Gordon College welcomes women and men of academic promise who wish to enroll in a program leading to:
- Master of Education degree and the Education Specialist degree and/or state licensure
- Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and the Education Specialist in Educational Leadership (Christian & Classical Christian School Administration)
- Master of Music Education degree and/or state licensure
- Master of Public Health degree
- Master of Arts in Theology for Community Transformation
Candidates who demonstrate capacity for graduate work, potential to contribute to the knowledge of teaching in the classroom or 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.
Matriculation
Matriculation is dependent on the course of study.
Graduate Programs in Education, Public Health and Theology. Students who have not matriculated may complete up to nine (9) credit hours of graduate coursework at Gordon College prior to acceptance into the program. After completion of nine (9) credit hours of graduate work, students who have not matriculated may not register for additional courses. Courses expire after five years and will not be counted toward degree requirements.
Educational Leadership (M.A. and Ed.S./Christian & Classical Christian School Administration). Students need to formally apply to the program before beginning coursework. Courses expire after five years and will not be counted toward degree requirements.
Master of Music Education. Students are admitted to the degree program with 1) special status (exploratory); 2) provisional status (incomplete paperwork, low GPA, less than two years teaching experience); or 3) full status (complete paperwork and recommendation of the director). Upon completion of nine (9) credit hours of graduate work at Gordon College, students will be expected to have matriculated. After nine (9) hours of graduate work, students who are not accepted into the program may not register for additional courses except for workshops. Students have seven (7) years after matriculation to complete all program requirements. When there are extenuating circumstances, students may apply for an extension to the director of graduate studies in music education.
Requirements for Admission - All Programs
See information below for additional requirements based on individual programs, if applicable.
- A completed graduate program application
- 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. An undergraduate degree is required with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.**
- A professional résumé or curriculum vitae (CV)
- An academic or professional reference that evaluates the candidate’s ability to complete work at the graduate level
- A personal reference that speaks to the applicant’s character
- A statement of purpose essay, generally 500-700 words, which offers an opportunity to demonstrate writing skills, goals and aspirations and why you are seeking to continue your education at Gordon College, specifically within your program of interest. Be sure to mention any experience you think is pertinent to the program to which you are applying.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the exam results listed below. The requirement may be waived if the applicant has earned an undergraduate or master’s degree in an English-speaking country or from an institution at which English is the language of instruction.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
** Students with promise but less than a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average may be admitted on a provisional status.
Graduate Music Education Programs
M.M.Ed. Program Requirements for Admission
Core requirements mentioned above, plus:
- Initial licensure in music (only for those candidates who wish to pursue professional licensure in the state of MA 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)
- Letter of introduction from applicant
- Three- to four-page typed essay on the applicant’s philosophy of teaching and the importance of music education in the school curriculum
- Video-recorded demonstration of teaching (the $30 electronic submission fee is included in the $75 application 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 for first year students)
- 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
Initial License in Music Program Requirements for Admission
Core requirements mentioned above, plus:
- Letter of introduction from applicant
- Three- to four-page essay describing the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses related to their potential for success as a music educator and reasons for pursuing initial license in music
- 20-minute, video-recorded demonstration of the candidate teaching a music class or rehearsal ($30 electronic submission fee; DVDs, VHS, other recording media not accepted by mail or in person)
- 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
- 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
Core requirements mentioned above, plus:
- Letter of introduction from applicant
- 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 ($30 electronic submission fee; DVDs, VHS, other recording media not accepted by mail or in person)
- Interview with the program director
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
Graduate Certificate Requirements for Admission
- A completed certificate application
- An academic or professional reference that evaluates the candidate’s ability to complete work at the graduate level
- A statement of purpose essay, generally 200-500 words, which offers an opportunity to demonstrate writing skills, goals and aspirations and why you are seeking to continue your education at Gordon College, and specifically within your program of interest.
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