Mar 19, 2024  
Graduate Academic Catalog 2015-2016 
    
Graduate Academic Catalog 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions


 

Gordon College welcomes women and men of academic promise who wish to enroll in a program leading to the Master of Education degree, the Master of Music Education degree, the Education Specialist degree and/or state licensure. Candidates who demonstrate capacity for graduate work, potential to contribute to the knowledge of teaching in the classroom, and who wish to study in an atmosphere where the Christian faith is applied to learning are invited to enroll for graduate study.

Permission to take graduate courses at Gordon College for the first time is granted by the Graduate Office, based on a review of all undergraduate and graduate study transcripts and a signed agreement to abide by Gordon College’s Life and Conduct Statement while on campus.

Students who demonstrate completion of an undergraduate degree may register for a maximum of 9 credits prior to acceptance into the program.

Master of Education Program Requirements for Admission

  • Completion of the Graduate Education New Student Form,* which is to be submitted only once at https://my.gordon.edu/ics/GE_Admissions/
  • A completed graduate program application
  • Two official transcripts of each degree earned from accredited undergraduate and graduate schools.  These transcripts must be originals, not photocopies, and should be sealed in the original envelope from the registrar of the institution. An undergraduate degree is required with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.**
  • A professional resume
  • An academic reference which evaluates the candidate’s ability to complete work at the graduate level
  • A personal reference which speaks to the applicant’s character
  • A professional reference which speaks to the applicant’s appropriateness for classroom teaching
  • A statement of purpose essay, generally 500-700 words, which offers you an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills as you explain your goals and aspirations as an educator and why you are seeking to continue your education at Gordon College. Be sure to mention any experience you think is pertinent to the program to which you are applying.
  • Payment of a $50 nonrefundable application fee, made payable to Gordon College

* If new to Gordon graduate program
** Students with promise but less than a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average may be admitted on a provisional status.

Education Specialist Program and Licensure Only Program Requirements for Admission

  • Completion of the Graduate Education New Student Form,* which is to be submitted only once at https://my.gordon.edu/ics/GE_Admissions/
  • A completed graduate program application
  • Two official transcripts of each degree earned from accredited undergraduate and graduate schools.  These transcripts must be originals, not photocopies, and should be sealed in the original envelope from the registrar of the institution.
  • Master’s program GPA of at least 3.3**
  • A professional resume
  • A professional reference
  • A statement of purpose essay, generally 500-700 words, which offers you an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills as you explain your goals and aspirations as an educator and why you are seeking to continue your education at Gordon College. Be sure to mention any experience you think is pertinent to the program to which you are applying.
  • Payment of a $50 nonrefundable application fee, made payable to Gordon College

* If new to Gordon graduate program
** Please note: Students with promise but less than a 3.3 master’s grade point average may be admitted on a provisional status.

M.M.Ed. Program Requirements for Admission

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Undergraduate degree in music education from an accredited institution (or the equivalent) with a GPA of 3.0
  • Initial licensure in music (only for those candidates who wish to pursue professional licensure in conjunction with their degree program)
  • At least one year of teaching experience in the music classroom (applicants with less than one year of experience will be considered if they exhibit exceptional teaching abilities)

Acceptance to the M.M.Ed. Program will be determined by the director of graduate studies in music education following a careful review of all application materials. Applicants must submit the following:

  • Application with signed statement of compliance
  • Nonrefundable application fee of $25, payable to Gordon College
  • Letter of introduction from applicant
  • Professional resume
  • Two letters of recommendation (one personal reference; one professional reference)
  • Three- to four-page typed essay on the applicant’s philosophy of teaching and the importance of music education in the school curriculum
  • Two official transcripts of each degree earned from accredited undergraduate and graduate schools.  These transcripts must be originals, not photocopies, and should be sealed in the original envelope from the registrar of the institution. 
  • Video-recorded demonstration of teaching ($25 electronic submission fee - DVDs, VHS, other recording media not accepted by mail or in person)
  • Conducting seminar application and video-recorded demonstration of conducting (only if the applicant wishes to waive GMU616 Techniques of Conducting)
  • Copy of teaching licensure certificate (if applicable)
  • International students: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with minimum score of 550 on paper version (PBT), 213 on computer version (CBT), or 80 on the Internet version (IBT); and an oral proficiency interview demonstrating superior ability in speaking

In addition, it is recommended, but not required, that applicants interview with the program director before or during the first summer of classes. Application materials must be received by April 1; students will be notified of acceptance status by May 1.

Those students who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission, or whose admission materials are incomplete, may be granted provisional status and may take up to nine (9) hours of courses. After completing no more than nine (9) hours, students desiring full status are expected to have matriculated by meeting all of the admissions requirements.

Initial License in Music Program Requirements for Admission

  • Application with signed statement of compliance
  • Nonrefundable application fee of $50, payable to Gordon College
  • Letter of introduction from applicant
  • Professional resume
  • Two letters of recommendation speaking to the candidate’s potential for success as a musician and as an educator (at least one letter must be from a music professor or music supervisor)
  • Three- to four-page essay describing the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses related to his/her potential for success as a music educator and reasons for pursuing initial license in music
  • One official transcript of each degree earned from accredited undergraduate and graduate schools.  These transcripts must be originals, not photocopies, and should be sealed in the original envelope from the registrar of the institution.
  • 30-minute video-recorded demonstration of the candidate teaching a music class or rehearsal
  • Music audition on major instrument (two contrasting pieces) or submission of a senior recital recording
  • Interview with program director
  • Piano proficiency exam
  • Vocal proficiency exam
  • For international students: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Passing score on the communication and literacy and music portions of the MTEL

Successful candidates will:

  • Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.85 or higher
  • Exhibit potential for developing skills related to the professional standards for teachers as set forth by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
  • Exhibit advanced proficiency on an instrument
  • Demonstrate overall musicianship
  • Clearly articulate belief in the importance of music education in the schools
  • Exhibit ability to be reflective

12-Credit Professional License in Music Requirements for Program Admission

  • Application with signed statement of compliance
  • Nonrefundable application fee of $50, payable to Gordon College
  • Letter of introduction from applicant
  • Professional resume
  • Two letters of recommendation speaking to the candidate’s success as a music educator
  • Three- to four-page essay on the candidate’s philosophy of music education
  • One official transcript of all degrees earned from accredited undergraduate and graduate schools.  The transcripts must be originals, not photocopies, and should be sealed in the original envelope from the registrar of the institution. 
  • 30-minute video recorded demonstration of the candidate teaching a music class or rehearsal
  • Interview with the program director
  • For international students: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Successful candidates will:

  • Have a Massachusetts Initial License in Music
  • Have a master’s degree
  • Have a graduate GPA of 2.85 or higher
  • Exhibit potential for excellence in teaching music
  • Demonstrate overall musicianship