How to Apply

Review Graduate Application Deadlines

Most graduate programs accept applications for enrollment in the Fall and Spring semesters. Applicants with international credentials are encouraged to submit early to account for additional processing time and materials.

Application Deadlines for Fall 2025

February 1 for applicants with international credentials
February 1 for School Counseling, School Counseling with Bilingual Concentration, and Mental Health Counseling programs
February 15 for EdD Instructional Leadership
March 15 for all other programs

Admission is currently suspended for the following programs: Gifted Education Advanced Cert, and Visual Arts Education for NYS Certified Teachers MA

Application Deadlines for Spring 2026

September 1 for applicants with international credentials
October 15 for all programs

The following programs do not accept spring applications:

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.

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.

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.

If these documents are issued in a language other than English, they must be submitted with authorized, complete and exact English translations.

In addition, Hunter College now requires that applicants submit course-by-course evaluation reports of their non-US studies from one of the following private evaluation services listed below. Evaluations of academic transcripts can serve as English translations.

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. – https://acei-global.org/evaluation-services/
Education Credential Evaluation Inc. – https://www.ece.org/
Evaluation Service Inc. – http://www.evaluationservice.net/
Foreign Credential Evaluations, Inc. – https://fceatlanta.net/
International Education Evaluations (IEE) – https://myiee.org/
Josef Silny & Associates Inc., International Education Consultants https://www.jsilny.org/ – Foreign Credential Evaluation Application Hunter College CUNY-Graduate
Scholaro – https://www.scholaro.com/reports/credential-evaluation
SpanTran: The Evaluation Company – https://www.spantran.com/
World Evaluation Services, Inc. – https://www.wes.org/

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.

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 minimum 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 must submit a writing sample of about 10 pages (preferably an undergraduate literary criticism or analysis paper).

Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s Program

Applicants must 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 must 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 must 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

Candidates submit a link to a portfolio with 10 slides of their original artwork. Please include a link to your portfolio in your resume. Examples include a link to a Dropbox or Google folder, website, or social media page.

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 page.

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 Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 terms. 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.

CUNY Application Fee Sponsorship

CUNY will sponsor the $75 application fee for candidates who apply to the following programs by June 30, 2025:

Veterans (including Active Duty, Reservists and National Guard)

Graduate applicants who are Veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty or members of the National Guard or Reserves, are exempt from paying the graduate application fee.

Proof required includes a copy of either of the following:

DD-214
Current Military Card
Deployment or Pre-separation orders

Send the request along with proof of your Veteran/Military status to us via email to gradadmissions@hunter.cuny.edu or via mail to:

Hunter College Graduate Admissions
695 Park Ave, Room 223 North
New York, NY 10065
Attn: Veterans Fee Waiver

Applicants with International 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