Master of Science & Specialist in Educational Leadership Admission & Application Requirements
Apply and complete your graduate application in October for Spring 2025 enrollment and have your $35 application fee reimbursed!
Priority Deadlines
Applications are often accepted after the deadlines posted below when space is available. Please contact the Graduate Studies Office if you have questions.
- Summer: April 15 (flexible)
- Fall: August 1 (flexible)
- Spring: December 1 (flexible)
- Online graduate application
Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.
- $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.
- 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.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; no specific major required
For a specialist: Master’s degree from an accredited institution; no specific major required
This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.
- 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.
*International students please see additional admission requirements.
Masters in Educational Leadership Application Deadlines
- Summer: April 15 (flexible)
- Fall: July 1 (flexible)
- Spring: November 15 (flexible)
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.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
- Complete the three general application sections.
- Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
- Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.
Master of Science in Educational Leadership 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.
Master of Science in Educational Leadership Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume.
- Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
- If you attended MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions, you can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices, contact graduate@mnstate.edu and we can assist.
- Upon admission, you must request official transcripts from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework. Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
- MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.
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)
Specialist in Educational Leadership Application Deadlines
- Summer: April 15 (flexible)
- Fall: August 1 (flexible)
- Spring: December 1 (flexible)
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.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
- Complete the three general application sections.
- Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
- Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.
Specialist in Educational Leadership Admission Requirements
- A master’s degree in education leadership, curriculum and instruction, or a related field, from a regionally accredited institution.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.
Specialist in Educational Leadership Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume.
- Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
- If you attended MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions, you can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices, contact graduate@mnstate.edu and we can assist.
- Upon admission, you must request official transcripts from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework. Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
- MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.
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)