Admission to the School of Education
Admission to the School of Education
Trinity seeks students who have academic potential for its graduate programs, a record of scholastic achievement at the undergraduate level, and promise for success in the professional area in which they are applying. Students are admitted without regard to race, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability. Applications from qualified students of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged.
Admission Requirements for Degree-Seeking Graduate Students
- General Entrance Requirements
- Additional Entrance Requirements by Degree Program
- Application Procedure
- Admission Status
- PRAXIS I Examination
- Interviews
- Application Deadline
- Transfer Credits for Degree Programs
General Entrance Requirements
All candidates for admission to the Education graduate degree programs must meet the following entrance requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution of higher learning. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
- Secondary Education candidates must also have earned a minimum of 3.0 undergraduate GPA in the content area in which they plan to teach.
Additional Entrance Requirements by Degree Program
In addition to meeting general entrance requirements, applicants to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs must also submit the following documents as part of the application:
- Master of Arts in Teaching: Applicants for Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary or Special Education must submit official copies of passing scores for the PRAXIS I/Core examination.
- Master of Science in Educational Administration: Applicants must have completed two years of documented, successful, full-time teaching in an accredited public or non-public school
Application Procedure
Candidates for admission to the Education graduate degree programs must submit the following documents to the Office of Admissions:
- Complete the online application for admission.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended at the undergraduate and graduate level, sent directly to Trinity from the issuing institution(s). Transcripts submitted directly from an applicant are considered unofficial unless received in the original, unopened envelope from the issuing institution.
- Two letters of recommendation in support of the application testifying to the applicant’s aptitude for graduate education and potential for professional growth and development. One letter of recommendation should be written by supervisory personnel such as a principal or department chair.
- For the admissions team to become better acquainted with you, please submit a one to two page personal statement. In a self-appraisal, identify your strengths and how you believe they will serve as an asset to the academic program of your choosing. Additionally, identify and address any areas of weakness that you hope to strengthen throughout your course of study. Finally, discuss what personal characteristics set you apart from others and will help you achieve success as you pursue your academic and professional goals.
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- For M.A.T. applicants only: Official scores, sent from the Educational Testing Services (ETS) directly to Trinity, on the Praxis I/Praxis Core examination.
- Applicants for whom English is not their first language and who have received degrees from institutions outside of the United States: Official scores of 550 or higher (written format), 213 or higher (computer format) or 79-80 or higher (internet format) from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must be submitted prior to admission. The TOEFL is administered by the Education Testing Service (ETS).
NOTE: While Praxis II is NOT required for admission into the M.A.T. programs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education, passing scores in content ARE required to student teach (and obtain Provisional Certification in the District of Columbia). It is recommended that applicants inquire of their employer as to whether Provisional Certification is a requirement of their job and, if so, take the appropriate content area exam so that Trinity faculty may assist the applicant in applying for Provisional Certification.
All supporting materials should be sent to:
Office of Admissions: School of Education
Trinity Washington University
125 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all required documentation is submitted to Trinity in one package for an admission decision to be made. Applications are reviewed and evaluated in the order in which they are received. Admissions decisions will be communicated in writing to applicants as soon as possible after a decision is made.
All materials received by Trinity from applicants or third parties (high schools, undergraduate and/or graduate institutions, recommenders, etc.) will be the property of Trinity. Trinity does not return or release materials submitted to the Admissions Office to applicants or third parties.
Falsification or alteration of any documents submitted for admission will result in actions up to, and including, revocation of acceptance to Trinity and the School of Education and/or dismissal from Trinity.
Admission Status
Degree-Seeking Students
Applicants who intend to obtain a degree through the Education graduate program and meet all admissions requirements to their program are admitted as a degree-seeking student.
Provisional Admission
At the discretion of the Dean of the School of Education, graduate applicants in the Education programs who do not meet the standard admission requirements but who demonstrate potential may be admitted on a provisional basis and may take up to six (6) credits of graduate course work during their first semester to demonstrate academic preparedness for graduate level studies. A minimum grade of “B” or higher must be earned and official transcripts for course work must be submitted for evaluation in order to be considered for full admission into the Education graduate programs.
Conditional Admission
At the discretion of the Dean of the School of Education, applicants may be admitted to Trinity and the School of Education on a conditional basis if all application materials are not received and evaluated prior to the beginning of the semester in which the applicant wishes to start. Applicants may be permitted to register for up to six (6) credits prior to receipt of all admissions materials as non-degree-seeking students. Those admitted on a conditional basis have one semester to submit all required admissions materials. Permission to register as a conditional admit should not be construed as conferring full admission to Trinity or the School of Education. Students from whom complete admission files have not been received by the end of the first semester will be dismissed and must reapply for admission.
The Praxis I/Core Examination
The Praxis I/Core examination is a prerequisite for admission into the M.A.T. program at Trinity. Students must present official copies of passing scores based on the requirements of the District of Columbia. The test is administered by the Educational Testing Service and measures reading, writing, and computational skills vital to all teacher candidates. Further information about the test, testing dates and locations can be obtained from ETS (www.ets.org). Trinity’s school code is RA5796.
Assistance with Praxis I/Core preparation is offered through the Professional Development Workshops at Trinity. Information regarding these workshops can be obtained on this web site at Professional Development Workshops. Preparation courses in Reading/Writing and in Math are offered in a hybrid format (combination of on-line and class meeting) each semester. Please see the Education Programs Policy on State Required Examinations for further details.
Students pursuing a B.A. in Education, an undergraduate minor in Education, or the B.A./M.A.T. Program must earn a qualifying score on the Praxis I/Core, ACT, or SAT exam prior to registering for education courses at the 300-level or above with the exception of EDTE 301.
Applicants wishing to enroll in the Secondary MAT program must have significant coursework (preferably a major) in the discipline in which they wish to teach.
Interviews
An interview may be required for admission to the graduate degree programs. Interviews will be scheduled after the Office of Admissions has received a completed application.
Application Deadline
There is no application deadline, but candidates for admission should apply and arrange that all credentials be forwarded well in advance of the semester in which they wish to matriculate.
Transfer Credits for Graduate Degrees
Students enrolled in a graduate degree program may transfer a maximum of six (6) credits from appropriately accredited institutions of higher learning toward a degree at Trinity. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors. For specific rules governing transfer credits, see the School of Education Academic Policies.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs
The post-baccalaureate certificate programs require proof of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Applicants to the post-baccalaureate certificate programs should show potential for academic success and similar ability to degree-seeking students also enrolled in the courses. Students with a 2.8 cumulative undergraduate grade point average or equivalent will be given priority consideration.
Students who have completed a Trinity certificate and wish to continue in a full degree program should submit the online application for consideration to their desired graduate degree program.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for Non-Degree Students
Individuals interested in taking courses at Trinity on a part-time, non-matriculating basis may apply as non-degree students. Prospective non-degree students must complete an online application for non-degree student status with the Office of Admissions.
Individual courses are offered on a space-available basis only, and students must satisfy all course prerequisites. Admission into these courses does not imply admission to Trinity. Students may earn no more than six graduate credit hours as a non degree-seeking student. Special policies apply to credit earned through the Professional Development for Educators program. These credits may not be applied toward a degree and do not count toward credits taken as a non-degree seeking student.
Admission Requirements and Procedures for International Students
International applicants must submit all credentials mentioned above for degree-seeking or non-degree students. The student is responsible for submitting all transcripts from institutions attended outside the United States for evaluation. To apply for admission to Trinity, international applicants must present the following documents:
- Complete the online application for admission.
- A copy of the applicant’s official high school or college/university transcript. Transcripts must be translated into English and evaluated by an accredited agency such as the World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (www.aacrao.org).
- A letter of recommendation from an instructor or supervisor from a previous college/university or workplace, supporting the application for admission.
- Official score reports of TOEFL to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions. (A basic score of 550 on the paper exam, 213 on the computer-based exam or 79-80 on the internet exam is required.)
- Proof of financial responsibility, such as a Declaration/Certificate of Finances or an official bank statement for the first year of study.
- A 250 – 500 word essay, written in English. The applicant may choose to write about his/her future ambitions, goals, a special talent or unusual interest that sets him/her apart from peers, or a significant professional or community experience.
Trinity will issue the form I-20 (for the F-1 / Student Visa) to applicants who:
- Are admitted to Trinity;
- Are proficient in the English language as measured by the TOEFL or by graduation from an appropriately accredited American university. Associations recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEA) confer appropriate accreditation; these associations include but are not limited to regional accreditors; and
- Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover expenses for at least one academic year.
Deadlines: All required documents must be submitted by July 1 for the fall term and November 1 for the spring term. Financial aid is not available to international students.
Readmission
A student previously registered as a degree candidate who has failed to maintain continuous enrollment in the same graduate program for one calendar year or more must apply for readmission. A letter requesting file reactivation should be submitted to the Admissions Office.
Students who have not taken classes for five years or longer must apply for admission under the current academic program. Under certain circumstances, students who leave the college may be required to repeat courses that have expired. Students in specific programs may be required to complete additional course work to meet degree, licensure, or certification requirements. The student’s transcript and program of study will be evaluated by the Dean.
Declaration of Intent
Upon notification of acceptance, the applicant will be asked to submit a Declaration of Intent (DOI). The DOI confirms an accepted candidate’s intention to enroll at Trinity in the School of Education. Registration for courses cannot be processed until a DOI has been received.
Disclaimer
Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.
Questions may be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@trinitydc.edu.