Welcome to Admission Policies
Required Background for Admission
- Applicants for the Master of Arts degree must hold an earned Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must give promise of meeting the standards set by the School. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.67 is strongly recommended.
- Applicants for the Certificate of Advanced Study must hold an earned Master's degree from an accredited college or university, completed with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
- Additionally, individual departments may set specific requirements concerning interviews, adequate scores on tests, course waivers, computer literacy and major and distribution of undergraduate coursework.
Background Check and Fingerprinting
In compliance with Connecticut state law effective July 1, 2010, applicants whose programs of study will require participation in school-based field experiences (i.e., observations, practica, student teaching, internships, etc.) must undergo State and National criminal history background checks before beginning their program of study. Download a list of the regional educational service centers (RESCs) that are authorized to conduct fingerprinting services and provide the background check results to the Connecticut State Department of Education and local school districts. University students who have a history of a federal or state conviction may be barred from participating in school-based field work and may be exited from their degree program, depending on the nature of the conviction. Students must present the receipt documenting that they have undergone fingerprinting at a RESC to the Dean's office (Canisius 102) prior to course registration.
Types of Admissions and Procedures
There are two types of admissions to GSEAP:
- Formal admission
- Non-matriculated status
Formal admission is necessary to pursue a complete degree or certification program.
Under our Non-Matriculated Status option, qualified students may begin studies before completing the formal application process or gaining admission to a degree or certification program. This option provides a wonderful opportunity for qualified students to explore degree options and to confirm personal goals and readiness for graduate study. Qualifications to be considered include a Bachelor's degree (required) and other qualifications related to your preparedness for graduate-level studies in the field of interest to you.
Formal admission is necessary to pursue a complete degree or certification program. Those seeking formal admission to a degree program must submit the following documents to the Graduate Admissions Office located in the Kelley Administrative Center:
1. A completed online formal application along with a non-refundable application fee of $60.
2. All official undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
3. At least two recommendations. Suggested recommendations include your undergraduate or graduate professors; your major advisor; your work supervisor; or a professional in the field that you wish to study who knows you.
4. Applicants for all state certification programs must also:
- Fulfill the Essential Skills requirement in mathematics, reading and writing by passing the PRAXIS I (PPST) tests or waiving this requirement with appropriate SAT, ACT or PAA scores. Your official ETS Score Report or your Praxis I Waiver Letter from the Connecticut State Department of Education must be submitted. Praxis I Information and Waiver Applications are available online. The Praxis I waiver application is available from the Connecticut Department of Education (PDF) and Praxis registration and testing information is available from ETS.
- Possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.67 (B-) or above. Waiving of this minimum GPA requirement is on a case by case basis by departmental approval. Minimum GPA Waiver Process Form
- Pass an Admissions Interview
Note: Proof of immunity to measles and rubella if you were born after December 31,1956 will be required prior to course registration as well as proof of fingerprinting prior to course registration for those whose courses will require work in schools. Once the immunization form is completed please submit it to the Health Center directly (Download the immunization form).
The non-matriculated application process is simple and involves the following steps:
- Call the Dean's office at (203) 254-4250 to schedule an appointment or to be directed to the advisor for the program that interests you.
- Obtain a copy (official or unofficial) of your undergraduate transcript that shows the undergraduate degree you have earned. You will need to bring this transcript with you to the University to be reviewed.
- Complete the formal common admission application and pay the $60.00 application fee online.
- After you have met with the appropriate advisor and your non-matriculated status has been approved and processed by the Dean's office, you may check the date when non-matriculated students may begin registering and register in person at the Registrar's Office (Kelley Administrative Center, ground floor).
- No recommendations are needed at this time. Recommendations and official transcripts are needed when you apply for full matriculation.
Non-matriculated status students may take a total of six credits in certification programs or nine credits in non-certification programs prior to formal matriculation. Courses will count toward degree or certification requirements with formal admission; however, successful completion of coursework does not automatically guarantee formal admission.
Maximum Credits Allowed Before Formal Admission
The total number of credits earned before formal admission to a program (i.e., the total number of transfer credits plus any credits earned as a non-matriculated student) may not exceed 6 (six) credits for applicants to certification programs or 9 (nine) credits for applicants to non-certification programs.