Master of Science & Specialist in Educational Leadership Admission & Application Requirements

Apply and complete your graduate application in October for Spring 2025 enrollment and have your $35 application fee reimbursed!

Priority 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)

*International students please see additional admission requirements.

Masters in Educational Leadership Application Deadlines

• Summer: April 15 (flexible)
• Fall: July 1 (flexible)
• Spring: November 15 (flexible)

Steps to Apply

You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.

1. Create your account in GradCAS
2. Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
3. Complete the three general application sections.
4. Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
5. Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
6. Pay the $50 application fee.

The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.

Master of Science in Educational Leadership Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. No specific major required.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.

Master of Science in Educational Leadership Application Requirements

• GradCAS application
• A current resume.
• Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
  • If you attended MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions, you can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices, contact graduate@mnstate.edu and we can assist.
  • Upon admission, you must request official transcripts from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework. Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
  • MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.

International Student Requirements

• An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
• The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• For students whose native language is not English, or who were not taught in English, an official score from either TOEFL (6678 MSUM code) or IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead) is required.
  • TOEFL scores-550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
  • IELTS score of 6.5

For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@mnstate.edu.

Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.

Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
(Google Chrome and Firefox are the preferred browsers)

Specialist in Educational Leadership Application Deadlines

• Summer: April 15 (flexible)
• Fall: August 1 (flexible)
• Spring: December 1 (flexible)

Steps to Apply

You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.

1. Create your account in GradCAS
2. Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
3. Complete the three general application sections.
4. Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
5. Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
6. Pay the $50 application fee.

The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.

Specialist in Educational Leadership Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree in education leadership, curriculum and instruction, or a related field, from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.

Specialist in Educational Leadership Application Requirements

• GradCAS application
• A current resume.
• Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
  • If you attended MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions, you can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices, contact graduate@mnstate.edu and we can assist.
  • Upon admission, you must request official transcripts from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework. Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
  • MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.

International Student Requirements

• An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
• The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
• For students whose native language is not English, or who were not taught in English, an official score from either TOEFL (6678 MSUM code) or IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead) is required.
  • TOEFL scores-550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
  • IELTS score of 6.5

For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@mnstate.edu.

Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.

Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
(Google Chrome and Firefox are the preferred browsers)