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Application Procedure

Application Deadlines

June 1 for Fall Semester Admission
October 1 for Spring Semester Admission
March 1 for Summer Semester Admission

All application materials must be submitted so that they are received by the Admissions Coordinator no later than the posted deadline.

Admission

Applications for admission to the online Master of Arts degree in Education are reviewed by a committee of faculty members who look for evidence of preparation for advanced professional study at the master's level and the likelihood of academic success, as indicated by an applicant's educational record, work experience, statement of professional goals, and letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic and professional experience and potential.

Basic Requirements to be Considered for Admission

Applicants must possess a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average. All other materials required for application are considered by a committee of faculty members.

Domestic Applicants

  1. Complete the MSU Application for Graduate Study. The application can be found here. The Major Preference code to be used on the application is 2294. It is not necessary to complete the personal or academic statements in this application. Please see number 5 below for information on the required professional goals statement.

  2. Request the registrar of each college or university attended send one copy of each official transcript. To be considered "official" the transcripts must have a university seal or notarization mark and be sent directly by the institution to the MAED Admission Coordinator. We cannot accept transcripts sent by applicants. Transcripts of work taken at MSU need not be requested. Colleges and universities generally require both fees and time to process requests for transcripts.

  3. Request three letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with your academic and professional accomplishments and potential for success. At least one letter must be from a former professor, academic advisor, or field instructor. The letters should be signed and mailed by your references directly to the MAED Admissions Coordinator. We cannot accept letters of recommendations sent by applicants. It is not necessary to use the Recommendation for Admission form found in the Application for Graduate Study. The letters of recommendation must be current and specifically for the program in which you are applying. Letters previously used for other purposes cannot be accepted.

  4. Prepare a Vita or Resume in standard format.

  5. Write a professional goals statement. You should submit a statement, not to exceed 750 words (but no less than 500 words), that describes the following:
    • Your professional goals and how you believe pursuing this master's degree will help you achieve them.
    • An explanation for your choice of concentration area.
    • Finally, while no prior experience with online learning is required for admission, you should provide a description of how this learning format fits your goals and characteristics as a learner.

International Applicants

  1. Complete the MSU Application for Graduate Study. The application can be found here. The Graduate Study Major code to be used on the application is 2294. It is not necessary to complete the personal or academic statements in this application. Please see number 5 below for information on the required professional goals statement. When matriculating in the MEAD overseas, no U.S. Visa or statement of financial proof is required of applicants.

  2. Request the registrar of each college or university attended send one copy of each official diploma, mark sheet, transcript, and certificate. To be considered "official" these documents must have a university seal or notarization mark and be sent directly by the institution to the MAED Admissions Coordinator. We cannot accept transcripts sent by applicants. These records must show courses taken and grades earned, and they must be translated into English if the original records are in another language. If a translation is supplied, it should be certified as accurate and correct by an appropriate public or school official, sponsoring agency, or government agency. Colleges and universities generally require both fees and time to process requests for transcripts.

  3. Request three letters of recommendation from persons who are familiar with your academic and professional accomplishments and potential for success. At least one letter must be from a former professor, academic advisor or field instructor. The letters should be signed and mailed by your references directly to the MAED Admissions Coordinator. We cannot accept letters of recommendation sent by applicants. It is not necessary to use the Recommendation for Admission form found in the Application for Graduate Study. The letters of recommendation must be current and specifically for the program in which you are applying. Letters previously used for other purposes cannot be accepted.

  4. Prepare a Vita or Resume in a standard format.

  5. Write a professional goals statement. You should submit a statement, not to exceed 750 words (but no less than 500 words), that describes the following:
    • Your professional goals and how you believe pursuing this master's degree will help you achieve them.
    • An explanation for your choice of concentration area.
    • Finally, while no prior experience with online learning is required for admission, you should provide a description of how this learning format fits your goals and characteristics as a learner.
  6. All international applicants and applicants whose first language is not English must be able to be proficient in English as a condition for regular admission to MSU. Such applicants will be required to demonstrate their proficiency by meeting certain minimum standards on any one of the following tests:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A total score of 550 with no subscores below 52 (paper version), or 80 with no subscore below 19 (22 for writing section) (Internet-based version) is required. The official report must be received by the Office of Admissions directly from Educational Testing Service.
    • Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) (Testing and Certification Division, The English Language Institute, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 USA). An average score of 83 or higher with no subscores below 80 is required for the main test parts. A MELAB speaking score of at least 3 is also required. The official report must be received by the Office of Admissions directly from the University of Michigan English Language Institute.
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A score of at least 6.5 is required. The official report must be received by the Office of Admissions directly from IELTS.
    • Michigan State University English Language Test (English Language Center [ELC], Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824-1035, USA). An average score of 80 to 85 with no subscores below 80, or a minimum average score of 85 with no subscore below 78 is required.
    • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A). Minimum overall score of 53; no subscore below 51 for reading, listening, and speaking; no writing subscore below 59.

    Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to:

    Office of Admissions
    Michigan State University
    Hannah Administration Building
    426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
    East Lansing, MI 48824

    All of the above tests must have been taken within two years of a student's application. Achieving an acceptable score on one of the tests does not, by itself, guarantee an applicant's admission to the program. The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or Miller's Analogy is not required for application but may be used as supporting materials if available.

    Optional Supporting Materials

    You should know that we expect to learn much about you from the required application materials. However, if you wish, you may submit up to two (2) additional pieces of evidence that you believe will help the admissions committee understand your unique strengths or promise as a graduate student in this program. Examples of additional materials include:

    • Recent Graduate Record Examination scores
    • Sample of expository or creative writing, or visual artifact which conveys something important about you
    • Example of your prior work in educational technology (e.g., web site)

    Application Submission Checklist

    The following items should be sent to:

    Admission Coordinator
    Michigan State University
    Online Master of Arts in Education
    Erickson Hall
    620 Farm Lane, Room 423
    East Lansing, MI 48824

    Fax: (517) 432-2352
    E-mail: onlineed@msu.edu

    All materials, with the exception of the vita/resume and professional goals statement, must be mailed to the above address. The vita/resume and professional goals statement may be submitted via e-mail or fax.

    • One official copy of transcript(s)
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Vita/Resume
    • Professional goal statement
    • Optional supporting materials

    Note: Be sure to save your professional goals statement electronically for use in ED 870, the Capstone course for the program.

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