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Frequently Asked Admissions Questions
General Questions
- Can I take GSE courses without being admitted to a program?
- Do you offer any degree programs online, or through correspondence?
- Can I enroll in a graduate program on a part-time basis?
- How long do the programs take to complete?
- Is it possible to transfer coursework completed at another institution?
- What are the admission requirements for international students?
- Are interviews required?
- When are decisions made and how will I be notified?
- Can I defer my admission?
Application Questions
- How do I request an application?
- When is the application deadline?
- Do you accept applications for spring admission?
- Can I apply to more than one program at the same time?
- How many applications does the School of Education typically receive and how many students are admitted?
- I applied last year, and want to reapply this year. Do I have to submit everything again?
- Can I apply to a Ph.D. program if I do not hold an M.A. degree?
- Does the GSE require that I list faculty whose research is of interest to me in the Academic Interests section of the Graduate Application?
- Does the GSE require that I list faculty whom I have contacted in the Academic Interests section of the Graduate Application?
- How long should the Statement of Purpose be?
GPA Questions
- Which undergraduate GPA calculations does the GSE require?
- What is the minimum GPA required for admission?
- What is the average GPA of admitted applicants?
Examination Questions
- Which programs require the GRE?
- What are the minimum GRE scores required for admission?
- What are the average GRE scores of admitted applicants?
- What is the institution code for GRE score reporting?
- What is the last date that I can take the GRE?
- How long are GRE scores valid?
- Do applicants who have already completed an advanced degree have to take the GRE?
- Which programs require the CSET and CBEST?
- Are the CSET and CBEST offered outside of California?
Credential Questions
- Can I apply for a teaching credential program if I didn't major in education?
- What is a subject matter preparation program?
- Does the GSE offer a program leading to a Single Subject Credential in Social Studies? Or in any foreign languages?
Answers
- Can I take GSE courses without being admitted to a program?
Through UC Berkeley Extension's "concurrent enrollment" program, you may be able to enroll in regular GSE courses, with instructor approval. Please be aware that when enrolled through Concurrent Enrollment, you are considered an Extension student, not a Berkeley student, and that Concurrent Enrollment is not intended as a means of accumulating credit toward a Berkeley degree by a student who has not been formally admitted to Berkeley. For more information about University Extension go to: http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/
- Do you offer any degree programs online, or through correspondence?
No, we do not currently offer any online or correspondence degree programs.
- Can I enroll in a graduate program on a part-time basis?
No, all of our programs are full-time.
- How long do the programs take to complete?
Our combined master's and credential programs are two-year programs. Master's only programs may be completed in one to two years. The normative time for doctoral degree programs in the Graduate School of Education is six years, with the exception of the Leadership for Educational Equity Program - it has an expected degree completion time of 3 1/2 years.
- Is it possible to transfer coursework completed at another institution?
The UC Berkeley Graduate Division does not allow the transfer of units toward a doctoral degree. Graduate Division regulations do permit a maximum of four semester units of coursework taken at another accredited institution to be applied toward a master's degree. Requests for transfering degree credit are not considered until a student has been admitted into a program and has conferred with his or her advisor. Our credential programs are highly structured and their coursework reflects the unique philosophy of each particular program. Thus, the transfer of units is not allowed into these programs.
- What are the admission requirements for international students?
International students are subject to the same basic admissions requirements as applicants from the United States. In addition, all applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score is 570 on the paper based version or 68 on the Internet based version (iBT). The TOEFL scores must not be more than two years old. International applicants must also complete Form E of the Graduate Division application.
- Are interviews required?
Interviews are part of the selection process for our programs that include credentials. The structure of the interview varies by program. Telephone interviews may be conducted under special circumstances. Not all applicants are interviewed.
- When are decisions made and how will I be notified?
The earliest decisions are made in late February, continuing into March and April. Notifications are sent by email.
- Can I defer my admission?
The School of Education does not allow deferral of admissions. If you are not able to attend the term for which you were admitted, you must reapply.
- How do I request an application?
The Graduate Division Application is only available online. Please see the Application Instructions page for a link to the online application.
- When is the application deadline?
Applications for Fall 2012 must be submitted by December 2, 2011, with the following exceptions: applications for the Principal Leadership Institute have a deadline of December 16, 2011, and the Leadership for Educational Equity Program have a deadlline of January 18, 2012.
- Do you accept applications for spring admission?
No, we only accept applications for admission to the fall semester.
- Can I apply to more than one program at the same time?
No, you may apply to only one graduate department on the Berkeley campus, and to only one program within the Graduate School of Education.
- How many applications does the School of Education typically receive and how many students are admitted?
In recent years, we have received an average of 900 applications and typically admit approximately 25% of our applicants.
- I applied last year, and want to reapply this year. Do I have to submit everything again?
If you submitted an application within the last two years, you may reactivate your previous application. You will need to re-submit the online Graduate Application and pay the application fee. The letters of recommendation, official transcripts and test scores from your previous application may be scanned and uploaded into your current online application. If you have completed any course work since your last application, you will need to submit updated transcripts. In addition, we suggest that you submit one new letter of recommendation and update your statement of purpose.
- Can I apply to a Ph.D. program if I do not hold an M.A. degree?
Yes. Applicants who do not have an M.A. in Education, or a related field, may apply for the Ph.D., but will be expected to earn an M.A. on the way to the Ph.D.
- Does the GSE require that I list faculty whose research is of interest to me in the Academic Interests section of the Graduate Application?
We do not require that all applicants respond to this question, but we do recommend that doctoral program applicants list the faculty whose research is of particular interest to them.
- Does the GSE require that I list faculty whom I have contacted in the Academic Interests section of the Graduate Application?
We do not require this, but if you have been in contact with faculty we do recommend that you list the names.
- How long should the Statement of Purpose be?
We do not set a strict minimum or maximum, but suggest that it be 1 to 2 pages.
- Which undergraduate GPA calculations does the GSE require?
The only undergraduate GPA we require is the GPA for all course work after the first two years. We have an online GPA calculator available to assist you with this calculation.
- What is the minimum GPA required for admission?
Applicants are expected to have achieved at least a 3.0 grade-point average in all courses taken after the first two years as undergraduates, and in all graduate-level courses.
- What is the average GPA of admitted applicants?
For Fall 2011, the average undergraduate GPA of admitted applicants was 3.60. The average GPA varies by program within the Graduate School of Education.
- Which programs require the GRE?
All doctoral programs in the GSE require the GRE. The GRE is also required of applicants to master's programs except: Developmental Teacher Education, Masters and Credential in Science and Mathematics Education, and the Principal Leadership Institute.
- What are the minimum GRE scores required for admission?
We do not set minimum GRE scores that must be achieved to be eligible for admission. The amount of emphasis placed on GRE scores varies by program within the Graduate School of Education, but all programs consider many factors in determining a candidate's competitiveness.
- What are the average GRE scores of admitted applicants?
For Fall 2011, the average GRE scores of admitted applicants were:
Verbal: 599
Quantitative: 648
Analytical: 4.5
Average scores vary by program, and the range of scores for admitted applicants tends to be fairly wide.
- What is the institution code for GRE score reporting?
The institution code is R4833.
- What is the last date that I can take the GRE?
You should take the exam no later than November 15. Taking the exam later may put your application at a disadvantage in the review process.
- How long are GRE scores valid?
GRE scores must be no more than 5 years old.
- Do applicants who have already completed an advanced degree have to take the GRE?
Yes. If the program you are applying for requires the GRE, holding an advanced degree does not exempt you from the requirement.
- Which programs require the CSET and CBEST?
The CSET and CBEST are required for all of our teaching credential programs (DTE, MUSE, and MACSME). The CBEST is also required for the Principal Leadership Institute and the School Psychology program.
- Are the CSET and CBEST offered outside of California?
The CSET is offered outside of CA on a limited basis, and must be passed before admission to our programs. The CBEST is only offered outside of CA and Oregon if taken online. Applicants residing outside CA and OR may take CBEST after being admitted to the program and arriving in CA.
- Can I apply for a teaching credential program if I didn't major in education?
Yes. In fact, in California, education is not usually available as an undergraduate major. Candidates considering a credential program should have academic preparation in the subject in which they wish to teach. Before being considered for admission to a credential program, an applicant needs to prove competence in the subject area either by passing the CSET, or by completing an approved subject matter preparation program.
- What is a subject matter preparation program?
It is a series of courses which, if completed, can serve in lieu of the CSET exams for fulfilling the Commission on Teacher Credentialing's subject matter competency requirement for Single Subject credentials. Many colleges in California have CTC approved subject matter preparation programs that undergraduates can elect to take. If you want to check, you should contact the college at which you did your undergraduate work in California to find out which programs your school offers and the specific course requirements.
- Does the GSE offer a program leading to a Single Subject Credential in Social Studies? Or in any foreign languages?
We do not offer programs for these credentials. We offer programs leading to the Multiple Subject (elementary) credential, and Single Subject (secondary) credentials in English, Math, and Science.
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