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.
Application Deadlines by Program for Spring 2024
Applicants with foreign credentials are encouraged to submit an application by September 1.
- Adolescent Biology (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent Chemistry (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent Chinese (MA) – October 15
- Adolescent Earth Science (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent English (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent French (MA and Advanced Certificate – October 15
- Adolescent Italian (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent Latin (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent Mathematics (MA, Advanced Certificate and Professional Cert.) – October 15
- Adolescent Physics (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent Social Studies (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent Spanish (MA and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Adolescent Special Education MSEd (On-Site Only) and Advanced Certificate – October 15
- Applied Behavior Analysis (MS and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Bilingual Education – Childhood or Early Childhood (MSEd) – October 15
- Bilingual Extension – NY Certified Teachers or PPS (Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Blind and Visually Impaired Programs (MSEd and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Childhood Education (MSEd) – October 15
- Childhood Special Education – Behavior Disorders or Learning Disabilities (MSEd) – October 15
- Childhood Special Education – Behavior Disorders (Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Childhood Special Education – Severe/Multiple Disabilities Programs (MSEd) – October 15
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MSEd) – October 15
- Early Childhood Education (MSEd and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Early Childhood Development and Learning Diverse Children and Families (MSEd) – October 15
- Early Childhood Development and Learning: Diverse Children and Families – Severe/Multiple Disabilities (MSEd) – October 15
- Educational Leadership: SBL/SDL – CLASS and ADSUP Tracks (MSEd and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Literacy Education – Birth-Grade 6 and Grades 5-12 (MSEd) – October 15
- Mental Health Counseling (MSEd) – October 15
- All supporting application materials must be received for your submitted application by October 31st
- Music Education (MA) – October 15
- Professional Certification (Advanced Preparation) in Special Education(MSEd) – October 15
- Rehabilitation Counseling (MSEd) – October 15
- School Counseling (MSEd) – October 15
- All supporting application materials must be received for your submitted application by October 31st
- School District Leadership (Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Severe and Multiple Disabilities Programs (MSEd and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- TESOL Programs (MSEd and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Visual Arts Education (MA) – October 15
- Visual Impairment Programs including Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility (MSEd and Advanced Certificate) – October 15
- Childhood Special Education – Learning Disabilities (Advanced Certificate) – March 15
- Childhood STEM Education – March 15
- Computer Science Education (MA) – March 15
- Computer Science Education (Advanced Certificate) – May 15
- Dance Education – March 15
- Educational Psychology – March 15
- Elementary Math Specialist – March 15
- Gifted Education – March 15
- Instructional Leadership (EdD) – February 15
- Mathematics Development – March 15
- Mathematics and Technology – March 15
- Science and Robotics – March 15
- Science and Technology – March 15
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 name 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 Spring 2024, and Fall 2024 applicants.
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. Unofficial score reports may be uploaded with the application or submitted via email to edadmissions@hunter.cuny.edu after submission of the application.
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 research paper of literary criticism).
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 the 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.
Current Hunter College Seniors Application Fee Waiver
Current Hunter College seniors may be eligible for an application fee waiver. When submitting the online graduate degree application, please select ‘Pay by Check’ but do not submit a payment. Contact gradadmissions@hunter.cuny.edu for more information about how to request an 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.