Services

• Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program – SGS is the academic home for students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, monitoring student progress and providing a variety of support services for the students enrolled in the program.

• Facilitate governance of graduate programs

• Certification of all doctoral dissertations and master’s theses prior to oral defense

• Fellowships – SGS administers a number of campus graduate competitions

• Graduate Teaching Assistants – SGS coordinates orientation and training for GTAs

• Assessment of all masters and doctoral graduates

• Approves and monitors graduate programs and coursework

• Coordinates appointments to the Doctoral and Graduate Faculty

• Works with academic units on issues related to graduate policies

• Provides student travel funds

 

Instructions for Letters of Reference

Instructions for Applicants

The Graduate Admissions Committee uses references as one means to obtain an independent assessment of your capabilities, experience, and your determination for the chosen degree program.

As a courtesy, print out the Reference Form and provide your writer with a pre-addressed envelope (Use mail address below). Inform your reference that they should sign their letter and mail the letter directly and not return it to you.

In case a Letter of Reference is given to you, you may enclose it when you mail your application to us. However, the letter, signed by the writer, must be submitted in its original, sealed envelope.

You are required to tell your letter writer whether you have retained the right to read their letter once it has been entered into your student file or whether you have waived the right to access their letter. This choice is your free choice but it may affect the information or style of the letter submitted.

Who are appropriate references?

Likely candidates are your professors and faculty advisors. You may also consider others, such as employers, that can assess your qualities in ways that your professors can not. Letters from family members are not appropriate.

When selecting 3 references, keep in mind that each should be able to provide the Graduate Admissions Committee with an assessment of your capabilities, experience, personality and your determination for the chosen degree program. Inform them what you expect them to address. Emphasize that they should write an assessment of you that allows an appropriate admission decision to be reached

Instructions for References

The writer may chose how a Letter of Reference will be submitted:

• using the Reference Form
• using a letter designed by the writer

If the writer choses to send a letter, please include:

• the name and address of the applicant
• whether the applicant retains or waives the right to read the letter
• the full name and address of the writer including phone number
• For purposes of comparative assessment of applicants, we ask that the writer address the questions raised in the Letter of Reference form.

Note that the Letter of Reference form offers the opportunity to insert any personal Letter, recommendation or extended statement.

The School of Graduate Studies thanks each writer of a Letter of Reference for one of its applicants for their effort and help.

Mail should be sent to:

Graduate Programs
School of Graduate Studies, Room 340 AC
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499, USA

The Recommendation Form is available on-line.

If sending by mail, ask your letter writer to send it directly to us to the address below OR enclose the sealed letter of reference (signed across the seal) when you send your application forms to us by mail.