Reviewed By: Melissa Anderson, MS.Ed. / First covered: March 2017 / Updates: 1
Key Takeaways:
- Master’s in Education requires a bachelor’s degree, possibly teaching experience, and may include specific coursework depending on the program.
- Some programs may require standardized test scores, reference letters, and an admission essay in addition to general academic requirements.
- International students must demonstrate educational equivalency and English fluency, usually through tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE-A.
In this guide, we explore the prerequisites for earning a Master’s in Education, including the key requirements and how to qualify for these programs. To be eligible for a Master’s in Education, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and many programs require teaching experience or eligibility. For international students, demonstrating English proficiency is often necessary. Some programs are tailored for educators, while others welcome professionals from different fields looking to transition into teaching. Understanding the admission requirements can help you find the right program and plan your next steps.
Featured Programs
Types of Master’s Degrees in Education
The term “Master’s degree in Education” is often used to describe a wide range of different Master’s degrees in educational fields. There are two different types of Master’s degrees for education. One is the Master of Arts in Teaching or MAT, designed for classroom teachers interested in improving their skills or credentials or people with subject-matter backgrounds interested in entering the teaching field. The Master’s in Education (M.Ed), on the other hand, is usually designed for people with teaching experience or licenses who are interested in developing skills in administration, educational policy, instructional technology, or other educational areas. Still, it tends to be less focused on classroom teaching.
General Graduate School Admissions Prerequisites
Universities have general requirements for admission to Master’s degrees and program-specific requirements. All accredited programs require a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited United States institution or foreign equivalent. Many programs require specific numbers of hours in specific subject areas and a minimum GPA. You must show proof of this by having your undergraduate institution send an official transcript directly to the university to which you are applying. Next, most schools require three reference letters, preferably from educators such as professors, teaching internship supervisors, or school principals. Many programs also require that you submit scores from standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (G.R.E.) Finally, most programs require an admission essay.
Specific Prerequisites
In addition to the general prerequisites and admissions requirements, many programs have program-specific requirements. As some are related to state licensure standards, they vary from state to state. Programs with internship components may require proof of teaching eligibility, including criminal background checks and fingerprinting by local law enforcement. Some M.Ed. programs require an existing teaching license and one or more years of teaching experience. For MAT programs, you may be required to have significant undergraduate coursework in the area in which you intend to specialize. For example, if you are seeking advanced certification in teaching chemistry, you should have a BA or BS in chemistry, while a Spanish teacher should have a BS in Spanish and fluency in the language.
International Students
Students who are not US citizens may need to prove that they have an equivalent educational background and fluency in English. International students usually take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE-A tests to demonstrate fluency, although UK, Canadian, or Australian students are usually exempt. International students may also be required to show proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses.
Summary
Because the prerequisites for admission to Master’s in education programs vary from program to program, you should choose a program that matches your background. If you don’t have teaching experience, choose an MAT, but if you have teaching experience, you can choose an MAT or M.Ed.
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