Masters in Education Admissions Guide

In many cases, a Masters in Education is the way to get ahead of the competition. Many school districts offer enhanced salaries for those with advanced degrees. Also, many well-paid administrative positions require a Masters in Education Degree as the minimum acceptable academic requirement for the job. It always pays to further one’s education, and below is a short FAQ guide to the most effective and cost-efficient way of achieving that goal. Armed with these facts, the prospective M.A. candidate will be well-armed when it comes time to do battle with the admissions process of an online Masters in Education institution.

What are the typical admission requirements for an online Masters in Education degree?

While every school has its own set of admission requirements, a bachelor’s degree is an absolute prerequisite to entering grad school. Many different degrees are acceptable and need not be in the specific graduate field of study but this may sometimes require some additional bridge courses to fill in the blanks.

Do I have to have an undergraduate degree in Education?

Usually no. Most schools prefer a degree in either Education or a closely related field such as a Mathematics degree for a math emphasis M.A. In some cases, a non-Education degree is actually preferable to a B.A. in Education when the emphasis is upon specialized areas of study.

What does my GPA need to be to get into a Masters in Education Program?

As a general rule, acceptance into grad school depends on a previous baccalaureate degree rather than a specific GPA requirement. Certain schools can be more selective, of course, but the operating principle is that a degree and a completed admissions form usually gets you in the door to grad school.

Do I have to be a teacher to get my Masters Degree in Education?

No, it is not a requirement for admission. Many of the online Masters in Education programs are in fact designed around the principle of training people with business skills and a degree for a second career as educators. Licensing and Certification becomes part of the degree program.

Do I have to be currently teaching to be admitted into a Masters in Education Program?

Again, this is not necessary. Many people who have a college degree but no teaching certificate are employed in schools all over the country in supporting roles. These non-certified professionals often choose to go for their Masters in Education as a way of getting off the sidelines and into the game.

Do I have to take any entrance exams to get into a Masters in Education?

There are usually no entrance exams required for admission into an Education graduate degree program. Since an Education Degree with Licensure can also involve practical experience as a Demonstration, or Student, Teacher, a basic skills assessment is administered prior to acceptance into this part of the program—but that comes after acceptance into grad school.

How long does the application process take for the Masters in Education Degree?

That is unfortunately a rather subjective question. The application itself usually takes very little time to fill out. Once it has been received, however, it may be processed rapidly or it may take weeks. A lot of this depends on how close to a registration deadline an application is received. The best answer is to fill it out completely and get it in quickly. Waiting until the last minute is sure to cause multiple delays in acceptance.

How long does it take to get my transcripts?

This is another question that has no definitive answer. Despite living in an electronic age, many transcript requests are still done with specially-mailed hard copies to prevent student tampering. Most colleges can get a transcript out the door in two or three days but this depends on whether it is at the start of a semester or not. Once it is received by the requesting institution, it again depends on how busy they are with other business before they can actually process it. Two weeks would be a good working time frame under most circumstances.

How long does it take to graduate for a Masters in Education?

Most graduate degree programs are geared towards a two to two-and-a-half year calendar, but there are many accelerated programs out there as well. Much depends on the determination of the individual student.

Are there accelerated Masters in Education Programs?

Yes. Many schools offer graduate courses in five or eight week blocks that allow the student to get many courses out of the way in a hurry, provided they have the time to handle the intense load.

Are Online Masters in Education Degrees faster?

Often, the answer is yes. One of the main reasons why this is true is that traditional onsite classes are sometimes offered only during certain semesters. Calculus 1 in the Fall and Calculus 2 only in the Spring, as an example. This can lead to delays as a student waits for a slot to open up in future semesters.

When can I start my Masters in Education?

The beauty of an online Masters of Education program is that one can literally start immediately. Even if it midnight, it is possible to submit Admissions forms and get the ball rolling on an enhanced education. Online programs also tend to offer more flexible semesters. Many institutions start new classes every month as opposed to the once every four months schedule adhered to by traditional schools.