How To Apply

Transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you’ve attended

• You may upload official OR unofficial transcripts to the application, or send them to gradadmission@plu.edu.
  • If you are a PLU student or alum, you do not need to submit your PLU transcripts.
• Note: While we will accept unofficial transcripts at the application stage for domestic students, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities before you enroll in a PLU graduate program.
• If you are an international applicant, you must submit official transcripts with the credential evaluation. See the International Applicants section for more information.

Personal Statement

• In an essay of 500-750 words (double spaced, 12 point font) please respond to the following questions:
  1. Share with us why you want to be a teacher and what you hope to accomplish as a teacher.
  2. What do you want to teach and why?
  3. When you picture yourself teaching in one to two years, what do you see? Provide detailed description of what students are doing and what you are doing.
• Upload your application essay via the application portal.

Recommendations

• Identify two references on your application.
  • One reference should speak specifically to your experience working with young people.
  • Another reference should be specific to your commitment to the academics of the program, preferably from a professor/instructor. (For Alternative Routes applicants, or if you are working for a school district, the second reference can be a letter of support from the principal or human resources of your building/district ensuring that you can meet the student teaching requirements.)
• Your references will receive an email invitation with instructions for completing the reference electronically.

Resume

Upload resume via the application portal that includes your:

• Employment history
• Significant academic, professional and community achievements
• Honors and awards

Application Fee

• Pay the nonrefundable $65 application fee.
  • The application fee is waived for all current PLU students and alumni.

Note: If you need to submit additional documents after submitting the online application, you can email them to gradadmission@plu.edu.

In Washington State, you will have a Residency Teaching Certificate with one or more endorsements on it. Endorsements indicate which particular subject areas and grade levels you are qualified to teach. For example: Elementary Education K8, Visual Arts K-12, or Mathematics 5-12 (a complete list is available here). Washington State requires a content test for every endorsement area (passed by June 1 of the start year).

On the application, select the endorsements of the subject areas you want to teach. Please limit your choice up to two (e.g. Elementary and Special Education, or Social Studies and History), three may be possible if they are all closely related.

• Take the WEST-B in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (240 reference score in each test). If the reference score is not met, please schedule an appointment with a School of Education Representative.
• Arrange for WEST-B* results to be sent to PLU (the PLU code is 225)
• You do not need to take the test at the time you submit the application, but it MUST be taken by the application deadline.
• SAT or ACT may be substituted. Official scores must be sent to PLU. (SAT: Reading 500, Math 515, Writing 490. ACT: Reading 22, Math 22, Writing 8.)
  • For additional WEST-B exemptions and equivalent assessments please review the Professional Education Standards Board (PESB) website
• Out-of-state applicants, please schedule an appointment with a School of Education Representative.
• More information about the WEST-B: http://www.west.nesinc.com/

*WEST-B test is not required for students who are pursuing the non-certification track. For international students who want to receive teaching certification, they must take the WEST-B test.

Once the applications are reviewed, candidates advancing to the next stage of review will be invited to an interview appointment.

Interview for November 1 priority applications: December 2 – December 6
Interview for February 1 priority applications: February 26 – March 2

(Dates are subject to change)

Interview Preparation

The PLU School of Education has developed a set of guiding principles that serve as the foundation of our program, ensuring that all children engage with and experience an education that prepares them for a meaningful life in a participatory democracy. To prepare for the interview, please review these principles in advance, consider each one individually, and reflect on how they shape the educational landscape. Be ready to share your insights on the potential impact of these principles on teaching and learning. Click the link below to view the guiding principles.

If admitted to the program:

• Must have a passing score (240) on the WEST-E and (220) on the NES (or equivalent) for your intended endorsements by June 1st. You are strongly encouraged to take the test early as candidates may not start the summer without passing scores. World Language applicants must also take the written and verbal portions of the ACTFL.
• You must complete any missing content coursework before starting your student teaching internship in the fall.

If you are an international student, you must submit official transcripts (with a credential evaluation), proof of your bachelor’s degree completion, and provide proof of university-level English language proficiency.

• Official Transcripts & Credential Evaluation
  • You must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. International transcripts must be translated to English, and must be submitted for international credential evaluation by any organization on the AICE list or NACES list before being sent to PLU.
  • SpanTran is listed as a NACES-approved international credential evaluator and has created a custom application for PLU that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. You can access their application here: SpanTran Application – Pacific Lutheran University.
• Degree Diploma
  • You must provide official proof of your bachelor’s degree completion. You can email a copy to gradadmission@plu.edu.

• Proof of University-Level English proficiency
  • Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at PLU. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.
  • For the MAE, proficiency can be demonstrated by the official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Duolingo, or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
    • MAE Non-Certification Program:
      • Minimum TOEFL-iBT score: 88
      • Minimum Duolingo score: 120
      • Minimum IELTS score: 6.5
    • MAE with Certification (Residency & Alternative Routes):
      • Minimum TOEFL-iBT score: 80
      • Minimum Duolingo score: 120
      • Minimum IELTS score: 6.5
  • The English proficiency requirement can also be met if applicants have completed one of the following:
    • A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States.
    • A baccalaureate degree or higher from a recognized college or university in an English-speaking country or region, including Australia, Canada (other than Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, or New Zealand.
    • Both primary and secondary education in an English-speaking country or region, including Australia, Canada (other than Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United States. Students are considered to be a native English speaker.
    • A recognized Intensive English Program (IEP) in the United States and received an English proficiency level equivalent to the required minimum TOEFL/Duolingo/IELTS scores of the applied program.
    • Other waiver conditions may be allowed subject to the determination of the MBA program.
• I-20 Processing
  • An I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status) will be issued only after the student has been admitted and paid the non-refundable $300.00 enrollment deposit and has returned all required acceptance forms. The I-20 form should be taken to the U.S. Consulate when requesting a visa to come to the United States for a graduate program.
  • The following items are not required for the application to be considered for admission, but are required prior to issuance of an I-20. To expedite admission processing, applicants should consider submitting the following with application documents:
    • Declaration of Finances form, including proof of financial support. Certification of finances from banks or embassies is permissible.
    • Copy of passport picture page
    • Address and associated phone number to which to send the I-20 via courier service