MS in Curriculum & Instruction Admission & Application Requirements

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

Deadlines

Applications are often accepted after the deadlines posted below when space is available. Please contact the Graduate Studies Office if you have questions.

  • Spring: November 15 (priority)

Part 1: Graduate Studies Application

Admission Requirement
Instructions
  1. Online graduate application

Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.

  1. $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications

After you complete the Graduate Online Application:

  • Log in to eServices with your StarID.
  • Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.

Note: Upon completion of the application form in step one, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days giving instructions for the remaining steps and completing the program application in Part 2. Please note that the steps below cannot be completed until you receive that email. If you do not receive the email with Self Service Center instructions, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.

  1. Transcripts from degree conferring colleges and universities

Unofficial transcripts can be used for a conditional admission decision, and you must provide official documentation prior to the first day of class enrollment.

Official transcripts can be sent to:

Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563

Please note that failing to submit the official transcripts by the deadline will result in discontinuation of class enrollment.

You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.

Part 2: Graduate Program Application

  1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution

This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.

  1. Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits

This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.

  1. Essay

Prepare a 250-300 word essay on educational philosophy and professional goals.

  • Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
  • Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
  • Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
  • Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.

*International students please see additional admission requirements.

Curriculum & Instruction Application Deadlines

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

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.

Curriculum & Instruction 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.

Curriculum & Instruction Application Requirements

  • GradCAS application
  • A current resume.
  • An essay outlining your educational philosophy and professional goals (250-300 words).
  • Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.

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)