Admissions

Students can apply to take a single class for professional development and personal nurture, or apply to a full master's degree or graduate certificate program.

Admission Requirements

Completed applications for admission into the graduate program are reviewed on a rolling basis. The directors of Graduate Teacher Education in Harrisonburg and Lancaster make admissions decisions and the Committee on Teacher Education annually reviews admissions policies. A completed application includes the following:

Master's in Education degree
1. Completed application to the Graduate Teacher Education program with a nonrefundable application fee of $50.00.
2. Official transcripts from each college or university attended.
3. Two academic recommendations on EMU provided forms: (a) building level administrator/supervisor and (b) someone qualified to speak to the applicant’s academic ability and potential.
4. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a cumulative 3.0 gpa (based on 4.0). If this condition is not met, graduate gpa of six or more credits will be considered.
5. A valid teaching license, a copy of which must be submitted by the applicant for the graduate file. Applicants applying for the TESL concentration with PreK-12 initial licensure in VA; the Trauma and Resilience in Educational Environments certificate and concentration; or the Restorative Justice in Education certificate and concentration are exempt from the teaching license requirement.
6. Evidence of one year of successful, licensed teaching in a public or private school setting, or evidence of one year of successful work with youth in a public or private school setting. Applicants applying for the TESL concentration with PreK-12 initial licensure in VA are exempt from the teaching experience requirement. Applicants who seek admission without meeting these criteria must provide a written explanation of their relevant experience and rationale for seeking admission.
7. Applicants seeking initial licensure in Virginia through EMU’s Graduate Teacher Education program are required to pass the VCLA prior to admission. (See Required Licensure/Endorsement Exam Scores for equivalent entry assessments at www.emu.edu/education/test-scores/.) Admission requirements for student teaching must be met before registration in EDS 621 Student Teaching Internship, including demonstrated proficiency in lesson plan assignment. (Follow program procedures for Student Teaching Application.)
8. A personal interview with the director of the Graduate Teacher Education program, or designee.
9. Full time students (9 hours per semester) applying to EMU’s main campus in Virginia must submit an EMU graduate student Health Information Form.
Graduate Certificates
1. A completed application to the Graduate Teacher Education program with a nonrefundable application fee of $50.00.
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Official transcripts from the college or university attended for highest degree earned with evidence of degree conferred.
3. A personal interview with the director of the Graduate Teacher Education program, or designee, or, in the case of a school-sponsored cohort participant, recommendation of district administrator.
4. Evidence of one year of licensed teaching in a public or private school setting (preferred), or evidence of one year of successful work with youth in a public or private school setting pursuant to employment with a non-school entity (e.g. – a non-profit organization). Applicants applying for the Teaching and Learning certificate are exempt from the teaching experience requirement.
Non-Degree/Single Course
1. A completed application to the Graduate Teacher Education program listing the Program of Interest as "Non-Degree Education Courses" (page 2 of application).

Applicants who seek admission without meeting the criteria above must provide a written explanation of their relevant experience and rationale for seeking admission.

International Students:

Due to the part-time nature of our Graduate Teacher Education program, we are not currently able to sponsor international students for F-1 or J-1 visas. However, online programs are available to students in their home country. In addition, we welcome international students who possess other permission to live and study in the US.

Additional requirements for international students
- Passport copy and proof of existing status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (visa that permits residence and study, or Green Card).
- For applicants whose native language is not English, one of three conditions may be used to satisfy English proficiency.

Contact us

Do you have additional questions about the program or application process? We are happy to help!

Joanna Greenawalt
Graduate Teacher Education Recruitment Specialist
1200 Park Road, Seminary Building 108
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 432-4033
Email: joanna.greenawalt@emu.edu