
• See the International Student Admission section on the UM Graduate School web site.
• English Language Requirements for International Students
  • Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) scores.
  • According to The Graduate School at The University of Montana, the English language requirements have changed as a result of the growing problem students are having in taking the TOEFL test in their home countries.  The Graduate School will therefore also accept scores from the IELTS and MELAB.
  • If the TOEFL score is below 580 (paper-based test), 237 (computer-based test), or 93 (internet-based test); the IELTS score is below 7.0; or the MELAB score is below 82, applicants may be admitted provisionally or as a graduate non-degree student and be required to complete English as a Second Language course(s) before they can take core courses in the IYFD program.