Candidates for admission to the Masters of Arts in Teaching program must submit the following materials to be considered for admission:

1. Completed Lee University Application to Graduate Studies including all supporting materials. Online application at www.applytolee.com

2. Original transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions.

3. Complete background check and fingerprinting forms.

The Graduate Education Committee will consider the following weighted criteria in final admission decisions:

1. Official Grade Point Average (GPA) from all undergraduate and graduate programs.

2. Interview with the Director of Teacher Education

3. A 500-word essay based on questions included in the application

4. Three recommendations from professionals acquainted with the candidate's work.

The Graduate Education Committee may admit candidates in one of the following categories:

1. Full Admission: Applicant meets all admission requirements

2. Provisional Admission: May be granted if the candidate does not meet minimum standards in one or more of the weighted criteria above. However, the candidate may not take more than nine (9) hours, which may be prescribed as a condition of acceptance, as a Provisionally Admitted candidate. To continue beyond the nine (9) hours, the candidate must be considered for Full Admission by the Graduate Education Committee.

3. Non-Degree Admission: A candidate may be granted Non-Degree Admission status to take up to nine (9) hours of coursework. Non-Degree status may be granted if the following minimum criteria are met:

• Completion of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.

• Presentation of official transcripts of all completed coursework

• Completion of demographic information on the application

A Non-Degree candidate may take a maximum of nine (9) hours in this status. To continue, the candidate must complete the requirements for consideration for Full Admission by the Graduate Education Committee.

1. A maximum of six (6) hours of transfer work from an accredited institution and approved by the Dean and Helen DeVos College of Education may be counted toward the graduate degree.

2. Candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA

3. Grades below a "C" are unacceptable and may be grounds for dismissal from the program

4. No more than two "C"'s are acceptable. The candidate will be dismissed from the program with a third "C" or below 

5. Candidates must apply for graduation in accordance with the university's published policy.

6. Candidates must complete application for Admission to Candidacy by mid-point in their program.

7. Students must complete the program within six (6) calendar years from the completion of the first course.

8. Candidates electing the thesis option will present the results of their Graduate Research Exercise in an open forum as a culmination of the Thesis Seminar class. This constitutes the candidate's oral examination. (For MAT/MED students only.)

9. The candidate Portfolio must be submitted to the Graduate Education Office ten (10) days prior to graduation.

10. For the Master's level candidates, there will be an option to complete a formal thesis or take an approved graduate class elective. This choice will be made subsequent to the candidate's completion of EDUC-501 and prior to Admission to Candidacy. In addition, the candidate contemplating the thesis will attach a Thesis Application to the documents for Admission to Candidacy. The Thesis Application will require the signature of at least one Graduate Education Faculty member indicating approval of the candidate's choice. Candidates approved for the thesis will enroll in EDUC-595 at least one semester prior to graduation. The completed theses, including faculty signatures indicating full acceptance, will be due in the Graduate Education Office at least ten (10) days prior to graduation. After all coursework for the degree is completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 of higher, students will be allowed one semester to complete the thesis or final project. If the thesis or project is not completed during that semester, students will enroll in GRAD-599 and will be charged regular registration fees for each fall and/or spring semester in which a continuation is required. (Enrollment in this course will not be required over a summer semester unless collaborative work between the supervising professor and student is planned).