How to Apply

Select Your Desired Program

The School of Education offers a robust set of graduate programs in teacher education, counseling and leadership. To view details about your program of interest, consult our Graduate Programs page for programs by developmental level or specialization, or review our alphabetical list of graduate programs

Review Application Deadlines per Program

The application deadlines for each program vary. Most programs accept applications for enrollment in the Fall and Spring semesters. Only one application is open at a time. Applicants with foreign credentials are encouraged to submit early to account for additional processing time.

May 1 Extended Deadline

Application Deadlines by Program for Spring 2025

Applicants with foreign credentials are encouraged to apply by September 1.

October 15th for all programs

The following programs do not accept spring applications:

- Adolescent Special Education Generalist Online Cohort (MSEd)
- Childhood Special Education – Learning Disabilities (Advanced Certificate)
- Computer Science Education (MSEd and Advanced Certificate)
- Dance Education
- Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families (Advanced Certificate)
- Educational Psychology
- Elementary Math Specialist (MSEd)
- Gifted Education
- Instructional Leadership (EdD)
- Mathematics Development
- Mathematics and Technology
- Mental Health Counseling (MSEd and Advanced Certificate)
- School Counseling
- Science and Robotics
- Science and Technology

Create Your Graduate Application Account

The application for graduate admission is entirely online. You can begin your application, save the information, and come back to it at a later date. To start your application visit Apply Yourself.

For more information including technical support visit Graduate Admissions.

Review Application Materials

Statement of Purpose

All applicants are required to upload an essay (500 words) indicating their objectives for graduate study. In your essay, address:

why you want to pursue this specific graduate program
which population(s) you would like to work with and why
your relevant skills and expertise
your potential to contribute to the field of education

Include your name and program of interest in the header of your essay.

Some programs have specific prompts for the Statement of Purpose. Check your program admission page to see if your program of interest has any specific topics that should be addressed in your essay.

Optional Supplemental Statement

The School of Education may admit applicants who do not meet the GPA requirements for admission to its programs. Reflect on your academic background and personal experiences. In 200 – 300 words, provide additional context for your undergraduate education and describe how your past experiences would inform your approach to graduate school. Discuss your potential to positively contribute to the School of Education and the counseling, teaching, or leadership profession.

Find more information, including technical support, on the Graduate Admissions page.

Educational History (Transcripts)

In the Educational History section of the application, you must upload transcripts for each post-secondary school you have attended, including graduate and undergraduate institutions where you earned (or will earn) a degree, studied for one semester or more, or study abroad.

Official transcripts should be mailed to the Graduate Admissions Office (Room 223 North) upon acceptance to a program.

For Applicants with Transcripts from Non-US Institutions

Applicants with transcripts from non-US institutions must submit original academic transcripts, evidence of degree conferral, and a course-by-course evaluation report. Find more information, including technical support, on the Graduate Admissions page.

Work History and Resume

List your current position and previous positions in the Work History section of the application. You are encouraged to upload your current resume with your employment history, educational history, teaching certifications, and any other relevant experience or awards.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. Letters of recommendation should speak to your academic ability to succeed in graduate study and to your potential in the field. You will be asked to enter the names and email addresses of two references. Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically through the application system.

Find more information, including technical support, on the Graduate Admissions page.

Standardized Tests

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

The faculty of the School of Education recently voted to waive the GRE admission requirement for start terms: Spring 2024 through Fall 2025.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Exam

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Exam is only required for applicants with foreign credentials. Effective June 1, 2021, applicants with foreign credentials who also hold a prior Master’s or Doctoral degree from an English Speaking Institution are exempt from this requirement. Admission is offered only to those students who are fully prepared in English as demonstrated in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Official scores must be sent to Hunter College, Graduate Admissions Office, institutional code 2301. Applicants must meet the minimum score requirements in each section and overall listed below.

Minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for all programs

Overall: TOEFL iBT: 90/ Paper Based Test: 575/ Computer Administered Test: 233
Writing: TOEFL iBT Writing Section: 22/ Paper Based Test of Written English: 4.5
Speaking: TOEFL iBT Speaking Section: 23/ Paper Based Test of Spoken English: 45

Minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores for all programs

Overall IELTS: 6.5
Writing: 6.5
Speaking: 7

View additional information about the TOEFL/IELTS requirements at Hunter College.

Oral Proficiency Interview for Adolescent Spanish, Italian, French & Chinese Education Applicants

Applicants are required to earn a score of Advanced Low on the Oral Proficiency Interview. Register for the OPI exam at languagetesting.com. Score reports may be uploaded to the application or submitted via email to edadmissions@hunter.cuny.edu after applying.

Supplemental Materials

Some programs require additional exams, writing samples, or auditions.

Adolescent English

Applicants are required to submit a writing sample of about 10 pages (preferably an undergraduate literary criticism paper).

Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Program

Applicants should upload an additional statement answering the following questions:

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? Why are you interested in pursuing graduate education and training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? What are your long-term goals related to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
The Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program requires two 180-hour practica. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) students must complete this requirement at a site affiliated with Hunter College. Please explain your availability to complete this program requirement.
The Applied Behavior Analysis (MS) program also includes a capstone experience in which Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) students must complete either an experimental thesis or a clinical project. Please give an example of a clinical experience you’ve had that might inform your capstone experience.

Bilingual Education Programs

Applicants should upload a Spanish, French, or Mandarin translation of their Statement of Purpose.

Counseling Programs

Additional Essay Prompt: Consider you are a counseling student providing services at a counseling internship placement site, what type of client or client issue would be difficult for you, and why? How do you think you would cope with this situation? Please respond to these questions in 400 – 600 words.

Dance Education

In lieu of an in-person audition, candidates should provide a 5-15 minute video of creative work. Please include a brief written synopsis of the video, describing the context of the piece and how to identify you if there is more than one performer. Upload the video(s) to YouTube or Vimeo as a public, private, or unlisted video, and add the link(s) to your CV. Visit the Dance Application page for more information.

Music Education

An audition is required. Visit the Music Audition page for more information.

Instructional Leadership, EdD

Additional Essay Prompt: Please upload a supplemental essay of approximately 500 words describing a specific area of professional interest you want to research in your EdD program and explain how this line of inquiry fits into your professional goals.

Visual Arts Education

Upload your artwork portfolio consisting of 10 slides at hunter.slideroom.com.

Pay the Application Fee and Submit Your Application

A $75 application processing fee is required for all applications. You can pay the application fee via credit card upon submission, or via check or money order after submission.

For additional information, including technical support, visit the Graduate Admissions Application Fee page.

CUNY Sponsored Application Fee

Applicants applying to the programs listed below by June 30, 2024, will have their application fee sponsored by CUNY. These programs include:

Hunter College Seniors and Undergraduate Alumni Fee Waiver

All current Hunter College Seniors and all Hunter College alumni (undergraduate) are eligible to receive an application fee waiver when applying to a graduate program for the Fall 2024 term. Here’s how to receive your application fee waiver:

Apply Online *click on the Create Account tab
In the Educational History section, be sure to indicate that you received or will receive your bachelor’s degree from Hunter College
After you have completed and reviewed your application, click the “Submit Application” button
Do not pay the $75 application processing fee. The online graduate degree application system should bypass the payment method. If not, choose the “Pay by Check” payment option, but do not submit a payment.
Within a few days, the Graduate Admissions Office will confirm your Hunter College graduation status, and automatically process your application fee waiver.

Applicants with Foreign Credentials

If you completed your bachelor’s degree outside the U.S. where English was not the native language, or if you completed fewer than 90 credits toward your bachelor’s degree in the U.S. you are considered an International Student. Applicants with foreign credentials who need an F-1 or J-1 Visa are currently ineligible to apply to the following programs:

Applied Behavior Analysis, Advanced Certificate
Applied Behavior Analysis, MS
Visual Impairment – Rehabilitation Teaching, MSEd
Visual Impairment – Combined Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility, MSEd

Find more information about visa procedures for international students on the Graduate Admissions page.