Graduate Application Requirements

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

In order to be eligible to apply for the doctor of education program, applicants must have earned the minimum of a Master's Degree with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average from an accredited institution and have five or more years of verified teaching experience at public or private schools accredited by Cognia or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC.) at the Accredited with Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) Level.

Applicants must submit the following documentation to the Graduate Admissions Office:

1. Completed graduate admissions applications.
2. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a colleague. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
3. Professional activities resume.
4. Copy of valid professional Georgia teaching certificates at the appropriate level (Georgia-certified educators) or letters from the head of the school, Board of Trustees, dean, or department chair to verify the quality of work (Non-Georgia-certified educators). Applicants who do not hold Georgia certification and desire to be certified in Georgia must complete all requirements established by the Professional Standards Commission (PSC).
5. Personal affirmation form.
6. Official final transcripts from all graduate colleges and universities attended in the past (Piedmont University transcripts are on file).
7. Scholarly, informative letter of intent.
8. For educational leadership applicants, applicants who are not currently serving in a leadership position must also provide a letter from the building or district administrator indicating agreement that the applicant will be released from other responsibilities for two full days per week or the equivalent to allow the candidate sufficient time to participate in and successfully complete the required clinical work.

Education Specialist (Ed.S)

Eligibility for application requires a master’s degree with a 3.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university and two or more years of verified successful teaching experience at a public or a private school accredited by Cognia or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level. *

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding your master’s degree. (Piedmont University transcripts are on file.)
3. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a colleague. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
4. Copy of valid, current professional certificate at the appropriate level for Georgia educators seeking certificate upgrade. Alternatively, candidates from independent schools should submit a letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)
5. Letter of Intent (scholarly)
6. Professional Activities Resume
7. Verification of Professional Experience (two years)* at the time of application
8. Personal Affirmation Form

Master of Arts in Education (MA)

Master of Arts (MA) degrees in education are designed for teachers and/or individuals who hold a valid teaching certificate or who are currently teaching in a private school accredited by Cognia or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level. Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university and a copy of a valid teaching certificate or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator.*

Note: Master of Arts (MA) degree programs do not lead to initial educator certification nor to the conversion of a non-renewable certificate (Provisional or Waiver certificate) to a Professional certificate. (Piedmont has Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and certification-only programs leading to initial certification.)

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the Bachelor’s degree showing all course work from granting your bachelor's degree. (Piedmont University transcripts are on file.)
3. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a colleague. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
4. Copy of valid, current professional Georgia teaching certificate at the appropriate level or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. For those holding provisional certificates a copy of the current certificate and a copy of the PSC letter outlining requirements for updating to a clear-renewable certificate

   (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)

5. For Art Education, the art education coordinator must approve a portfolio of past work and a philosophy of teaching before acceptance.
6. For Music Education, the music department chair must approve a videotaped or live audition before acceptance.
7. Personal Affirmation Form

   * These programs are for advanced certification and do not lead to a recommendation for an initial Georgia Teaching Certificate. Holders of out-of-state certificates should contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for reciprocity rules.

   ** Teachers using this option must have taught three out of the past five years with a professional teaching certificate in an accredited public school or private school [Cognia or GAC (top two levels)] verified through submitted annual evaluations.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university.

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application.
2. All official, final transcripts from every college attended.
3. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a colleague. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
4. Personal Affirmation Form.
5. For Art Education, applicants must have completed an art degree at the undergraduate level. Any exceptions must be approved by the Art Department Chair. Applicant must provide a portfolio and a philosophy of teaching for review. The art education coordinator must approve a portfolio of past work and a philosophy of teaching before acceptance.
6. For Music Education, applicants must have completed a music degree at the undergraduate level. Any exceptions must be approved by the Music Department Chair. Applicant must have an approved audition with the music department.

Master of Education in School Counseling (MED)

Admission Requirements:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
3. One official transcript from each university, college, and professional school attended. Students currently pursuing their baccalaureate degree may submit an official transcript-in-progress for admission consideration.
4. Two professional references
5. Personal Affirmation Form
6. A current résumé detailing education, work experiences, leadership activities, volunteer/service work, etc.

Note: Candidates must be Admitted to Counselor Education (ACE) before enrolling in their 3rd semester. This includes passage of a criminal records background check.

Master of Science in Management (MSM)

Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university. The bachelor’s degree may be in any field, including business.*

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. All official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the Bachelor’s degree showing all coursework from all colleges and universities attended
3. Two professional references
4. Professional resume
5. Current job description, if applicable  

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)

Application Requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
2. GRE waived.
3. Final transcript from the university, college, or professional school granting the bachelor’s degree. Students currently pursuing their baccalaureate degree may submit an unofficial in-progress transcript for admission consideration.
4. Two professional references (not friends or relatives, and one should ideally be a former/current professor or instructor).
5. Statement of Intent/Personal Statement (minimum of two pages, double-spaced). In essay form, tell us about yourself.

   o What does mental health counseling mean to you, and why do you want to become a counselor? Include your personal and professional interests and goals in the counseling field.
   o What is your personal background and work history? How does it relate to the counseling field?
   o How do you demonstrate respect for groups or individuals different from you?
   o What do you see as your dedication and aptitude for succeeding in a graduate-level program?

6. A current résumé detailing education, work experiences, leadership activities, volunteer/service work, etc.

Once all application materials have been reviewed by the counseling faculty, if reasonable questions remain about an applicant's fit for the program and/or profession, the counseling faculty will invite the applicant to participate in a virtual interview to determine admission to the program.

Acceptance letters into the program are generally sent out within one week of the decision. A mandatory virtual program orientation is required before the start of the semester. This date will be in the acceptance letter.

Master of Science (MSAT) degree in Athletic Training

To be admitted into the Athletic Training Program, the applicant must meet the minimum criteria listed below: (to be completed through the College of Nursing and Health Sciences)

Master of Science (MS) degree in Forensic Science

Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university.

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. All official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the bachelor’s degree showing all coursework from all colleges and universities attended
3. Two professional references
4. A 500-700 word essay addressing the applicant's professional interests, work history, career goals, and potential for success in the program.

Master of Science (MSHHP) degree in Health and Human Performance

Master of Science (MS) degree in Speech Language Pathology

To be admitted into the Speech-Language Pathology Program, the applicant must meet the minimum criteria listed below:

• Copy of official transcripts (Final, official transcripts are due before fall classes begin)
• Completion of an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.0
• Completion of the following foundational courses that cannot be related to communication sciences and disorders: Biological Sciences; Physical Sciences (a physics or chemistry course); Statistics; Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences.
• Completion of prerequisite courses in communication sciences and disorders prior to the beginning of fall graduate classes with a GPA of 3.0. If a student is missing one pre-requisite course, they can be accepted with a deficiency in that they will need to complete the course concurrent with graduate work. Determination of suitability for concurrent coursework will be made on an individual basis.
• Completed application to Communication Sciences and Disorders Centralized Application System (CSDCAS) including letter of intent, professional resume, three letters of recommendation, and an interview.
• Completed application to Piedmont University Graduate Admissions (demographic information only; other records and documents will be obtained through the CSDCAS System). The fee is waived for applicants to the speech-language pathology program.
• Completion of 25 observation hours with a certified, licensed speech-language pathologist prior to the beginning of fall classes

Certification Only (Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree) in Education

A minimum of a bachelor's degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university is required.

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
3. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a colleague. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
4. Personal Affirmation Form
5. If you are a returning BA or MA Educational Studies graduate from Piedmont University, you may return within five years as a certification only student.  A prerequisite for admission as a certification-only student is successful completion of the appropriate GACE content tests.

Certification-only in School Counseling

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Master's degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
3. One official transcript from each university, college, and professional school attended. Students currently pursuing their baccalaureate degree may submit an official transcript-in-progress for admission consideration.
4. Two professional references
5. Personal Affirmation Form
6. A current résumé detailing education, work experiences, leadership activities, volunteer/service work, etc.

Certification-only option in Drama Education

Certification-only option in Tier I Educational Leadership

Individuals must currently hold the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction. The certification program requires a total of 24 credits (12 in addition to the 30 credits earned in the Ed.S. degree program in Curriculum and Instruction). Candidates who hold an Ed.S. degree from another accredited institution may be considered for admission to the Educational Leadership Certification program, but may, at the discretion of the faculty, be required to complete additional course work in curriculum and instruction and pass the GACE assessments in Curriculum and Instruction.

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcript for the college or university awarding the Education Specialist degree
3. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a colleague. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
4. Copy of current educator certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Candidates from independent schools should submit a letter from the principal of head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. (Note: candidates not currently certified in Georgia who are seeking certification must contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.)
5. Professional Activities Resume
6. Personal Affirmation Form

Non-Degree Graduate (NDG)

Eligibility for application requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, GPA of 2.5 or better on most recent degree, and good academic standing from former institution, and a statement of intent as to why applicant wants to take the non-degree classes.  Maximum credit hours vary by program. Refer to specific graduated programs in the catalogue for additional information.  

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final and sealed transcripts from most recent degree
3. Personal Affirmation Form (education only)

Note: If a non-degree graduate student selects a course offered by the College of Education that requires field experience, the non-degree graduate student must receive approval of the Dean of the College of Education before registering for the course.

Non-degree status is available for applicants who wish to take undergraduate or graduate level courses for personal or professional enrichment. No more than 15 semester hours may be taken as a non-degree graduate student. Applicants who wish to enroll in more than 15 semester hours as a non-degree graduate student must apply for permission from the Dean of the College.

The non-degree graduate student must meet prerequisite course requirements for any course taken. Non-degree graduate students are not assigned an academic advisor and are allowed to register for courses on a space-available basis where size limitation is a concern.

Courses taken as a non-degree graduate student may not be applied to a degree until the applicant has completed the admissions requirements for that degree including any required admissions test. Up to nine semester hours may be allowed to transfer into a degree program as long as it is within the six-year period.  These courses will be evaluated by the Registrar and the program director or chair. Policies regarding transfer courses will apply. 

Tuition for graduate courses taken as a non-degree student is charged at the graduate tuition rate.