For all dates listed, the deadline is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
If there is a discrepancy between the deadline information on this page and other materials you may have received, you should adhere to the deadlines on this page.
Some programs will continue to accept applications after the deadline, if spaces are available. If you are interested in applying after the deadline, contact your department or program of interest to determine their policy on accepting late applications.
Fall Semester
These are the application deadlines for applicants who wish to begin their graduate studies in fall 2025. For all dates listed, the deadline is 11:59:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. If there is a discrepancy between the deadline information on this page and other materials you may have received, you should adhere to the deadlines on this page.
Ph.D. Programs |
Deadline |
| Art, Art History and Visual Studies | 12/12/2024 |
| Biochemistry | 12/02/2024 |
| Biology | 12/02/2024 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 12/04/2024 |
| Biostatistics | 12/02/2024 |
| Business Administration | 12/16/2024 |
| Cell and Molecular Biology | 12/02/2024 |
| Chemistry | 12/02/2024 |
| Civil and Environmental Engineering | 12/16/2024 |
| Classical Studies | 12/19/2024 |
| Cognitive Neuroscience | 12/02/2024 |
| Computational Biology and Bioinformatics | 12/02/2024 |
| Computational Media, Arts, and Cultures | 12/12/2024 |
| Computer Science | 12/16/2024 |
| Cultural Anthropology | 12/05/2024 |
| Developmental and Stem Cell Biology | 12/02/2024 |
| Earth and Climate Sciences | 01/09/2025 |
| Ecology | 12/02/2024 |
| Economics | 01/06/2025 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 12/02/20241 |
| English | 12/05/2024 |
| Environment | 12/03/2024 |
| Environmental Policy | 12/12/2024 |
| Evolutionary Anthropology | 12/02/2024 |
| Genetics and Genomics | 12/02/2024 |
| German Studies - Carolina-Duke Program (must apply through UNC Graduate School) |
12/10/2024 |
| History | 12/16/2024 |
| Immunology | 12/02/2024 |
| Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health | 12/02/2024 |
| Literature | 12/02/2024 |
| Marine Science and Conservation | 12/09/2024 |
| Mathematics | 12/12/2024 |
| Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science | 12/12/2024 |
| Medical Physics | 12/02/2024 |
| Molecular Cancer Biology | 12/02/2024 |
| Molecular Genetics and Microbiology | 12/02/2024 |
| Music | 01/09/2025 |
| Neurobiology | 12/02/2024 |
| Nursing | 11/26/2024 |
| Pathology | 12/02/2024 |
| Pharmacology | 12/02/2024 |
| Philosophy | 12/05/2024 |
| Physics | 12/02/2024 |
| Political Science | 12/18/2024 |
| Population Health Sciences | 12/02/2024 |
| Psychology and Neuroscience (Clinical track) | 12/02/2024 |
| Psychology and Neuroscience (All non-clinical tracks) | 12/02/2024 |
| Public Policy Studies | 12/02/2024 |
| Religious Studies | 12/12/2024 |
| Romance Studies | 12/26/20242 |
| Sociology | 12/19/2024 |
| Statistical Science | 12/16/2024 |
1Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. applicants: Applications submitted by 12/02/2024 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after 12/02/2024 but before the closing date of 02/27/2025 will be reviewed based upon availability of space and funding.
2Romance Studies Ph.D. applicants: Applications submitted by 12/26/2024 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after 12/26/2024 but before the closing date of 03/06/2025 will be reviewed based upon availability of space and funding.
1 Bioethics and Science Policy applicants: All applications received by January 16, 2025 will receive a final decision by February 2025. Applications received by March 20, 2025 are guaranteed review. After March 20, 2025, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis through May 29, 2025.
2Dance MFA applicants: Late applications will be considered under special circumstances. Applicants are advised to contact Prof. Sarah Wilbur (sarah.wilbur@duke.edu) before starting an application.
3East Asian Studiesapplicants: All applications received by January 31, 2025 are guaranteed review and will be considered for departmental funding. Applications received after the priority deadline will be accepted for review on a space-available basis through April 24, 2025.
4Electrical and Computer Engineering master's applicants: Applications submitted by January 16, 2025 are guaranteed review. Applications submitted after the January 16, 2025 deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis through February 27, 2025.
5Global Health applicants: The priority deadline is January 09, 2025, though all applications received by February 27, 2025 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 27, 2025 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through May 31, 2025.
6Graduate Liberal Studies applicants: All applications submitted by June 02, 2025 are guaranteed review; however, applicants submitting materials by February 15, 2025 will receive an admissions decision by March 15, 2025 and will have priority consideration for financial aid.
7Master of Arts in Teaching applicants:The priority deadline is January 30, 2025, though all applications received by February 20, 2025 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 20, 2025 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through May 01, 2025.
8Materials Science and Engineering applicants: The priority deadline is January 31, 2025. All applications received by March 13, 2025 are guaranteed review.
9Medical Physicsapplicants: The priority deadline is January 08, 2025, though all applications received by January 31, 2025 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 01, 2025 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through May 29, 2025.
10Population Health Sciences applicants: The early application deadline is November 25, 2024. All applications received by November 25 will receive an admissions decision by January 2025. The priority deadline is January 15, 2025, though all applications received by February 27, 2025 are guaranteed review. Applications received after February 27, 2025 will be reviewed on a space-available basis through May 31, 2025.
October 1:Deadline to submit all Ph.D. and master’s applications (except Graduate Liberal Studies) for the spring semester, space permitting.
October 31:Deadline to submit Graduate Liberal Studies master's applications for the spring semester.
Note:Very few departments accept new students for the spring term:
Ph.D.
Biomedical Engineering
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Master's
Bioethics and Science Policy
Biomedical Engineering
Graduate Liberal Studies
Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Political Science
Summer session
Very few departments accept new students for the summer session. With the exception of applicants to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program (which begins in the summer), applicants who wish to apply for summer admission must obtain special permission from the department of interest and The Graduate School. Summer session applicants should adhere to the fall application deadlines.
If you missed the deadline
Once a program's deadline has passed, that program will no longer appear as an option on the application. Most programs will not consider any applications submitted after the deadline. Please contact the department directly to inquire about a late application submission. If the department agrees to review your application, they will notify The Graduate School to assist you further.