Frequently Asked Questions About Admissions
This page is divided up into graduate and undergraduate frequently asked questions.
Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions:
School of Education graduate students are admitted through
the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. You are encouraged to peruse
their
Web site
and
familiarize yourself with the Rackham
Graduate Student Handbook.
How do I apply?
We have tailored the admissions pages based upon the program you wish to study, because different specialties look for different students when considering admissions. You will find the admissions steps inside the different academic program pages. To see the list of programs we offer please visit our "Academic Programs
Did you receive my documents?
The Office of Student Services matches documents to an application using the name appearing on the Rackham application. If the name on your documents, i.e., transcript, letter of recommendation, portfolio, etc., is different from the name appearing on your application, please be sure to indicate all former last names or other first names on question 3 of the Rackham application. Contact the Office of Student Services
I've applied. What's the status of my application?
Questions about the status of your application? Check your application application data and status online, via Wolverine Access. Please allow 7 days after submitting your application before checking your web application status on Wolverine Access. To do this you will need to use a login ID and password, and confirm some personal data before viewing your application:
For applicants who are current students or employees
1. Log into Wolverine Access
For applicants who are new to the University you will need to create a secure login using a UM Friend Account and then log into Wolverine Access at https://friend.weblogin.umich.edu/
1. Create a Friend Account by clicking on the following link: Create a Friend Account.
NOTE: If you have questions about creating a UM Friend Account you may go to http://www.itd.umich.edu/itcsdocs/s4316
2. Log into Wolverine Access at https://wolverineaccess.umich.edu/
If you have any further questions, contact the Office of Student Services at (734) 764-7563.
Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
If possible, it is a good idea to have at least two of your letters come from people who can attest to your academic qualifications and promise. Character references are also acceptable, but they should be from people who have known you in some professional capacity.These letters are most valuable if they discuss specific qualities you possess and have exhibited on the job. Avoid letters from family members, neighbors, and personal friends.We encourage you to provide your recommenders with the Rackham Letter of Recommendation Form
- write a letter and attach it to the form instead of just checking boxes
- include your full name in the body of the letter
What kind of information should I include in my statement of purpose?
Special care should be taken in preparing the statement of purpose. Program admission committees consider this a critical part of the application. Your statement of purpose should establish a program fit (i.e., your reason for pursuing a graduate program in the School of Education, how our program will help you accomplish your academic and career goals, etc.). You may include information about your experiences with children and adults in teaching/learning situations, and your beliefs about teaching (the goals of education, the roles of teachers, etc.). A strong representation of self should be presented in your concise, well-organized, positive, and carefully edited statement of purpose.
The first paragraph of your statement of purpose should include the name of the program and sub-plan to which you are applying. For example:
Master’s Higher Education
Master’s Learning Technologies
Doctoral Teaching and Teacher Education
MAC – Secondary
MAC - ElementarySome programs provide more specific advice for writing the statement of purpose, so you are also encouraged to review the "Admissions Information" section of the academic program in which you are most interested
How long should my statement of purpose be?
Two double spaced typed pages is considered a good length. Avoid very short (less than a page) and very long (more than 4 or 5 pages) statements. Please include your name on each page of your statement of purpose.
Do you offer an on-line program or on-line courses?
No. All of our undergraduate and graduate programs are on-campus programs.
What is the institutional code for the UM School of Education for the GRE and TOEFL?
1839
What is the departmental code?
A departmental code is not required.
What is the average GRE score and GPA that is required for admission to a graduate program?
A guideline undergraduate GPA for the last two years is 3.0 (B) on a 4-point scale for application to a master’s or doctoral program. A guideline graduate GPA is 6.0 (B+) on a 9-point scale for application to a doctoral program. A master’s degree is not required for admission to a doctoral program.
For MA programs, the guideline score for the General Test of the GRE a score of 500 on the verbal and quantitative sections, and a score of 4.5 on the writing section.
For PhD programs, the guideline score for the General Test of the GRE a score of 600 on the verbal and quantitative sections, and a score of 5.0 on the writing section.
In addition to your GRE score and GPA, an admissions committee will also take into consideration your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation when making an admissions decision.
Should I retake the GRE if I took it ten years ago and have a paper copy of my scores?
Consistent with the policy of the Educational Testing Service, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken more than 5 years prior to the date of application to the School of Education will not be accepted.
If I took the GRE several times, do you average the scores, take the highest score from each test, or take the scores from the most recent test?
We will take the most recent GRE scores unless the applicant requests otherwise.
Am I required to have a bachelor’s degree in Education to apply for a graduate degree in Education?
No
Am I required to have a master’s degree to apply for a doctoral program in Educational Studies or the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education?
No
Am I required to have teaching experience to apply for a graduate degree in Educational Studies or the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education?
No
How many years does it take to complete a master’s or doctoral degree?
Master’s degree seeking students typically can complete a 30-hour master’s program in 1 to 2 years with full-time enrollment of 9 hours fall and winter semesters.
Doctoral degree seeking students are allowed 7 years to complete a doctoral program. Doctoral degree seeking students, also referred to as precandidates, typically complete coursework requirements in years 1, 2 and 3 with full-time enrollment of 9 hours fall and winter semesters. In year 3, the student is working on the comprehensive qualifying exam or the preliminary examination. In year 4, the precandidate achieves candidacy status and typically begins forming a dissertation committee and writing a proposal for committee approval. In years 5 and 6, the candidate is writing the dissertation. In year 7, the candidate should be in the final stages of writing and defending the dissertation. In some situations, a candidate is able to defend in years 5 or 6.
How many hours of graduate coursework can I transfer to a graduate program in the School of Education?
The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies allows a master’s degree seeking student to transfer in a maximum of 6 hours of graduate coursework providing the course meets the transfer credit
The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies does not allow a doctoral degree seeking student to transfer in credit. Doctoral students may have completed coursework in a master’s program that may fulfill certain coursework requirements. Since determination of this coursework is not made prior to admission, the enrolled doctoral degree student should meet with Joan McCoy in the School of Education’s Office of Student Services for assistance with identifying the coursework and obtaining advisor and program chair approvals during the first term of enrollment.
What “deadlines” should I be aware of?
Application deadline dates can be found in the program/specialization site. To view the Admissions deadlines, visit the SOE Web site at http://www.soe.umich.edu/deadlines/
Undergraduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
Applications for the undergraduate programs are now handled through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions(OUA). You may access the online application through their website at http://www.admissions.umich.edu/
We have developed an “application assistance” document that guides question by question through the application. You may download that application by clicking here
All applicants to the undergraduate programs will complete a "transfer student" application, even if you are a current University of Michigan student and even if you are planning to remain in your current school or college while pursuing a teaching certification through the School of Education. NOTE: This includes all Kinesiology and Music students applying to the "Secondary Teacher Certification Only" programs at the School of Education.
NOTE: There will be a $40 application fee for all New Transfer applicants to the University of Michigan all other transfer applicants will not be assessed an application fee.
For further questions pertaining to admissions and the online application process you may go to the customer help section on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website at https://umich.custhelp.com
How do I apply if I've earned an associate's degree or have completed courses at a two-year or other four-year institution?
The School of Education welcomes students from from a variety of other institutions. For more information about transfer admissions, click here.
What “deadlines” should I be aware of?
To view the Admissions deadlines, visit the SOE Web site at http://www.soe.umich.edu/deadlines/
What is teacher certification? How is it different from earning a degree?
Teacher certification is earned by completing a state-approved teacher preparation program at a 4-year academic institution. The program is completed usually in two years and includes coursework in educational psychology, reading methodology, subject area methodology, as well as on-going field experiences and student teaching (typically done full-time the last semester of the program).
The state department of education in each state regulates teacher policies related to certification; the academic institution creates the procedures and curriculum that allows one to earn that certification. In addition to the required coursework and field experiences, the State of Michigan requires teacher candidates to pass the basic skills test and subject tests in their respective teaching majors and minors.
Earning a degree in education, bachelor’s or master’s, does not permit one by law to teach in a public or charter school. Teacher certification may be earned concurrently with or after a 4-year degree. Either way, certification is the necessary component for teaching.
For more information on how to get certified and requirements visit the certification level you are interested in at
How do I enter the teacher certification program at the University of Michigan?
You may apply to the School of Education as early as the second semester of your sophomore year. To determine the best teacher certification option for you, please visit the self guided tour at: http://www.soe.umich.edu/certification/routes/
What are the admissions requirements for the undergraduate program?
1. Minimum GPA: 2.50
2. Three letters of recommendation
- One from a college/university professor/GSI in thats speak to your intellectual and academic capabilities. For applicants to the Secondary certification program, this academic letter of recommendation must come for a college or university instructor who can speak to your academic abilities in your proposed subject area teaching major.
- Two from those who can speak about your work ability, capacity for working with children/young people, or personal characteristics. Choose references carefully. Avoid letters from family members, neighbors and personal friends.
3. Personal goal statement
- You will be asked to describe and analyze a memorable experience with a child/young person, an important incident as a student or a teacher who made a strong impression
4. Transcript showing grades through the Fall semester or term directly before application.
What are the requirements for the elementary teacher education program? How long will it take to complete the program?
The elementary teacher education program may take up to 2 1/2 years to complete, as the total number of credits vary from 147 to 153 (45 credits for general studies, 36 for the major (30 for math), 24 for the minor (20 for math), and 46 education course credits). Many of the same courses meet both general distribution and major/minor requirements.
Elementary teacher certification allows one to teach all subjects, K-5 and the teaching major and minor in the middle school grades 6-8. The program offers the following areas of study for both majors and minors: language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, and fine arts (minor only). For the latest requirements please see the Undergraduate Elementary Teacher Certification Program. On that page, you will be to download course-by-course self-advising sheets for your teaching major and minor.
I've applied. What's the status of my application?
Questions about the status of your application? Check your application application data and status online, via Wolverine Access. Please allow 7 days after submitting your application before checking your web application status on Wolverine Access. To do this you will need to use a login ID and password, and confirm some personal data before viewing your application:
For applicants who are current students or employees.
1. Log into Wolverine Access
For applicants who are new to the University you will need to create a secure login using a UM Friend Account and then log into Wolverine Access at https://friend.weblogin.umich.edu/
1. Create a Friend Account by clicking on the following link: Create a Friend Account.
NOTE: If you have questions about creating a UM Friend Account you may go to http://www.itd.umich.edu/itcsdocs/s4316
2. Log into Wolverine Access at https://wolverineaccess.umich.edu/
If you have any further questions, contact the Office of Student Services at (734) 764-7563.
Secondary Teacher Education Program
The secondary teacher education program may be completed in 1½ - 2 years. Students must satisfy requirements for the teaching major and minor, general distribution and the education coursework for a total of 130 credit hours.
What areas of study may I become certified in to teach at the the secondary level? What is the difference between an academic major and minor and a teaching major and minor?
Not all academic majors are considered teaching majors. For example, academic majors such as business administration, communication studies, linguistics, and history of art are not subjects that are part of the high school curriculum and, as a result, are not options for certification. When selecting a teaching major and minor, you must keep in mind several factors including, primarily, your level of interest and proficiency in, as well as, the marketability of the subject areas. For a complete list of possible teaching majors and minors at the University of Michigan, and course-by-course self-advising sheets, please visit: http://www.soe.umich.edu/secondary/subjectmatter/
Can I stay in LSA or another unit and still pursue teacher certification?
For current University of Michigan students interested in Secondary teacher certification, it is possible to stay in your current unit and receive your degree through that unit, while obtaining teacher certification through the School of Education. Secondary teacher candidates electing to do must be aware, however, that they are responsible for meeting both the degree requirements for their home unit and certification requirements through the School of Education and that, in some cases, those requirements can and do differ. For example, a Math major in LSA has slightly different degree requirements and teacher certification requirements, in terms of coursework, and is responsible for understanding those different requirements and attending to both.
Can I get my degree through the School of Education?
Yes you can. If you are interested in transferring into the School of Education, please indicate that on your admission application. If you choose this option, you will have only one set of degree requirements to fulfill and you will not have to fulfill the following LSA’s requirements:
- Two years of a world language
- Upper-Level Writing
- Race and Ethnicity
After completing your degree and teacher certification requirements, you will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Education or a Bachelor of Science in Education (for Math and Science majors).
