Frequently Asked Questions
Be sure to check the appropriate pages for key information (such as the “Apply” page for information related to applying to our program). Following are some questions and answers that do not naturally fit on specific pages.
The short answer is that it is possible to transfer up to 9 credits into the program but it is not very common. For admitted students, the faculty will decide on a case-by-case basis on which, if any, course credits can be transferred. Course descriptions and syllabi will be required.
Yes. GRE scores are required for admissions decisions in the EPET program. They serve as one of many pieces of information used in our decision-making and are not used as the sole basis for admissions decisions. Please see the APPLY page for more information.
Yes, there are some special items that you should be aware of. Go to the Resources page and International Applicants.
There are no specific requirements beyond a 4-year bachelor’s degree, outstanding credentials and/or achievements, and strong recommendations from those who understand the promise and demands of doctoral study. Most of our successful applicants do not come directly out of their undergraduate education into our program, but some do. Many have teaching experience or other relevant educational experience (other than being a student) which is a strong advantage in becoming an educational researcher but is not a requirement for admission.
Typically, applicants for both the on-campus and online modes hear by March 1 regarding whether or not they have been accepted to the program.
Students can be involved in research projects in multiple ways. One is to work with your advisor on their grants or projects that are active. Another is to reach out to other professors in EPET or in other programs to work on their projects. Please check the Research page to see a list of active projects in EPET. Students are also encouraged to be involved in independent projects, for instance through research practicum, starting their second year. Funding to support these small independent projects is often made available through the EPET program or the College.
The EPET program, CEPSE department, and the Graduate School provide fellowships for students to present their work and network at professionally-relevant conferences. Often, many EPET students are attending the same conferences and share rooms, and travel together. Faculty who also attend the same conferences are great resources for helping you build your network outside of the program and university. The extensive EPET and MSU College of Education network mean that you will likely meet graduates of our program at various conferences, which could also be a great way to meet new friends and potential mentors/collaborators.
Courses offered in the fall and spring semesters typically meet once per week for approximately three hours, with some courses meeting more frequently. Courses are designed to be interactive and may include synchronous and asynchronous interaction with instructors and peers who are attending the course in multiple modalities. These Sample Course Syllabi represent a few examples of courses that students can take in the program.
Please refer to Program Handbook for more details regarding courses and program milestones.
If you are an on-campus student, there are many teaching assistantships available to you to teach both at the undergraduate level and at the Master’s level, in both in-person and online formats. If you are teaching for the first time, you will get some support to help you transition to an instructor role. Online students may also get an opportunity to teach depending on the available online courses, your schedule, and your advisor’s input.
All TAs are assigned a faculty supervisor who is there to act as a mentor and provide guidance and support. The Graduate Employees Union can help you understand your rights as a TA and some benefits you have with a TA appointment (e.g., access to the tuition waiver pool). The MSU grad school and the College of Education also have periodic professional development programs or certificates to help you with teaching and instruction.
Interactions with fellow students occur in many ways, including interactions in shared classes, informal student groups (whether in person or using technologies such as Facebook or Slack or Zoom), research groups, or meeting at conferences. There are also a variety of organized and informal social activities for students that occur in East Lansing and online.
In the past, EPET students have arranged many community events like going to escape rooms, exploring local restaurants, arranging a cultural pot-luck experience, taking advantage of Michigan summers to go hiking or boating in local water bodies, and apple picking in the fall. Apart from these student-led events, the EPET faculty also periodically arrange trivia nights. Please check on the Events page to see the latest EPET events
For On-campus students only.
Graduate students in the on-campus program can make arrangements to live either on-campus, arrange for an off-campus rental, or purchase a home off-campus.
There is no specific time when online students are required to be on campus. Rather, these students should arrange at least one visit to campus during a stage in the program when it is most advantageous to their work (i.e., spend a summer working in their advisor’s lab; consult with the dissertation committee; attend part or all of a course in person). The program is flexible about when it welcomes online students to campus to support their learning.
Because EPET is one program with two modes, online students typically attend the same classes as on-campus students. Often they will join on-campus classes using a variety of technologies like robots or Zoom. Doctoral classes may be offered in a fully synchronous format or may include a mix of synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
EPET is one program with two modes; thus program requirements are identical for both program modes. Key differences in the modes have to do with mode of participation, program pacing, and funding options. These differences are outlined in the table below.
| On-campus Mode | Online Mode | |
| Anticipated time to degree completion | 4-5 years | 5-6 years |
| Primary Residence | Students reside in the East Lansing Area | Students can reside anywhere, and arrange time to visit East Lansing at a time that is convenient for their learning |
| Mode of participation | Primarily in-person | Primarily virtual |
| Typical timing of coursework | 3 courses per semester in Fall and Spring for first 2 years, variable thereafter | 1-2 courses per semester in fall, spring, and summer for first 2 years, variable thereafter |
| Funding | Eligible for up to 5 years of guaranteed funding (tuition +assistantship) | No Funding guarantee |