Master's Programs Details & Requirements

This fall entrance only program is 4 semesters long (fall, spring, fall, spring). In order to be considered for admission, an applicant must submit a complete dossier to Washington University no later than January 15th which includes:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Three Letters of Recommendation
3. Transcripts from all college work
4. Personal Statement: In 500-1000 words, describe how your undergraduate degree program and related experiences sparked your desire to pursue a master's degree in teaching, keeping in mind our departmental theme of "Equalizing Educational Opportunity: Equity, Inclusion, and Success in Classrooms, Schools, and Communities." Additionally, please respond to the following prompts:
   1. Summarize your previous experiences with children and how these experiences led to your interest in classroom-based teaching in your chosen field and grade-level(s).
   2. Why do you want to pursue certification as a public school teacher in the US, and how will our program help you to reach your ultimate career objectives?
   3. In your view, how can teachers work toward equity in our schools?
5. Writing Sample: Please submit a 10 to 20-page writing sample that demonstrates your ability to think critically and articulate your ideas. Your submission may include a paper you previously wrote for a course but should be related to the field of education or the content area you’re interested in teaching. 
6. Current Resume/CV
7. For international applicants: submission of official TOEFL or IELTS English Proficiency scores.

Although we no longer require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores for admission, if you choose to take the GRE to enhance your application, the GRE code for Washington University is 6929.

Students desiring to be considered for tuition scholarships must indicate their interest and submit applications by the January 15th deadline. Awards are presented for the academic year beginning the following fall.

All applicants should apply online with the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences after consulting with an education advisor. Supporting materials such as transcripts should be mailed to our campus address (see below). Contact the Student Services Coordinator  with any questions about the application process or for more information about the program.

Special Admission Requirements

In addition to general application requirements, three MAT content areas have special requirements.

1. Applicants in English must submit a recent paper in the area of literary criticism (a copy is acceptable).
2. Applicants in Latin (only) will also be required to take a Latin Placement exam. 
3. Foreign language applicants must email the Student Services Coordinator a MP3 or mail a CD for the purpose of evaluating proficiency in the foreign language. Below are some guidelines for what to include on the MP3 or CD recording. The recording should be approximately 15 minutes in length and recorded in the foreign language.
   1. Past experiences teaching or tutoring (include details of setting, students, subject, etc.)
   2. Current professional endeavors
   3. Future plans with the MAT degree
   4. Any experiences in countries speaking your foreign language

Contact the Student Services Coordinator for more information on the language requirements. 

The design of a particular MAT program is determined by the student in consultation with two advisors: one in Education and one in the content area. If the student has no undergraduate education course work, then the MAT program will include the full education sequence consisting of 36 credit hours in Education courses and 12 credit hours in the subject area coursework at the graduate level.

Foundations of Education

Schools and teachers function in relationship to cultural values, social structures, psychological perspectives, and historical traditions. Thus the MAT program is grounded in the social foundations of Education and in Educational Psychology.

Curriculum and Instruction

Teachers must continually make curricular and instructional decisions. Therefore, prospective teachers need to learn about innovative practices, professional responsibilities, curriculum development, materials and methods for the various content areas, and methods for evaluating pupil progress, as well as to develop classroom-management and teacher-pupil relationship skills. Students learn and practice these concepts in all curriculum and instruction course work and throughout the student teaching experience in the professional semester.

The Professional Semester

Courses in the Professional Semester serve to integrate instruction with practical classroom teaching experience. Master's candidates receive full-time credit for this intensive semester. Students in the Professional Semester spend five (5) full days a week in the schools. Some evenings are spent at the university in formal course work during which students receive instruction in teaching methodologies and are involved in other kinds of activities related to their own classroom teaching.

Given the intensity of the academic requirements during this final semester of study, students must focus wholly on their culminating field experience and will not be able to accept outside employment.

For further information, please contact:

Student Services Coordinator
314-935-6791

Washington University
Department of Education
MSC 1183-228-107
St. Louis, MO 63130

This fall entrance only program is 3 semesters long plus one summer course (fall, spring, summer, fall) with graduation in December. In order to be considered for admission, an applicant must submit a complete dossier to Washington University no later than January 15th which includes:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Three Letters of Recommendation
3. Transcripts from all college work
4. Personal Statement:
5. In 500-1000 words, describe how your undergraduate degree program and related experiences sparked your desire to pursue a master's degree in teaching, keeping in mind our departmental theme of "Equalizing Educational Opportunity: Equity, Inclusion, and Success in Classrooms, Schools, and Communities." Additionally, please respond to the following prompts:
   1. Summarize your previous experiences with children and how these experiences led to your interest in classroom-based teaching in your chosen field and grade-level(s).
   2. Why do you want to pursue certification as a public school teacher in the US, and how will our program help you to reach your ultimate career objectives?
   3. In your view, how can teachers work toward equity in our schools?
6. Writing Sample: Please submit a 10 to 20-page writing sample that demonstrates your ability to think critically and articulate your ideas. Your submission may include a paper you previously wrote for a course but should be related to the field of education or the content area you’re interested in teaching. 
7. Current Resume/CV
8. For international applicants: submission of official TOEFL or IELTS English Proficiency scores.

Although we no longer require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores for admission, if you choose to take the GRE to enhance your application, the GRE code for Washington University is 6929.

Applications completed by January 15th are considered for tuition scholarships on the basis of academic promise. Awards are made for the academic year beginning the following fall.

All applicants should apply online with the Office of Graduate Studies in Arts & Sciences after consulting with an education advisor. Supporting materials such as transcripts should be mailed to our campus address (see below). Contact the Student Services Coordinator with any questions about the application process or for more information about the program.

The individual's MA Ed program is planned by the student in consultation with the Elementary Education advisor. Professional Education course work of 48 credit hours is required in the program. Requirements for certification in Elementary Education are mandated by DESE and can be found on the state Department of Education web site.

Foundations of Education

Schools and teachers function in relationship to cultural values, social structures, psychological perspectives, and historical traditions. Thus the MA Ed Program is grounded in the social foundations of Education and in Educational Psychology.

Curriculum and Instruction 

Teachers must continually make curricular and instructional decisions. Therefore, prospective teachers need to learn about innovative practices, professional responsibilities, curriculum development, materials and methods for the various content areas, and methods for evaluating pupil progress, as well as to develop classroom-management and teacher-pupil relationship skills. Students learn and practice these concepts in all curriculum and instruction course work and throughout the student teaching experience in the professional semester.

The Professional Semester

Courses in the Professional Semester serve to integrate instruction with practical classroom teaching experience. Master's candidates receive full-time credit for this intensive semester. Students in the Professional Semester spend five (5) full days a week in the schools. Some evenings are spent at the university in formal course work during which students receive instruction in teaching methodologies and are involved in other kinds of activities related to their own classroom teaching.

Given the intensity of the academic requirements during this final semester of study, students must focus wholly on their culminating field experience and will not be able to accept outside employment.

For further information, please contact:

Student Services Coordinator
314-935-6791

Washington University
Department of Education
MSC 1183-228-107
St. Louis, MO 63130

Application deadlines

Applications open September 1 of each year. All application materials must be received by the following dates:

• PhD program – January 15
• AuD program — February 15
• MSDE program – December 15 (early decision), February 15 (priority decision), or June 1 for rolling admissions (fall entry, as available)

Application instructions

The following items are required and must be received by the stated application deadline.

• Completed application, including personal statement
• Application fee (non-refundable) of $25
• Transcripts (official or unofficial) from all college/university coursework, uploaded to the online application
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official scores from the GRE, submitted to Institution Code 6929 (Washington University), Department Code 0602 (Audiology)
• All applicants are encouraged to arrange an interview after the application has been submitted. Learn more information on arranging an interview.

Additional requirements for international students:

• An official evaluation of transcripts from a credentialing agency must be submitted for all international applicants — see FAQ page for more information
• Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for all international applicants whose native language is not English

Any application materials sent by mail should be sent to the address below:

Washington University School of Medicine
Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences
CB 8042, 660 S. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110

Email: pacs@wustl.edu

Fax: (314) 747-0105

Apply Online

Separate applications are required for both the MSW and MA Ed programs and are reviewed independently according to their criteria. Be sure to indicate that you are applying for a joint-degree in the MSW application for admission.

Learn more about the MSW program and application.

In order to be considered for admission to the MAEd. program, an applicant must submit a complete dossier to Washington University no later than January 15th which includes:

1. Completed Application Form
2. Three letters of Recommendation
3. Transcripts from all college work 
4. Personal Statement: Describe how your undergraduate degree program and related experience sparked your desire to pursue a Master's degree in teaching, educational studies, or higher education, keeping in mind our departmental theme of "Equalizing Educational Opportunity: Equity, Inclusion, and Success in Classrooms, Schools, and Communities." Additionally, if you are interested in the elementary teacher certification track, please respond to the following prompts:
   • Summarize your previous experiences with children and how these experiences led to your interest in classroom-based teaching in your chosen field and grade levels.
   • Why do you want to pursue certification as a public school teacher in the U.S., and how will our program help you reach your ultimate career objectives?
   • In your view, how can teachers work toward equity in our schools?
5. Writing sample: 10-20 page writing sample that demonstrates your ability to think critically and articulate your ideas.
6. Current Resume/CV
7. For international applicants: submission of official English proficiency scores.