Admission Procedures
The following items must be submitted to the Office of Academic Programs before an application for admission will be processed:
- Official graduate application form. (Online)
- Official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate work.
- Not all programs require the same admissions test. Some programs require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Other programs allow the applicant to select either the GRE or the Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT). The initial teacher licensure programs require the Praxis Core or an appropriate ACT/SAT substitution. Information regarding admissions tests by program can be found on the School of Education website. Test scores should be no more than five years old. Applicants whose home language is other than English must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL/IELTS scores are required for all native speaking applicants to the Secondary Foreign Language program.
- Letters of recommendation (completed online) from 3 persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s professional, ethical, and academic qualifications for graduate study. It is suggested that the applicant present a combination of professional, and academic references. The written references will be used exclusively for purposes of admission to the School of Education.
- A $50.00 non-refundable application fee.
- Essay with focus on personal and professional goals.
- Résumé.
- Curriculum & Instruction - Secondary Education Applicants only: Unofficial transcript of in-progress coursework. This is needed to verify completion of content area licensure requirements.
- Research Paper- EPPL Doctoral applicants only.
- Any additional materials or documentation required by specific programs.
- Interview - required by the School Psychology program and the PhD in Counselor Education.
Admission Review
Faculty in each department will review applications and recommend applicants for admission, wait list, deferred admission, or denial of admission. In general, students are selected on the basis of their academic preparation [quality of their undergraduate institution, undergraduate GPA and graduate GPA if applicable, and test scores], letters of recommendation, scholastic ability, professional work or volunteer experience, and commitment toward a career in education.
Admissions requirements do not state a minimum grade point average or standardized entrance examination score cutoff to be considered for admission. Instead, the program faculty will holistically review all completed applications to select the students with the most competitive characteristics on the admissions criteria.
Review of Off-Cycle Admissions
The Associate Dean for Academic Programs can recommend to the faculty a review of candidates for off-cycle admission only upon the presentation of a compelling need for such a review. Off-cycle review of applications will be considered only when warranted by extenuating circumstances. Students seeking an off-cycle review must provide evidence that postponing the review until the next admissions cycle would create a severe hardship. Program faculty seeking an off-cycle review of a student must provide documentation in support of the review.
International Student Admission
International students are encouraged to apply for graduate study in the School of Education at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. The admission process of foreign students considers English language proficiency and academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores to the Office of Academic Programs. Although a minimum score for admission has not been issued, international students who are typically admitted score at least 100 on the internet version of the TOEFL exam (or comparable score on other versions of the exam) or at least a 7 on the IELTS. Scores more than 2 years old cannot be reported or verified by the testing center.
Required Academic Qualifications
If you are an international student and have been awarded the baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) from any institution other than a U.S. regionally accredited institution of higher education, you must submit official copies of all transcripts from every college or university attended and certified literal translations where needed. These transcripts must show courses, grades received, annual mark sheets, examination sheets, and leaving certificates as they apply in the student’s home country. Official copies must bear the seal of the issuing institution and the actual signature of your college or university registrar. Applicants pursuing a licensure program should submit an evaluation of foreign credits from an evaluator such as World Education Services (WES).
Deferred Decisions
In cases where action on an application is deferred by the program, the file will be resubmitted for consideration at a future meeting of the program committee at the request of the applicant. In the interim, applicants will be required to furnish additional evidence of their aptitude for graduate study on the level for which they have applied or other additional, pertinent information.
Appeal Procedures
An applicant may request an exception to application policies and procedures by addressing an appeal to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.
If an applicant is denied admission, he/she may request reconsideration by addressing an appeal to the Associate Dean for Academic Programs. The appeal should include all available evidence and/or documentation that might indicate that the application decision may not have represented an accurate evaluation of demonstrated ability.
Program Area Admission Policies
An individual may not be enrolled in two degree programs simultaneously. A student may take second-program courses, but he/she cannot officially start the next program until he/she has graduated or has been withdraw from the first program. Courses taken toward the second program while still in the first program must adhere to the policies pertaining to transfer credit.
Curriculum and Instruction (C&I)
The College offers M.A.Ed. programs in Curriculum and Instruction which include concentrations in Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Literacy Leadership; Gifted Education; and Special Education (initial certification and Collaborating Master Educator). The C&I area accepts applications during two admission cycles each year. The deadline for application for summer/fall enrollment is January 15. All C&I programs admit to the summer/fall semester. The Literacy Leadership, Special Education and Gifted programs also accept applications for Spring semester matriculation. The deadline for application to these specific programs for the spring semester is October 1.
Elementary, Secondary & Special Education programs - require the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam, or an appropriate ACT/SAT substitution.
School Psychology and Counselor Education (SPACE)
M.Ed. programs in Counseling (School, Community; Community & Addictions; Family); School Psychology with an Ed.S. option; Ph.D. program in Counselor Education.
The SPACE area accepts applications only one time each year. The deadline for application for summer/fall enrollment is January 15.
Confirmation of Admission
All applicants will receive official notification of admission decisions from the Office of Academic Programs immediately following action by the program faculty. Students admitted will be sent a letter of acceptance, and will need to complete the Notice of Intent form.
Formal admission is incomplete until the Notice of Intent form and enrollment deposit are submitted. Students are assigned an advisor and are advised to contact their advisor as soon as possible following notice of admission.
A deposit is required with acceptance of an admission offer. Students interested in deferring their admission for one year must make the appropriate notation on their Notice of Intent form that is returned to the Office of Academic Programs by the specified deadline. A student can defer admission for no more than one year, after which time his/her admission to the School will be withdrawn.
Students who accept an offer of admission but who fail to matriculate within two semesters after their formal date of entry will be withdrawn from their respective degree program. If a student wishes to pursue a graduate education degree at a later time, he/she will need to reapply through the standard application and admission review process.
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