Application Process

Deadlines

Applications for the Master of Arts degree in Education are reviewed for admission two times each year. To be considered for admission, applications must be completed and submitted by October 1^st for spring semester admission, and March 1^st for summer/fall admission.  International students are encouraged to apply a semester earlier to allow sufficient time for paperwork.

Required Materials

Educators wishing to apply for admission to the Master of Arts in Education degree program must complete the Graduate Admissions application and pay the required fee. This application is available only in online format through the admissions website: http://www.uwyo.edu/admissions/graduate/.  

In addition, applicants must submit the following supplemental material:

• letter of intent
• an academic resume
• three letters of recommendation
• college transcripts

All application materials can be uploaded to the online application.  For alternatives to online submission of supplemental material, please contact the Curriculum & Instruction Office Associate at: curriculum@uwyo.edu or 307-766-6371.

Application files will not be reviewed until they are complete.

Guidelines for Letter of Intent

The letter of intent serves as a writing sample, an indicator of the applicant’s proficiency in writing. The letter of intent also serves as a substitute for scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The admissions committee will be examining both the quality of the written sample and the depth of its content. Following are guidelines for writing the letter and a rubric the admissions committee members will use to assess these letters. 

In the letter of intent please address the following questions:

• A detailed description of teaching experience describing how many years in teaching, what grades and/or subjects taught.  Describe crucial aspects of the teaching experience, and how did he/she develop as a teacher as a result of these experiences and how will their background influence graduate studies. 
• Describe strengths: What will the student bring to our program and his/her classes that may demonstrate ability to be a successful graduate student and ability to contribute to the learning environment.
• Academic goals:  describe in detail why students wish to pursue a Masters of Arts in C&I, including why they want to do so at this time and how they are planning to use the degree in the future.  What areas of study are they interested in and include goals for a graduate study and why these goals are important?

The letter should be typed (double-spaced) on 8.5 by 11 inch paper. Letters of intent will be scored by a rubric that evaluates two areas: Ideas/Content Development; and Organization/Structure/Mechanics/Format. Each category is ranked as Outstanding, Proficient, Marginal, or Deficient. An overall score of Proficient is required for acceptance to the Master of Arts in Education program.

Guidelines for Academic Resume

Include the following in your resume:

• Personal Information: Name and Contact Information (Address, Phone numbers, email)
• Education: Institution, City, State, Dates Attended, Major, and Degree
• Work Experience: Dates, Job Title, Employer, City, State
• Professional experiences such as: Publications, Presentations and Grants; Continuing Education Activities, Awards/Honors Received; Community and Volunteer Activities; Professional Memberships; other

Minimal Admissions Criteria

Meeting minimal admissions criteria does NOT automatically ensure admission to the program.

• Score of “Proficient” or higher on a letter of intent describing academic goals, teaching experiences, and reasons for pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Wyoming.  This letter serves as a writing sample, and takes the place of GRE scores in the admission process. For a full description of the letter of intent see above.
• One year of P-12 teaching experience or its equivalent.  This requirement may be waived for applicants from the Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program.
• Qualified Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program applicants are admitted on a conditional basis, pending successful completion of the Post Baccalaureate program, including methods and residency.
• Transcript evaluation for undergraduate degree completion, reflecting a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the applicant’s most recent degree from an accredited institution, plus transcripts from all other schools attended.
• A TOEFL score of 525 (paper-based), 197 (computer exam) or above is required for international students.
• Submission of all required supplemental materials, including three letters of recommendation, completed by an individual familiar with the applicant’s academic performance, a current or recent supervisor, and/or a selected colleague, and an Academic Resume.