Online Master’s FAQ

Admissions are conducted on a rolling basis.

• To start the program in January, apply by November 1 of the preceding year.
• To start the program in May, apply by April 1.
• To start the program in August, apply by July 1.

Our rolling admissions process should allow us to respond quickly to complete applications. Applicants can expect a decision within one calendar month if all materials have been received.

Please write a statement that answers the following questions (1,000 words max):

• • • • How has your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study?
      • How will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals?
      • What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?

The below series of questions require short answers within the application. Questions 1 and 2 are required while questions 3 and 4 are optional.

1. Please describe pivotal experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges (including any financial or access barriers) that have influenced your educational and professional development.
2. At Illinois, we value a student’s ability to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where our graduate students can learn and collaborate productively and positively. Please provide an example of how you contributed to or engaged with a community of students or colleagues with different perspectives, abilities, and experiences to achieve a positive outcome and reflect on what you learned from this experience.
3. If you believe that your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. You may also discuss any gaps in your academic and professional experience.
4. If there is something that you would like to share with the admissions committee that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon the topics discussed in the above essays.

Our admission process is not formula driven. We have students with a wide range of undergraduate GPAs apply and get admitted.

Your last two years of undergraduate work at the time of application is used to determine your GPA. If you take more than four years to graduate, all coursework beyond the second year is used in the GPA determination.

The letters of reference should be submitted electronically through the Graduate College online application. The names of references are entered into the system with email addresses, and they will receive further instructions for completion.

All materials should be submitted electronically with the application, including unofficial transcripts. If you have already submitted the application, you may go back and upload transcripts through the “Post-submission Upload Credentials” page.

Once admitted to LER, you will need to submit official transcripts showing the degree and date awarded electronically or in a sealed envelope mailed directly from the institution to the Grad College address at 507 East Green St, Suite 101, Champaign, IL 61820. U.S. and International credentials should be sent electronically from the previous school whenever possible. Credentials should be sent to grad@illinois.edu from a verifiable email address.

Note that “Issued to Student” transcripts can only be accepted if they have remained in a sealed envelope. Electronic transcripts sent to the student are not considered official unless the transcripts are sent directly from the institution to the University of Illinois without the student having access in between. 

If you attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Graduate College will obtain your official transcript for you. You do not need to request official UIUC transcripts to be mailed or emailed to our office.

*International Students need to submit official transcripts through the electronic application system. If instruction at the undergrad university was completed in a language other than English, applicants need to include a copy of the transcripts in English as well as the native language. If degree has already been completed, the applicant must submit the Certificate of Degree, a copy in English and a copy in the native language (if appropriate). Please make sure there is a transcript legend included with all Official transcripts, explaining the grading scale.

TOEFL (for international applicants only) should be sent electronically to institution Code 1836. GMAT scores for master’s applicants should be submitted to code VKR-TK-05. (Note: It is correct that these code numbers are affiliated with the College of Business. They will be routed to LER.).

Currently the GMAT/GRE is not required for the on-campus or online master’s programs.

If an international student has completed at least two years of post-secondary full-time study, two years of professional work experience, or if they have a four-year degree at a U.S. institution, as defined by the home institution, or completed a degree in a country where English is the primary language and this degree is from an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction, within five years of the proposed term of initial enrollment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the TOEFL/IELTS may be waived. If it has been longer than five years, new test scores are required.

The tuition rate for the 2024-25 academic year is $770 (USD) per credit hour. This translates to $3,080 for each 4-credit course. These rates include both tuition and fees. The tuition rates are the same for in-state, out-of-state, and international students.

Financial aid from the University of Illinois is available through the Office of Student Financial Aid. If you wish to be considered for financial aid from the University of Illinois, please complete The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), using the school code 001775. See www.osfa.illinois.edu for more information.

Applicants are encouraged to explore employer tuition assistance in addition to other forms of financial aid.

Prior work experience is highly encouraged for the Online MHRIR.

If you have recently been in the workforce, recommendation letters from professionals in your organization are acceptable.

Online MHRIR program code 10KS0364MHRU, Dept. 1568