Education Studies Program Admission
Students must apply for undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and the doctoral program in the Education Studies department.
Transfer students are welcome to apply to the Doctor of Education program.
Each application is evaluated individually for coursework equivalents that may be applied to the program. Coursework completed 7+ years ago is generally too old to be considered toward the degree program. In this case, we’ll work with you to create a customized plan of study.
Undergraduate Programs
After you’re admitted to WSU, you’ll need to apply for admission to the Teacher Education program.
You must be admitted to the Teacher Education program before you can begin the Professional Education Sequence (PDF).
Admission to education programs can be competitive, so it’s important to put the effort into your coursework in your first semesters of college.
Training & Development Graduate Certificate
To enroll in the Training & Development graduate certificate, you must complete the general GradCAS application.
Learn more about how to apply to WSU Graduate Studies.
Multicultural Education Certificate Program
There are different admissions processes for each pathway of the Multicultural Education Certificate Program (MECP).
Complete Courses as Graduate Electives
You can take a few MECP classes as elective credits for your graduate degree at WSU.
You’ll complete one application to apply to Winona State Graduate Studies and your desired program at the same time. You do not need to apply to the MECP if you want to complete some of its courses as electives.
Earn a Non-Credit Certificate
Contact Adult & Continuing Education to register your team for the non-credit Multicultural Education Certificate.
Earn a Graduate Certificate
Students who want to earn the 12-credit graduate certificate will complete one application to apply to Winona State Graduate Studies and the MECP program at the same time. Multicultural Education applicants must complete the general GradCAS application.
Learn more about how to apply to WSU Graduate Studies.
Apply to the Doctorate Program
Admissions Requirements
The GRE is not required. Doctorate applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and a master’s degree (30+ credits minimum) with an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher.
If the master’s degree is not in Education or a related field, you may be required to take education leveling courses.
You can complete leveling courses as a master’s or Graduate Non-Degree Seeking Student prior to being admitted into the doctoral program. These courses help prospective students gain the necessary background knowledge to succeed in the doctoral program.
Consult with the doctoral faculty for enrollment into education foundation courses before applying.
Application Materials
In addition to the information you’ll need to provide in your application, you must submit the following materials:
- curriculum vita (CV) or resume
- 3 letters of recommendation (on university or professional letterhead)
- professional statement
Letters of recommendation should be typed on institutional letterhead and signed.
Your name and the name of the recommender should be clearly identifiable in the letter. The recommender should also include their contact information in the letter or on the letterhead.
It’s best to get recommendations from academic professionals who are familiar with you as a scholar, graduate student, or educational practitioner.
Recommendations should be able to comment on your academic preparation and the dispositions needed to successfully complete a doctoral degree in education.
Letters should speak to your accomplishments as an educational practitioner.
Professionals with an advanced degree and affiliated with higher education or academia (such as a university, community college, school, or a research laboratory) are typically the best sources for these scholarly recommendations.
Letters from supervisors that speak to your professional contributions in the educational community are also welcome.
Your written statement can be no more than 3 double-spaced pages using 12-point font.
In your statement:
- Summarize your educational goals and experiences.
- Describe how this doctorate will help you achieve your professional goals and career aspirations.
- Identify a current problem of practice in education that you’re interested in exploring.
- Summarize the importance of this problem within the context of your professional practice and in the research literature.
- Describe how the problem of practice aligns with your chosen area of specialization.
- Summarize your research experience, professional presentations, and publications.
Application Deadlines
Doctoral cohorts start in June each year. Applications are not reviewed or considered until all materials are complete.
Doctoral residencies are held in Winona, MN for 7 days each summer in mid-July.
Late Submissions
If you do not complete the application by the deadline, you can enroll as a graduate non-degree seeking student. You can attend as a non-degree seeking student for one term and complete a new registration agreement each term.
This status allows you to take courses in the Education Studies Department before you apply and are formally accepted. All Doctor of Education courses need departmental permission to enroll.
Up to 12 graduate credits that you earn as a graduate non-degree seeking student may be accepted into a degree program upon recommendation of an academic department.
Admission as a graduate non-degree seeking student does not guarantee admission to a graduate degree program. You must still meet all admission requirements and formally apply to Winona State’s Doctor of Education program.
How to Apply
You’ll complete one application to apply to Winona State Graduate Studies and the Doctor of Education program at the same time. EdD applicants should complete the general GradCAS application.
We’ll send you a letter to let you know if you’ve been admitted to your program.
Learn more about how to apply to WSU Graduate Studies.
Broadway Suite 309 (Rochester Campus)
507.285.7481