Admission Requirements
Admission to PLU’s M.Ed. program is competitive and based on a holistic review of your application (which includes a statement of professional goals, transcripts, resume/CV, and two recommendations).
Review of M.Ed. Applications is Based on the Following Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in any major with a 3.0+ cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited institution.
- Concentration selection – You have the option to choose one of five concentrations our M.Ed. offers.
- To earn an endorsement at PLU in the area of your concentration, additional coursework is required.
- You’ll find additional details on the Concentration Information section.
How to Apply
Application Dates
April
1
Early Action Date I
MAY
1
Final Application Deadline
For consideration for a summer 2026 start, all application materials must be received by May 1.
Application Process
Click on each item in the list below to view the instructions in an expanded section, and follow the steps to submit your application.
Create your application account
- Create your PLU application account at choose.plu.edu/apply.
- Select ‘Pacific Lutheran University Application 2026’, then ‘Graduate Application 2026’ & ‘Create Application’
- You’ll select your program on Page 2 of the application:
- Master of Education
Complete application & submit all required supporting items
- Concentration Selection
- The application will ask you to select the concentration in the subject area in which you’re interested.
- You can change your concentration selection before the program begins; connect with the School of Education Dean, Mary Jo Larsen.
- Endorsement Selection
- To earn an endorsement at PLU, you must have taken background coursework in the concentration area, with a few additional courses. You’ll then need to pass the required content test(s) through the WEST-E (Washington Educator Skills Test – Endorsement) or the NES (National Evaluation Series).
- See additional details and a full list of available endorsements on the Endorsement Preparation Section.
- The application will ask you to select the concentration in the subject area in which you’re interested.
- Transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you’ve attended
- You may upload official OR unofficial transcripts to the application, or send them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
- If you are a PLU student or alum, you do not need to submit your PLU transcripts.
- Note: While we will accept unofficial transcripts at the application stage for domestic students, you must request official transcripts from all colleges/universities to be sent to PLU before you enroll in a PLU graduate program.
- If you are an international applicant, you must submit official transcripts with the credential evaluation. See the International Applicants section for more information.
- You may upload official OR unofficial transcripts to the application, or send them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
- Statement of Professional Goals
- Write about your reasons for pursuing this degree and concentration, your future goals in the field, and how your work will impact students, the school, or the community. (500 words, double spaced, 12 point font).
- Upload your application statement of professional goals via the application portal.
- Recommendations
- Identify two references on your application.
- We recommend selecting an academic reference.
- Your references will receive an email invitation with instructions for completing the reference electronically.
- Identify two references on your application.
- Professional Resume: Upload resume via the application portal that includes your:
- Academic History
- Employment history
- Significant academic, professional and community achievements
- Honors and awards
- Application Fee
- Pay the non-refundable $65 application fee.
- Note: The application fee is waived for all current PLU students and alumni.
If you need to submit additional documents after submitting the online application, you can email them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
International Applicants
This program is not yet able to host international students. We are in the process of applying for authorization and hope to be approved soon.
Concentration Information
You’ll select one of the following concentration areas to focus your area of study while completing your M.Ed.
You also have the option to turn this area of concentration into a Washington State teaching endorsement. Note: To earn the endorsement, additional coursework will be required.
| Concentration | Corresponding Endorsement |
|---|---|
| Applied Behavior Analysis | Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) |
| Educational Leadership | Administrator (Principal) Certification |
| Elementary Education (K-8) | Elementary Education (K-8) |
| English Language Learners (P-12) | English Language Learners (P-12) |
| Special Education (P-12) | Special Education (P-12) |
- You have the option to stack on an endorsement at PLU in your selected concentration area.
- All stackable endorsements require that you hold a valid Washington State Teacher Certificate.
- The Administrator Certification has additional admission requirements. You can work directly with Partnerships & Professional Development to determine if you meet the requirements.