School of Education Introduction

Application for Admission
Admission Deadline

 
The mission of the School of Education is to develop effective, ethical educators with a passion for learning. We meet that mission at TCU by offering excellent graduate programs taught in small classes by professors who know our students well and are able to design experiences which allow each student to develop personally and professionally.

Graduate programs for practicing professionals develop deep understanding and reflection in light of current theory and research. These programs include: Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Counseling, Special Education, Educational Foundations, and Educational Administration. We offer an M.B.A./Ed.D joint degree in Educational Leadership. This program prepares students to assume major leadership positions. Students will be admitted to the program for the first time in Fall 2002.

Graduate programs for initial teacher certification are specifically designed for mature students with a baccalaureate degree in a field other than education. These programs provide students with the pedagogical knowledge and experiences to become excellent beginning teachers and earn teacher certification in Texas.

Graduate Admission Philosophy


The graduate programs in the School of Education reflect the complexity of Education as a professional field and, thus, require a holistic approach to the admissions process. No one criterion or set of criteria adequately predicts the probability of a student's success in these graduate programs or the professional endeavors that they are studying.

With this in mind, the University Admissions standards stated in the graduate catalog will be used as a benchmark. Students who do not meet these standards may provide alternative evidence in the form of GRE scores, scores on the Miller Analogies Test, or strong advocacy from a faculty member familiar with the student's work (if the student has taken courses at TCU).

In addition to the University standards, the School of Education understands that the serious responsibility educators assume in the lives of children requires consideration of the applicant's legal and ethical conduct and emotional stability.

Graduate education assumes competence and knowledge at a baccalaureate level. The School of Education asks that all applicants provide evidence of sufficient undergraduate preparation and competence for the degree sought.

Application for Admission


Because applications consider multiple criteria, incomplete applications cannot be considered. A complete application consists of:

  1. The completed Application Form from the website or hard copy.
  2. An essay stating your reasons for applying to the Graduate Program.
  3. Two official transcripts from each college or university previously attended, sent directly to the Graduate Studies Office.
  4. One letter of recommendation attesting to your character and ethical conduct from a person who knows you well. (Include contact information for follow-up).
  5. Two letters of recommendation attesting to your competence, character and ethical conduct in professional settings. (Include contact information for follow-up).
  6. Official TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers.
  7. Evidence of current criminal record search
  8. For the Counseling Program, a personal interview.
  9. For programs leading to initial teacher certification, passing scores of the TASP test. (Reading 245, Math 230, Writing 220).
  10. Application fee of $50 is required before any consideration of applications. (Made payable to TCU)


Admission Deadlines

The following deadlines are for consideration of complete applications:

November 16 -- Last Day to Complete Applications for Spring Admission
March 16 -- Last Day to Complete Applications for Summer Admission
July 16 -- Last Day to Complete Applications for Fall Admission