Graduate Degrees | School of Education

Welcome

Welcome to IU South Bend and the School of Education’s graduate programs. We are happy that you are applying for a graduate program or have already been accepted into one. We look forward to your joining us as a new candidate (our term for a student in the School of Education). All graduate degrees require at least 36 credit hours of coursework.

Admission to IU South Bend Graduate Programs

Admission to specific programs may require additional steps and requirements, as described in the program-specific information below. Contact the Office of Education Student Services at (574) 520-4845 for program-specific requirements.

International Admission

International candidates wishing to enroll must submit the international student admission materials and the IU South Bend Master of Science in Education degree application to the IU South Bend Office of International Student Services. This must be done before being considered for admission to a graduate program. Admission decisions will be made by the department head of the appropriate program for full admittance. It is suggested that candidates speak with an education academic advisor as part of the preapplication process. All candidates must present evidence of proficiency in English, if their native language is not English. Applicants must score 550 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before they are eligible for unconditional admission.

Obtaining Teacher Certification in Elementary or Secondary Education, without Admission to Master of Science Degree Program

Teacher Licensing Procedures

Individuals holding an Indiana license (in-state) who wish to add to that license or who have never held certification (licensure) may request an official evaluation from the IU South Bend Office of Education Student Services.

Once the evaluation is complete it is returned to the applicant. If there are any questions regarding the evaluation, an appointment can be made with a graduate advisor from the Office of Education Student Services. All of the above information is reviewed by the Office of Education Student Services and an appropriate licensure program is developed with the student.

Program changes may occur, as mandated by the Indiana Department of Education Office of Educator Licensing and Development. Students are advised to confer with the advisors in the Office of Education Student Services concerning educational requirements on a regular basis. Current program information is available on the School of Education website.

Admission to School of Education Degree Programs

The School of Education follows the IU South Bend graduate admissions guidelines. Therefore, to be admitted to graduate degree programs in the School of Education, applicants must hold a degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet all other admissions standards for the specific degree of interest.

For candidates pursuing a Master of Science in Education, (elementary, secondary and special education), we will only accept complete graduate admission packets and students will be admitted in cohort groups. For more information contact the Office of Education Student Services at (574) 520-4845.

The GRE® revised General Test

The GRE® revised General Test replaced the GRE General Test in August 2011. There were changes to the test content and design. The score scale for verbal reasoning measures changed to a new 130-170 score scale, in 1-point increments (versus 200-800 in 10-point increments on the current test). Analytical writing scores will continue to be reported on the same 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments. Visit www.ets.org/gre/revisedtest to learn more about the GRE® revised General Test. Applicants who are required to take the GRE must earn a verbal score of 150 and a writing score of 3.5; they do not need to take the quantitative reasoning section of the GRE.

Elementary | Admission Procedures

• Visit www.iusb.edu/graduate-studies to complete the IU South Bend graduate application online.
• Provide three letters of recommendation.
• Submit a personal statement (one to two pages, single-spaced, 12 point font) which includes the following:

• why you are applying
• what makes an effective teacher
• what skills you need to become an effective teacher

• Provide official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended. (Transcripts from any Indiana University campus need not be sent.) Must have earned a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in a degree program from a regionally accredited institution.

a.   Applicants to graduate programs in the School of Education must have an overall CGPA of 3.000 or have earned a CGPA of 3.000 in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree and meet all other admission requirements to be fully admitted to graduate programs in the School of Education.

b.   Applicants whose CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 must earn required GRE scores and meet all other admissions requirements to be fully admitted to programs in the School of Education.

c.   Applicants with undergraduate CGPAs between 2.500 and 2.999 will not be allowed to take any graded graduate coursework until they have submitted the required GRE scores and met all other admissions requirements.

d.   Applicants whose undergraduate CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 may take S/F graded graduate workshops before being fully admitted. These S/F graded workshops will not fulfill degree requirements.

• Those pursuing the combined Master of Science in Education/Educational Leadership Program must obtain a recommendation from their corporation superintendent or the educational leadership program coordinator.

Secondary | Admission Procedures

• Visit www.iusb.edu/graduate-studies to complete the IU South Bend graduate application online.
• Provide three letters of recommendation.
• Submit a personal statement which includes

• why you are applying
• what makes an effective teacher
• what skills you need to become an effective teacher (one to two pages, single-spaced, 12 point font)

• Provide official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended. (Transcripts from any Indiana University campus need not be sent.) Must have earned a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA in a degree program from a regionally accredited institution.

a.   Applicants to graduate programs in the School of Education must have an overall CGPA of 3.000 or have earned a CGPA of 3.000 in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree and meet all other admission requirements to be fully admitted to graduate programs in the School of Education.

b.   Applicants whose CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 must earn required GRE scores and meet all other admissions requirements to be fully admitted to programs in the School of Education.

c.   Applicants with undergraduate CGPAs between 2.500 and 2.999 will not be allowed to take any graded graduate coursework until they have submitted the required GRE scores and met all other admissions requirements.

d.   Applicants whose undergraduate CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 may take S/F graded graduate workshops before being fully admitted. These S/F graded workshops will not fulfill degree requirements.

• Those pursuing the combined Master of Science in Education/Educational Leadership Program must obtain a recommendation from their corporation superintendent or the educational leadership program coordinator.

Professional Education Services

Special Education | Admission Procedures

• Visit www.iusb.edu/graduate-studies to complete the IU South Bend graduate application online.
• Provide two letters of recommendation.
• Submit a written statement of your teaching philosophy of educating students with special needs.
• Answer the following four questions (up to one type-written page per question).

• How do you think children and youth learn?
• What is the value and purpose of special education?
• Describe your comfort level with technology. What types of technology do you use daily? When you have difficulty with technology, what do you do?
• Discuss what is meant by: We believe in the value of learning for all students in collaboration with others.

• Provide official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended. (Transcripts from any Indiana University campus need not be sent.) Must have earned a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA in a degree program from a regionally accredited institution.

a.   Applicants to graduate programs in the School of Education must have an overall CGPA of 3.000 or have earned a CGPA of 3.000 in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree and meet all other admission requirements to be fully admitted to graduate programs in the School of Education.

b.   Applicants whose CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 must earn required GRE scores and meet all other admissions requirements to be fully admitted to programs in the School of Education.

c.   Applicants with undergraduate CGPAs between 2.500 and 2.999 will not be allowed to take any graded graduate coursework until they have submitted the required GRE scores and met all other admissions requirements.

d.   Applicants whose undergraduate CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 may take S/F graded graduate workshops before being fully admitted. These S/F graded workshops will not fulfill degree requirements.

e.   All applicants whose undergraduate degrees are more than ten years old must take two sections of the GRE. The applicant must earn a score of at least 150 on the Verbal Reasoning and at least a 3.5 on the Analytical Writing sections of the GRE to be eligible for admission.

Counseling and Human Services | Admission Procedures

The Counseling and Human Services (CHS) Program admits students during the summer 1 session. The following are requirements for admission and must be completed by April 1:

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study (online through admissions office).
• An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university. Applicants may apply to the program prior to the completion of the undergraduate degree provided that the degree is earned by May of the admission year.
• GPA requirements

a.   Applicants to graduate programs in the School of Education must have an overall CGPA of 3.000 or have earned a CGPA of 3.000 in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree and meet all other admission requirements to be fully admitted to graduate programs in the School of Education.

b.   Applicants whose CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 must earn required GRE scores and meet all other admissions requirements to be fully admitted to programs in the School of Education.

c.   Applicants with undergraduate CGPAs between 2.500 and 2.999 will not be allowed to take any graded graduate coursework until they have submitted the required GRE scores and met all other admissions requirements.

d.   Applicants whose undergraduate CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 may take S/F graded graduate workshops before being fully admitted. These S/F graded workshops will not fulfill degree requirements.

e.   All applicants whose undergraduate degrees are more than ten years old must take two sections of the GRE. The applicant must earn a score of at least 150 on the Verbal Reasoning and at least a 3.5 on the Analytical Writing sections of the GRE to be eligible for admission. Visit www.ets.org/gre for more information.

• Written personal statement

a.   List and describe your work and volunteer experiences related to the field of counseling and human services.

b.   List and describe education and training related to the field of counseling and human services beyond your formal coursework which you have attained as a result of participation in workshops, seminars, professional meetings, etc.

c.   Why have you selected counseling and human services as a preferred area of study?

d.   What characteristics do you have that you believe would make you a successful counselor?

e.   What additional information do you wish to bring to the awareness of the screening committee regarding your application?

• Official transcripts documenting all degrees earned or in progress, and any other academic work.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• An interview with resident faculty member scheduled in April. Submission of all required application materials is required to schedule an interview.
• Selection by faculty to be part of a cohort of 24 students selected in April of each year.

Educational Leadership | General Requirements (for all applicants)

• An Indiana teaching license
• Three years teaching experience (prior to applying for licensure)

Admission Procedures for Individuals with a Master's Degree

• Complete the IU South Bend graduate online application or the Data Sheet from the Office of Education Student Services)
• Provide official transcripts from master’s program
• Must obtain a recommendation from their corporation superintendent
• Complete an interview with program coordinator
• If you did not receive your master’s degree from IU South Bend you will be required to pay an application fee

Admission Procedures for Individuals without a Master's Degree

• Visit www.iusb.edu/graduate-studies to complete the IU South Bend graduate application online.
• Provide two letters of recommendation.
• Personal statement.
• Provide official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate institutions attended. (Transcripts from any Indiana University campus need not be sent.) Must have earned a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA in a degree program from a regionally accredited institution.

a.   Applicants to graduate programs in the School of Education must have an overall CGPA of 3.000 or have earned a CGPA of 3.000 in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate degree and meet all other admission requirements to be fully admitted to graduate programs in the School of Education.

b.   Applicants whose CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 must earn required GRE scores and meet all other admissions requirements to be fully admitted to programs in the School of Education.

c.   Applicants with undergraduate CGPAs between 2.500 and 2.999 will not be allowed to take any graded graduate coursework until they have submitted the required GRE scores and met all other admissions requirements.

d.   Applicants whose undergraduate CGPAs are between 2.500 and 2.999 may take S/F graded graduate workshops before being fully admitted. These S/F graded workshops will not fulfill degree requirements.

e.   All applicants whose undergraduate degrees are more than ten years old must take two sections of the GRE. The applicant must earn a score of at least 450 on the Verbal Reasoning and at least a 3.5 on the Analytical Writing sections of the GRE to be eligible for admission.

• Complete an interview with program faculty.
• Must obtain a recommendation from their corporation superintendent or the educational leadership program coordinator.
• Complete an interview with department head.