Mar 28, 2024  
2020 - 2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020 - 2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Education Admissions Criteria and Procedures


Return to: School of Education  


Admission to baccalaureate study at William & Mary does not automatically include admission to programs in the School of Education.

Students must apply to the School of Education if they want to pursue the BAEd in Elementary Education, Elementary or Secondary Education as a second major, or the 5 year BA to MAEd education program. 

Admission to the BAEd and Second Major Programs

Students must apply directly to the School of Education if they wish to major in Education; this application process typically begins during the second semester of a student’s sophomore year. Our admissions process is holistic as well as competitive: we seek a diverse array of students who are committed to academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievement. Successful students exhibit:

  • Academic achievement to date as exhibited by grades, course load, difficulty of course load and academic performance, and recovery from academic setbacks
  • Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply to the program; however, meeting this minimum benchmark does not guarantee admission.
  • Personal attributes and life experiences that illustrate resilience in the face of challenges, ethical character, openness to diverse perspectives, creative spirit, and collaborative ability
  • Strong communication skills as demonstrated by one’s application essay

Applicants must supply the following:

  • Online application
  • WM unofficial transcript (Transfers should also supply an unofficial transcript from their previous school*)
  • Personal essays

*Students transferring from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland or other institutions should consult the transfer credit guidelines available on the Undergraduate Admissions website to determine how their coursework will transfer to William & Mary.

Admission to the 5 Year BA to MAEd Program

Students must apply directly to the School of Education to be considered for the 5 Year BA to MAEd program. This application process typically begins during the second semester of a student’s junior year.

Our admissions process is holistic as well as competitive: we seek a diverse array of students who are committed to academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievement. Successful students exhibit:

  • Academic achievement to date as exhibited by grades, course load, difficulty of course load and academic performance, and recovery from academic setbacks
  • Students must have a 3.0 GPA to apply to the program; however, meeting this minimum benchmark does not guarantee admission. 
  • Personal attributes and life experiences that illustrate resilience in the face of challenges, ethical character, openness to diverse perspectives, creative spirit, and collaborative ability
  • Strong communication skills as demonstrated by one’s application essay

Applicants must supply the following:

  • Online application
  • WM unofficial transcript
  • Personal essays
  • One letter of recommendation from a WM faculty member

Admission is rolling, so decisions for the program will go out approximately 4 weeks after you submit your application. Once all spots are filled, we will stop accepting applications.

Information regarding elevation to the master’s portion of the program can be found on the 5 Year BA to MAEd Program  page.