Application Procedure

Application Deadlines:

May 1 for Fall Semester Admission
September 1 for Spring Semester Admission
February 1 for Summer Semester Admission


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.


To Apply You Need to:

  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.

  2. Submit one official copy of your transcript from all degree granting institutions that you have attended. This copy must be "official" in the sense that they are sent directly by the institutions to the Admission Coordinator at MSU with a university seal or other notarization mark. Colleges and universities generally require both fees and time to process requests for transcripts. Be sure to send the required fee with your request.

    International applicants must have one official copy of their diplomas, mark sheets, transcripts and certificates sent directly to Admission Coordinator at MSU from each institution the student attended. 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, or sponsoring agency or government agency. When matriculating in the online MA overseas, no US Visa or proof of financial guarantee is required of applicants.

  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 other individual familiar with your academic background and abilities. The recommendations should be sent by your references, and your name should appear in the subject line. It is not necessary to use the Recommendation for Admission form found in the Application for Graduate Study.

  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, 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 a 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.
NOTE: Please be sure you save this Goal Statement electronically for use later in your MA program.

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:

Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University; Office of Admissions; 250 Administration Building; 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:

Application Submission Checklist

The following items should be sent to:
Admission Coordinator
Michigan State University
Academic Outreach Programs
253 Erickson Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1034
Fax: (517) 432-2352
E-mail: onlineed@msu.edu
 Note: All of the above items (with the exception of the official transcript) may be submitted by e-mail or fax. If letters of recommendation are sent by e-mail or fax, the originals should also be mailed.