Please note: The concentrations in Elementary Education and Secondary Education have been suspended effective Fall 2014. Contact the department for more information.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. The following requirements for admissions represent recommended minimum levels of performance. Decisions are made on the strength of the overall evidence of academic and professional capacities and on available enrollment space. Applicants to all concentrations must also submit transcripts from all postbaccalaureate work. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
• Grade Point Average
  • Policy Studies: Requires a 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study and for all postbaccalaureate/graduate coursework.
  • Other Concentrations: Recommended minimum of 2.75/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study and at least 3.00/4.00 for all postbaccalaureate/graduate coursework.
• Tests Required See the Illinois State Board of Education website for the most current information concerning Educator Licensure Testing Information.
• Minimum English Competency Test Score
  • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (Note: Total score is higher than the sum of the subscores), OR,
  • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
  • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation
  • Educational Studies: Three letters addressing the applicant’s academic qualifications, teaching experience, and ability to carry on advanced degree studies. Letters should be from current or former professors or supervisors.
  • Policy Studies: Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s capacity for graduate-level studies. Letters may be from current or former professors or supervisors.
• Other Requirements
  • Educational Studies: A 3–4 page statement of the professional goals addressing the applicant’s relevant background and experience, and goals for the MEd program.
  • Policy Studies: Applicants must submit a 3–4 page statement of professional goals and reasons for seeking admission to this concentration.
• All Concentrations Submit materials required by the specific concentration directly to the College of Education at one time in a large envelope. All materials must be submitted by the stated application deadlines. Applicants should give themselves enough time to gather all materials (especially letters of recommendation) and submit them by the deadline.
• Deadlines The application deadlines for these concentrations are earlier than the Graduate College deadline; contact the College of Education for information on current deadlines.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

• Minimum Semester Hours Required Varies by concentration.
  • Educational Studies: 32 hours.
  • Policy Studies: 32 hours.
• Coursework

Educational Studies Concentration

Policy Studies Concentration

Other Requirements

• Comprehensive Examination Not required.
• Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options Coursework only. No other options are available.

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:

• Black Studies
• Gender and Women's Studies