What do I need in order to apply to a master’s degree in education management?

A master's in education management is an excellent degree. Maybe you are a school teacher interested in becoming a school principal, working with teachers and parents. Perhaps you have a dream of someday becoming a university provost at your alma mater. No matter what your motivation, pursuing a program like a convenient and flexible online education management master's degree is an excellent way to make your professional goals a reality. To get into the program of your choice, you will need to get accepted into the educational school offering the degree. Here are six admission requirements most commonly asked for by the admissions office.

Submission of a graduate application (with coinciding application fee)

By and large online programs offer an online graduate application. This can be a short or long form with a series of questions the admissions office will receive, review, and keep on file. The application fee associated with the processing of the application helps the school know that you are serious about committing to the program and helps to cover costs for official transcript requests. If you are interested in several schools, the costs of these application fees can add up. A $25-50 fee is not uncommon for most schools and some charge several hundred dollars. Some education schools waive the application fee or offer financial aid in some way for qualifying candidates. Contact a school representative and ask about the application fee policy.

Official transcripts showing completion of an undergraduate degree with attractive GPA

Transcripts are the documents showing the previous coursework students have completed of previous colleges and universities. Official transcripts are sealed, signed, and dated records sent from these schools and are considered legal documents. A graduate program will typically require its applicants to have completed a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. This degree will include a cumulative grade point average of between 2.75 and 3.0 in most cases. There are often perks offered to students with higher GPAs like assessment test waivers and acceptance-status upgrades.

Recommendations (academic/professional)

When graduate schools offer no GMAT requirement, they stress less on the results of standardized assessment tests and often put more weight on other application components. Recommendations can become more important as they reflect what reliable sources will say about a student or employee. Letters of recommendation will continue to play a significant role for graduate school applicants because they tell the story of a student's performance, and admissions office representatives are attempting to forecast how well a potential student will be in the future. The best way to prepare for a good recommendation is to build a stable relationship with an employer or professor whose glowing review of your performance will carry weight with a graduate school. Simply put, good students and valued employees have the best chance of receiving favorable recommendations.

Statement of Intent

Some graduate schools ask for a simple one- or two-page statement of intent while others offer prompts, questions, and a word-limit. The best way to provide the best statement of intent is to begin by researching and understanding precisely what is being asked for before delivering a response. The purpose a graduate school is most-commonly interested in is what your academic and professional goals are and why you think its program will help you reach them. The answer here should be as concise and transparent as possible. Ask for assistance with editing your statement of intent from a trusted colleague to ensure the best possible response.

Current resume

A resume can help you shine when structured well but a poorly prepared resume can get in the way of projecting your potential as a graduate student. There are many online resources which can help you put together a well-constructed professional resume. You may find it helpful to ask to review resumes from professionals you know to see how they have marketed themselves in the business arena.

Interview (virtual/phone/in-person)

Nothing speaks better about your potential as a graduate student seeking an education management degree than your own voice. Education schools which offer 100% online programming will still want to know you personally and may set an appointment for an interview during the acceptance process. The interview may be through FaceTime or Skype, over the phone with a conference-call format, or even be in person at the university's campus. Whichever form the school prefers, be prepared to communicate well and make a good impression on your interviewers. Remember that the interview process is not only the school interviewing you but you also interviewing it. Ask good questions about facets of the program which are important to you. Interviewers will be impressed with thoughtful and relevant questions about the school and program.

Researching educational colleges can be daunting with so many choices today in online graduate programs. These are just some of the admissions requirements that admissions offices will be looking for when you decide to apply.