Applicants must complete two online applications — one for the Notre Dame Graduate School and one for the Kroc Institute — as well as the other materials listed below.
All application materials (except transcripts) must be uploaded through the Graduate School Application and sent at the same time, by January 5.
- University of Notre Dame Graduate School Application
- Kroc Institute Application
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Intent
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Letter of Verification of English Proficiency (for non-native speakers of English only); a writing sample is not required
- Official Transcript (by postal mail), with proof of B.A.-equivalent degree (and English translations of transcripts)
- Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, for non-native speakers of English)
- Official scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- Application fee (online by credit card or check by mail)
- Submission procedure instructions
Note:
Please capitalize your LAST NAME on all forms. Your last name is your family name or surname. Your first name is your given name or personal name. If you have more than one last name, please list them all. If you have no last name, use one of your given names as your last name in the application.
1) University of Notre Dame Graduate School Application
You must complete the online application to the graduate school. Your Statement of Intent, CV and Kroc application should be submitted in the “Uploads” section of the online application. Mailing a paper copy will delay the processing of your application. Please have all these items ready to submit before you complete your online application.
When completing the online application, if a required field does not apply to you, enter the word “none” in the field. Required fields cannot be left empty, but any text you enter in the field will be accepted by the system.
The Graduate School’s online application can only be submitted once. However, you do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You may access your application and change your responses as many times as you like with your PIN and password from any computer with Internet access.
Once you have completed the application, click the “Submit” button at the top. This will take you through the steps to pay the application fee and submit your application electronically to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Remember: Submit your online application only once.
After you submit your application, you will not be able to go back and make changes or additions to your application using the online application system. However, you will be able to access your online application in order to check which materials have been received. Back to top
2) Kroc Institute Application Form
Type directly into this 7-page Kroc application form and save it on your computer. You should submit it in the “Uploads” section in the Graduate School’s online application.
Mailing a paper copy of the Kroc Application form will delay the processing of your application. The Graduate School scans and uploads to your file anything received by postal mail, and does not keep paper copies of application materials.
Reminder: The Notre Dame Graduate School’s online application and the 7-page Kroc Institute Application both are required to apply to the master’s program. Back to top
3) Résumé or CV
Submit a document showing the chronological progression of your work and studies via the “Uploads” section of the Notre Dame Graduate School’s online application. Mailing a paper copy of your CV will delay the processing of your application. Please do not fax or email your CV to the Kroc Institute unless instructed to do so. Back to top
4) Statement of Intent
The statement of intent must explain why you want to join the Kroc Institute's M.A. program in peace studies, what specific skills and related experiences you bring to the program, what peace-related work experience you have had, what values motivate you, and how your research and study interests related to your professional goals and future life plans. Please also identify which professional track you are applying for and why, and how this track will advance your peace-related professional goals. The statement of intent plays a critical part in the evaluation of applicants, and must be written by the applicant personally.
Submit your statement of intent in the “Uploads” section of the Graduate School’s online application. Mailing a paper copy of your statement will delay the processing of your application. Please do not fax or email your statement to the Kroc Institute unless instructed to do so. Back to top
5) Three letters of recommendation
Recommendations play a critical role in evaluating applications. At least one of the three letters must be from your previous professors who can address your academic abilities; more than one is better.` The letters should be written by people who can describe in detail your qualifications, motivation, and ability to succeed in the program.
Instructions for the recommender:
"Please write a separate letter evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant, with particular reference to motivation, intellect, creativity, discipline, maturity, character, demonstrated ability to do academic work, and promise as a professional. Please address specifically the applicant’s particular experience with groups and/or organizations engaged in peacebuilding work. Specific instances in which these qualities were revealed would be most helpful, as would comparison of this student with others you have recommended. What do you feel the applicant can contribute to and gain from the peace studies master’s program, and what is your understanding of the applicant's future professional goals?"
We prefer that the people submitting reference letters on your behalf submit their letters to the Graduate School electronically through the online application system. Please enter the names and complete contact information for each provider in the “Recommendation” section of the application and indicate whether he or she will be submitting the letter electronically or on paper. For those providers who wish to submit their letter electronically, check the “Yes” box in the “Recommendation” section of the application. You must provide the email address for recommenders who will be submitting their letter online. Please also notify the individual that he or she will be receiving an email from the Notre Dame Graduate School's online application system with instructions for uploading the letter to your online application.
- Once the recommendation provider information is saved, an e-mail will be sent to the online recommendation provider with instructions on how to proceed with the online recommendation.
- When the recommendation provider submits the form to the Graduate School, it will become a part of your application.
- You can view the status of your online recommendations each time you log into your application account.
For those recommenders who wish to submit their letter of reference on paper, the letter should be addressed to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Attention: Peace Studies
University of Notre Dame
502 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
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6) Transcripts
The university requires that offical transcripts be submitted. But unofficial copies of all your (university level) transcripts should be uploaded to your online application in the "Uploads" section. (Please include a certified English translation, if necessary.) You must also submit official copies by postal mail.
Mail official transcripts to the Notre Dame Graduate Admissions Office in a signed and sealed envelope. Write “Peace Studies” on the outside of the envelope. Your official transcripts cannot be submitted electronically. One transcript is required from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended, showing courses taken and grades received. If the originals are not in English, please include a certified English translation. High school and/or elementary school transcripts are not required or needed.
If an undergraduate transcript does not show proof of degree and date earned, an official copy of the diploma showing award of B.A. or equivalent is also required. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. Certified copies are acceptable. Photocopies or documents marked “issued to student” are unofficial. Please note that these documents cannot be returned. Do not send irreplaceable originals.
Mail your transcripts (and diplomas, if needed) to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Attention: Peace Studies
University of Notre Dame
502 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
U.S.A.
If your B.A. is currently in progress, send official transcripts for all coursework completed and request that a final transcript be sent as soon as it is available. Proof of award of the B.A. degree or equivalent must be furnished before a student can begin the master’s program.
Please do not fax or email your scanned transcript unless we instruct you to do so. Back to top
7) Letter of Verification of English Proficiency
A letter of Verification of English Proficiency is required for all non-native speakers of English. This letter should be written by a person, preferably a native speaker of English, who is well-acquainted with your English language ability and experience, both written and spoken. Success in the graduate program of the Kroc Institute depends on communication and graduate study conducted in English. The letter should describe the applicant’s experience with the language, present level of proficiency, communicative ability in English, and ability to do graduate work in English , including extensive reading and writing.
The name of the person who will be writing your letter of Verification of English Proficiency should be entered in the appropriate place on the Kroc application form. The letter can either be submitted as part of your online application in the “Uploads” section, or your recommender can post a paper copy to the Office of Graduate Admissions at the mailing address given above. Please instruct your recommender to write “Verification of English Proficiency” at the top of his or her letter. Back to top
8) TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score
The institution code for Notre Dame is 1841. A department code is not necessary, but you can use 5101 if needed. All applicants who are not native speakers of English must take the TOEFL unless they have successfully studied for at least one year at a university in which English was the medium of instruction. Any score below 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based) is questionable. TOEFL scores are valid for up to two years after the test date. Please write your self-reported TOEFL score on your Kroc application. You must also have an official score report sent to Notre Dame by ETS. Please upload your personal copy of your TOEFL score to your online application in the "Uploads" section. If the test is taken after your application is submitted, please email your self-reported TOEFL score as soon as it is available. The score must reach the Kroc Institute by the beginning of February in order to be considered. More TOEFL information »
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9) Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores
The institution code for the University of Notre Dame is 1841. A department code is not necessary. The GRE is a standardized exam used for admission to all graduate schools in the United States and is required for all applicants applying to the Kroc Institute. LSAT or GMAT scores cannot replace the GRE. The GRE is always considered in combination with other aspects of the application. Official scores must reach the Kroc Institute by the end of January in order to be considered. GRE scores are valid for five years. In exceptional circumstances where reaching a site to take the GRE is truly difficult or even dangerous, the Kroc Institute may consider an application for admission if the applicant provides an acceptable explanation of the circumstances on the Kroc application form. In such cases, an applicant who is admitted without the GRE will be required to take the exam by November 1 of the first semester of enrollment as a condition of continued enrollment. The GRE test is offered by the Educational Testing Service at locations around the world. More GRE information »
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10) Application fee of $50
A reduced fee of $35 is offered for those applications received by December 1. Applicants may pay the fee online by credit card after completing the online application, or by sending a check to: Office of Graduate Admissions, Attention: Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, 502 Main Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. Checks should be made payable to the University of Notre Dame. If the check is not written by the applicant, or is mailed separately, the name of the applicant must be included with the check. International applicants who do not have access to a credit card or a U.S. checking account may pay using an International Postal Money Order or a bank draft on a U.S. bank. It is not possible to pay by bank transfer.
Students applying to more than one graduate program at Notre Dame are only required to pay one application fee per year. Students reapplying for the first time are not required to pay a fee if they paid the fee the first time. Back to top
Submission Procedure
Your statement of intent, CV, Kroc application, and unofficial copies of your transcripts, TOEFL and GRE scores, should be submitted electronically as part of the Graduate School's online application.
The application deadline for the master’s program is January 5.
Applicants will be notified of the decisions by April 1.
- Make a complete copy of your application and supporting documents for your records.
- Complete the Graduate School’s online application and submit your Kroc Institute application and your supporting documents electronically.
- Mail one official transcript from each university you attended to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Attention: Peace Studies
University of Notre Dame
502 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556-5602
USA
- Please do not fax or e-mail your materials unless we instruct you to do so. Back to top
