Admissions Standards

Masters Program in Educational Leadership (36 Credit Hours)

Students seeking admission to a program leading to a master’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution of acceptable standing. (College seniors may be admitted on a conditional basis.) Master’s degree applicants must meet the following criteria in order to receive a "clear admit" (full graduate student status):

  • A 2.75 undergraduate GPA based upon four years of work, or a 3.0 undergraduate GPA based upon work completed during the junior and senior years.
  • A rating of 1 (on part IV) on the three letters of recommendation (with 1 being the highest rating on the scale). At least two of the recommendations should be from professors and the third letter of recommendation could be from a professional employer.
  • Candidates for education programs leading to provisional with advanced standing certification need to provide a qualifying score on the Communication and Literacy Skills portion of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Tests.
  • Entrance Interview (face-to-face) over the phone by Educational Leadership program advisor may be required.

Applicant’s who do not meet the "Clear Admit" status will be granted a "Conditional Acceptance" if they meet the following criteria:

  • A 2.5 undergraduate GPA based upon four years of work, or a 2.75 undergraduate GPA based upon work completed during the junior and senior years.
  • A composite score of 600-899 on the quantitative and verbal parts of the GRE General Test.
  • A rating of at least 2 on the three letters of recommendation (with 1 being the highest rating on the scale). At least two of the recommendations should be from professors and the third letter of recommendation could be from a professional employer.
  • Candidates for education programs leading to provisional with advanced standing certification need to provide a qualifying score on the Communication and Literacy Skills portion of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Tests.

Conditions that must be met to move from conditional to full graduate student status:

  • In those programs in which it is required, the student must meet with his or her adviser who will recommend three graduate courses that must be taken at Bridgewater State College.
  • The student must attain a GPA of at least 3.0 after completion of the three required courses.

If students make a GPA of at least 3.0 after completing the courses, they would be moved into full graduate student status. If students do not make a GPA of at least 3.0 after completing the courses, they would automatically be dismissed.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)

Entrance to the program will be determined based upon the following:

  • Master’s degree from an accredited college or university (official transcript required)
  • Three letters of recommendation (one from immediate supervisor)
  • Completed application form
  • Academic certification through Massachusetts Department of Education
  • Qualifying score on the Communication and Literacy Skills portion of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Test.
  • Entrance Interview (face-to-face) over the phone by Educational Leadership program advisor mat be required.

Students accepted in the CAGS in Educational leadership will meet with a faculty advisor and design a program based on the current requirements in Massachusetts.

Accelerated School Administration Licensure Program

To qualify for admission to this accelerated program, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum 2.8 GPA
  • Letter articulating the candidate’s philosophy of education
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Original transcripts for previous institution(s) of higher education
  • Entrance Interview (face-to-face) over the phone by Educational Leadership program advisor may be required.
  • Initial licensure in other area, dependent upon administrative license sought (Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis) orCompletion of at least three full years of employment in an executive management role in a private school, charter, school, higher education, or other educational setting accepted by the DOE. For School Business Administrator three full years of employment in management/administrative role in business.
  • A passing score on the Communication & Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure [MTEL].

*Note: Conditional admission to the program may be granted, however CLEAR admission will only be granted if the passing MTEL Scores are submitted by the conclusion of the first semester of classes in the program.

Professional Links

Last Modified: July 30, 2007