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M.Ed. / M.A. Admissions Criteria
For the M.Ed. + Teaching Credential programs look here.
Please read through the application requirements thoroughly as information as changed as of 9-30-20. Most noteworthy: the GRE is no longer required and the deadline for application submission has been moved up for Fall 2022.
The following information is specific to our M.Ed. & M.A. degree programs in education. Requirements for admission include:
Bachelor's Degree
4-year equivalent from accredited institution
3.0 GPA
Junior/Senior years of undergraduate degree
Career Objective
Alignment of career goals with program objectives
Application Materials
All application materials must be submitted by the posted deadlines to ensure adequate timing of admission decisions.
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Transcripts
In response to COVID-19, the UCR campus is closed. As a result, we are unable to access paper mail. All official e-transcripts/diplomas should be emailed directly to edgrad@ucr.edu until further notice. (Updated: 8-4-20)
Upload an unofficial transcript for each college and university attended in the application prior to submitting it. All colleges and universities attended should be reported even if coursework was transferred to another college or university. International applicants must submit official transcripts and Certificates of Degree/Diploma in their original language and English by the home institution. Notarized documents or copies are not accepted. If offered admission, an official e-transcript or paper transcript will be required prior to registration.
Mail documents to:
Graduate Programs
Graduate School of Education
900 University Avenue
1207 Sproul Hall
Riverside, CA 92521 -
Letters of Recommendation
Acquire three letters of recommendation from academic sources. At least two letters should be requested from professors who are in a position to analyze your academic ability and potential for success in a rigorous graduate program. Professional letters may be used if the applicant has been away from school for several years. All letters of recommendation must be in English. If you have been enrolled in a previous graduate program, it is required that one letter be from your research or program advisor in that graduate program. Letters of recommendation cannot be released to the applicant and cannot be forwarded elsewhere.
Tip: An automated email will be sent to recommender on file after you submit/pay the application fee. Make sure you provide your recommenders a deadline to submit their letter as the automated email only provides instructions on how to upload a letter.
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Statement of Purpose & Personal History
Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to discuss your intent for pursuing a degree in this particular graduate program and how it aligns with your career objectives.
M.A. applicants: In addition to clearly stating your career objectives and intentions for pursuing a degree in this particular graduate program, it is highly recommended that you connect with the GSOE faculty member whose research interests align with yours prior to submitting an application. The Statement of Purpose essay should then list the faculty member(s) you wish to work with, highlighting the specific research interests you have in common.
MED applicants: In addition to clearly stating your career objectives and intentions for pursuing a graduate degree in this particular program, please speak to how the coursework is connected to your career goals and objectives.
Personal History
The Personal History Statement is about your background, culture, economic and social experiences, and how those elements have led you to pursue a graduate degree.
Each essay is approximately 1-2 pages double-spaced in a Word/PDF document. If you copy/paste your essay into the textbox in the online application, it cannot exceed 3,000 characters.
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Writing Sample
The writing sample should be a final class paper submitted for a previous course. Not to exceed 30 pages.
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International Applicants - English Test
Request TOEFL or IELTS scores electronically from the testing center to be sent to UCR. UC Riverside code: R4839
TOEFL or IELTS scores must be submitted by students whose native language is not English and who do not have a bachelor's or postgraduate degree from an institution where English is the exclusive language of instruction at that institution. The scores cannot be more than two years old from the date of matriculation (example: September 2019 for Fall 2021 admission).TOEFL - minimum required scores:
Internet-Based Test (iBT) - 80
Paper-Based Test (PBT) - 550
Computer-Based Test (CBT) - 213IELTS - minimum required scores:
Overall score – 7
Individual/sub-scores – 6Note: the TOEFL/IELTS is required for Fall 2021 admission; however, the GSOE is aware of the ongoing constraints related to COVID-19. As such, if you are unable to take an English test due to COVID-19, please email edgrad@ucr.edu to request an interview. In your email, make sure you clearly state the reasons for the request.
Application Deadlines
All application materials must be submitted by the posted deadline.
Fall 2021 Admission
October 15, 2020 September 25, 2020 – Application opens
March 31, 2021 – Applied Behavior Analysis application closes
June 1, 2021 – International application closes
August 1, 2021 – Domestic application closes
Quarter Starts September 23, 2021
**Educational Psychology and REMS program are available for Winter and Spring terms if applicant has background in statistics. Email edgrad@ucr.edu if you wish to be considered with a copy of your unofficial transcripts for evaluation.
Fall 2022 Admission
October 15, 2021 - Application opens
March 31, 2022 – Applied Behavior Analysis application closes
June 1, 2022 – Application closes
Quarter Starts September 22, 2022
**Educational Psychology and REMS program are available for Winter and Spring terms if applicant has background in statistics. Email edgrad@ucr.edu if you wish to be considered with a copy of your unofficial transcripts for evaluation.
Have questions?
Contact our Graduate Program Coordinator for questions about the application process, admissions criteria or general program items.