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School of Education Requirements

Drake's School of Education (SOE) offers master's degree, specialist degree, doctoral degree and endorsement programs. To be considered for admission to a master's degree, specialist degree or endorsement program, the following are required as a part of the application process:

  • Submit the $25.00 application fee (prior applicants who have previously paid the fee are not required to do so again)
  • Submit official transcripts for ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework from EVERY institution attended (even if a degree was not received). Drake transcripts do not need to be requested.
  • Submit current professional resume or curriculum vitae
  • Submit a brief, typed explanation of what program you intend to pursue and why (this is not required for the Master of Science in Education: Education Leadership, Master of Science in Counseling, Master of Science in Rehabilitation Administration and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Placement programs)
  • Achieve the following Grade Point Average (GPA) criteria*
    • Undergraduate GPA = 2.50 (cumulative)
                                      AND
    • Graduate GPA = 3.00 (cumulative), if applicable
      *Students who do not meet the above mentioned GPA requirements may contact the Office of Graduate Admission for additional information.
  • Submission of two (2) professional letters of recommendation (READ CAREFULLY)
    • For all SOE applicants, other than those applying to the Education Leadership program**, letters should be submitted on the recommendation form that is available for printing at http://www.educ.drake.edu/application/SOE_ltr_of_rec_form.htm (PLEASE PRINT AND SIGN THIS FORM AND MAIL IT TO THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE ADMISSION AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY). Individuals familiar with the applicant's professional/academic achievement and/or scholarly work should submit letters. They should speak to the potential success of the applicant in a graduate program.
    • **MSE Education Leadership applicants DO NOT submit the above form. Students pursuing a master's program in Education Leadership must request that each reference complete and submit the electronic form available at http://www.educ.drake.edu/edl/assessment/applicant_master_eval.htm (PLEASE PRINT THIS FORM AND MAIL IT TO THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE ADMISSION AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY).
  • Testing Requirement options: There are three testing options available to applicants. Only one of the three tests listed below needs to be completed successfully to satisfy the testing requirement. Test scores must be from within the last 5 years. The testing requirement is not required for endorsement-only programs of less than 12 credit hours.
    • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) - Minimum Required Scores:
      Verbal = 400 and Quantitative = 460
      OR
      Minimum Analytical Writing score of 4.0
    • Miller Analogies Test (MAT)- Minimum Required Score of 36 if the test was taken prior to October 1, 2004 or a score of 389 if the test was taken after October 1, 2004.
    • Drake Writing Competency Test (DWRT) - Achievement of acceptable results from the Drake Writing Competency Test administered and developed by the School of Education.
  • Complete program specific requirements - This applies to the following programs:
    • Master of Science in Teaching (MST) and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) require submission of PRAXIS Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST I) scores.  Minimum scores required are: Reading = 171; Writing = 171; Math = 169
    • All Counseling programs - Applicants interested in admission to the Master of Science in Counseling, Master of Science Rehabilitation Administration and Master of Science Rehabilitation Placement programs must submit all application materials by March 1 to be considered for admission to the fall term or September 1 to be considered for admission to the spring term.
      • Statement of Interest in the Counseling program. The statement of interest in an integral part of a student's application. This statement provides the Counseling, Rehabilitation Administration, and Rehabilitation Placement program information about who you are, your goals and aspirations. It also demonstrates your writing proficiency, communication skills and organizational abilities. Therefore, both content and format of your essay are important. Your statement must not exceed five, double-spaced typewritten pages.

        Please include the following information in your statement: educational and professional background, career aspirations with a counseling degree, experience working with people who are different from you and personal characteristics that will allow you to be a successful graduate student.
      • Eligible applicants will be required to interview with the department as part of the application process.
    • Master of Science in Education (MSE) Educational Leadership - Written Response to Iowa Standards – The information for this requirement can be found at http://www.educ.drake.edu/edl/assessment/app_written.html. Please print and mail your responses to the Office of Graduate Admission. 
  • Admission Policy for Graduate Work (Effective fall 2008)
    • Students may take up to two courses or 6 hours of graduate credit before admission to a graduate    program. After two courses or 6 hours, students must be admitted, or further registration will not be  possible.
    • Any waiver must be requested by an advisor of a specific program and approved by the Associate        Dean.



Doctoral applicants are required to submit the following as a part of the application process:

  • Submit the $25.00 application fee (prior applicants who have previously paid the fee are not required to do so again).
  • Submit official transcripts for ALL undergraduate and graduate coursework from EVERY institution attended (even if a degree was not received). Drake transcripts do not need to be requested.
  • Applicants must have achieved an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better and a graduate GPA of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Evidence of a Miller Analogies Test score of 43 or better if taken before October 1, 2004 or a score of 400 or better if taken after October 1, 2004; or a Graduate Record Examination score of 1000 or better (combined quantitative and verbal scores).
  • Evidence of a significant scholarly accomplishment, either a completed master's thesis or other written product(s) that demonstrate the ability to work independently and at an advanced standing level.
  • A letter requesting admission and including reasons for pursuing the doctoral degree, an overview of professional background and goals, and a discussion of the applicant's educational and professional philosophy. 
  • The applicant also should request three letters of recommendation; one must come from the current or most recent employer and two must come from other qualified individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the applicant's professional abilities.
  • Not all qualified applicants can be admitted. Students typically interview with doctoral faculty in order to explore professional goals and proposed specialization studies, applicant commitment to and ability to complete advanced study, and applicant's interests in advanced field experience and research. Final admission decisions are based upon multiple criteria, including both applicant characteristics and the ability of the program to serve the student's needs.

All materials for the SOE should be submitted to:

Office of Graduate Admission
Cole Hall
Drake University
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311-4505 USA