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Frequently Asked Questions

ADMISSION QUESTIONS

Teacher Student interactionWhere can I get an application for graduate admission?
You may apply online, download an application from the web site, pick up an application at Cole Hall or we will mail you an application upon request. 

Is there a cost for applying to a graduate program?
A $25 application fee is required for processing an application.  Applicants that have previously paid the application fee at Drake University are not required to pay the fee again.  Applicants applying online are required to pay the $25 application fee in order to submit the application but a refund will be issued to those applicants who have previously paid the application fee.

Do you have an application deadline?
For most graduate programs, Drake offers rolling admission.  The exceptions to this are:

  • Master of Science in Counseling program has a deadline of April 15 for the fall term and October 15 for the spring term.
  • Master in Communication Leadership program has a July 1st deadline
  • Doctor of Education (EdD) program has a December 1 deadline on odd numbered years

For graduate programs without a deadline, we do encourage applicants to have the necessary paperwork submitted three months before the term to which you applied begins.  School of Education applicants, please be aware that if you are not admitted to a program prior to one month before the term ends, your application will be updated to the next term.

What graduate programs are offered?
Please click here for the list of Graduate programs offered at Drake University.

What are the requirements for graduate admission?
Admission requirements vary between departments.  For specific requirements, please visit the School of Education, College of Business and Public Administration or Master of Communication Leadership requirements page.

If I am pursuing an endorsement, do I still need to complete the application process?
Yes, anyone pursuing a master’s degree or endorsement needs to complete the application process.  Requirements for endorsements less than 12 credit hours are slightly different than for master’s degree programs and endorsements of more than 12 credit hours.  For specific requirements, please visit the School of Education requirements page.

Where can I find a graduate catalog?
Drake’s Graduate Catalog can be found online at http://www.drake.edu/studentrecords/catalogs/.

Is there a form I need to use for my letters of recommendation?
The School of Education requires that all applicants except those applying to the Master of Science in Education: Education Leadership program use the letter of recommendation form found at http://www.educ.drake.edu/application/SOE_ltr_of_rec_form.htm.  Applicants applying to the MSE in Education Leadership should use the letter of recommendation form found at http://www.educ.drake.edu/edl/assessment/applicant_master_eval.htm. 

There is no form required for applicants applying to a graduate program in the College of Business and Public Administration.

What should the letter of recommendation address?
Letters of recommendation should be written by someone who is familiar with your academic/professional achievement and/or scholarly work.  The letter should speak to the potential success of the applicant in a graduate program.

Is it possible for me to transfer in some credit?
Course credits may be considered for transfer that are (1) credits in residence from an accredited graduate school within five years preceding completion of the Drake program, (2) of at least a B grade, and (3) directly related to the student’s Drake graduate program and recommended by the advisor.  No more than 1/3 of the total degree program can be completed using transfer credits.

Is an examination required for applicants to a master’s degree programs?
Most graduate programs require that applicants take an examination.  For more information on examination requirements, please click here.

Will my decision be affected if I take any of the tests more than once?
No, Drake will consider the highest composite score you have achieved as long as the entrance exam was taken within the past five years.  TOEFL test scores need to be from within the last two years.

What is the average grade point average and test score of graduate students at Drake?
All applicants present a variety of academic credentials.  Therefore, it is virtually impossible for Drake to use a set formula to determine who is admitted each year.

For students applying to a master’s level program in Drake’s SOE, minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are: Verbal-400, Quantitative-460, and/or a 4.0 on the Writing Assessment.  The minimum acceptable score on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is 389, which is equivalent to 36 correct responses out of 100.  The Drake Writing Assessment test is on a pass/fail basis.

Where is the Office of Graduate Admission located?
The Office of Graduate Admission is located at 27th and University in Cole Hall, Room 202.

FINANCIAL AID AND TUITION

How much does graduate school cost?
Please click here for current tuition and fees.

Is financial assistance available to me?
Students seeking a degree program are able to apply for Federal Stafford Loans to help finance their studies.  Information on these loans is available through the Office of Student Financial Planning (515-271-2905 or toll free 800-443-7253, extension 2905).

To be eligible for financial aid in either the fall or spring term, a student must be enrolled at least half-time and be admitted to a program at least one month prior to the end of that term.  Students wanting financial aid for the summer term also need to be enrolled at least half-time, and be admitted at least one month prior to the end of that term.  Additionally, once a student's classes have ended for the summer term, the student is no longer able to receive financial aid for that term.  If you have questions about financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Planning at 515-271-2905 or toll free 800-443-7253 extension 2905.

Does Drake have graduate assistantships available to graduate students?
Within the School of Education, a limited number of graduate assistantships are available.  To learn more about the availability of these assistantships, please contact Anita Mozga at 515-271-2736 or 800-443-7253, extension 2736 or anita.mozga@drake.edu.  Drake’s Office of Student Financial Planning and the Office of Student Accounts also offers graduate assistantships.  For contact information in these areas, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 515-271-3871, toll-free 800-443-7253, extension 3871 or gradadmission@drake.edu.

Drake’s College of Business and Public Administration does not offer graduate assistantships.  However, many companies do offer tuition assistance to their employees.  Students should check with their specific company regarding tuition assistance.

GRADUATE ADMISSION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Is there a special application for international graduate students to complete?
No, international graduate students use the same application as domestic students.

Are there additional admission requirements for international students?
Yes, international students will need to submit additional requirements during the admission process.  For more information about these requirements click here.

Can international graduate students live on campus?
All graduate students are asked to find housing off campus.  We have a fully staffed International Center that coordinates services to international students.  Services include airport pickup; special orientation sessions prior to the start of each semester; immigration advising; general, non-academic counseling; and the Intensive English Program.

CLASSES AND SCHEDULES

How do I register for classes?
Login to BlueView using your Drake Student ID number and password to register for classes.  First time registers must contact the appropriate school or college to register for classes. 

  • For School of Education registration, please call 515-271-3727 or 1-800-443-7253 extension 3727. 
  • For College of Business and Public Administration registration and Master of Communication Leadership registration, please call 515-271-2188 or 1-800-443-7253 extension 2188.

Where can I find the current courses being offered?
Click here to view current and upcoming classes being offered.

When are classes offered?
Many of the graduate degree programs at Drake are evening or weekend programs.  Classes are offered during fall, spring, and summer terms.  Click here to find out what courses are being offered and when the classes are held.

Where can I find course descriptions?
Course descriptions are available online.

What is your academic calendar?
Drake operates on a semester academic calendar.

  

ACADEMICS

Are most graduate students full-time or part-time students?
Most graduate students are part-time students taking 9 credit hours or less.  Full-time students take 10 credit hours or more.

Can I do more than one program at a time?
Most often, students can only pursue one master’s program at a time.  There are, however, a few joint programs offered including MBA/Law, MPA/Law, Pharmacy/Law, Pharmacy/MPA and Pharmacy/MBA.

May I begin taking classes prior to admission?
Within the School of Education, it is possible to enroll in up to twelve semester hours prior to admission into a degree program.  Unfortunately, financial aid is not available to students prior to admission into a degree program.

You must be admitted to a program in the College of Business and Public Administration in order to take classes through the College of Business and Public Administration. 

How long do I have to finish my master’s degree?
Students have five years to finish a master’s degree.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio?
Drake’s student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 offers a quality experience unmatched by large universities.

Do graduate assistants teach students?
No.  We do not have our graduate assistants teaching our classes at Drake.

CAMPUS LIFE

Des Moines DowntownHow big is Drake’s campus?
Drake is situated on 120 acres within 10 minutes of downtown Des Moines.  You can reach campus within 20 minutes from most suburbs in the Des Moines area.

Where is Des Moines located?
Des Moines sits at the intersection of Interstates 35 and 80 in the heart of Iowa.  It is an easy drive from several major cities, including Chicago (329 miles), Kansas City (192 miles), Minneapolis (243 miles) and Omaha (135 miles).  The Des Moines International Airport, which is served by several major airlines, is 15 minutes from campus.

How do I get to campus?
Click here for driving directions and a map of campus.  Our address is 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311-4505.

What is the city of Des Moines like?
Iowa’s capital and largest city, Des Moines offers a variety of valuable employment opportunities as a center for government, insurance, publishing, health care, banking, the arts, agribusiness and more.  Des Moines offers numerous recreational opportunities as well, including parks, museums, art galleries, community playhouse, Civic Center, symphony, shopping districts, botanical center and professional sports teams.  The metro population totals approximately 400,000. 

What is the weather like in Iowa?
Iowa has four separate seasons, each one different than the next.  Winter usually involves snow and can be quite cold, while summer is warm and humid.  Check out the current Des Moines weather conditions.

Where do Drake graduate students come from?
Many graduate students live and work in the Des Moines area, although we do offer some degree programs throughout the state of Iowa.  For more information about off campus programs, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 515-271-3871, toll-free 1-800-443-7253, extension 3871 or gradadmission@drake.edu.

Does Drake offer housing for graduate students?
Beginning in fall 2008 the Drake West Village will open for upper class undergraduate students and graduate students.  There is also a variety of other housing options available in the areas adjacent to campus.  Please visit the Drake Real Estate office, call the Student Life Center on campus at 515-271-3711 or search local newspapers and apartment guides for further listings.