THE APPLICATION FOR SUMMER 2024 IS STILL OPEN!

HOW TO APPLY

DEADLINES AND APPLICATION TIMELINE

Priority Deadline #1:
November 1st
Interviews: November 27 -December 1
Notification: End of December

Priority Deadline #2:
February 1st (also deadline for scholarship and fellowship applications)
Interviews: February 26 -March 2
Notification: End of March

Priority Deadline #3:
March 15th
Rolling Interviews
Notification: Mid-April

Recommendations, official transcripts, and test scores can be submitted AFTER the priority deadline as long as you submit the application by that date.

 

Note: After the priority deadlines, applications are accepted on a rolling basis depending on space availability.

Connect with us!

Contact for questions about the application process.

Areas of Endorsement

Review the complete list of endorsements offered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application requirements for the MAE Residency Certification, Alternate Routes, and Non-Certification programs are the same – with the exception of the WEST-B/E requirement for non-certification international students.

Applications are processed through GradCAS, a nationwide centralized application service for graduate programs. All official transcripts must be submitted to GradCAS, not PLU. If you have questions, contact us.

Click on each item in the list below to view the instructions in an expanded section, and then follow the steps to submit your application.

  • Create your application portal account (preferred browsers are Google Chrome or Firefox)
  • Select and add the program which you are applying for
      • Master of Arts in Education with Teacher Certification
      • Master of Arts in Education: Alternative Routes to Certification
      • Master of Arts in Education: Non-Certification
  • Complete all required application questions.

(Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for questions about the application portal)

Application essay

  • In an essay of 500-750 words (double spaced, 12 point font) please respond to the following questions:
    1. Share with us why you want to be a teacher and what you hope to accomplish as a teacher.
    2. What do you want to teach and why?
    3. When you picture yourself teaching in one to two years, what do you see? Provide detailed description of what students are doing and what you are doing.
  • Upload your application essay via the application portal.

Recommendations

  • Identify two references on your application.
    • One reference should speak specifically to your experience working with young people.
    • Another reference should be specific to your commitment to the academics of the program, preferably from a professor/instructor. (For Alternative Routes applicants, or if you are working for a school district, the second reference can be a letter of support from the principal or human resources of your building/district ensuring that you can meet the student teaching requirements.)
  • Your references will receive an email invitation from gradcasinfo@liaisoncas.com with instructions for completing the reference electronically.
  • If your recommenders need assistance, please visit the Letters by Liaison Help Center.

Resume

Upload resume via the application portal that includes your:

  • Employment history
  • Significant academic, professional and community achievements
  • Honors and awards

Application Fee

  • Pay the nonrefundable $55 application fee.

Note: If you need to submit additional documents after submitting the online application, you can email them to gradadmission@plu.edu.

Official Transcripts

  • Official transcripts must be sent to GradCAS by the schools you attended, either through one of the approved electronic transcript services, or directly from your school in a sealed school’s envelope to the mailing address listed below.
  • If you attended a school or earned your degree outside of the United States, you need to obtain a course-by-course US equivalency report from the World Education Services (WES). This report should then be sent directly to GradCAS from the evaluation service along with the official transcripts which they receive from your schools.
  • PLU current students and graduates do not need to submit PLU transcripts.
  • Read more instructions about Sending Official Transcripts to GradCAS.

Sending Transcripts Electronically

  • GradCAS only accepts electronic transcripts from Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. If your school does not offer either of these services, your transcript must be sent by mail. GradCAS cannot accept transcripts sent via email.
  • When selecting the recipient, choose Educational organization, and then select GradCAS.
  • Include your full GradCAS ID number when entering the GradCAS mailing address.
  • See GradCAS instructions for sending electronic transcripts

Sending Transcripts by Mail

Download and print the Transcript Request Form under each school you listed in the College Attended section of your application. Send the Transcript Request Form to your school.

Your registrar should mail your paper transcript to the following address:

GradCAS Transcript Processing Center
P.O. Box 9217
Watertown, MA 02471

  • Take the WEST-B in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (240 reference score in each test). If the reference score is not met, please schedule an appointment with a School of Education Representative.
  • Arrange for WEST-B* results to be sent to PLU (the PLU code is 225)
  • You do not need to take the test at the time you submit the application, but it MUST be taken by the application deadline.
  • SAT or ACT may be substituted. Official scores must be sent to PLU. (SAT: Reading 500, Math 515, Writing 490. ACT: Reading 22, Math 22, Writing 8.)
  • Out-of-state applicants, please schedule an appointment with a School of Education Representative.
  • More information about the WEST-B: http://www.west.nesinc.com/

*WEST-B test is not required for students who are pursuing the non-certification track. For international students who want to receive teaching certification, they must take the WEST-B test.

In Washington State, you will have a Residency Teaching Certificate with one or more endorsements on it. Endorsements indicate which particular subject areas and grade levels you are qualified to teach. For example: Elementary Education K8, Visual Arts K-12, or Mathematics 5-12 (a complete list is available here). Washington State requires a content test for every endorsement area (passed by June 1 of the start year).

On the application, select the endorsements of the subject areas you want to teach. Please limit your choice up to two (e.g. Elementary and Special Education, or Social Studies and History), three may be possible if they are all closely related.

Once the applications are reviewed, candidates advancing to the next stage of review will be invited to an interview appointment.

Interview for November 1 priority applications: November 27 – December 1
Interview for February 1 priority applications: February 26 – March 2

(Dates are subject to change)

Interview Preparation

The PLU School of Education has developed a set of guiding principles that serve as the foundation of our program, ensuring that all children engage with and experience an education that prepares them for a meaningful life in a participatory democracy. To prepare for the interview, please review these principles in advance, consider each one individually, and reflect on how they shape the educational landscape. Be ready to share your insights on the potential impact of these principles on teaching and learning. Click the link below to view the guiding principles.

If admitted to the program:

  • Must have a passing score (240) on the WEST-E and (220) on the NES (or equivalent) for your intended endorsements by June 1st. You are strongly encouraged to take the test early as candidates may not start the summer without passing scores. World Language applicants must also take the written and verbal portions of the ACTFL.
  • You must complete any missing content coursework before starting your student teaching internship in the fall.

In addition to the documents listed in the above sections, international applicants also submit the following materials:

  • Credential Evaluation – If you attended a school or earned your degree outside of the United States, you are required to submit your coursework to World Education Services (WES) for a course-by-course US equivalency report. This report should then be sent directly to GradCAS from WES along with the official transcripts sent by the schools. Visit World Education Services (WES) website to follow its instructions and arrange for your documents to be delivered to WES. We recommend the ICAP package when you select services on the WES website.
  • English translation is also required if the documents are in a language other than English. The translation must be provided by a university, government official, organization, or a certified translation service, for example: American Translators Association.
  • Proof of English proficiency
    • IELTS or TOEFL
      • Non-Certification Program: Minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 88 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
      • All other programs: Minimum TOEFL-iBT score of 80 or minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
    • Official TOEFL scores are submitted electronically to GradCAS directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS) using TOEFL code #B886. See more instructions on GradCAS Help Center.
    • Official IELTS scores are submitted electronically through GradCAS. Applicants must contact the IELTS test center where the IELTS test was taken to request the official Test Report Form be sent electronically to the GradCAS E-Delivery account, thereby granting permission to share test results with CAS services. We do not accept unofficial copies of IELTS Test Report Forms from applicants. An institution code is NOT required.

In order to be sent a form I-20, admitted international students must:

  • Pay the enrollment deposit
  • Submit a Passport picture page
  • Submit the Declaration of Finance form and Proof of financial support dated within 12 months.

If you or your recommenders have any questions or technical problems with the online application portal and recommendation process, status, navigation, missing credentials, etc., please visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center.