Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

The Teaching and Leadership Master of Science (M.S.) offers three tracks:

Teaching and Leadership Track 1 is designed for graduate students who have previously earned an education degree and have or are eligible to receive a teaching license. The Specialization options for the M.S. Track 1 include:

• Elementary Education
• Middle/Secondary Education
• Principalship (This specialization requires three years of teaching experience)
• Instructional Coaching
• STEM Education
• Behavioral Supports in Education
• Generalist (Choose courses listed under the other Specializations)

Teaching and Leadership Track 2 is designed for graduate students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in a middle or secondary education content area and are seeking initial licensure at the graduate level. The core academic subjects for the M.S. Track 2 include:

• English Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Sciences
• Foreign Languages
• Social Studies

Teaching and Leadership Track 3 is designed for graduate students who have previously earned a degree in education and have or are eligible for North Dakota teacher licensure.

• Graduate students with a teaching degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education can apply to the Elementary Education Resident Teacher Program.
• Graduate students with a teaching degree in Elementary Education, Middle Level, or Secondary Education can apply to the Middle School Resident Teacher Program. 

Teaching and Leadership Track 1 and 3 Admission Process 

1. Complete the School of Graduate Studies online application.
2. Submit the application fee.
3. Identify three individuals to complete the recommendation forms: 1) an education supervisor or administrator; 2) a professional colleague or university professor; 3) a person of your choosing who can speak to your professional skills or experiences. 
4. Send official transcripts from each institution attended to the School of Graduate Studies.
5. Answer the three essay prompts on the School of Graduate Studies online application. This essay should be no longer than three double-spaced pages. The prompts include: 1) Provide a narrative describing the chronological history of all your professional teaching and administration experiences, including achievements and any academic honors. 2) What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you think will make you a good candidate for this graduate program? 3) Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.
6. Cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or at least 3.00 GPA for the junior and senior years of undergraduate degree (based on A=4.0).
7. Applicants must satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as listed in the Graduate Academic Information section of the graduate catalog.  Students who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL.

Degree Requirements Teaching and Leadership M.S. Track 1 and Track 3

 Graduate students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor regarding their Program of Study.

1.  A minimum of 30 credits.
2. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours may be transferred from another institution, depending on the courses and grades.

Track 1 Core Requirements (14 credits)

Track 1 Specialization Area Coursework (16 credits)

Choose one Specialization. The Specializations include the following: Principalship, Elementary Education, Instructional Coaching, Middle/Secondary Education, STEM Education, Behavioral Supports in Education, or Generalist.

Track 2: Initial Licensure at the Middle/Secondary Level

A four-year bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in the following licenseable content areas: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Sciences, Foreign Languages, and Social Studies at the middle or secondary education level.

1. Cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or at least 3.00 GPA for the junior and senior years of undergraduate degree (based on A=4.0).
2. Applicants must satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as listed in the Graduate Academic Information section of the graduate catalog.  Students who have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from the United States or English-speaking Canada are not required to submit the TOEFL.

Track 2 Degree Requirements (32 credits)

Students must satisfy all general requirements established by the School of Graduate Studies as well as specific requirements established for the preparation of teachers for initial licensure. Students must:

1. Pass the PRAXIS Core examination prior to being admitted (www.ets.org).

2. Complete a Child Development or Adolescent Development course as a prerequisite for this program.

Track 2 Requirements (32 Credits)

Track 3 Resident Teacher Programs in Elementary Education or Middle-Level Education (30 credits)

This specialization is a partnership between UND and the Grand Forks Public School District. It involves a highly competitive interview process for first-year teachers who have not previously held a teaching contract.  There are a limited number of positions available for this one-year teaching contract in Grand Forks, ND.