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Application Information

To apply for the Fall 2023 semester, all application materials, including the application fee, are due by April 7, 2023.

Please submit your application via the MSU Graduate Education Application Portal.

Please review each section of this webpage in its entirety to assist you with your application (email haleadm@msu.edu for additional support).

Requirements:

  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted provisionally.
  • Professional experience that demonstrates your understanding of postsecondary education is strongly preferred.
  • Application requirements are detailed below under the “Application Checklist” heading.

Application Deadlines

The HALE M.A. program accepts students for fall and spring terms and conducts two admissions cycles.

Starting SemesterApplication Deadline
Fall termFriday of the first full week of April
Spring termFriday of the first full week of September

Application Process

To apply to the HALE M.A. program, please follow the steps below:

If desired, download the MSU Graduate Application Resource Guide for screenshots to assist you with the Graduate Application portal.

Complete your application on MSU’s application management system. Follow the steps listed below:

  • Create account and login.
  • Start New Application: Select Graduate from dropdown menu and Create Application.
  • Provide Personal Background information.
  • Under Other Information, select the first semester you wish to enroll in classes. To select Major Preference, scroll to the College of Education and select Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (Online Program) (Masters). Provide additional details about Enrollment Information, Communications preferences, and Financial Aid. It is not necessary to include the Personal or Academic Statement as requested in Other Information. Providing information on your experiences in the COVID-19 section is optional. Provide responses to Conduct Questions and Other from the dropdown menus and in text boxes where appropriate.
  • Include all Academic History information. To begin, click on Add Institution.
  • Test Scores: The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is not required. 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.
  • Employment/Activities Page: Leave blank.
  • References: Using Add Recommender, provide contact information for three people who are familiar with your academic and professional accomplishments and potential for success. The portal will then send out recommendation requests to the people you listed. The requests come from admissions@admissions.msu.edu. At least one reference should be from a faculty member who can speak to your academic skills. Letters from friends or colleagues will not be considered. The letters must be current and specifically for this application. Letters previously used for other purposes cannot be accepted.
  • Provide your Signature electronically by typing in your full legal name, then select Confirm.
  • The Review section will provide you with a list of potential errors if a section has not been completed. Please return to those sections and make the appropriate corrections before finalizing the application and submitting your payment.
  • Once you have finalized your application, you will complete the payment ($65 for domestic applicants of $75 for international applicants).

Once you have finalized your application, you will receive a confirmation email. You can then login to the application portal to upload and track your application materials. 

Application Checklist

Where to Send Transcripts

Sending official transcripts via electronic submission is preferred (e.g., via the National Student Clearinghouse). If this is not possible, official transcripts may be mailed from institutions to:

Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education Program
c/o HALE Admissions Assistant
Department of Educational Administration
Michigan State University
Erickson Hall
620 Farm Lane Rm 423
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
Phone: (517) 353-5187
Email: haleadm@msu.edu

We cannot accept unofficial transcripts. Hard copy transcripts are only considered official if they come directly from the degree-granting institution or are received in the original, sealed envelope from the degree-granting institution with the official seal of the institution. Electronic PDF copies of transcripts uploaded to the application portal or emailed by students are not official.

Notes

International students are an important and valued part of the HALE M.A. Program. Please visit the Graduate School website to find specific guidelines on sending transcripts and completing your application correctly. Additional resources, support, and general information can also be found on the Office for International Students and Scholars website.

Transfer Students: Applicants who wish to transfer into the HALE M.A. from another MSU graduate program outside the Department of Educational Administration (EAD) must complete a new application, including the Graduate Application for Admission and all supplemental materials. Current EAD students looking to transfer to another program within EAD should consult their advisor and the coordinator of the program.