Master of Science & Specialist in Educational Leadership Admission & Application Requirements
Deadlines
Applications are often accepted after the deadlines posted below when space is available. Please contact the Graduate Studies Office if you have questions.
- Summer: April 15 (flexible)
- Fall: August 1 (flexible)
- Spring: December 1 (flexible)
- Online graduate application
Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.
- $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications
After you complete the Graduate Online Application:
- Log in to eServices with your StarID.
- Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.
Note: Upon completion of the application form in step one, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days giving instructions for the remaining steps and completing the program application in Part 2. Please note that the steps below cannot be completed until you receive that email. If you do not receive the email with Self Service Center instructions, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Contact ALL the colleges and universities you have attended and have your transcripts sent to:
Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; no specific major required
For a specialist: Master’s degree from an accredited institution; no specific major required
This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits
This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.
- Essay
Prepare a 250-word essay addressing your professional goals for the Educational Leadership program and future leadership goals (e.g., K-12, higher education, licensure, etc.). Please put your name on all pages.
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
- Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
- Two recommendations for M.S. applicants only. Specialist applicants not required to supply references.
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- If you have not submitted contact information yet, select “Continue” to go into your application and complete program app and recommender information.
- After clicking “Submit Application” you will need to contact the Graduate Studies Office for any recommender information changes.
- Your recommenders will receive an e-mail from the Graduate Studies Office asking them to fill out the recommendation form.
- To check the status of your recommendations later, select “Summary” in the Applications tab.
*International students please see additional admission requirements.