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Admission Policies

1. Six semester credits may be taken prior to admission to GSE. There is no guarantee more than six credits will count toward a graduate degree.
   
   
2. There are two types of admission as follows: 1. Unconditional admission is given when a student has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher; 25 percentile or higher in verbal, quantitative, and analytical areas of the GRE or MAT or adequate evidence of academic preparation to succeed in graduate studies; and strong recommendations. 2. Conditional admission is given when a student has a cumulative grade point average ranging from 2.7 to 3.0 or higher; GRE/MAT scores that are less than 25 percentiles; acceptable recommendations; or has required courses to take. When a student's cumulative grade point average ranges from 2.7-2.9, the student must achieve a "B" or higher in two graduate-level courses (two or three semester credits) before receiving unconditional admission.
   
   
3. Completion of a teacher education program is required for all School of Education master's degree and certification programs except MIT, M.Ed. Guidance and Counseling (School Certified or Community Agency), M. Ed. Administration (General). Photocopies of all Washington teacher, administrator or ESA certificates and certificates from other states must be submitted with the application for admission.
   
   
4. Prerequisites prior to graduate study may be required where applicants lack appropriate preparation. A course in the study of exceptional learners is required for the school counselor track. At Whitworth University, the recommended course is ED 500A Special Education: Exceptional Learners and Inclusion. Students whose first language is not English may be required to complete some prerequisites prior to consideration for admission to GSE. These courses are determined with an advisor, to improve expertise in English, math, education methods and study skills.
   
   
5. Part of the application process to Graduate Studies in Education is completion of the Character and Fitness Supplement. Whitworth University may deny admission to any individual applying to Graduate Studies in Education based upon a review and documentation of items disclosed in the Character and Fitness Supplement. If a student with a suspended or revoked educational certificate (teacher, counselor, principal, psychologist or other) applies to a program leading to state certification, he/she will not be processed for admission to Graduate Studies in Education until such certificate has been reinstated. This includes certificates from other states as well as Washington.
   
   
6. For international students, the TOEFL test or the GRE is required prior to admission. The minimum score accepted on the TOEFL is 550. Testing is also done in English and in math, prior to taking graduate coursework, to determine any necessary prerequisites to be written into the degree plan. International students must provide proof of adequate financial resources for graduate study prior to admission. (A handout including detailed information is available in the GSE office.)

Note: Several of our programs are currently being revised to meet all SBE requirements. Consult with our graduate advisor regarding all current information.