The Master of Science in Education (MSEd) Program seeks to prepare professionals who are dedicated to and skilled at helping individuals of all ages improve themselves through education in the contexts of school, family, community and work. Enhancing the quality of education in these environments requires a core of hard-won knowledge, as well as creativity, courage and dedication. Students in the MSEd program pursue one of four concentrations:
- Elementary Teaching: Successful completion of the Elementary Teaching program entitles students to be recommended for a State of Illinois Standard Teaching Certificate (Type 03) for grades K-9, which is required for teaching in Illinois public schools.
- Secondary Teaching: Successful completion of the Secondary Teaching program entitles students to be recommended for a State of Illinois Standard Teaching Certificate (Type 09) for grades 6-12, which is required for teaching in Illinois public schools.
- Advanced Teaching: The Advanced Teaching concentration allows experienced certified teachers to pursue professional growth in an area of particular interest and to earn an advanced degree. Course work is highly individualized and may be linked to ongoing research. We now offer the new Gifted Concentration in Advanced Teaching.
- Higher Education Administration and Policy: The goal of the program is to prepare skilled and reflective leaders to function effectively in administrative positions at colleges and universities as well as government agencies and private, nonprofit organizations concerned with higher education.
To review our admission criteria, click here to see if the MSED program is right for you.
Application Process
1. Complete your application and submit it by the deadline that corresponds to the quarter you would like to start. Refer to the Application Deadlines on the MSEd web site. Please note that different application deadlines apply depending on whether you are applying as a matriculating or non-matriculating student.
Applicants are eligible to start fall, winter, spring or summer quarter. We admit students on a rolling basis, so you may apply at any time up to the posted deadlines for a given quarter. We encourage applicants to submit applications as early as possible. If you are interested in completing the program in one year, please consult our Build Your Own Program site to ensure that you will be able to do so.
2. The MSEd program staff will notify you in writing regarding our admission decision. You should receive an answer from us within four to six weeks from the time we receive your COMPLETED application, including all supplementary materials.
Application Requirements
Matriculant Application
- Completed application form (matriculated status)
- Official transcripts from every college/university attended
- Official transcripts from every college/university attended
- Resume
- Nonrefundable processing fee of $100
- Official GRE score report
- Two letters of reference (one of which must be academic)
- TOEFL score report (not required, but recommended for International students)
- Completed application form (non-matriculated status)
- Official transcripts from every college/university attended
- Statement of purpose essay
- Resume
- Nonrefundable processing fee of $100
A complete application for matriculated status contains the following:
1. A completed application form (matriculated status).
2. Minimum of two recommendations, one of which needs to be an academic reference, meaning someone who knows you as a student and issued a grade for a course you took as an undergraduate or graduate student.
3. Official transcripts from all community colleges and undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. This includes transcripts from institutions where a degree was not obtained (e.g., transfer coursework taken at a community college). Official transcripts must be received from the institution. If the envelope has been opened, the transcript will be considered "unofficial."
4. Four essays that address the questions contained in the application.
5. An official report of scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the Master of Science in Education program (not the Graduate School). Those applicants who hold advanced degrees beyond the master's level (e.g., M.D., J.D., Ph.D.) may petition to waive the Graduate Record Examination as part of the application.
Educational Testing Services (GRE)
6. Test results for the Illinois Basic Skills Test (Elementary or Secondary Teaching only). State certification is mandatory in all public school settings. Students in elementary and secondary concentrations must pursue state certification in addition to the degree. Elementary and Secondary Teaching applicants (excluding NU-TEACH graduates) must take and pass the Illinois Basic Skills Test before being formally admitted to the MSEd program as matriculated (degree-seeking) students. An application which does not include a passing score report for the Basic Skills Test will be considered incomplete, and will not be reviewed by our admissions committee. Applicants who are not Illinois residents and who are unable to take the Basic Skills Test prior to the application deadline may instead submit a proof of registration to take the test upon relocation to Illinois. In such an instance, the latest possible date you may take the Basic Skills Test is during the first month during which you plan to be enrolled as a matriculated student at Northwestern.
More about certification | Illinois Certification Testing Service
7. Resume indicating past work history and experience or qualifications in field of specialty.
8. $100 nonrefundable processing fee.
Non-Matriculant Application Requirements
A complete application for non-matriculated status contains the following:
1. A completed application form (non-matriculated status).
2. Official transcripts from all community colleges, undergraduate, and graduate institutions attended. This includes transcripts from institutions where a degree was not obtained (e.g., transfer coursework taken at a community college). Official transcripts must be received in envelopes from the institution. If the envelope has been opened, the transcript will be considered unofficial.
3. A statement of purpose essay that addresses the question contained in the non-matriculated student application.
4. Resume indicating past work history and experience or qualifications in anticipated field of specialty.
5. $100 nonrefundable processing fee.
Advanced Teaching Certificate Application Requirements
A complete application for the Advanced Teaching Certificate contains the following:
1. A completed application form (Advanced Teaching Certificate).
2. Official transcripts from all community colleges, undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. This includes transcripts from institutions where a degree was not obtained (e.g., transfer coursework taken at a community college). Official transcripts must be received in envelopes from the institution. If the envelope has been opened, the transcript will be considered unofficial.
3. A statement of purpose essay
4. Resume indicating past work history and experience or qualifications in anticipated field of specialty.
5. $100 nonrefundable processing fee.
Application and Entrance Fees
A nonrefundable application processing fee should be submitted with your completed application.
International Applicants
Much of your success in graduate study in the United States will rest on your ability to understand, read, write and speak English. If English is not your native language, evidence of proficiency in its use will be decisive in reviewing your application for admission.
If your native language is not English, you are encouraged to provide official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores. This test must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry.
TOEFL results must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Personal copies are not considered official, nor are “attested” or notarized copies. However, it is to your advantage to include a paper copy of your score report in your application materials. This will aid us in verifying your scores quickly, should there be any delay in receiving the official report, and to identify any errors in the electronic report.
For more information, go to http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/.
Office Information
Master of Science in Education Program (MSED Program)
School of Education and Social Policy (SESP)
Northwestern University
618 Garrett Place
Room 104
Evanston, IL 60208
847/467-1458 phone
847/467-2495 fax