The following are the minimum criteria for admission to the School of Education’s graduate degree, certificate, and licensure programs offered on the Bloomington campus.
- A four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent), requiring four years of full-time study or equivalent, from a college or university holding full regional or national accreditation, is required for admission to all graduate programs. Applicants with a bachelor's degree from an institution holding only state accreditation may be granted conditional admission if their other application credentials are strong. Applicants in the last semester of a four-year undergraduate program may be granted conditional admission until such time as the bachelor's degree has been awarded. International applicants are generally expected to be bachelor equivalent to be admitted to a program. They are encouraged to confirm with OIS that they have satisfied this requirement after submitting their application and transcripts.
- The minimum acceptable undergraduate grade point average (GPA) varies by program. Graduate degree programs typically require a minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate coursework. Some programs may require a higher undergraduate GPA. Graduate licensure (non-degree, certification only) programs typically require a GPA of 2.5 or higher in all undergraduate coursework. Exceptions may be made when undergraduate coursework is judged to have been especially rigorous, and when other application credentials are very strong. Individual programs may set their own GPA requirements. Meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee admission.
- Most master’s and specialist programs require applicants to have a minimum GPA of 3.30 in any graduate coursework taken prior to application. Doctoral programs usually require a minimum GPA of 3.50 in any prior graduate coursework. Licensure programs typically require a minimum GPA of 3.00 in any previous graduate coursework. Individual judgments are made about the rigor of grading in the graduate work presented.
- GRE scores are required for all Ed.S., Ed.D., and Ph.D. applicants. Most M.S.Ed. programs and the Secondary Transition to Teaching program (with some exceptions) also require GRE scores. The GRE is required for all international applicants. Applicants to doctoral programs in the School of Education typically must have a total GRE (combined verbal and quantitative) score of 302 or higher and an analytical writing score of 4.0 or higher. Applicants to specialist programs and most master's programs typically must have a total GRE (combined verbal and quantitative) score of 291 or higher and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or higher. GRE scores must be from a test date no more than five years prior to the date an application is submitted. Some exceptions to the GRE requirement exist. For details, please refer to current program-specific application instructions on the "How to Apply" page of the School of Education website.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or /Duolingo English Test scores are required for all international applicants whose first language is not English. TOEFL, IELTS, or /Duolingo scores must be from a test date no more than two years prior to the date an application is submitted. The School of Education typically requires a score of 79 on the TOEFL internet-based test, 6.5 on the IELTS, or 115 on the Duolingo English Test for admission to its graduate programs. Prospective students whose TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores do not meet the standard listed above may still apply. Exceptions may be made when other application credentials are strong.
- Admission to all graduate programs is subject to availability of space. Program faculty size, the number of students already in a program, and the number and strength of new applicants all affect selection ratios in a given year.
Admission Categories
Admission
A student may have the option to defer for up to two years, with program approval. Students must submit their deferral request before the start of the semester of their initial admission or the admission status is terminated, and the student must reapply. If an admitted student fails to matriculate within the approved deferral semester, the admission status is terminated, and the student must reapply.
Conditional Admission
The faculty admissions committee may grant conditional admission to a student who fails to meet one or more of the admission requirements listed above, if, in the judgment of the committee members, there is sufficient other evidence of probable success in the degree program. Conditional admission carries certain requirements that will be specified in the admission letter. Admission conditions may include but are not limited to: maintaining a certain GPA for the duration of the program, successfully completing certain courses during the first semester in the program, or submitting supplementary materials before beginning the program. The student’s progress will be monitored throughout the program to ensure that the conditions are maintained. If, at any time in the program, the student does not meet the conditions of the probation, admission can be terminated.
Applicants who are denied admission to a graduate degree, certificate, or licensure program may not take courses in that program area without the written permission of the department chair.
Re-application to School of Education Graduate Programs following Academic Dismissal
Application to any School of Education program will not be accepted for a period of two years from the date of an academic dismissal.